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Down syndrome

Model with Down syndrome returns to New York Fashion Week

Mary Bowerman
USA TODAY Network
Stryker Ostafew styles Amber Coia's hair before she model in Thursday's EveryMaya fashion show.

With fiery red hair and a personality to match, Madeline Stuart is proving to be an unstoppable force in the modeling world.

The 18-year-old model, who has Down Syndrome, will walk in the FTL Moda show at New York Fashion Week on February 15. The jaunt down the runway marks the second time she has modeled at fashion week.

Stuart, who is from Australia, is only the second model with Down syndrome to grace the runway at New York Fashion Week.

After losing 44 pounds to become healthier, Stuart decided to take on a lifelong dream of modeling.

“I hope through modeling, I can change societies view of people with disabilities,” Stuart wrote on her Facebook page. “Exposure is creating awareness, acceptance and inclusion.”

Stuart’s mother, Roseanne Stuart, is also her manager and helps her keep up with thousands of social media followers.

Roseanne told the Democrat and Chronicle that Madeline’s mission is about “helping others,” and showing that people with Down syndrome can achieve their dreams.

Model Madeline Stuart is featured in an ad for everMaya boutique.

"Someone on Madeline's Facebook said they were sick of people calling her a model with Down syndrome. I am not tired of it,” Stuart told the Chronicle. “I am glad they say she is a model with Down syndrome because it is making people aware that if you have Down syndrome, you can still be a model or do whatever you want to do.”

Follow @MaryBowerman on Twitter. 

Contributing: Marisa Zeppieri-Caruana,  Democrat & Chronicle 

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