Teen with Down's syndrome becomes a successful model 15 years after mum was told to 'put her in an i

[NurseJackie]

This warms my heart. Very inspiring and sweet.
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https://www.thesun.co.uk/fabulous/11012007/teen-downs-syndrome-successful-model-mum-institution/


Kennedy Garcia, 15, is finding success as a model for top US brands, and has competed in state-wide dance competitions

Teen with Down’s syndrome becomes a successful model 15 years after mum was told to ‘put her in an institution’
by: Becky Pemberton

A TEENAGER with Down's syndrome who doctors wanted to put in an institution is now thriving as a successful model.

Kennedy Garcia, 15, from Colorado, was born with the genetic disorder and mum Renee was left distraught when one doctor advised she “just give her up for adoption”.

“Heartbroken” Renee, 40, was told Kennedy would have no quality of life and would be in nappies until adulthood.

However, the dedicated mum refused to give up on her daughter, especially after speaking to a kind midwife who called Kennedy “beautiful” and explained her own daughter with Down's syndrome was able to live a comparatively normal life.

Fifteen years later, Kennedy has defied any “bleak” predictions and is now thriving as a model for top US brands, and has competed in state-wide dance competitions.

And the positive teen has even found love, and has the full support of devoted boyfriend Matthew.

(more at link above)

[GusBob]

1. Oh boy

That headline is gonna make someone around here very angry

[MizLibby]

2. Thought the same thing!

[Disaffected]

7. Duck & Cover

[smirkymonkey]

36. *snort*

[Doreen]

3. She is beautiful.

I can't tell she has Downs Syndrome. I have met a lot of people with downs and she certainly does not have the same facial character as they do. I am sure there are others here who do see it but I don't.

[mopinko]

9. makes you wonder how they even knew.

[LisaL]

50. It's very obvious that she has it.

I can easily see it.

[mopinko]

61. i see it too, but you'd have to be looking for it.

that's about the mildest case i've ever seen. cant imagine they told the mom to give her up.

[LisaL]

63. She really didn't have a mildest case.

She had a lot of health problems (very serious ones) as a child.

[NurseJackie]

13. The makeup artist uses shading and eyeliner techniques change the shape of the eyes...

and to make the bridge of her nose seem less flat, and to give it some depth. Also, the way her hair is styled covers her ears (which are often smaller and lower) in those with Down's Syndrome.

I think she has a lovely face even without the "glamor makeup tricks" and "schoogzgz'd" hair. I love that she has a boyfriend.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

23. Yes. Though her eyes remain widely spaced, makeup can't help that. Per se, it is not a defect. nt

[Wednesdays]

14. Awesome! She's got an Instagram page

https://www.instagram.com/kennedyjean04/?hl=en

I especially like this pic:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CKMui9Qhf33/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

Or this one, rofl:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CKXC-YvBsib/?hl=en

[LisaL]

42. Well, it's pretty obvious to me that she has Down syndrome.

Especially in photos were she is wearing less make up. She is a very pretty girl, obviously.

[Ms. Toad]

49. If you follow the link and look at photos that are not designed

to conceal the characteristic Down's Syndrome features it's pretty obvious.

[AirmensMom]

4. Wow!

She is beautiful! What a lucky young woman to have such a great mom.

[mcar]

5. What a lovely girl

[MagickMuffin]

6. Be careful NurseJackie, I got attacked for spelling Down's with the S just yesterday

I really couldn't believe it. I have a niece who was born with Downs Syndrone and it was very upsetting that someone attacked me here on DU for using the S.

So, be prepared for backlash.

With that said.



Kennedy Garcia is beautiful and glad she is striving in the modeling industry.

[GusBob]

10. That was rude what happened

But NJ didn’t write the headline

Which proves it’s a common error

I’m sorry what happened to you

[Mariana]

15. It's not an error here, common or otherwise.

"Down's Syndrome" is the correct form in the UK. This is a UK paper, so there is no error.

[GusBob]

16. Thanks, see?

Ya learn something new everyday around here

So it might be a good idea to keep an open mind ( note to self)

[LymphocyteLover]

32. Thanks-- I just noticed wikipedia uses both Down and Down's

[Niagara]

19. I read that charged response to you yesterday.

It was inappropriate on their part and I'm sorry that happened to you.

