My name is Marcus Wright Sikora. I am an author, speaker, actor, and storyteller. I speak to kids and adults all over, even at the United Nations!
I wrote a book called Black Day: The Monster Rock Band about a boy who wants to be in the band. Also, I’m the voice of Skeleton Pumpkin Head, the lead singer of Black Day, in the animated short. I grew up in Omaha, Nebraska and graduated from the Madonna School. When I was a kid, I liked to play computer games and had lots of friends at school. My favorite class was music.
I love Broadway theater. I even had a walk-on role in Disney’s Broadway Across America’s tour of Mary Poppins for one night in Omaha as “Kite boy.” It was awesome! Now I have two-part time jobs and my favorite day is Thursday, when I work-out and also have my voice lesson.
I’m proud to be an Ambassador for the Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show and support the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, because I want to help people. Also, I want to live a long, healthy life.
My family believes Global’s work helps everyone.
My mom has great insights, and I wanted to share some of those with you:
“Each person with Down syndrome has a unique set of challenges throughout his/her lifetime. The Global Down Syndrome Foundation, Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, and Anna and John J. Sie Center for Down Syndrome understand this, and through groundbreaking research, in addition to providing top-notch medical care, these organizations provide people with Down syndrome and their families support right now, every day, and also hope for tomorrow.
Marcus is a healthy adult with Down syndrome because of the medical advances and advocacy done by those before us. Still, we see every day how much more work there is to be done, which takes many determined and compassionate members of the medical and science community, consistent funding for research, and advocates to raise our voices together in order to ensure that all people with Down syndrome get the chance to enjoy a long and healthy life.
We couldn’t be more proud of Marcus as he pursues his dreams and are thrilled at the chance for him to show the world his ambitions and also his knack for finding the perfect hat.”
I’m excited about my future. I am working on Black Day Two and Marcus the Musical. I may be in a movie. Also, I want to find a girlfriend and we could get our own apartment. My motto is “Do What You Want,” and I think Down syndrome is fine. That is my story, so far…
You can keep up with Marcus and all of his fun adventures via Twitter @marcusmusical, on Facebook at GrownUpsAndDowns, or on his website www.mardrasikora.com.