This World Syndrome Day, let us celebrate someone who truly amazes us with her
perseverance and dedication to break barriers and achieve her dreams! Her name is Sofía
Jirau – world’s first ever Victoria’s secret model with Down Syndrome.
“I felt like a shooting star,” sums up Sofía Jirau as she catwalks through the world of high
fashion.
She is a Puerto Rican model with Down Syndrome who recently fulfilled one of her dreams
by becoming the first-ever Victoria’s Secret model with Down Syndrome. Not only that, she
is also one of the few models with Down Syndrome to be a part of New York Fashion Week.
Since then, Sofía Jirau has captivated the hearts of thousands of people, motivating others
like her to dream big. “When I was a kid, I looked in the mirror and said to myself, ‘I’m
going to be a model and an entrepreneur,'” she said. And, guess what? Now she is both a
model and a businesswoman.
Sofía was born with Down Syndrome, which happens when a person is born with an extra
chromosome. Unlike most babies, who are born with 46 chromosomes, those with Down
Syndrome are born with an extra copy of chromosome 21, which can cause both mental and
physical challenges. She has a chromosome more than us. In a society where a child’s
mental and physical inability is considered a hurdle, Sofía broke all barriers and
stereotypes. The first model with Down Syndrome to walk the coveted Victoria’s Secret
ramp shook up the industry and proved that “beauty belongs to everybody.”
People with Down Syndrome, as well as other disabilities, are largely absent from the
beauty and fashion industries. Unfortunately, we still live in a society where inclusion is
not the norm, yet Sofía sees no such boundaries. She has paved a way! Breaking barriers
and changing the perception about Down Syndrome. She has fulfilled her dreams to show
people around the world that there are no limits and to inspire them to pursue their own
dreams. Whether we have a disability or not we should consider us worthy of a place in the
beauty and fashion industry.
When we judge someone based on a diagnosis we miss out on their talents, beauty, and
individuality. They have the same wants and dreams as everyone else. They can do anything
anyone else can do. We are more alike than we are different. And aren’t we all human?
Don’t we all deserve to be respected and treated equally? It’s high time that people with
disabilities get the representation and inclusion they deserve with equal opportunities in
everything we do in today’s world.
It’s about rejoicing and celebrating abilities, not disabilities.
Happy World Down Syndrome Day!
