North Little Rock teen with Down syndrome to be featured in Times Square event

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A North Little Rock teen with Down syndrome hopes his upcoming Times Square appearance will inspire others.

From out of around 3000 photos, 19-year-old Caleb Smith was selected along with 500 others to appear in New York City’s Times Square in September for the National Down Syndrome Society video presentation. Smith will be representing Arkansas during the event.

Smith said he is “excited and happy.”

The organization said his photo, which was submitted by his mother Ashley Murry, captured the essence of beauty, strength and unique qualities that individuals with Down syndrome possess.

“It’s going to be on two jumbotrons and for millions of people to see and Facebook live. It makes me emotional,” Murry said. “I want other people to see that just because he has a disability, he is still somebody that can be whatever he wants to be, and he is proving that.

She said this is just one of the many achievements in Smith’s life.

“He said he wants everyone to see his smile and that he can go to college,” Murray said.

With his family’s support, his life is only getting sweeter on his way to culinary school after he graduated high school. Smith said he plans to “make cookies.”

His family said they all hope to inspire others across the Natural State and in the Big Apple.

“I want other kids, especially younger and not just those with Down syndrome but with other disabilities to know that if you put your mind to it; you can do it,” Murry said. “If my son can do it, so can your son.”

The video presentation featuring Caleb will debut in Times Square on Sept. 7.

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