Actress Lauren Potter from the hit show "Glee" has inspired lots of people with Down syndrome across the country. She's in Hawaii to add more to the list.
Actress Lauren Potter spent the morning at Nalo Farms along with kids from Down Syndrome Ohana Hawaii.They picked fresh herbs, which they will then use to cook lunch for their parents. Potter plays Becky, sidekick to the mean cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester in "Glee." Potter calls the role a wonderful opportunity.
"It's my dream to be an actress, and it's my job, duty calls!" Potter said.
Potter was invited here by Project Focus Hawaii, a non-profit organization that helps enrich the lives of children. It formed a partnership with Down Syndrome Ohana Hawaii and asked the kids who they'd like to meet.
"The kids kept saying we want Becky, we want Becky, and I'm like who's Becky? Only to find out of course that this was Lauren," said Laurie Callies of Project Focus Hawaii.
Potter is in town to promote other good causes. She continues her campaign against bullying, an effort that won her a national award. She realizes that she's now more than an actress, but also a role model.
"I think it's an amazing opportunity for me to be a role model. And I think any of these kids of Project Focus is a wonderful role model," Potter said.
An outing on the farm is meant to help the kids socialize and learn about the importance of using fresh local produce. And having Potter here can also inspire them to accomplish great things.
"She is articulate, she is bright, she is talented, and we have several of our kids that would really like to go into the same career and we're saying again dream big, dream big because it can happen," Callies said.
Potter encourages those with a disability to keep pursuing their dreams, and don't let anything get in the way.
