Inspiration can come from the most unexpected of places. I look for inspiration from my friends and family, from my co-workers, and from big-hearted strangers that I pass on the street.
It warms my heart to see people overcome immense adversity, like George Dennehy, who learned to play guitar despite the fact that he does not have arms. But when I heard Madeline's story, my heart absolutely melted.
Madeline lives in Brisbane, Australia and is 18 years old. Maddy (as she is called by her friends and family) has Down syndrome. She has always loved swimming and dancing, but was often frustrated by not being able to do things like cartwheels or handstands. Maddy and her mother decided to make exercise a big priority, taking on even more activities that Maddy loved. She got creative with her new active lifestyle, much like Erik Ko's unique doggie workout. Maddy took up cricket, cheerleading, hip-hop dancing, and began swimming five times a week. Her new, active approach to health and fitness was a true inspiration.
But the amazing Madeline did not stop there. She decided to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a model. When I saw these photos, my heart just burst. Maddy is an incredible inspiration to those with Down Syndrome and to people around the world.
Please SHARE Maddy's heartwarming story of achieving her dreams and inspiring the world.
h/t: BuzzFeed/DailyMail
With her new active lifestyle, Maddy followed her dream of being a model!
Maddy signed with a modeling agency that supports models of diverse body types.
"She loves the camera!" Maddy's supportive mother told Daily Mail.
Every day she tells Maddy "how amazing, funny, smart, beautiful, [and] wonderful she is."
"She really wants to change the way people discriminate against [those with disabilities]."
Maddy wrote on Facebook: “Modeling will help change society’s view of people with Down syndrome, exposure will help to create acceptance in life."
Her mom told BuzzFeed, "I remember having her in a stroller when she was a baby and small-minded people telling me she should not be out in public." But just look at the support Maddy receives on Facebook!
She told BuzzFeed that those with Down syndrome are beautiful and "should be celebrated."
She told Daily Mail, "I feel so blessed to have a daughter like Maddy. I won [the] lotto the day she was born."
Maddy's story is an inspiration to those with Down syndrome and to people around the world!
Please SHARE Maddy's heartwarming story of achieving her dreams and inspiring the world.
