She did it ! Mélanie Ségard fulfilled a lifelong dream to present the weather on Tuesday 14th March on French National broadcaster France 2.
The 21-year-old woman with Down syndrome became a viral sensation after a video campaign to help her achieve her dream, titled #MélaniePeutlefaire (Mélanie can do it) received over 3 million views on Facebook.
"I'm different, but I'd like to show everyone that I can do a lot of things," Mélanie said.
The video's success helped achieve it's objective of better publicising the chromosomal anomaly that affects 65,000 people in France and is the main genetic cause of mental deficit. With World Down Syndrome day on 21 March, the French charity behind the campaign, Unapei chose this young "natural, spontaneous" woman who "exudes joy," to show the disability in a positive light.
Luc Gateau, president of Unapei, told French newspaper La Croix: "Symbolically, it is very strong that a young woman with an intellectual disability can thus come before millions of French people to do something that is close to her heart.
"These are people who, despite their disabilities, have abilities. And who only ask to express them on condition that we take the time to welcome them in a universe able to adapt to their handicap."
Mélanie spent four days in training with France 2's weather team, learning about the green screen and all the other behind-the-scenes magic of a television studio
"It's work! But it's OK," she told Le Parisien. "My dream was to show people the weather. And this can open doors to other people with disabilities."
"Relaxed and stressed," is how Melanie described herself after her broadcast. "It's work! But it's OK," she told Le Parisien. "My dream was to show people the weather. And this can open doors to other people with disabilities."
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