A Dundee teenager has joined forces with Christmas crooner Michael Buble to star in a new music video designed to spread cheer among people with Down’s Syndrome.
Cameron Edwards, 17, was diagnosed with the disorder at just five days old.
He and mum Lorraine feature in the short film, which had its premiere on ITV’s This Morning programme.
They are among 25 families who are shown using Makathon, a streamlined form of British sign language designed for people with Down’s syndrome, to narrate the lyrics to Buble’s All I Want for Christmas is You.
It is the latest initiative from the charity Wouldn’t Change a Thing, which is working to shake up negative perceptions of the condition.
Lorraine and Cameron are the third family to appear in the video, sitting in front of their Christmas tree at home.
It premiered on ITV’s This Morning on Thursday December 13 and had co-host Rochelle Humes in tears.
The video was kept under wraps until its premier on the show so the first time Lorraine got to see it was during the broadcast.
Cameron had to wait until he got home from school before he could watch himself in action.
Lorraine said she was overwhelmed when she saw her boy on the screen.
She said: “It was unreal to see it on the TV. It was good to see and I was full of pride for Cameron.
“He was full of emotion as well when he got to see it. It was the good emotional side of him.
“He keeps saying ‘I was on the television’.
“He’s been using Makathon and it’s been brilliant for him. He’s getting along great with it.”
A beautiful video, lovely to see #Makaton signing! @Wouldntchangea1 @singinghands @michaelbuble @thismorning #wouldntchangeathing #changingperceptions ??? https://t.co/mdRv3MWdxa
— The Makaton Charity (@MakatonCharity) December 13, 2018
Lorraine got involved with the charity through its social media pages and entered a competition to appear in the video.
“It was a random draw and our name came up,”she said.
“We filmed it three weeks ago. It’s all happened pretty quick.
“It didn’t really hit home until it was getting closer to the time that we would be appearing on the show.
“Cameron was excited about it happening.
“The charity does some great work and shows families that they’re not alone in raising a child with Down’s syndrome. It’s all about raising awareness.”
