On Sunday night, the Belfast actor stood on the Dolby Theatre stage in Los Angeles wearing his father’s leopard print suit jacket and clutched an Oscar as the audience serenaded him on his 31st birthday – and fellow actor Colin Farrell gave him a thumbs up.
Martin is the first person with Down syndrome to win an Academy Award after the Northern Ireland short in which he starred, An Irish Goodbye, won best live action short film.
“It doesn’t matter if you have Down syndrome, as long as you’re doing what you do,” Martin told the BBC.
The global issues we face are challenging and interconnected. They can seem insurmountable. But if you know where to look, co-operation, positive change and hope are all around us. Build Back Ever Better is a project that recognises the progress being made, and the amazing people who are making a difference. Share your own hopes, pledges and projects with #BBEB, or become a contributor.
Please read our BBEB Charter PDF.
If you have your own stories to share, please provide us with your details below to receive an invitation to start publishing your content.
