Carla Clark | For The Republic Madison Tevlin smiles during the question and answer portion of Breaking Barriers 2024, the Arc of Bartholomew County, Disability Awareness & Leadership Development, at the Commons, Columbus, Ind., Wednesday, October 23, 2024.
Carla Clark | For The Republic Madison Tevlin smiles during the question and answer portion of Breaking Barriers 2024, the Arc of Bartholomew County, Disability Awareness & Leadership Development, at the Commons, Columbus, Ind., Wednesday, October 23, 2024.
A large crowd gathered for the Breaking Barriers Benefit Wednesday night at The Commons, featuring Canadian actress Madison Tevlin, one of the stars of the “Champions” film.
A private free showing of the move, “Champions,” was at YES Cinema on Tuesday. A Leadership for Self-Advocates Workshop at The Arc of Bartholomew County is planned for 5 to 8 p.m. today.
Grace Kestler, the Arc’s executive director, pointed out that it is an honor to host Tevlin, who regularly spreads a message of possibilities especially for those with intellectual disabilities.
“She’s very energetic and bubbly — and very blunt,” Kestler said of the resident of Toronto, Canada. “She talks a lot about the importance of people with intellectual disabilities having high expectations.”
Her online video clips feature an unvarnished frankness that has endeared her to a sizable audience.
“I’m used to getting judged for the way that I look,” Tevlin says in one video. “It drives me crazy.”
She also has included in some remarks that she would like to see more doctors simply congratulate couples on their Down syndrome babies instead of sometimes beginning the news of the infant with “I’m sorry … .”
Kestler mentioned that the month’s events are presented with a two-fold perspective.
“Overall, we want to continue to educate the public, and also to build awareness,” Kestler said.
