NEW YORK, NY — John and Mathew Jarvis sons to Wendy and Dan Jarvis, Grayslake, Illinois and grandsons to John and Bonnie Durre of Minonk, appeared in lights on Broadway on Sunday, September 25 as part of the National Down Syndrome Society’s video production to demonstrate that people with Down syndrome can be successfully included in community activities, education and employment.

The photo of John and Matthew, who have Down syndrome, was selected from nearly 2,000 entries in the NDSS nationwide call for photos. Approximately 250 photographs appeared in the video production shown on the larger-than-life NBC Astrovision by Panasonic, located in the heart of Times Square. Panasonic has donated 40 minutes of time on the Times Square Astrovision in honor of October, National Down Syndrome Awareness month.

The video production, coordinated by NDSS, illustrates children, teens and adults with Down syndrome working, playing and learning with friends and family.

The Times Square video production kicks off National Down Syndrome Awareness Month, which includes the 2005 Buddy Walk. This year, walks will be held in more than 250 cities across the country, as well as many international walks. John C. McGinley, who plays Dr. Perry Cox in the hit NBC show “Scrubs,” is the 2005 National Buddy Walk Spokesman.  Mr. McGinley is both an accomplished actor and the proud father of Max, his eight-year-old son who has Down syndrome.  The New York City Buddy Walk will be led by Mr. McGinley and NDSS Goodwill Ambassador Chris Burke, star of the long-running ABC series, “Life Goes On.”  For information about National Down Syndrome Awareness Month or the NDSS Buddy Walk, visit www.NDSS.org or call 800-221-4602.

About NDSS