Night of the Oscars, actor with Down syndrome receives the statuette
James Martin, actor with Down syndrome, has withdrawn the statuette assigned to the film of “An Irish Goodbye”.
Insights
March 15, 2023
Los Angeles – Dark shirt and leopard jacket, a tear of emotion and the statue in his hands. This is the symbolic image of the night of the Oscars 2023, with James Martin on stage together with producers Tom Berkeley and Ross White to collect the award won by ‘An Irish Goodbye’ for best live action short film. James Martin turned 31 just yesterday, has Down syndrome and is one of the protagonists of the short. “The news can only make me cry. I am a mother and in moments like these I kick my fears and my daughter’s struggles and push them miles away, together with the low expectations of the world out there”, wrote Martina Fuga, communication manager of CoorDown and mother of Emma. CoorDown is a coordination of associations of people with Down Syndrome which year after year on the occasion of World Down Syndrome Day which is celebrated on March 21 is changing the rules of communication on disability, with original, innovative and courageous campaigns, capable of changing the gaze. From the #DammiPiùVoce campaign, in which VIPs of the caliber of Sharon Stone relaunched the testimonies of children with down syndrome, to the #DearFutureMom of 2014 which delicately spoke about the decision to carry on the pregnancy of a child with Down syndrome, passing through #TheHiringChain on the work inclusion and #JustTheTwoOfUs dedicated to sexuality and love life. Regarding the news, the Italian Minister for Disabilities, Alessandra Locatelli said in a Facebook post: “A big round of applause for James Martin, the first actor with Down syndrome to take the stage at the Oscars and collect the coveted statuette! The short film ‘An Irish Goodby’ won the award for best live action short film, and James Martin showed the whole world that everyone can express talent, professionalism and arouse a lot of emotions! Congratulations James.”