A boy with Down’s syndrome is a new model for clothing brand River Island.
HeartWarming: Kid With Down’s Syndrome Is A New River Island Model
A boy with Down’s syndrome is a new model for clothing brand River Island. Joseph Hale from Grimsby came along to join other children in the fashion line’s Kids Squad advert to show off the smart, new attire.
A post on Instagram reads: “Ultimate #SquadGoals Every RI kid is different, but there’s one thing they all want – cool clothes (and a big party)! Introducing the stars of the #RIKidsSquad!”
Joseph, titled ‘Traditionalist’, was wearing formal shoes, trousers and a green, long-sleeve shirt in the ad. His mum, Karen, has told the Grimsby Telegraph how delighted she was to have her son involved.
She added: “Disability should not define them. Joseph is a person. His Down’s is a small part of him. There is a lot more to see than the face value. They have a physical disability, yes, but people have preconceived ideas – you need to see the person beneath.”
Joseph also agreed that it was a fun day at the photoshoot. He told the newspaper: “It was nice to show the video to friends at school. People can take selfies with me now. River Island made it comfortable for me and I really enjoyed it. I was trying to get everyone to dance to the music. It is good to be able to champion disabilities.”
It was Joseph’s first ever modelling job, but not his first experience in front of a camera. Just last month, his group, the Zedebee Performing Arts Group, auditioned for a performance on the next season of Britain’s Got Talent. The group is an inclusive drama group which works with people who have learning difficulties and disabilities.
Their work aims to help people to gain confidence, build self-esteem and develop social, life and physical skills.
Joseph’s dad is in hope that this kind action shall inspire other companies to include people from all backgrounds and abilities in future campaigns. To the Huffington Post he said:
“Advertising can put across in a very positive way, that even if a person has a special need and or a disability they still have emotions, thoughts, feelings, and dreams the same as anyone else. And, given the correct guidance, support and right opportunities to be included in everything, they can thrive and achieve the most wonderful things”
“The impact of more brands including mixed abilities in advertising could be huge – not just for our son but for anyone with a special need and/or a disability.”
Nobody could ever enjoy witnessing a child throwing a tantrum in public. However, the people would feel the most uncomfortable out of anybody would be the child’s very own parents.
Mom Panics as 5-Year-Old Has Meltdown in Middle of Train Ride, Stranger Walks Over
A mother would be all too aware of the volume of her child’s screams, the stares from strangers, and the likely judgemental thoughts going through others’ heads. Gayna Pealling is familiar with this feeling of self-consciousness, especially during her son’s public meltdowns.
She has a 5-year-old son, Jack, and a 4-year-old daughter, Amy. Jack has ADHD and autism. This mother and her two children were unable to get their usual direct train ride. Instead, they had to change trains to get to their destination.
Apparently, the noise, crowds, and extra travel time was all to difficult for Jack to handle, which really upset him and led to a meltdown.
Jack was swearing, yelling, and kicking the chair, and the mother and her children received quite an amount of tuts and stares from other passengers.
Even after explaining to the strangers around her that her son has autism and ADHD, she still felt the judgment. This frustrating experience even culminated when Pealling tried to give Jack his medication for ADHD.
Going through the struggle getting him to take the meds resulted in even more yelling. Suddenly, Pealling’s newfound hero stepped in.
Daniel Ball, 21, was nearby. According to the the HuffPost UK, the young man asked Jack, “I take tablets so how about you show me how to take them?” The boy agreed and took his medication. From there, Ball walked over to sit with both children.
“We were on the train for about an hour and Dan just passed me my hot drink and said ‘I’ve got it’,” Pealling told the Mirror. He colored, played games, and just talked with Amy and Jack allowing the mother some moment of peace.
But this story doesn’t simply end with the conclusion that there are “still good people out there,” like Dan. It ended with a call to action.
Barbara Ball, Dan’s mother, who was also an expert in special education needs and disabilities, was so inspired by her son’s experience, she went on to launch the “Come To My Rescue” campaign.
She posted on Facebook, “The campaign seeks to raise awareness among the general public of the desperation that parents often feel when their children with special needs have meltdowns. Many observers would like to help or to show support with the parent but are afraid of interfering.”
Offering parents help or even simply a smile while their child is having a meltdown in public could make all the difference. Instead of adding up to the stress that they already feels, try to look for a way that you can “come to their rescue.”