Linda Smith

Las Vegas Icon Shares Knowledge and Experience

Linda Smith: An Advocate for People with Developmental Disabilities

BY DEBBIE HALL / PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF LINDA SMITH AND CASHMAN PHOTO

Linda Smith is a Las Vegas icon known for her fierce devotion as a mother to Christopher, who was born with Down syndrome, and for paving the way for people of all ages with disabilities, as well as their families and friends. Linda is also a wife, philanthropist, author, fundraiser, public speaker, disability advocate and storyteller.

Born in England, Linda eventually settled in Las Vegas through a series of circumstances.

“My mother was very clever, entrepreneurial and creative, and was capable of doing just about anything. My father was a gambler, a womanizer, and other horrible things,” she explained. “When I was 11, my mother, sister, brother and I escaped to Canada. As a gold medalist ballroom dancer, my mother started her own dance studio there.”

Linda’s father eventually found them in Canada, locating them in a friend’s basement. Arriving with a gun and intending great harm, he was intercepted by the police, deported back to England, and never seen by the family again.

This traumatic event deeply affected her. While her mother and sister showcased their talents, Linda sat in the back of the classroom, afraid, embarrassed and ashamed.

Her sister, a self-taught ice skater, was hired to perform with the Ice Follies, a touring ice skating show, and eventually became a lead skater.

“I was just this kid in the shadow of my mother’s and sister’s talents. I believed I had no distinguishing abilities. I wanted to skate like my sister and dance like my mother, but I floundered with low self-esteem.”

At 14, a pivotal moment changed Linda’s life. After saving money, she excitedly set out to buy her first tube of lipstick at a department store, only to be met with cold, dismissive treatment from the saleswoman due to her unkempt appearance. This incident fueled her determination to defy expectations and judgments, instilling resilience and independence that shaped her future.

“It was probably the best thing that ever happened to me,” she said. “Her disrespect and disregard empowered me.”

With newfound confidence, Linda discovered hidden talents in dancing, singing, skating and acting. At 17, she became the lead dancer on the Canadian variety show “It’s Happening.” Her career led her into the Canadian movie industry, television appearances, and a successful modeling and dancing career. Reflecting on her early work, she humbly admits she wasn’t always the best actor, but her determination and growth are evident in her journey.

“Life was great! I was on track to go to Hollywood, following in my sister’s successful footsteps, when I married the Canadian Entertainer of the Year,” she said. “I was married to the most talented guy in the world, and it was a glamorous life. We moved to Las Vegas, and everything was perfect.”

After settling in Las Vegas, Linda continued her career as a spokesmodel at various conventions and events, representing brands and interacting with attendees.

Three years into their marriage, Linda became pregnant, marking a significant turning point in her life.

While she was eight months pregnant, her husband, Glenn, had a show scheduled at the O’Keefe Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto on her due date. Since they had family in Canada, they decided that she would travel ahead to arrange a doctor and hospital, with him joining her before the baby’s arrival. Their longtime friend Wayne Newton arranged for her to fly to Toronto on a medical junket flight.

She went into labor mid-flight. With 70 doctors, nurses and hospital administrators aboard, the pilot suggested an emergency landing in Chicago or continuing to Toronto. They flew to Toronto, where Christopher was born.

“Had he been born in Chicago, my life would be much different today. Chris was born with Down syndrome in Canada, which led to a 17-year fight to get him legal status in the United States,” she explained.

“No one is ever prepared to give birth to a profoundly disabled child. We were expecting a healthy baby, so we assumed that our baby would be healthy as well. However, Chris was born with an extra chromosome, resulting in Down syndrome, which is a condition unrelated to overall health.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 1 in 700 to 800 babies are born with Down syndrome (trisomy 21).

Linda was told that her newborn also had a heart condition and respiratory issues, and he was not going to live very long. Meanwhile, Glenn, performing at the Flamingo Hotel with Fats Domino, handed out cigars celebrating his son’s birth.

Not wanting to break the news over the phone, she left her newborn with her sister and mother, flying to Las Vegas four days later to tell him in person.

“I was told to forget about Chris, have another baby and move on,” she recalled. “But then a caseworker for people with intellectual disabilities told me, ‘He’s your child.’ She was his only advocate at the time.”

Arriving in Las Vegas, Glenn was shocked to see her home early. He cried upon hearing the diagnosis, then packed up his equipment and, alongside his bandmates, drove 2,300 miles to Toronto to meet Christopher.

