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Daughter's professional acting debut

Posted: March 9 19, 1:33 pm
by Joe Shlabotnik
My youngest, who has always wanted to act, gets her dream come true tonight. It is opening night for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival's production of Hairspray. It runs from now through October and my girl is a member of the ensemble for half the shows - about 60 performances. Come on out and see it in beautiful Ashland, Or - OSF is a top notch regional theater.

I remember getting the diagnosis for Down Syndrome the day after she was born and wondering if she'd be able to do any of the things we take for granted. As you may guess, I am pretty damn proud. :-)

Re: Daughter's professional acting debut

Posted: March 9 19, 2:13 pm
by Freed Roger
That is great in every way. Congrats and enjoy!

Re: Daughter's professional acting debut

Posted: March 9 19, 4:08 pm
by stlouie_lipp
Awesome!

Re: Daughter's professional acting debut

Posted: March 9 19, 4:57 pm
by 33anda3rd
Yes! Break a leg to your daughter!

Re: Daughter's professional acting debut

Posted: March 9 19, 5:05 pm
by TheoSqua
I have a two year old daughter with Down Syndrome. It's been a rough couple of years for her, but it's always heartening to me to hear stories like this and know she has a great chance of having a fulfilling life.

Re: Daughter's professional acting debut

Posted: March 9 19, 5:23 pm
by Joe Shlabotnik
TheoSqua wrote:I have a two year old daughter with Down Syndrome. It's been a rough couple of years for her, but it's always heartening to me to hear stories like this and know she has a great chance of having a fulfilling life.
We were so lucky to have the pediatrician we did. Because on that day he told us of her diagnosis he said take her home and treat her like all the other kids. Best advice we could have had. I've found DS kids will rise to your expectations. If you don't challenge them they are content to just be. But expose them to the world and they'll take it in and reflect it back.

She was, by far, the easiest of our 4 to raise - she wants everyone to be happy around her. Yes, she can't do math, trusts anyone and everyone, repeats things ad nauseum and will be with us the rest of our lives. But she reads and writes, dresses and takes care of herself, never complains, makes her own meals, etc. All in all she's great to have around.

Love your daughter and she'll give it all back and then some, Theo. Good luck!

Re: Daughter's professional acting debut

Posted: March 9 19, 5:57 pm
by 33anda3rd
Joe, it sounds like she's lucky to have you as parents. I look forward to hearing other success stories in the future.

Re: Daughter's professional acting debut

Posted: March 9 19, 5:59 pm
by Tim
Man. This made my day.

Awesome Joe!

Re: Daughter's professional acting debut

Posted: March 11 19, 9:09 am
by heyzeus
Mazel tov!

Re: Daughter's professional acting debut

Posted: March 11 19, 9:17 am
by ghostrunner
Awesome. Tell her to break a leg.