Noah Matthews Matofsky

Disney actor. Lost Boy Slightly in 2023 Peter Pan & Wendy.

Hi I’m Noah and I am so proud to be a patron of DSUK. It makes me really happy to be an advocate and help spread positivity about Down Syndrome.

I have always done things my own way and worked things out as I go along. I love my older sister Lola and watched and learned a lot from her so it made sense to follow her through mainstream school.

There had never been a student with DS at either of my schools so my mum says it was definitely a learning curve! I finished secondary school this year and it was a great experience. I even applied for student leader, and I got it!! This meant I had special duties like showing new children around and helping at parents evenings. 

I am proud to have my name up on the student leader board. I took 5 GCSEs (I don’t know if I passed any yet) and I have been offered a place to study drama at a further education college in September. I can’t wait! Its an inclusive level one course where we will learn all aspects of theatre.

Since I became the first actor with Down syndrome to play a major role in a Disney film (I played Slightly in Peter Pan and Wendy), I have been asked to give lots of inspirational talks.

I was even invited to Florida to give the keynote speech at the National Down Syndrome Convention. I spoke in front of thousands of people and wasn’t nervous at all. You can see it on You Tube! If you ever get the chance to go to the Convention I recommend it. It was really an incredible experience to meet so many people with Down syndrome.

I really love public speaking and hope to do lots more of it in the future. I also love playing piano and just passed my first exam. At the weekends I go to an inclusive drama school where I’m doing LAMDA exams. Find what YOU love to do and go for it!

I have also just got myself a volunteer job working at our local arts centre. I’m loving it so far and I help out with duties like, showing people to the seats, cloakroom, flyering.

I hope I can inspire you to follow your dreams and do what you want to do in life. Don’t let anybody get in the way of achieving your dreams. You can do it!

Noah x