Sunny and talented: celebrities with Down syndrome (12 photos)

Just recently, mothers in maternity hospitals were persuaded to leave their child with Down syndrome in the hospital and “not suffer”; they were predicted to have a hard life. Those who nevertheless decided to take such a child home were very often simply cut off from society.





No one really knew how to behave with such children. Peers could offend a child with Down syndrome, and their parents were also not far behind, demanding that he be removed from the playground, saying that “he scares our children.” Inclusivity was an unknown word. But today everything is different. More and more often, people with Down syndrome demonstrate not only the ability to self-care, but also something more. Much more. The credit goes to the researchers, doctors and caring volunteers who are ready to work hard and hard with the “sunny people”.

Jamie Brewer



The American actress played a role in the famous TV series American Horror Story. In addition to film, Jamie tried her hand at a high fashion show in New York in 2015.

Madeline Stewart





An Australian girl with Down syndrome became a famous model in 2015, when she made her debut on the catwalk.

Various brands of cosmetics, clothing and accessories often collaborate with Stewart, and magazines and fashion catwalks regularly invite the girl to shows and filming.

Maria Langovaya



The athlete is from Barnaul and achieved simply stunning results - gold at the Special Olympics in freestyle swimming in Athens. Her collection also includes bronze and silver from the Special Olympics.

Maria's coach says that his pupil is truly unique, her performance is simply amazing, and she swims as if she was born in water.

Pablo Pineda



This Spanish actor became the first person in Europe with Down syndrome to receive higher education at a university. Pablo may be remembered from the film “Me Too.” In 2009, he received an award at the San Sebastian International Film Festival for Lead Actor.

Melanie Segard



Interestingly, she became famous when, thanks to her subscribers, she became a weather forecaster on television. Melanie wrote a post on a social network where she appealed to the management of TV channels so that she could be given a chance to try herself as a presenter. The post became popular and people came to her with offers from two countries at the same time.

Karen Gaffney



Karen became the first person in the world with Down syndrome to swim the English Channel despite having a paralyzed leg. The girl also set several more records and received a gold medal at the Paralympic Games.

At the same time, she became a doctor at the University of Portland, is actively involved in charity work and helps adapt children not only with Down syndrome, but also with other disabilities.

Ronald Jenkins



The man became famous all over the world when in 2003 he began publishing his musical compositions on the Internet. The composer and musician is now popular on YouTube.

Maria Nefedova



The girl lives in Moscow. She became the first officially employed person with Down syndrome in Russia. Maria is an assistant teacher at the Downside Up Foundation, plays the flute, teaches children at the Art Center and plays at the Theater of the Innocent.

The foundation, by the way, also has a theater workshop where many people with the syndrome come to rehearse on a regular basis.

Pascal Duquenne



The Belgian young man is known throughout the world as a theater and film actor. "Mr. Man", "Toto the Hero", "The Eighth Day". At the Cannes Film Festival he received the award for Best Actor, and the King of Belgium awarded him the honor of becoming a Commander of the Order of the Crown.

Paula Sazh



Thanks to the British film After Life, Paula from Scotland gained fame. She played in the film and received a BAFTA in the category "Best Film Debut".