At only 19 years of age, Lauren Potter through her sheer determination has managed to be accepted onto the cast of the ‘Glee’ series in the States, where last year she took centre stage. She played the role of Becky Jackson, a cheerleader with Down Syndrome. She is well known both for her acting and comedy performances, for which she was also nominated for the Screen Actors Guild Award for outstanding performance, by an ensemble in a comedy series.

Lauren Potter is also a very able spokesperson and advocate for people with disabilities through organizations such as: Abilities Path, the Down Syndrome Association, Best Buddies International, the American Association of people with Disabilities and Special Olympics.

She obtained her first acting role as early as 16 in Mr. Blue Sky. In 2011, she was appointed by the then US president, Barack Obama onto the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities, so she could advise on issues and matters related to people with disabilities themselves. These issues include education and integration in the workplace. Her being bullied as a young child, was what then led to her involvement with both Abilities Path and Special Olympics in order to put a stop to bullying and raise awareness. What a fabulous campaigner and advocate!