An inspirational teenager living with Down’s syndrome is showing how those with the condition can achieve anything they want with the release of her single, ‘Invisible’.
Seventeen-year-old Matilda Lironi MacIntyre, from Strathaven, celebrated World Down’s Syndrome Day (WDSD) in song this year - raising awareness of the condition with all proceeds going to charity.
Matilda wrote ‘Invisible’ while on a family holiday in Italy six years ago. She hasn’t been able to return there since, but wanted to record the song to remind her of happier times and to celebrate WDSD.
Her song is now available to stream and download with all funds going to Down’s Syndrome Scotland, the only charity in Scotland which specifically supports people with the condition and their families at every stage of life.
Matilda was helped by her family of musicians to put the song together, including her sister Amelia singing backing vocals.
Matilda says she is “thrilled” at how the song is doing.
She told us: “I feel happy about my song. I really like the words.”
Proud mum Katy Lironi said Down’s Syndrome Awareness Week this year had “picked up a scale,” with more people taking notice worldwide and doing things for it which is really lovely to see.
She added: “As a family we’ve always done a fundraising concert, which Matilda first did when she was three. She’s always been on stage and been involved in that.
“She’s always done a lot of music and she had written a song last time we were in Italy. It had been in her notebook and not really gone anywhere, but we thought it was a lovely thing to do off her own back.
“She came up with the lyrics and she says it’s about being able to live her own life.
“It’s great to see people with Down’s Syndrome achieving what they can achieve, and it’s such a wide spectrum, but you can only do it with the right support in place. It certainly takes time, effort and commitment.”
Song writing is not an unusual occupation for Matilda – her dad Douglas MacIntyre is a long-time session guitarist and is now Assistant Principal overseeing music courses at Riverside Music College. He, together with Katy formed Glasgow band The Secret Goldfish.
Matilda has been used to the spotlight, performing at a concert for Down’s Syndrome at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall in 2018 where she opened the concert, along with Choir 21, a group of young people with Ds.
It’s no surprise Matilda chose song writing and performing as a way to channel her energies, especially throughout lockdown, her family say.
Katy added: “Matilda is an individual, she’s strong willed and will always do what she wants to do. She will never be coerced into doing something that doesn’t suit her, so it’s all come from her.
“We’re all delighted and it’s been received so well, and she’s been able to show people what her potential is and what she loves doing.
“We are raising money for Down’s Syndrome Scotland but it’s a lot of raising awareness.
“Our main thrust with it is the awareness that the potential for people with Down’s syndrome is there to do whatever they want to do - the same as anyone else.
“There’s been some amazing things people have highlighted globally, and this is Matilda’s thing.
“We hope her single will raise awareness of the many and varied abilities of people with Down’s Syndrome and the amazing things that can be achieved when the right support and encouragement is put in place.”
‘Invisible’ is available to download and stream on Spotify and iTunes. You can also watch the video on YouTube.
