Angela Bettoni is a 20-year-old writer and performer with Down Syndrome. She is an advocate for more inclusion in the performing arts in Malta, where she has been living since 2013.

This year for World Down Syndrome Day next Monday, 21st March – Angela made an advocacy video.

Angela said that many mothers of young children with DS have written to her to say how much this video has helped to inspire them and give them hope.

Dance with me – is a collaborative piece by Angela Bettoni, Banjo Rancho (Benji) and Julienne Schembri , with words by Angela, music by Banjo Rancho and movement direction by Julienne Schembri.

The video shows Angela dancing to a monologue she wrote called “Dance with me,” accompanied by Banjo Rancho on a hand drum.

Angela wrote about the process in the “No Assumptions, Please” blog she writes for Opening Doors Association, where she is part of their theatre group for adults with intellectual disabilities.

She explained that, “it all started as an inspiration I had, when I went to a panel discussion for the launch of Ale’s Project. I loved their music video so much that inspired me to do something like that (but much smaller of course). The following day at home I sat down with a piece of paper in front of me, a pen in hand, with my headphones and my music playing, and I wrote from the heart. I called the monologue I wrote ‘Dance with me’….The rough sketch in my mind was to do a voice recording of me reading it and asking a friend to help me with some background music to accompany my voice.”

Angela added that her idea was to use the instrument called a hand drum. “I would then do a dance to the recording and do a video to be shared on social media.” She asked her friends Benji and Julienne if they would have liked to be part of the project, and they readily agreed.”

The theme for this year’s WDSD from Down Syndrome International is ‘Inclusion Means…. ‘. As Angela’s monologue “Dance with me” says:

” I wake up. I look into the mirror and I see a person. Do you see that person? Tell me because I would really like to know. Or do you see the innocence? The childlike look? Do you want to protect me? Do you want to baby me, to talk to me as if I’m a 5- – year- – old? Do you think that’s what I want?

Down’s Syndrome. When I see the words “Down’s Syndrome” I see a label.

Yes, I was born with it but it’s not my weakness, it’s my strength. It’s what makes me unique. I was not made to be categorised, boxed, misunderstood, excluded or to have a label stamped on, because I was made to live.

I will tell you what I want. I want to be understood, to be seen, to be included. For my abilities to be noticed. What do I mean when I say that I want to be seen? All I really want is for you to take my hand and see the person who I am, to see my heart. To see the person who can smile, laugh, and love because when I love I love. I want to be given the chance to really shine.

My hand is reached out for you. So, dance with me.”

Angela stressed that “disabilities do not limit who we are as people. We are born to stand out, and all we need is for people to see us for who we truly are.” And don’t forget to wear your mismatched socks for WDSD22!

On the 21st of March the Malta Down Syndrome Association has invited Angela to join them on TVAM and the same day on the MaltArti program on TVM there will be a short episode on how she and her two friends who created this video.

WDSD is a global awareness day. It’s celebrated on the 21st of March because people with Down’s Syndrome have three copies of chromosome 21 (so, 21.03). This year marks the 10th year that the WDSD will be observed by the United Nations.

To visit Angela’s website please click here.

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