Teenager with Down's syndrome makes dream film debut

Claudia Beatty, an 18-year-old girl from Broughshane, County Antrim, has fulfilled her lifelong dream of acting in a movie. She has Down's syndrome and played the role of Grainne Rafferty in the film King Frankie, which was released in cinemas last month. Claudia's mother, Cheryl Beatty, expressed her joy at the opportunities available for children like Claudia to reach their full potential and be involved in creative projects. The film tells the story of a taxi driver named Frankie Burke, who faces challenges after the death of his father. Claudia's character, Grainne, forms a touching bond with Frankie as he drives her around, and she hopes to land more acting roles in the future. When Cheryl first heard that Claudia had been cast, she was overjoyed and quickly shared the news with her daughter. Claudia described her feelings as 'happy and relieved' to be chosen for the role. Since then, she has embraced every moment, from being on set to attending movie premieres. Cheryl praised the film's cast and crew for their inclusivity and kindness. Claudia also mentioned how thoughtful everyone was, especially the director, Dermot Malone, who brought her chocolate treats. Her favorite scene in the film is the one where her character hugs Frankie, played by Peter Coonan. She explained, 'The reason why this is my favorite is because Frankie really needs the hug. He was really upset about his father, so I gave him a hug to show him that I cared for him. ' Claudia has enjoyed attending the film's premiere and various film festivals, where she walked the red carpet alongside her co-stars. She expressed her excitement, saying, 'I love taking pictures on the red carpet and I love to see me on the big screen. I feel like a celebrity because I have never been on the big screen before. It is the first time and I am just excited. ' Cheryl felt a wave of pride when she saw her daughter walk the red carpet, stating, 'We are all very proud of her achievement. It has been great just to watch her over the past year and see the journey of the film. ' Claudia has always had a passion for singing and dancing, starting with ballet and tap dancing at a young age. She discovered her love for being on stage and decided to pursue acting as well. She joined the Starburst Theatre School in Antrim, but Cheryl was initially concerned about whether Claudia would be included in the productions. However, Claudia thrived and participated in all the shows put on by the school. Cheryl noted, 'They were the ones that put her forward for this role, and she got the part. She has surpassed her expectations and met her full potential. ' Cheryl believes that society is becoming more inclusive for children like Claudia. She emphasized, 'A really important message to drive home is that special needs do not define Claudia. It is not who she is; it is just an additional feature. She can achieve just as much as anybody else. ' Claudia also shared her advice for others, saying, 'Follow your dream, follow your heart and where it leads.