“When we arrived, Glenn saw Christopher and said, ‘He looks just like me, let’s get him out of here.’ That acceptance by Glenn was powerful. Every time I think about it, I choke up.

“We had no idea that we were facing even bigger hurdles in terms of getting him into the United States. We didn’t consider for one moment that he would not be welcomed in the U.S.”

With Vice President Hubert Humphrey as his sponsor, Christopher entered the U.S. on a temporary visa. After a 17-year legal battle, he was granted American status.

Even when their son was a baby, the couple still had to work and could not find qualified childcare. Linda left show business and, being the mother of invention, founded the first chapter of the Down Syndrome Organization of Southern Nevada (DSOSN).

On meeting other parents of disabled children, she found that parents of special needs children were given the same advice when their child was born and diagnosed with a disability—’throw your child away’ like they never existed.

“We thought the best thing we could do is talk to doctors and hospitals. We wanted them to know that our kids are fabulous, cool, special and unique. We love them just like you love any child. We would like to be able to come to the hospital when a baby is born with Down syndrome and talk to the new parents. The children who lived their lives in state institutions are a tragedy. Geraldo Romero [former newscaster] exposed those horrific places where thousands of people were housed.

“As a newly minted disability advocate and married to an entertainer, I soon heard of a group called the Vanguards comprised of celebrity wives.”

The group was supporting a then-little-known organization called Opportunity Village. The first time she visited their building, she was shocked. Opportunity Village at the time was called the Clark County Association for Retarded Citizens and housed in a small, drafty warehouse in downtown Las Vegas. It was winter when she paid her first visit, and she noted that everyone was bundled up due to the lack of heating in the building.

Linda witnessed adults with intellectual disabilities participating in what could be her son’s future as an adult. She immediately got involved, volunteered and served on the board of Opportunity Village. After seven years, they hired her as their first fundraiser.

Inspired by their son, the couple produced and performed in Concert of Love, an annual fundraiser event that helped Opportunity Village grow to become an innovative, thriving organization. Her showbiz background served the organization well, as she raised over half a billion dollars during her career there and created signature events like the Magical Forest, Camelot, the Great Santa Run and HallOVeen.

DSOSN became dormant after she left to help Opportunity Village grow to become one of the most respected disability organizations in the country. After many ups and downs over 30 years, in 2023, Peter Whittingham, the father of a Down syndrome child, revitalized the organization.

[Editor’s note: Read the article about Whittingham and the DSOSN in Chic Compass – Issue 21]

Linda praises DSOSN, describing it as a remarkable organization. The origins of the Festival of Trees and Lights event, which was initiated by a young parent over 30 years ago, evolved into a highly anticipated and glamorous occasion. The organization’s board expressed their desire to acknowledge Linda’s longstanding contributions to the disability community and announced their intention to honor her in 2024.

Her involvement culminated in receiving the Governor’s Lifetime Achievement Award, with many of her supportive friends in attendance. She viewed this recognition as a fitting conclusion to her journey from struggling mother to founding the organization, which is now acknowledged over 40 years later.

“I was very honored to receive that prestigious award from the governor,” she said. “The next day, the Association of Fundraising Professionals gave me a lifetime achievement award.”

Three days later, Opportunity Village named the campus on Oakey Boulevard, home of the Magical Forest, the Linda Smith and Christopher Smith family campus of Opportunity Village. The DSOSN also recently named its building the Christopher Smith Learning Center. Even with his passing in 2019, Christopher continues to impact the world.

“Although no longer here in the physical sense, my Christopher visits me. I feel, hear and see him often. For a child that was at first considered not worthy of life, he was a powerful human being,” she stated.

Linda and Glenn divorced many years ago but remained dedicated co-parents over time.

She is married to John Wasserburger, whom she met while seeking a beer donation for an event—she jokes that she got both a husband and the beer.

“I have a wonderful husband who is content to stand quietly, lovingly and supportive in the background. Together with my son Jason, Christopher’s adoring brother, we created the Christopher Smith Foundation to support caregivers. Sales from my books and family and friends’ donations fund the foundation. The organization gives out rewards and cash gifts at our annual caregiver appreciation luncheon.”

Linda has authored two books, “Unwanted: How a Mother Learned to Turn Shame, Grief and Fear into Purpose, Passion and Empowerment” and “Confessions of a Sin City Fundraiser,” the proceeds of which benefit the Christopher Smith Foundation.

For more information, visit lindaslife.com or christophersmithfoundation.org.