Meet Sofia Sanchez. She is a first grade student who is also making quite a name for herself as a modal in the Change the Face of Beauty and has recently made a guest appearance on Switched at Birth.
In the show Toby, who is the older brother of Bay who was Switched at Birth with Daphene, breaks the news to his family that he is expecting a baby with Down Syndrome. In an effort to educate themselves about the condition the two of them go to a school for kids with developmental disabilities. There they meet Sofia who shows Toby that Down Syndrome is not the end of the world. Sofia stole the show and was supper cute. I have been Facebook friends with Sofia mother Jennifer for a while now She was kind enough to let me interview her.
AZ:
I know Sofia was adopted can you tell me anything about where she came from
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| Sofia and her brothers. Mateo, Joaquin and Diego |
Jennifer:
She was adopted from an orphanage in Ukraine. She was abandoned at birth.
Her bio parents were married and she was their first child. We believe they were fearful of raising a child with a disability or maybe felt like they were equipped. Culture in Eastern Europe is about 40 years behind us in the U.S. in terms of people with disabilities.
AZ
How long have you been watching switched at birth ?
Jennifer
Just Season four !
AZ
Was it hard to catch up on all the drama?
I have been watching since the first episode back in 2011
Jennifer
Jennifer
It was pretty simple to get up to date. I did go back and watch the first few episodes of season 1
I am missing a few key players like Angelo but I do plan on going back and watching from the start.
AZ
How did Sofia wind up on the Show?
AZ
How did Sofia wind up on the Show?
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| Sofia high five Lucas Grabeel - who plays Toby - for a job well done. Grabeel also played Ryan in High School Musical |
Jennifer:
She auditioned for the part and was chosen by SAB
We got the audition from her agent Gail Williamson at KMR Diversity
AZ
How was it on set?
Jennifer
The set was impressive. Soooooooo many people behind the scenes to make it all happen. It was amazing to witness
AZ
What has the reaction been to Sofia's stardom?
Jennifer
Her peers (other 1st graders) LOVED seeing her on TV and are so excited to say hi to her. Her teachers and family are so proud of her. Sofia loved it all. She loved the work, the people, watching herself on TV. She loved it all.
AZ: Any future projects?
Jennifer: She has a modeling job next month for Freckles & Kitty and Zulily and she auditioned recently for a movie role that we are still waiting to hear about!
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| Sofia on her first day of First Grade |
School is her top priority! She's learning to read and write and working on her speech. This way she has a bright future ahead of her! But her love is modeling, acting, performing and making people smile!!!
AZ
What does Sofia like to do for fun?
Jennifer
Sofia likes to dance, sing, read, swim and play barbies.
AZ
If there was one thing you want other people to know about Down Syndrome what would you want people to know?
Jennifer
That people with Down syndrome are PEOPLE with their own sets of dreams and hopes and wants.
Thank you Jennifer and Sofia
Have any other questions for Jennifer ? Leave a comment below.
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