A father's quest to make daughter's dreams of fame come true

By Andrew Ford, Florida Today:

Emily Foster sings. She plays softball. She hangs out with her sisters, she doesn't get scared on the big rides at the fair, and she likes science class best of all. And like most other 10-year-olds, she has a dream.

Hers is to be famous.

She also has Down syndrome.

When she told her father, Russ Foster, that one day thousands of people would scream her name, he decided to help her reach her goal — or, he figured, as close as they could get. The Melbourne, Fla., dad started a Facebook page for what he calls the Emily Foster "famous" project. He's already got more than 1,000 friends and acquaintances to "like" it.

Russ isn't really expecting fame in the form of thousands of people screaming Emily's name. Instead, he's measuring success based on the number of new people and experiences he can introduce Emily to, and, to a lesser degree, the number of famous people she can meet.

"It's just a dad trying to make his daughter's dream come true," said Russ, who has three other daughters. "I want her to be seen like any other kid, and I guess me creating the project is a way to level that field."

Emily's mother, Amber, initially was wary. She feared people might be mean to Emily.

"It would hurt my heart," Amber said. Thankfully, she said, that hasn't happened.

To be a singer

When Russ first envisioned the Emily Foster "famous" project back in January, Emily noted several activities or achievements for which she could succeed — ballet, medicine, fashion design, zoo keeping, firefighting, and shark hunting, to name a few. But most often she said that she'd like to be a famous singer.

Emily likes to play CDs on a boom box in the bedroom she shares with her 5-year-old sister, Averi. Her favorite artist is Taylor Swift; her favorite song is Swift's "Never Grow Up." Emily strums on a small pink guitar and sings along, working to overcome her speech impediment.

Russ said that chances are slim that Emily will become a famous singer.

"Unless there's some miracle, people aren't going to buy tickets to her concert," Russ said. "My dream would be for her to introduce Taylor Swift at a concert."

Russ managed to make contact with Swift's agent. He said they may be able to arrange something the next time Swift is in the area.

Russ persuaded figures such as actor John Travolta, U.S. Senator Bill Nelson and Dick LeBeau, a Hall of Fame defensive back and football coach, to send Emily autographed photos. She got a part in a local music video. She met the Harlem Globetrotters.

"I didn't realize until later that it was kind of a unique endeavor," Russ said of the project.

"Any time a child, whether or not they have Down syndrome, when they express a dream, parents should be encouraging of that," said Amy Van Bergen, executive director for the Down Syndrome Association of Central Florida.

"There are people with Down syndrome who are famous, who are well-known," Van Bergen adding, citing Lauren Potter, an actress with Down syndrome best known for her role as Becky Jackson on the popular show "Glee."

Of course, the chances of any child becoming famous are slim.

"I don't think (Emily's) chances are any less than a typical child who doesn't have Down syndrome," Van Bergen said.

Emily and her twin, Megan, were born at 33 weeks, rather than the usual 40.

Russ and Amber said they had never thought much about Down syndrome before they had Emily. After, they worried about the possible health impacts.

"I remember sitting and bartering with God," Amber said. "I'm going to care for this child like my other ones. Don't take her away from me."

That's what Russ and Amber say they have tried to do, raise Emily the same as their three other daughters: Megan (Emily's twin), Averi, 5, and Miranda, 16.

Russ said it was helpful that Emily had a twin without a disability; it gave them a benchmark to measure Emily's development. Both girls had attended Manatee Elementary School, but the family decided to withdraw them when they felt that Emily was being unfairly separated from the general education setting.

Emily has responsibilities at home and she is punished if she misbehaves, just like her sisters.

"We treat her like the other kids in the household," Russ said. "She doesn't get any special treatment."

"It's amazing what she does with the barriers others place in front of her."

Glee Camp in Farmington Hills, Michigan

from hometownlife.com:

They surely "don't stop believin" they're stars.

Or at least that they're on their way to being stars, after some top-notch, special training this week during Glee Camp, featuring songs and choreography from the popular TV series Glee that include classic hits like, Don't Stop Believing by Journey, plus two numbers by Lady Gaga, who was a guest artist on the show last season.

Glee Camp is new this year to the Farmington Hills Special Services Department, Cultural Arts Division, and is happening all week at the Farmington Players Barn. Instructors include professional vocalists Teresa Marbury and Bruce Pooley, who make up the musical duo Rock and Soul, along with award-winning choreographer Toi Banks and choir instructor Brian Christian.

They can see the enthusiasm — and talent — of the 25 kids who are playing Glee for the week.

“They all have voices, it's amazing,” said Marbury, who said the camp is teaching singing, dancing, choir and artist development such as stage presence. “It's in their DNA and we're here to bring it out and hopefully they'll continue to grow. They're already musically inclined.”

One particular Glee Camp student is adding something to the experience by being a participant. He's 23-year-old Danny Friedman, of West Bloomfield, who has Down syndrome. His mother, Linda Friedman, is grateful that they allowed him to join.

“They were so wonderful and so receptive,” she said. “They're angels.”

Doctors told her Danny, three pounds at birth, wouldn't walk or talk. Music has changed all of that. His singing has led to talking, then to writing and reading.

“He's always modeled after others,” she said, including his sister Nina, who loves to sing. They used to have pretend microphones and their fireplace area as their stage.

“You give him a microphone and a big crowd, and he comes alive,” she said.

Linda Friedman said having the other kids learn alongside Danny is beneficial for everyone.

“To have him be included is a win-win situation,” she said. “Because everyone learns. This is a blessing. I can't tell them enough how thankful I am.”

SEEING STARS

• Justin Cayal, 11, of Farmington Hills, said he is enjoying the Glee Camp experience.
• “We're singing all the favorite songs that we like and we're having fun with those songs,” he said. “It's amazing.”
• Emily Carroll, 12, of Farmington Hills, is taking the experience to heart.
• “I'm so happy about being able to do this,” she said. “I want to become a famous singer.”
• Working in the Glee factor into such a day camp is a great combo, according to Chloe Grisa, 12, of Livonia, who someday wants to perform on Broadway.
• “It's been really fun. Considering how much I love Glee, it's been even more fun,” she said. “People say I am just like Rachel from Glee.”
• She was sporting a Rachel-esque outfit that included a plaid skirt.
• Izzy Alo, 11, of Bloomfield Hills, said the Glee Camp will also help her achieve her dreams of musical performance.
• “It makes me feel more confident about singing in front of people,” she said. “And I love Glee.”

They surely “don't stop believin''' they're stars.