A Spanish Girl With Down Syndrome Proves That the Path to Your Dreams Is Always Open If You’re Truly Talented

They say if you have a true dream, it will come true no matter what, and the Spanish model Marian Avila proves this. A little girl with Down syndrome has paved her way to a career as a model despite the fact that most people with such a diagnosis face issues when searching for a job.

We at Bright Side have loads of respect for people who reach their goals and are eager to share the story of this talented young woman with you.

As a child, Marian dreamt of conquering the fashion world and taking part in runway shows. There was nothing that could stop the girl from reaching her dream — from the fact that she was born with Down syndrome to her height, which was 5’3’’ and not the standard 5’6’’ or 5’9’’ that models are typically required to be.

In 2016, she completed a professional course in a modeling school where she had been studying for 10 months. The same year, the girl debuted as a model at a charity show by designer Lina Lavin, which was held in Madrid.

Marian likes to dress up and look stylish. She is especially fond of putting on evening outfits and visiting various events — they bring her a lot of joy.

Her cherished dream was to walk the catwalk at one of the famous fashion weeks. And this was destined to come true.

Here is what the girl herself says about it: “In April, I got a letter saying that designer Talisha White wanted me to walk as her ’celebrity model’ at New York Fashion Week on September 8, 2018. Finally, finally! I couldn’t stop crying from the emotion. I kept repeating, ’It’s my dream, it’s my dream.’”

Marian continued, “That date is fast approaching, every time I think about it a lump in my throat makes me want to cry, I am very excited. I am going to parade in New York, I have no words, I am going to fulfill my dream.”

“I never thought that a girl, without knowing me, would believe in me, in my effort. She is my angel!” exclaimed the girl.

It was Kenzie Dugmore, the daughter of the Fashion Week model coordinator, who wrote to the girl after she had come across an article about Marian and her dream to take part in Fashion Week on Facebook. However, the aspiring model could only take part in the fashion show the following year because she was suffering from ankle trauma.

On the 8th of September, Marian walked on the runway of New York Fashion Week where she debuted several outfits. Her family was cheering for her up in the runway hall.

In one of her interviews, when Marian was asked who her main support was, she confessed that it was her sister who was always with her, giving her the necessary support, and even helps her take photos for social media.

“The truth is that it has been very exciting. I have no words. It was a dream. I wanted to show the whole world that there are no barriers if you have a dream,” the girl shared of her impressions of everything after having walked in Fashion Week. She also shared that she wanted to personally thank Talisha after the show but she got emotional during their meeting and started to cry.

This experience opened the doors to the fashion industry for Marian. She is 23 now, lives in Benidorm, Alicante, Spain, and is the official face of the new Levi’s campaign. And before that, she had the opportunity to appear in huge publications, such as Vogue, The New York Times, Vanity Fair, and Harper’s Bazaar.

Apart from modeling and regular training at home, she also partakes in vocal lessons and is learning English. One can only envy such determination.

Marian uses her public performances and social media to attract attention to people with Down syndrome and remind them that they are able to do anything they want.

On the 14th of November, Marian received the 2020 Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award, which was given to her for her achievements as a model and for being a role model to others.

We believe that a girl with such strength of mind and a desire to go forward despite all hardships deserves everything that she has: fame, respect, the opportunity to inspire others, and most importantly, her dream that came true.

What do you think about this story? Do you agree that the main thing in life is not about being perfect but about going after your dreams despite all obstacles?