Family stars in Down's Syndrome campaign to share positive message

Frankie Jackson, aged four, and her mum Donna and dad Scott and joined forces with families from all over the UK to show that children born with the genetic disorder can lead an ordinary and happy life.

They are part of the Facebook group for the campaign Wouldn’t Change A Thing and a call for parents to get involved with a video to spread the positive message in light of the last film, 50 Mums, 50 Kids, 1 Extra Chromosome, which is now regarded as one of the most popular viral videos in history.

The latest video aims to share the joy that children with Down’s Syndrome bring to family life on a backdrop of ever-increasing screening and termination for the condition.

So, answering the call Frankie and her family filmed themselves singing and signing in Makaton to Tightrope from the film The Greatest Showman.

The video was released today (Thursday), and mum Donna says she is proud to be involved the project which is raising awareness.

Despite the early success, Donna admitted that it was not all plain sailing to put it together.

She said: “We went down to Admiral’s Way park and normally it is quiet down there but there were six families and I bet they were thinking ‘what are they doing?’”

For the family’s part it was decided that Donna would sing and sign the lines while Scott played with Frankie.

“In the park there is a balance beam and I thought it would be a good idea to walk across it while doing the lines, but it was really difficult trying not to fall off.”

The family filmed 40 takes of the song before sending five edits in for the producers to choose from.

“This year there has been a real change and much more awareness around disabilities. From this video we are hoping to show that our children are beautiful and are not different.”

Donna that Frankie’s two-year-old sister Riley was unable to be in video, as it was a maximum of three people, but enjoyed learning the signing for their lines.