The world of fashion could well be about to get a new icon, after a teenager with Down’s syndrome got herself signed by five different agencies having been spotted on social media.
Georgia Traebert has more than 63,000 followers on Instagram as of January 31, 2019, and has modelled for a number of big brands in her home country of Brazil.
According to reports, the 14-year-old was born with Down’s syndrome and a heart defect, but she’s never let that stand in the way of doing what she wants to do. Fortunately, for her, neither has her mother …
Georgia first rose to relative internet fame when her mom, Rubia, posted a picture of her on Facebook.
Rubia had quit her own job to look after Georgia full-time, once it became apparent she was suffering from both Down’s syndrome and a heart defect. As per reports, Rubia explained her reaction to the diagnosis:
“During my pregnancy with Georgia, all my pre-natal exams were showing up ok, and we didn’t have a clue she would be a child with Down’s syndrome,” she said.
“Naturally, at first it was a shock for us, but since the very first moment she was born she was received with a lot of love.
“Of course, the news took us by surprise. I confess that at the time I was filled with a mixture of sadness and insecurity.”
Georgia underwent heart surgery at just five-years-old, but is now said to be “completely cured”.
Even so, she’s had her fair share of troubles growing up. Rubia revealed how she work tirelessly to help Georgia fit in.
“Georgia had to change schools a lot, I think that was the most difficult part of our life.
“I’ve always tried to really stimulate Georgia at home. I played, I sang, I danced with her – the stimulation was done daily at home by myself.
“I quit my career to dedicate myself entirely to her and it worked, as you can see.”
Then, in June 2016, Rubia shared a photo of Georgia on Facebook that garnered over 1,000 likes.
Georgia and her mother then began actively cultivating her online presence, uploading more photos as she continued to rise in popularity. It wasn’t long before a number of modelling agencies got in touch.
“It all started as a joke; I posted a picture of her on Facebook and it was a hit straight away. The idea was to see how much it can inspire other Down’s syndrome children,” Rubia said.
“Today she is listed in five modelling agencies but what really worked was [her] Instagram and Facebook [profiles]. That’s where she became known worldwide.
“Now jobs have started to appear; she has just made a commercial for a famous brand here in Brazil and also modelled for one of the biggest jewellery designers in Brazil.”
What a fantastic inspiration Georgia is for people living with disabilities the world over.
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