Northern Life editor awarded by Down Syndrome Society

Arron Pickard, Northern Life's news editor, is being honoured by the Canadian Down Sydrome Society for his work featuring the organization's “See the Ability” campaign.

The campaign included national billboard advertisements featuring Greater Sudbury resident Holly Wright, a girl who enjoys kayaking and tubing, and also happens to have Down syndrome.

Pickard featured Holly in four stories over the last several months, including recently on the front page when her billboard went up in the city.

“The articles ... have invigorated Holly's community and have made her a local celebrity,” the Society wrote in informing the newspaper of the award. “Northern Life has given a voice to the local Down syndrome community and have helped make Holly ... an example of how people should see the true potential of a person, beyond stereotypes and misconceptions.”

For his work on the story, Pickard earned the Society's “Print Media Award.”

The award will be presented next week in Toronto during the Down Syndrome Society's 25th annual conference.

Posted by Mark Gentili