She is a little girl who has battled against the odds all of her life. But little Olivia Southgate is living proof that you can achieve your dreams in life and fulfil your goals. The 10-year-old will be getting glammed up to go along to the Bafta Cymru Awards on Sunday, October 9, as part of the cast she was part of in a TV drama which has been nominated for four awards.
The Pontybrenin Primary School pupil was a recurring character in the second series of In My Skin. She played the role of Ffion in the comedy drama, which follows central character Bethan as she deals with an awkward family life and navigating teenage life and sexuality.
Budding young actress Olivia, from Penllergaer in Swansea, was born with Down's syndrome but her condition hasn't stopped her from achieving amazing things in her young life so far. As well as featuring in the BBC show she has featured in two commercials and is also a member of Mark Jermin Stage School. Get Swansea stories straight to your inbox with our newsletter.
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Olivia's mum, Bethan Southgate, said: "We've never treated Olivia any differently. We did every single group like you'd do with any other child. We've always pushed her to do her very best and she's just absolutely amazing. We wouldn't change her for the world. She's wonderful.
"She has a very positive attitude. She takes everything in her stride. She's one of these individuals – she's a special character. Things are challenging for her. She has to work twice as hard as every other child with everything but she always gets there in the end. She's a lively, bubbly character and we're very lucky.
"For people having children with Down's syndrome what Olivia has achieved is special for them to see. Before we had Olivia we didn't think anything of it but it's really, really important to raise awareness that people with Down's syndrome are like everybody else."
Mark Jermin Stage School recently put together a heartwarming video showing off the talents of a drama group of children with the same condition for the national campaign called Hands Up For Down’s, which Olivia was part of. The video asks the questions: "Hands up if you see the child? Hands up if you see the disability? Hands up if you see what’s beneath that?" with the children showing off exactly what they are capable of and what the child can be when they grow up.
Mr Jermin said: “Approximately 41,000 people live with Down’s syndrome in the UK and it’s absolutely vital we break the stigma and stereotypes associated with them. Hands Up For Down’s is our way of doing that."
You can watch Olivia in the second series of BBC's In My Skin on its iPlayer service by clicking here.
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