Young Woman With Down Syndrome Lost Weight, Determined To Change The Face Of Beauty And Model

Madeline Stuart, 18, is a very special young lady. She is from Brisbane, in Queensland and has Down Syndrome. According to the National Down Syndrome Society, weight struggles are common for people with the syndrome. Madeline, known as Maddie, was over 40 pounds overweight a year ago. Her inability to do a cartwheel made her start on a healthier diet and exercise program and focus on health and fitness, according to her mother Rosanne Stuart, as stated in the Mighty.

Maddie cut out junk food and began exercising regularly. Now she lives a healthy and active lifestyle and hopes to launch a modeling career. She wants to make a real difference in the fashion industry. She also wants people to see her photos and not discriminate against people with disabilities. She’s quite the athlete. Aside from dance, gymnastics, and cheerleading, she also swims and plays basketball and Special Olympics cricket.

As a loving mother, Rosanne tells Maddie every day how “amazing, smart, beautiful, and wonderful” she is. Rosanne stated the following, according to the Daily Mail.

“Maddy has never been selfish and worries about everyone. In basketball if someone on the opposite team falls over she will stop playing and help them up. She is amazing, she is so beautiful, and she makes me feel so special. We will be driving in the car in the morning and she will just pick up my hand and kiss it and tell me she loves me and thanks me. Every morning she comes in and cuddles me to start the day….In the beginning Maddie struggled as she is very habitual, and was used to eating a lot so she had to break that cycle. I gave her a lot of support and in about two months she created new habits. Maddy is so confident, she has no hang ups, she is more than happy to parade around the house showing me how gorgeous she is with her hand up behind her head swaying her hips as if to say ‘look at me.’ Only when she gets lots of attention through social media will the modeling world look at her, this is unfortunate but true and she really wants to change the way people discriminate against disability. People with Down syndrome can do anything, they just do it at their own pace. Give them a chance and you will be rewarded beyond your greatest expectations.”

Maddie is now looking for an agent to start her modeling career. She has the support of her mother, best friend, and boyfriend. Her mother stated the following, according to Metro.

“I think it is time people realised that people with Down syndrome can be sexy and beautiful and should be celebrated.”

Thankfully, people with disabilities are being accepted by more people. Even a doll-maker is now making dolls with disabilities, according to an article in the Inquisitr. A campaign for “greater diversity in the toy box” went viral on social media. In response, a British toy manufacturer named Makies has created a new range of dolls with various disabilities. Unlike the supposedly perfect dolls for sale, these dolls have real-life-type disabilities. Some have hearing impairments and wear hearing aids. Others have scars, birthmarks, or need assistance with a cane to “walk.” They are also designing a doll who uses a wheelchair.

[Photos Courtesy Facebook, Rosanne Stuart’s page]