Matthew Von Der Ahe, who has Down syndrome, broke through barriers to become an actor

By Zamourad Iqbal

“Viz-Ability” was held at Radford Studio Center in October, a pop-up gallery event in Studio City featuring a red carpet reception and showcase of the work of disabled cast, crew and filmmakers in the film and TV industries. Among them was Matthew Von Der Ahe, who has Down syndrome and is an actor and activist in the San Fernando Valley who promotes inclusion.

At the age of 7, Von Der Ahe was enrolled in acting classes to socialize, which sparked his interest in the craft. Eventually, his passion for acting led him to auditioning, but he struggled to break into the entertainment industry, where people with disabilities often face challenges.

Despite societal stereotypes, he never gave up and broke through the barriers that questioned his abilities and appearance. Von D