We are urgently seeking 500 new Life Defenders (monthly supporters) before the end of October to help save babies from abortion 365 days a year. Your first gift as a Life Defender today will be DOUBLED. Click here to make your monthly commitment.
Teen actress with Down syndrome makes big screen debut in ‘Hunger Games’
A teen with Down syndrome who gained notoriety seven years ago for the inspirational message she shared in a viral video is serving as an inspiration once again, as she makes her big-screen debut.
Sofia Sanchez, age 14, is a freshman in high school. But unlike most ninth graders, she’s also authored two books and has a role in the upcoming film, “Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.” Sofia, who was adopted as a baby from Ukraine and also has a brother with Down syndrome, has worked for years to bring awareness and fight for inclusion in the Down syndrome community. Her children’s books are titled, “You are Enough” and “You are Loved.”
In the video that went viral on social media in 2017, Sofia’s mom Jennifer Varanini Sanchez asked her daughter, “Is Down syndrome in your blood?”
“Yeah,” Sofia responded. “Does it make your blood special?” “Yeah!” “Is Down syndrome scary?,” Jennifer asked. “No, it’s not scary,” Sofia replied.
“She’s a great representative and I always say she speaks for those who can’t speak,” her mother Jennifer said. “So it’s kind of a cool spot to be in now. It just kind of fell into our laps with that viral video that went so wild.”
Sofia is now on a world tour promoting the new “Hunger Games” movie, where she plays the character of Wovey. “She’s from District 8 and her superpower is hiding, but she’s brave as well, like me,” she told Inside Edition.
“It’s so awesome. It’s my dream come true, seeing my best time, seeing myself on the big screen,” she added.
Jennifer said she’s proud of the way Sofia is working for inclusion for those with Down syndrome.
“Obviously I’m so proud as her mother. But I’m also just really excited for the community of Down syndrome and the awareness that she’s brought, and just the inspiration she’s given other families,” she said. “She’s a great advocate, she’s a great representative, and I always say she speaks for those who can’t speak.”
Live Action News is pro-life news and commentary from a pro-life perspective.
Contact editor@liveaction.org for questions, corrections, or if you are seeking permission to reprint any Live Action News content.
Guest Articles: To submit a guest article to Live Action News, email editor@liveaction.org with an attached Word document of 800-1000 words. Please also attach any photos relevant to your submission if applicable. If your submission is accepted for publication, you will be notified within three weeks. Guest articles are not compensated (see our Open License Agreement). Thank you for your interest in Live Action News!
Dear Reader,
Every day in America, more than 2,800 preborn babies lose their lives to abortion.
That number should break our hearts and move us to action.
Ending this tragedy requires daily commitment from people like you who refuse to stay silent.
Millions read Live Action News each month — imagine the impact if each of us took a stand for life 365 days a year.
Right now, we’re urgently seeking 500 new Life Defenders (monthly donors) to join us before the end of October. And thanks to a generous $250,000 matching grant, your first monthly gift will be DOUBLED to help save lives and build a culture that protects the preborn.
Will you become one of the 500 today? Click here now to become a Live Action Life Defender and have your first gift doubled.
Together, we can end abortion and create a future where every child is cherished and every mother is supported.
Human Interest·By Bridget Sielicki
