June 09, 2015
Janai Bell/Facebook
Clarence "CJ" Dorsey and Jennifer Cassidy, both with Down syndrome, ride in a carriage to Upper Darby High School's senior prom.
Correction: The caption with the photo that accompanied this story was updated at 12:35 p.m. Tuesday, June 9, 2015, to reflect that all costs of the prom were paid by Janai Bell.
A red carpet, a horse-drawn carriage and a crown and tiara were part of a royal sendoff for two Upper Darby teenagers headed to prom.
The high school seniors, Clarence "CJ" Dorsey and Jennifer Cassidy, both 18 and with Down syndrome, rode a horse and carriage three miles to Upper Darby High School's senior prom Saturday, escorted by the Upper Darby Police Department.
The ride in style was coordinated and paid for by Dorsey’s mom, Janai Bell. Upper Darby Police Superintendent Michael Chitwood helped make the event special, according to Philly.com.
"I wanted to make a big deal about his prom, so I said 'How can I do it big?'" Bell said. "I said, 'Horse and carriage! That's the way to go'."
She said she called the police department to request a permit to make the ride possible, which is when Chitwood offered a police escort as well.
"They weren't chosen as prom king and queen, but I wanted to let them know that they were king and queen of our hearts,” Bell said.
Read the full Philly.com article here.