[PatSeg]

22. That was the first thing that popped in my head

One of the more unusual and pointless attacks that I've seen here. At least a lot of people came to your defense and now this article shows that Downs with an "S" is both common and accepted.

[NurseJackie]

34. Yeah, I saw that. It was ridiculous...

... and served no good purpose. Looks like many others felt the same way I do.

[sheshe2]

53. Saw that.

[Marie Marie]

62. Yes, I read that and didn't understand the attack over spelling. There was certainly nothing

offensive in your post.

[UpInArms]

8. What a lovely young lady

I hope she has a marvelous life.

[CatMor]

11. What a wonderful story...

she is lovely and inspiring.

[blueinredohio]

12. She is beautiful! WOW!

[NurseJackie]

74. Such a sweet face!

[Bev54]

17. My brother who had Down's syndrome

just past away at the age of 63. My parents were told to put him in an institution, however they did not listen. He was the most loving, fun, gentle soul I have ever met. I understand 63 years ago, doctors did not understand the syndrome but 15 years ago??? That is beyond ridiculous. I have worked with special Olympics and mentally challenged people for most of my life and I cannot understand that attitude from anyone, no less a doctor.

[NurseJackie]

21. My cousin, Tim, also died at age 63. He lived with his parents for most of his life.

After my uncle died and when my aunt could not longer care for him alone, he lived in a group home and we'd frequently enjoy visits with him. As with your brother, Tim was fun and loving and mostly gentle, but he was a boy in a big man's body who didn't remember his own size or strength. When he hugged someone he liked, he meant it! He's been gone for 12 years now, but his sweet soul lives on in our hearts.

I understand 63 years ago, doctors did not understand the syndrome but 15 years ago???

I know what you mean. Outrageous.

[Grasswire2]

54. My aunt told me to put my learning disabled daughter in an institution...

...so I could live my life without that "drag".

My daughter is now an adult and has lived with me all her life. She doesn't have Downs, but she is intellectually delayed but does have a HS diploma. She will never "get" the concept of unit pricing, but is savvy and above average in many ways. Some things are a daily challenge, and a part of parenting never ends. We're buds.

[NurseJackie]

67. ...

[Squinch]

18. Doctors in 2005 telling the mom to put her in an institution? Who are these doctors?

They're about 40 years behind the times.

[Mariana]

26. Yeah, I'd have to see some evidence that the doctors actually said that.

[Ms. Toad]

51. That struck me as well.

Especially since the institutions from 40 years before that largely no longer even exist.

[Niagara]

20. What an amazing and inspiring story.

Best wishes to you and your family, Kennedy.

[PatSeg]

24. Wonderful story and Kennedy is stunning

[NurseJackie]

75. I know, right?

Beautiful!

[PersianStar]

25. Angels

Special children with loving families are all angels in disguise.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

27. I'm utterly shocked that fifteen years ago the doctors were

that ignorant. We've known for vastly longer than that that Downs is not a completely devastating diagnosis. Heck, the TV series "Life Goes On" started in 1992.

I'm wondering what rock those doctors were living under.

[Mariana]

33. It's strange enough that I'm wondering if they really said that.

Mum might be exaggerating.

[Wednesdays]

38. Don't forget, if it was rural Colorado

then it was the same region that brought us Lauren Boebert!

[Mariana]

39. Do you believe her doctors really told her that?

I don't. Institutionalization for people with Down's Syndrome stopped being routine in the UK decades ago, long before this young lady was born.

[coti]

43. 74 million people voted for Trump.

It's easy to overestimate the character of members of the human race. It takes all kinds, and even bad people can become doctors.

[Mariana]

47. Even bad people can become doctors.

And liars can become parents of disabled children. This woman may be a liar. It's not impossible that it happened the way she said, but it is unlikely.

Given that the Sun is a shitty slimy tabloid, it's also possible she never said that at all, and it was completely fabricated by the writer.

[LisaL]

46. As far as I can tell, consequences of Down syndrome can vary widely.

So it would be difficult to predict at which level any particular person with Down syndrome will be able to function.

[colorado_ufo]

28. Those gentle eyes remind me of a fawn.

She is beautiful!

[LymphocyteLover]

30. Indeed-- truly beautiful

[NurseJackie]

44. What a beautiful description.

[LymphocyteLover]

29. where's the person who keeps insisting it is "Down syndrome"?

