18-Year-Old Model With Down Syndrome Will Walk at New York Fashion Week, Change the World

Recently, I told you about Madeline Stuart, a model who happens to have Down syndrome.  I just found out she’s going to be walking in New York’s Fashion Week!  Cosmopolitan reports:

Madeline Stuart, an 18-year-old Australian model with Down syndrome, first went viral earlier this year after her stunning photos were posted on Facebook. Since then, Stuart and her mom Rosanne have been fielding international modeling requests. Most recently, Stuart signed to walk in New York Fashion Week with MODA in association with the Christopher Reeve Foundation. She has also been working with handbag company EverMaya and will be the face of a new line of handbags (all named after her!) launching Friday.

Her mother couldn’t be prouder, but not just because of her success:

It’s not about the modeling for me. It’s about my daughter being happy. This is about showing the world how easy it is to talk to someone with an intellectual disability, how easy it is to walk up to someone and make them realize they’re the same! Like she said to me a minute ago, “Mum, hug,” and I jumped into bed and gave her a hug. I put down my work and gave her a hug because that’s what she wanted in that moment and that’s what I cherish. You don’t always get those moments.

When asked if she believed the world was ready for someone like her daughter, her mother responded definitely!

Imagine in 10 years what society will be like for people with disabilities. It’s not going to be how it is now, it’s going to be the norm. It’s probably going to be cool to hang out with someone who has an intellectual disability because you know that they care more about emotions than they do about the materialistic world. Everyone’s going to want that friend to teach them what true love is.

I love that.  I believe my brother Trig has shown me a truer picture of love.

Congratulations, Madeline!  Can’t wait to see you on the catwalk. Read more about this amazing person here.

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