Десятилетняя девочка с синдромом Дауна из Луизианы станет звездой Таймс-сквер

DeRidder girl who ‘never meets a stranger’ set to shine in Times Square DERIDDER, La. (KPLC) - 10-year-old Evelyn Smith greets nearly everyone she meets with a hug, and her family says “that’s just who she is.” Evelyn has Down syndrome. Her family describes her as a bundle of energy and kind beyond measure. “She doesn’t discriminate against anything or anyone,” her father, Jeshua Smith, said. Her mother, Amy Smith, said Evelyn’s kindness is the biggest lesson she’s learned from raising her. “The biggest thing I have learned with Evelyn for myself is, I can’t speak for everyone else, is that she just radiates joy,” Amy Smith said. Amy Smith said Evelyn’s warmth toward others goes beyond what most people experience. “That’s one of the great things about Evelyn is she doesn’t meet any strangers. She loves unconditionally everybody. And I tell everybody, if the world was more like her, we’d have less problems. Because she truly is an example of what we are to be. And how we’re supposed to love one another,” Amy Smith said. Amy and Jeshua Smith didn’t know Evelyn would have Down syndrome until she was born. They say they wouldn’t have it any other way. “She’s been a blessing for sure,” Jeshua Smith said. “She doesn’t discriminate against anything or anyone.” Now, Evelyn is set for a moment in the national spotlight. The National Down Syndrome Society selected her to be featured in Times Square during the organization’s annual Buddy Walk in New York City. Evelyn’s photo will play during the Times Square video presentation Saturday, Sept. 12, ahead of the Buddy Walk in Central Park. Her family says the honor is exciting, but it doesn’t change who Evelyn already is at home in DeRidder. “Having a child with Down syndrome doesn’t make life any easier, just a whole lot more fun,” Evelyn’s family said. Copyright 2026 KPLC. All rights reserved.