making a difference
Overcoming adversities, with Glee Written by Luanne J. Hunt
S
tarring in Fox’s hit television series “Glee” has brought Lauren Potter more joy than she ever imagined. But the 22-year-old Riverside resident, who has Down syndrome, admits the perks of fame are only a small part of what makes her happy. “My role on ‘Glee’ has given me the chance to tell people, with or without disabilities, to reach for their dreams, whatever they are,” said Potter, who made her acting debut at the age of 13 in the feature “Mr. Blue Sky.” “I tell them to remember that they are all beautiful and amazing, no matter what.” Since joining the cast of “Glee” in 2009, Potter’s own journey as an actress and activist has been nothing short of amazing. When she is not on the set, she devotes much of her free time to helping charities such as Best Buddies, Special Olympics and the National Down Syndrome Congress. On May 4, she will be honorary chairperson for the Riverside Area Rape Crisis Center’s 32nd annual Auction and Dinner Gala. “I am so happy to help the Crisis Center raise money so they can keep doing what they do to help women and kids,” said Potter, a drama major at Irvine Valley College. “They do so many things to help people who are going through the most terrible time in their life.” No stranger to adversity, Potter has had to overcome numerous challenges, including being severely bullied in school. She says her difficulties have only served to make her stronger and more deter32
| riversidethemag.com | april-may 2013
Adam Rose/FOX
Lauren Potter, left, in an episode of “Glee” when the glee club joins a superhero club.
mined than ever to stop kids from hurting one another. To that end, Potter lends her time and talents to Defeat the Label, an anti-bullying group that works to promote a bully-free society without social labels and stereotypes. She and her mother, Robin Sinkhorn, also have done public service announcements for Ability Path’s anti-bullying campaign (www.abilitypath.org). “When I was a kid, I was pushed down, made to eat sand and called the ‘R’ word (retarded),” said Potter, who has been appointed to the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities. “I just don’t want any other kids or adults to go through that. Bullying hurts and kills dreams.” Growing up, Potter says her own dreams included becoming an actress
and dancer. Her big break came when she was cast to play Becky Jackson, the witty sidekick of Coach Sue Sylvester (portrayed by Jane Lynch) in “Glee.” Potter says despite having to work long hours on the set of “Glee” — 12 to 17 per day — she loves every minute of it. Her mother is proud of her daughter’s professionalism and ability to juggle her many responsibilities with grace and poise. “Lauren has so much on her plate, but she handles it all so well,” Sinkhorn said. “I know she’s my daughter, but she really does amaze me every single day.” Riverside Area Rape Crisis Center Auction and dinner gala at the Victoria Club, 2521 Arroyo Drive, Riverside May 4 at 5 p.m. 951-686-7273, http://rarcc.org