Ashley Zambelli is a woman from Michigan, who was diagnosed with Down syndrome only when she was 23. She was not showing any obvious symptoms that are common for this condition. Now, Ashley has taken to Instagram to tell people more about her unusual case and warned them about some signs that might point to this condition.
In recent years, the fashion industry has made efforts toward inclusivity, but more progress is needed. Today, we are witnessing a positive shift as models with diverse conditions, body types, and backgrounds are being celebrated. The extraordinary women in this article have fearlessly paved their own paths, contributing to a more inclusive fashion world, one individual at a time.
The video about a father holding his son and not letting him come too close to the British royal guard has gone viral, all because of how the royal guard handled the situation.
Sofia Sanchez is a powerful advocate for those with Down syndrome, and her story is an inspiration to many. Sofia’s parents abandoned her at birth due to her condition, but fate brought her to the attention of a loving couple in the United States who adopted her. Sofia’s experience growing up with Down syndrome has given her a unique perspective and the ability to speak up for herself and others like her.
For 23-year-old Ashley, the discovery of her diagnosis of Down syndrome added a new layer of complexity to her role as a parent. After having three children with Down syndrome, she learned she shared the same condition. This revelation led her on a path of self-discovery, acceptance, and empowerment. Now she’s spreading awareness to other moms and sharing signs to watch out for.
The moment of a little girl with Down Syndrome sharing her radiant smile with her new adoptive mother was captured on camera. The video quickly gained widespread attention, receiving thousands of reactions when it was shared on the Facebook page of the National Down Syndrome Adoption Network.
A concern for many parents is whether or not their children will be able to find a lifelong partner. And for those with kids who have learning disorders or disabilities, this is a more significant worry. But for Tommy and Maryanne, everything went so well, it looks like their story came out of a fairy tale.
Against all odds and societal expectations, a woman with Down syndrome successfully gave birth to a baby boy. Not only that, she took on the role of a single mother, facing challenges head-on alongside her precious son, who shares the same condition. With a lot of love and care, she’s been raising her son for 27 years.
Julie Newmar wrote her name in Hollywood history as the first actress to portray Catwoman on the big screen. She became a ’60s beauty icon and had a pretty successful career. But her world truly changed when she gave birth to her son, John, in 1981.
Barbie has held numerous professions over the years, but her first job was as a teenage fashion model. With her perfect body type, some have asked for a more realistic representation of the iconic doll. As a result, Mattel has introduced a range of diverse versions, including one with Down syndrome. Learn more about the evolution of Barbie and the brand’s efforts toward inclusivity in this article.
With the selection of Noah Matthews, Disney has nailed it again. He’s the first-ever actor with Down Syndrome to star in one of its productions. At 15 years old, Noah will step into the role of Slightly, one of the lost boys on the mythical Neverland Island in the classic novel Peter Pan.
Life expectancy for Canadians with Down syndrome has more than doubled in the past 40 years due to medical advancements. However, the misconception that individuals with Down syndrome don’t live into their senior years still persists. The Canadian Down Syndrome Society and photographer Hilary Gauld’s photo essay “Here I Am” challenges this idea by showcasing seniors and adults with Down syndrome alongside pictures of themselves as children.
Sofía Jirau is not just a model, she’s a breath taker. Her striking beauty and infectious personality have shattered stereotypes and proven that anything is possible. Born with Down syndrome, Sofía was told by many that she would never achieve her dreams. But she refused to be defined by her diagnosis and instead chose to pursue her passion for modeling. And now, the lovely model has found a boyfriend.
Beth Mathews is not a typical model. She has Down syndrome, but that never stopped her from pursuing her dream of being a fashion model and inspiring us all with her positive attitude and radiant smile. We’ve spoken to Beth about her life and career, and she’s truly an inspiration.
When a child comes into the world, every parent hopes they can offer them the best life possible and guide them along the way. A parent’s love might drive them to go to any length to ensure their kids’ safety. This is especially true for children who require special care, like Christian Bowers, a boy with Down syndrome, whose mother did something extraordinary to make sure he never feels lonely again.
The unpredictability of life can bring both joy and sadness in an instant. Our ability to stay balanced and not let hardships hinder our path is crucial. Rory Feek’s story is a poignant example of how love and faith can guide us through even the toughest of times. As an affectionate father to his daughter, Indiana, who was born with Down syndrome, Rory’s steadfast love has surpassed all limits.
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.
Being persistent in life is a vital trait for achieving our goals. Even if we face many challenges along the way, believing in our skills and pursuing our ambitions will bring us happiness. Collette Divitto, the protagonist of this story, was born with Down syndrome, and despite the numerous rejections and biases she encountered as a result, she succeeded and started her own business.
Jamie Brewer, 38, succeeded in making history that some people never thought possible — she was the first person with Down syndrome to help lead a theatrical show on Broadway. But this isn’t all she’s doing. Brewer is here to prove that no physical condition can stand between you and your dreams. And just because of that, we are here to let our beloved readers hear her story.
