Girl with down's syndrome will make prime time debut in "Glee"

On Wednesday at 9 p.m., Lauren Potter will co-star in her first prime-time acting role in Fox's "Glee".  The episode is called "Wheels".  She will also be in a second episode called "Once Upon a Mattress" on Dec. 2nd.

According to Press Enterprise.com, Potter, 19, has Down syndrome and is an active member of The Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles, a nonprofit organization that offers programs, resources, education, counseling and more.

The association also has an in-house talent agency, Hearts and Hands, which casting directors can contact when searching for an actor with Down syndrome. Potter was contacted when the part came up.

In the "Wheels" episode, Lauren will play the part of Becky Jackson, a 16-year-old sophomore at McKinley High School who tries out for the cheerleading squad. She makes it, but conniving cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester, played by Jane Lynch, doesn't make it easy for her.

"It was kind of ironic because Lauren tried out for Poly cheerleading, but she didn't make it," said Robin Sinkhorn, Lauren's mother. "She was really heartbroken ... then here comes this role and in it she wears the cheerleading outfit and makes the team."

Playing Becky Johnson is Lauren's second role; her first was in the feature film, "Mr. Blue Sky," which was in theaters in 2007. In the film, she played a 10-year-old girl with Down syndrome who falls in love with a boy who has no disability.

The trick to acting, Lauren said, is to become the person you are playing.  Potter says she enjoyed shooting the episodes and working with the cast of "Glee," but said it bothered her that when people looked at her, they first saw the Down syndrome.

"It's really hard for me when people see me as a Down syndrome kid," she said. "I want them to see me as typical."

Congratulations Lauren!  Keep up the great work!

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