Just like You' PSA touches the heart.

This weekend the Grand Bahama community is being asked to help celebrate the “Up Side of Down” at the annual GB Down Syndrome Buddy Walk. The 5th annual event will be held this Saturday, May 7th at 7am starting at the Grand Bahama Port Authority building.

Last year’s successful event allowed organisers to create a much needed Public Service Announcement (PSA) which is now playing on ZNS, Cable Bahamas, JCN as well as being aired on local radio stations like Island FM. The purpose of the ad is to remind everyone that persons living with Down syndrome may look a little different, but they’re ‘Just like you!’

According to the World Down Syndrome website, “persons living with Down syndrome should be able to enjoy full and equal rights including the opportunity to participate fully in their communities.”

The 60 sec PSA showcases this mandate and was the brain child of Chairman of Grand Bahama Down Syndrome Society (GBDSS), Wende Hanna, who teamed up with the GB Beacon School, Barefoot Marketing and KeeniMedia to produce the PSA using local school children in the ad.

“We were honoured to be asked by Wende to assist with this wonderful production,” said Sarah Kirkby, Marketing Director at Barefoot Marketing.

“The final copy brought me to tears and reminded me how beautiful these children are.”

The video, which is featured on the Grand Bahama Down Syndrome Society’s Facebook page shows children with Down Syndrome participating in regular activities like cooking, playing and taking selfies, just like every other child. The PSA has now been viewed over 20,000 times and shared all over the world by family, friends, teachers, and supporters.

"Supporting our vital community organizations is something that is very important to us,” KeeniMedia President, Erik Russell. “The Grand Bahama Down Syndrome Society fills an important role in supporting the families of our community impacted by Down Syndrome, so we’re excited about doing everything we can to help them raise awareness, educate the public and fulfill their mission."

The GB Down Syndrome PSA was created to remind everyone that persons living with Down syndrome may look a little different, but they’re ‘Just like you!’ Students from the Beacon School are seen reviewing their “selfie” shots for the ad, along with the KeeniMedia production team. (Photo courtesy of Barefoot Marketing)

Last year, the Grand Bahama community joined the Grand Bahama Down Syndrome Society in raising awareness of Down syndrome by wearing mismatched socks to represent the mismatched chromosomes that persons with Down syndrome have. “We have surpassed our goal of raising awareness for those living with DS in our community,” noted Wende Hanna, President of the Grand Bahama Down Syndrome Society.

“With our wonderful commercial we have sent our message to THE WORLD! We are so pleased with the product, and the response that we have received from the community, whether in person, by text, or via social media. Our partnership with Barefoot Marketing and Keen I Media has definitely been a successful one. The professionalism of the crew, and their interaction with the talent during the filming, was an enjoyable experience for everyone, and resulted in an excellent commercial, for which we continue to receive accolades.”

GBDSS hopes that the Grand Bahama community continues to support their efforts and will now join them on Saturday at the Buddy Walk. Interested walkers are asked to join them as they walk a mile in the Freeport down town area promoting the “Up Side of Down” and doing something everyone does.

Forms for the event are available on their Facebook page, at the Beacon School, at the Corp Law Court Building and this year funds will go towards improving and enhancing the resources available to those with Down Syndrome on the island.

The Grand Bahama Down Syndrome Society (GBDSS), launched a PSA with last years Buddy Walk proceeds, the 60 sec ad was the idea of GBDSS Chairman, Wende Hanna, who teamed up with the GB Beacon School, Barefoot Marketing and Keen i Media to produce the PSA using local school children in the ad. The ad can now be seen on local TV stations as wells as on the society’s Facebook page.

By Sarah Kirkby
Source: Barefoot Marketing