A girl with Down syndrome has been defying the odds and became a prominent model years after doctors advised her mum to put her up for adoption.
As mother Renee Garcia from Colorado Springs, Colorado, explained, she was overjoyed when her daughter, now-15-year-old Kennedy, was born.
While the doctors predicted the girl would spend most of her life in diapers and dependent on her mother, Renee was determined to prove them wrong and help her daughter forge a successful future.
15 years later, Kennedy is a stunning model who has a boyfriend and has worked on gigs for the likes of Justice Clothing, American Girl, and Disney.
According to Renee, she was devastated after doctors advised her to put her baby up for adoption shortly after birth.
Fortunately, a fellow mother with a daughter who has Down syndrome comforted her by telling her that people like Kennedy can have a bright future.
After undergoing leukemia and dangerous surgery on the spine, Kennedy has developed a passion for modeling and singing and signed a deal with KMR Diversity and Dream Talent Management agency which helps her get auditions in New York and Hollywood.
Besides her appearance on the stage, the young girl has also appeared in TV shows such as This is Us and 9-1-1.
Kennedy has also started dating 19-year-old Matthew who caught her attention with a nice pick-up line.
“He came straight over, handed Kennedy his mobile and said, ‘I think my phone’s broken because it’s missing your number,’” Renee said of Matthew who also has a genetic condition.
Speaking of her daughter’s life story to The Mighty, the proud mother added:
“This was the same child doctors told me needed to be put in an institution. It’s shocking how misinformed they all were, and it was only 15 years ago.
“I feel like progress is being made. Kennedy is pretty much accepted wherever we go.”
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