Ok hold the phone. Dove for example has started using models of all sizes, this website has posted loads of articles on "how clothing looks on all body types", and there are plenty of stores that have plus size clothing that use plus size models. There is a huge movement for including models without photoshop and with different body sizes. No she didn't get this position because she has downs syndrome. My friend has down syndrome and she isn't a model even if she wants to be. Madeline worked hard to move into this position. She does not look like the average model and that is what should be encouraged. Yes she has a disability, but she is breaking the "normal" model mold. You are completely right that if we are going to be inclusive EVERYONE should have a chance, but sadly an idea that progressive cannot happen all at once. If one person is being included in this industry, (be it disability, weight, race, or gender) that is a step in the right direction for everyone having a chance.

Whether she got the opportunity because she has Down Syndrome or not is pretty irrelevant. Madeline has a unique look and style that goes well beyond the mere typical characteristics of people with Down Syndrome. It's kind of a chicken-and-egg argument, really. What's the difference between an agency or fashion house deciding they want a model with Down Syndrome, and deciding they want who looks like Tyra Banks or Grace Kelly, or one with a big gap in her teeth, or a with a monobrow, or who looks like she lives on cocaine and vodka?

No... she's a fantastic model and shes really pretty.

You can't include EVERYONE. If everyone could be a model there would be no poor, but this is impossible. This girl is really pretty so why not her? Her Downs is not the main thing here. This is what the author of this article focused on - her disability. But we shouldn't. She is just really, really beautiful as you can (hope so) see.

You are contradicting yourself. You want opportunities to be open equally to everyone, and yet you complain that this girl with Downs has been offered this opportunity. Be thankful, as well as happy for her, that she is one of the trail blazers that is opening the door to these opportunities wider. And she's not the only one. I've been seeing some beautifully photographed ads with gentlemen amputees, and I'm a true fan of plus sized model Tess Holliday. Don't rain on Madeline's parade.

Isn't someone like Madeline the catalyst for that kind of acceptance starting to happen? It may have been someone else with some other challenge who got this opportunity, and you would have still complained, 'Why them, and not someone else?' I think it's coming about through more great stories than just Madeline, look at size 22 Tess Holliday. Don't rain on their parades, just be happy that they are opening that door to opportunity a little wider.

Yeah...disable people get ALL the breaks. Wish we had it easy like them and just got whatever we wanted, right? *sigh* Bitter much, lady? Sheesh.

I totally agree with you. This girl got her "modeling" job because she was demanding it from her mother and she had a dream of being one, not because she is model material. She could model in several Down Syndrome fashion shows and model clothes for those same special folks who participate in the Special Olympics and events like that, but why can't people be HONEST and OPEN about the facts? This girl is just not attractive enough to be a fashion model in an actual fashion show. I already know that the PC growd will come back with "She is beautiful and has a wonderful happy smile and she worked so hard for her place on that runway!" I call poop cookies on that. She got this gig because she is an oddity and it was great for PR points. Nobody is looking at the outfit, they are watching this girl like they would watch any freak show attraction. Call me a hater if you want, I don't care.

tl;dr "I'm fat"

Yes, she is model BECAUSE she has down AND she's beautiful, like people can be chosen for some magazine cover because they're black AND they're beautiful. It's a wonderful story, because she proves everyone disabled people can be accepted and have a role in the society. Your comment is very weird, you seems to think that the models bussiness is something fair. There are fat models, there are marvellous girls who wil fail to be model, because lack of luck. It this girl has the chance to promote a better image of disabled person, who are object of disdain in nowadays life, why don't you forget your jealousy and rejoice for that?

these are obviously rare exceptions.. the competition is too high to give EVERYONE a chance.

Oh im not alone for agreeing......

great personality and a beautiful heart? is that a job requirement now? modeling should be for models, on the runway you cant tell if someone has a good heart, but you can tell if she can master the right walk or has the right physique. some girls who have all what is required to be in the modeling industry dont get a chance for a try. why not think of those girls? modeling is for the pretty girls, not people who have too much weight. its like giving somesone the right to defend people in the court, coz he also wanted to be a lawyer.

How do you know anything about her character?

How do you know here character? And she is not a monster but she is no more beautiful than other Down Syndrome girls. This one got into modeling because she demanded it from her mom. My neighbor Down Syndrome son wants to be a WWF wrestler. Do we endulge him too?