Wiki goes with either Down or Down's

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Down_syndrome

[GusBob]

37. crickets or clammed up

I always find this interesting in life: a person was unreasonable and rude and it turns out they were wrong about what angered them

so they are twice wrong, in my opinion

and they never will own up to it or apologize

so three times wrong

[NurseJackie]

73. Good question.

[LymphocyteLover]

31. what is the current view on the ethics of this syndrome?

I assume as treatments have gotten better, not as many people are aborting Down syndrome pregnancies?

[Mariana]

40. Do you think it's unethical for a woman to terminate a pregnancy? nt

[LymphocyteLover]

55. No. I know it used to be common to terminate Down syndrome pregnancies

just wondering if that changed

[Mariana]

57. I don't know for sure, but I doubt it.

Either way, I don't see why you mentioned "ethics" unless you think it's unethical to choose to terminate a pregnancy.

[LymphocyteLover]

58. Personally I don't think it is unethical

I guess I was thinking that for people who want a child but who abort just because it is a Down fetus, is it less ethically acceptable than it used to be? This is just my impression from recent trends. Of course that could just be the anti-abortion folks talking but it does seem like this gets into more of a gray zone.

https://slate.com/human-interest/2018/05/how-down-syndrome-is-redefining-the-abortion-debate.html

[Neema]

66. Maybe but that certainly hasn't stopped people,

maybe they just don’t talk about it. The stats seem to say many people choose to terminate. I know my personal decision was to terminate for any diagnosis that meant my child couldn’t live independently as an adult. I was older when I got pregnant and I didn’t want to have to worry about who would care for him or her after I was gone. America just does not have a good track record when it comes to caring for people who can’t fully care for themselves (for whatever reason).

[LymphocyteLover]

69. absolutely-- that makes perfect sense

[LisaL]

70. Yep, that's certainly is a big consideration, whether the offspring will ever be able to live

independently.
With Down syndrome, it's hard to predict what level of functioning the child will be able to achieve.
There are also serious physical health issues that can result from having Down syndrome.

[Neema]

65. I was just reading recently that the number of

babies born with DS has decreased dramatically since testing for it became routine.

[LisaL]

71. Especially in Europe.

Down syndrome has a lot of issues associated with it. Heart defects, spinal issues, leukemia, and so on. That's on top of intellectual disabilities, shortened life span, very high incidence of dementia upon reaching older age.

[LisaL]

41. There is no treatment for the syndrome itself.

There are various treatments for associated conditions.
As for ethics, you either believe into woman's right to chose, or you don't.

[LymphocyteLover]

56. I believe in the right to choose

just wondering if it's less acceptable of a reason to terminate for Down than it used to be, though obviously it depends who you are talking to.

[BobTheSubgenius]

35. What an amazing story!

Of course, that story is linked to several others in turn, so naturally, I fell down the rabbit hole. Time well spent, but I'm kind of drained now.

[Vinca]

45. What a beautiful girl. Bet she makes more money than the doctors who advised her mother.

[ProfessorGAC]

48. Our Friend & Neighbor Has This Affliction

She lives across the street. She functions pretty darned close to what we expect everyone to be able to do.
She's bad at math, doesn't read well, but she has a part time job and bring a calculator to figure out the tip when she & my wife go to lunch (pre-Covid of course). She insists on leaving the tip because my wife always pays.
I think her family, for her first 35+ years treated her "like a rword".
She missed that nurture.
Since she started hanging around with my wife around 25 years ago, she has proved them wrong.
She would be even more capable if her family didn't waste those formative years.

[sheshe2]

52. Thank you for this.

Kennedy is a beautiful young woman,

I saw the other comments the other day, truly heart breaking.

[NurseJackie]

59. Well, maybe this makes up for it. Warms the heart, doesn't it?

[sheshe2]

60. Yes it does, NJ.

[brer cat]

64. What an uplifting account, NJ.

Thanks so much for posting.

[MineralMan]

68. A lovely young woman with unique features.

Different is not bad. It is simply different.

[leftyladyfrommo]

72. I saw a Downs boy on one of the nig talent shows

Who was an absolutely amazing ballet or modern dancer.

If you are different you just have to find your own place.