Down Syndrome Society launches
local
campaign
The Newfoundland and Labrador Down Syndrome Society (Eastern Canada)
launched a successful awareness campaign last year called, "More Than
Meets The Eye."
It was produced by fine art photographer Sheilagh O'Leary of
St. John's Newfoundland. "I am an art photographer, " she says, "but
Just as important to me is my community involvement and social activism.
I believe strongly in the humanitarian aspect of the work I do and as a
result of the intimate nature of much of my work, I have clients come to
me with cancer and other challenging physical issues, who require a
certain level of discretion and sensitivity.
"When I took on the N&L Down Syndrome Society project, I knew this
was going to be a very big leap of faith for the subjects and families
of these individuals in order to trust that I would depict the people in
the show with dignity and a joie de vivre.!"
Sheilagh explains how she became a "promotional machine."
She gives the Society credit for working hard on orchestrating the
volunteers for the project, as well as pulling together the finds to
finance it. At the same time, she relates how she created the images and
"danced in circles" in order to insure that the entire community was
aware of it. As she recalls, she literally "bombarded the local media."
Any publicist will tell you that is what it takes to get the job done,
and done effectively.
On the other hand, Sheilagh points out that the other important
factor for getting cooperation was to stay positive and keeping the
board members assured that all would eventually turn out as anticipated
for a project of that magnitude.
Funding for the project came from local parties and businesses,
with many participants donating in-kind services.
How does Sheilagh feel about the project? "I personally had no previous
affiliation with people with Down syndrome in my life before this
exhibition. I have experienced many other challenges, such as cancer and
mental illness in my life, but this was a very new challenge for me. I
knew the growth curve would be huge so I excitedly embraced the
potential and am a richer person for it. It was a fantastic experience
and we definitely accomplished what we set out to do, which was to bring
awareness to our community about Down syndrome and educated people on
how individuals affected by Down syndrome are and can be valuable
contributors in our society if only we support them!" |
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Images by Sheilagh O'Leary
Material that went with the
exhibition explained about the condition of Down syndrome. "Down
syndrome is a naturally occurring chromosomal arrangement that has
always been a part of the human condition. The occurrence of Down
syndrome is universal across racial and gender lines, and it is
estimated to be present in approximately one in 800 births in Canada.
The sole characteristic shared by all persons is the presence of extra
genetic material associated with the 21st chromosome. The effects of
that extra genetic material vary greatly from individual to individual.
All people with Down syndrome learn, develop and achieve. The greatest
challenges for many individuals with Down syndrome are perceptions [of
others] that underestimate their potential and abilities."
Sheilagh O'Leary is an award-winning photographer whose work has
been exhibited internationally and has appeared in numerous journals and
publication such as the Globe & Mail, Arts Atlantic and the
Newfoundland Quarterly.
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