A man may have several significant women in his life, and while certain ties may be tighter than others, the one between a brother and sister is among the most precious. Even though we often quarrel and get into ridiculous arguments as siblings, at the end of the day, we always stand by one another. The story we’re telling you today exemplifies this, as we learn of the unwavering love of a brother who surprised his sister with Down syndrome with the sweetest proposal of all time.
There are many wonderful people in the world who feed off of the satisfaction of seeing someone else happy. Even though we don’t always receive something in return for helping or showing empathy to someone else, what matters is that we are nice and maintain that kindness. Many people have made sacrifices to help those less fortunate than themselves, and we would like to celebrate them with you.
There are many impressive stories from the real lives of ordinary people, where love from a mom and dad worked real wonders for their kids. Parents are people who not only give us life, but who become our greatest source of support and motivation. Today’s featured hero, John Cronin, is a man with Down syndrome, who shows, by his own example, how fatherly love can make a kid with a special condition go far beyond all social expectations. We’d love for you to read his inspiring life story together with us.
Giving birth to a child is probably the most memorable event in the life of any parent. For each new mom, her kids are truly special, but for our today’s featured heroine they were even more so. Before giving birth to her twins, Savannah Combs didn’t even realize how unique her kids would be. And now she wants to inspire people around the world to love and embrace every special feature that people might have.
“Only a woman could take care of a child” were the words often uttered to Aditya Tiwari when he decided to adopt a boy with special needs. This man is the youngest single adoptive parent in India, and with his story, he managed to break some parenting stereotypes. We’d love for you to find out how a loving dad eventually proved he was no less than any mother for his adoptive son, Avnish.
The fashion world has become a lot more inclusive in recent years, but some people say it still has a long way to go. Nowadays, more and more models with different conditions, body shapes, and backgrounds are represented on the runways and covers of magazines. The gorgeous women in our article decided to pave their own way in the industry, making the world of fashion a bit more inclusive, one person at a time.
There are no limits to a parent’s love, and there’s nothing a mom or dad won’t do in order to ensure their child is living their best life. And when Hollywood actor John C. McGinley’s first kid was born with Down syndrome, the loving dad decided to transform his career and life path just for his little boy. After all, parenthood is the most selfless journey we can go on, and this actor’s story proves that family will always come first.
There are 1.2 billion people with disabilities around the world. And it’s a good time for brands and fashion to become aware and be even more inclusive. Recently, this gap has started to be filled, and some positive changes are now happening in the world of fashion and beauty. Supermodel Madeline Stuart is a vivid example of the enlightenment that has been happening to the minds of trendsetters and beauty industry giants. Having Down syndrome and autism, this girl is climbing the Everest of the modeling world like a pro and proving that beauty will conquer the world.
At times, the universe seems to be testing us with challenges. However, when we look back, we realize that these moments of fear and self-doubt were, in fact, a blessing. And this is what happened to the Moody family. When Whittney and Michael found out that their third son was born with Down syndrome, they were intimidated by this overwhelming new reality. But their fear soon turned into pure joy and unconditional love that had a great impact on the future of their family.
Being a parent on its own can be challenging. But raising kids with special needs is an even greater challenge. No parent is ready to receive an unwelcoming diagnosis for their child, and staying positive in these situations can be hard. But the unconditional and pure love children give has the power to make all your worries and fears fade away.
26 years ago, Grace Strobel was born with Down syndrome, and doctors said that she wouldn’t be able to read or tie her shoes. Today, she has become a determined young lady, a model who is shaking up the beauty industry, and an activist who is touring schools and inspiring thousands of children. Her goal is clear and powerful — she wants “people to rethink what’s possible.”
All people with Down syndrome have their own talents, scientists claim. They could be gifted in poetry, art, or even be able to read other people’s emotions. People with Down syndrome want to be recognized as unique individuals with their own unique abilities or skills. Our heroine is living proof of this, and she could become a great inspiration for many people around the world with her gift and ambition.
As our society becomes more inclusive, certain performers are becoming the flag bearers for their communities and helping us redefine what inclusion truly means. Disabled people have either been sorely underrepresented or misrepresented in the industry in the past, but the time has come for them to claim their place.
While there are almost 400,000 people with Down syndrome in the US alone, society still has a lot of misconceptions about this genetic disorder. But as the world continues to change for the better, people with disabilities are being given the chance to turn this delusion on its head and prove that the sky is the limit.
Expecting a child is always a tremendous event for parents-to-be. Future moms go through various procedures to make sure their baby is healthy and comfortable in their belly. But there’re some parents who hear news that might be unsettling for many people: “Your baby may have Down syndrome.” And many just decide to give up. But today’s heroine is a perfect example of the contrary.
Over the years, we have seen how the fashion industry has evolved. And with each passing decade, new design proposals arrive, and the perception of beauty standards is also transformed. We are increasingly realizing that true beauty comes in all shapes and sizes, and those differences are what make us shine with our own light.
Victoria’s Secret has announced its latest campaign, Love Cloud, which brings together models from all spheres of life. A young woman in a wheelchair, a fitness coach, and even a firefighter were cast for the new campaign. Our heroine today is Sofia Jirau, a model with Down syndrome who has also been cast, and she aims to shake up the standards of the fashion industry.
