Results tagged “downsyndrome”

According to the Down Syndrome Research and Treatment Fund (DSRTF) website, about one in every 800 American babies is born with Down syndrome and approximately 350,000 people in the U.S. have this condition today. Down syndrome is caused when a child is born with an extra chromosome, more specifically an extra copy of chromosome 21. The genes are all normal, but having an extra throws the delicate balance of the body off, which leads...

This may seem like a moot point in the wake of the horror that is the Benoit murder-suicide. I do not mean to minimize the tragedy by nit-picking. But I cannot believe that in this day and age I am seeing headlines like this one from Fox News: WRESTLER CHRIS BENOIT, WIFE ARGUED OVER RETARDED CHILD BEFORE MURDER- SUICIDE And here it is again. And again. Retarded child? Retarded? Are you kidding me? This poor...

Crispin Glover's 2006 directorial debut, "What is It?" is being trotted out once again this year, along with the Crispin Glover Show, complete with exclusive interviews and curious media hype. Today I deliver to you a slightly more critical perspective than the review that accompanied last year's LAist interview.

LAist has the pleasure from time to time to hear about the good the entertainment industry can do and certain individuals who are invested in a cause and pounding the pavement to raise awareness. Though he might play a snarky doctor on Scrubs, John C. McGinley (aka Dr. Perry Cox) took the day off from the set of the hit TV show last week to host a special Storytime at Barnes & Noble at The Grove. McGinley has personal experience with Down syndrome -- his 9-year-old son Max is inflicted. Through the National Down Syndrome, he is able to raise awareness to the Buddy Walk, an initiative he joined officially as their spokesperson in 2002.

Edward Barbanell is an actor with Down syndrome. But having sat down with Ed for lunch last weekend, I can assure you Ed has not gone "Hollywood" on us. He is in movie after movie, attends movie premieres, but above all else he loves his family and is not afraid to show it. After talking about his brother's upcoming wedding (Ed's going to be the best man) he agreed to do a quickie interview for LAist.

How did you become an actor?


Ron Lane coached me. He saw me at the Opus Playhouse, where i performed in "Little League Dreamers". He helped me with monologue, blocking, movement, where to go, etc. He gave good direction.

What was life like on the set of The Ringer?


Best experience of my life! It was a great cast, and a great crew. We laughed a lot, and made jokes. Katherine Heigl was my best friend. Everyone bonded and just joked around.

What was Johnny Knoxville like? Is he a nice guy?


Johnny Knoxville was also my best friend. He has a great sense of humor, he is lovable, he is a comrade. He understands that people with, or without disabilities need compassion. He is just a nice regular guy, jokester, who knows that it's the inner part of a person that counts the most.

What brought you to LA last weekend?


First of all to visit with my brother, and my new sister-in-law. And secondly to attend a fundraiser premiere of a short film i was in called Sky Squad Eagle Eight, where I play a character named Billy, and is premiered by the Chesire Project.

What do you think about LA?


I love LA. It's the best city. Especially because my brother and new sister-in-law who I love dearly. And because i get to eat lots of cake.

Maura Conlon-McIvor visits Dutton's Books in Brentwood to sign her book, FBI Girl: How I Learned to Crack My Father’s Code.