When James Martin was born, doctors told his parents that he might never speak. However, he did not only learn to speak, but 31 years later, on his birthday, he walked on Hollywood’s biggest stage to collect his Oscar for Best Live Action Short Film, An Irish Goodbye. James became the first actor with Down syndrome to win an Academy Award. And, as icing on the cake, the entire audience sang “Happy Birthday” to him.
James Martin never let his condition hold him back.
James Martin’s father, Ivan Martin, is very proud of his son and revealed that he does everything with great gusto, and he’s very glad that his efforts have paid off.
“He has spent his life pushing the envelope. People are very good at saying, ’You can’t do this, and you can’t do that’… He’s done it, and he does it consistently,” he said.
Martin is the first person with Down syndrome to win not just a BAFTA but an Oscar too, and he’s very proud of himself. “It doesn’t matter if you have Down syndrome, as long as you’re doing what you do. I do what I can to be funny,” he said.
His girlfriend also supports him and says the win was a magical moment. “It shows to everyone that it’s changing your mindset on how people with disabilities can achieve as much as everyone else can,” she declared.
For the past 10 years, Martin has been working at Starbucks.
His co-workers and manager at Starbucks are very proud of Martin and his acting success, and to support him, good-luck posters were placed in the coffee chain’s city stores.
However, Martin’s dad revealed that despite the fame, he doesn’t see his son quitting his job as a barista anytime soon.
Martin caught the acting bug after he joined the Belfast-based Babosh theatre company for children with learning disabilities.
There, Martin did all types of shows, and he enjoyed every moment spent there. This was a stepping stone for him, as he later managed to land the lead role in Ups and Downs, starring alongside actress Susan Lynch.
Martin then went on to land a role in the series, Marcella, but his role in An Irish Goodbye, which won him both a BAFTA and an Oscar, is his most high-profile role to date.
Preview photo credit MICHAEL TRAN/AFP/East News, An Irish Goodbye / First Flights and co-producers
One morning they saw a mysterious pit forming in their garden…
As Emma James diligently mowed the front yard with her lawnmower, an unexpected discovery halted her routine, a mysterious hole in the ground. Over the course of the day, this innocuous pit expanded steadily, reaching an unexpected depth of 2 meters. Adding to the intrigue, the hole contained a peculiar surprise, weathered, rusty steps.
Although the dimensions of the pit currently preclude any person from venturing inside, authorities harbor suspicions that the unearthed tunnel beneath the James’ property might connect to a canal concealed 35 years ago.
Seeking answers, the couple reached out to the construction company responsible for erecting their home in 1984. Unfortunately, the company could not shed light on the tunnel’s destination.
Expressing her bewilderment, Emma remarked: “It’s truly perplexing, these steps leading downward, yet no indication of their purpose or a cover to conceal them. Beneath lies a mixture of cement and rusty metal. We’re eager for someone to inspect and elucidate; I’m not comfortable leaving such an enigma in my backyard”.
Despite the local council’s assertion that the tunnel leads to a drain sealed off three decades ago, skepticism lingers with the homeowners. They remain unconvinced until an official examination is conducted. Frustratingly, despite assurances from authorities, no one has undertaken the task of a thorough investigation.
The homeowners fervently hope that another cavity won’t materialize, posing a potential hazard. Reluctantly, and in the absence of concrete answers, they’ve resorted to cautionary signs to prevent any unsuspecting individuals from stumbling into the mysterious void.
The James family remains in suspense, yearning for resolution and clarity about the clandestine underground structure that has disrupted their peaceful property.
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