CYPRESS – A Cypress family is celebrating after getting news their loved one will be featured in Times Square!
6-year-old Haddie Christensen will be part of the annual National Down Syndrome Society Times Square Video presentation.
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Her photo was picked from among 3,000 entries to play on two screens in the heart of Times Square. Haddie’s parents have been submitting her photos for the last three years and are thrilled she was selected.
“I actually started crying,” said Hensley, Haddie’s 9-year-old big sister.
Lisa Christensen, Haddie’s mother, said she might have also shed a few tears.
“I opened the email, and I had to read it twice because I was like, oh, wait, it didn’t say no this time. That was not what I was expecting because there’s so many applicants.”
The one-hour video will include 500 children, teens, and adults with Down Syndrome from all 50 states and 14 countries.
The event also kicks off the New York City Buddy Walk in Central Park, which promotes acceptance and inclusion of people with Down Syndrome.
“We feel just blessed because this is the 30th anniversary of the Buddy Walk in New York City and it’s going to be a big celebration. And we were not surprised her photo was selected because she’s a beautiful and sweet girl,” said her father, Henning Christensen III.
He also hopes the video will help other families know that they are not alone.
“Anytime someone receives a diagnosis, there’s a community out there. It’s a very loving and supportive community. In the history of the world, there’s never been a better time to have a child with Down Syndrome because there’s so many resources out there.”
Henning Christensen IIII, Haddie’s big brother, said he’s excited to go to New York City next week.
The Christensen family will all be together to see Haddie light up Times Square on September 7.
To learn more about the National Down Syndrome Society, click here.