A Wayne County family is spreading the news that their son will be featured in a New York City video display.
Luca Sanchez, 3, of Richmond will appear onscreen in Times Square on Saturday, Sept. 12, during National Down Syndrome Society’s annual video presentation.
During the one-hour video, more than 500 photographs will feature kids, teens and adults with Down syndrome. They represent all 50 states and 12 countries.
Luca’s picture was chosen from more than 2,700 entries in NDSS’ worldwide call for photos.
Luca’s mom, Taylor Jackson-Sanchez, said she hopes those seeing Luca or any of the other photo subjects realize they’re all strong, brave and lovable.
“I hope they see that people with Down syndrome are more than their diagnoses; that they all have likes and dislikes and talents, but also acknowledge that they still need people fighting in their corner so that they can thrive,” she said. “I hope people see that they deserve every opportunity to thrive.”
Pictures will be shown on two Jumbotron screens above Dos Caminos restaurant in Father Duffy Square. The presentation also will be livestreamed on NDSS’ Facebook page at facebook.com/NDSS1979 from 8:30-9:30 a.m. Saturday.
The opportunity for their son to be featured nationally is one of the many surprises that Taylor and her husband, Chris Sanchez, have had as first-time parents.
Luca had an unexpected birth diagnosis of Trisomy 21 in December 2022 despite having a clean bill of health on all prenatal screenings, Taylor said. She said she believes he wanted to surprise the new parents.
Taylor acknowledged that she and Chris were definitely scared at first about Luca’s diagnosis, and said they grieved a version of parenthood they expected to experience.
“The grief doesn’t last long, though, because you’re quickly thrown into a new adventure of unconditional love, sass and attitude not unlike parenthood of typical children,” Taylor said. “Luca’s Down syndrome diagnosis is just a part of him, not his whole existence.”
The Sanchezes are grateful for quick connections with two Indianapolis-based organizations that Taylor said serve many Wayne County families, Down Syndrome Indiana and The Lucky Mama Project, before their five weeks in the NICU ended. The organizations heard their concerns, connected them with resources, and advocated for them along the way.
The Times Square video kicks off NDSS’ annual Buddy Walk in Central Park, which began in 1995. More than 150 Buddy Walk events take place annually across the world to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome and to raise funds for local and national initiatives.
Upcoming walks are planned in Dayton, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Bloomington and Fort Wayne.
The Sanchez family has attended the Indianapolis walk annually since Luca’s birth, and they’ve raised more than $14,000 for the cause through their own community events. They coordinate the Downshift for Down Syndrome Car Show every year at Elstro Plaza in Richmond.
After Luca’s birth, Taylor learned about the Buddy Walks across the country, and the opportunity to send photos for the Times Square video presentation. She has sent one for fun each year since 2023.
Luca’s selected portrait was made by a fellow Lucky Mama, Heather Gregg of Zionsville, for the 2025 Lucky Mama Project Calendar.
Gregg invites families to participate in The Lucky Mama Project fundraiser by selling calendars full of photos of their loved ones with Down syndrome. Photos taken through her photography business 21 Vines are free, while individual photos and calendars can be purchased by donating to The Lucky Mama Project.
“I thought that at the very least, someone on the other end was learning a little bit about Luca and seeing his cute face through the screen, but truly didn’t think he would be selected due to the sheer volume of submissions and distance between Richmond and NYC,” Taylor said.
She was “shocked” to receive an email confirmation that Luca’s photo was chosen for the 2026 display.
Within hours of learning about Luca’s selection, Taylor registered their team for the NYC Buddy Walk and booked their hotel. She thought if she waited, she’d decide that it would be too challenging to travel with Luca and his many medical supplies. He depends on a feeding tube and also has a seizure disorder.
“This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Luca and our little family, so there’s no way we’re going to miss it,” she said.
A version of this article appeared in the September 9 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.
