Toddler with Down Syndrome Rejected by Talent Agency Lands Modeling Gig

Crystal Barbee Photography

Look at this cutie! Asher Nash is a toddler with Down syndrome who recently landed a modeling contract with Osh Kosh B’Gosh. His story has a happy ending, but it didn’t start that way.

Originally, Asher’s mom, Meagan Nash, entered him in a modeling contest, but she didn’t hear anything back from it. When she asked the talent agency about the lack of reply, she was told that the agent didn’t think the company was looking for kids with special needs.

Rather than giving up, Asher’s mom channeled her frustration in a positive way: She posted adorable pictures of her boy on Changing the Face of Beauty’s website and asked the question: “Hey OshKosh B’Gosh what do you say? Won’t you help us in #changingthefaceofbeauty?” Thousands of people shared the post on social media, and the response was so big that Osh Kosh contacted Nash.

As Nash told CNN: “It’s important to feature people with special needs in advertisement for three reasons. The first reason is inclusion. People with disabilities want to be included among their peers in life in general and being seen in advertisement is a part of that. The second reason, which is very near and dear to my heart, is acceptance. Without truly accepting my son and others with special needs, there can be no inclusion for them in the future. And the last reason is respect. Using people with special needs shows the world that these people have value and worth just like any typical person does.”

Fast-forward to Asher and his mom meeting with executives, including the CEO of Carter’s, Inc. (Osh Kosh’s parent company), and everyone being utterly charmed by the grinning tot. And now, we’re happy to announce that Asher will be featured in an upcoming Osh Kosh campaign!

Asher, like models Madeline Stuart and Jamie Brewer—both of whom have Down syndrome and have walked in runway shows and done ad campaigns for major labels—is a trailblazer for inclusion, and we’re so glad his story turned out this way.

So, congratulations to Asher and well-done, Osh Kosh B’Gosh! We look forward to seeing Asher—and more models of all abilities—in your ads!

Source:  http://www.parents.com/