This 7-Year-Old Boy With Down Syndrome Is Making History in The Nutcracker

Jack Barlow is not letting Down syndrome slow him down — the 7-year-old boy is the newest star of The Nutcracker ballet production in Cincinnati, OH. After joining the Ballet Moves program four years ago, Jack's passion for ballet became very clear. What started as a joke between his mother, Ashley, and Julie Sunderland, the director of the Cincinnati Ballet, turned into a huge moment for Jack. Ashley joked about moving to Russia to pursue her son's passion for ballet and Julie responded, "Maybe he should be in The Nutcracker."

As the first child with Down syndrome to star in the Cincinnati Ballet's production, Jack is making history. "He is Jack Barlow in The Nutcracker," Julie said. "He is nervous just like any other kid. He knows his part just like any other kid. He's going to do his best, just like any other kid."

As Party Boy No. 1 in the production, Jack lit up the stage, and the above clip is lighting up our lives!