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Model with Down Syndrome shines bright

A model with Down Syndrome has spoken out about changing the face of the beauty industry, stating that “beauty belongs to everyone”.

Katie Meade won a gold medal at the 1999 Special Olympics and last year, the 33-year-old landed a beauty campaign with Beauty & Pin-Ups to be the face of their Fearless Hair Rescue Treatment.

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Now Katie, who has become and ambassador for the brand, is speaking out about people with disabilities following their dreams.

Model Katie Meade has spoken out about being in the industry. Photo: Barcroft
Model Katie Meade has spoken out about being in the industry. Photo: Barcroft
Katie is the face of Beauty & Pin-Ups. Photo: Barcroft
Katie is the face of Beauty & Pin-Ups. Photo: Barcroft

“People who have disabilities can have abilities and they’re very capable of doing so much in life,” she said in a Barcroft video.

“I haven’t seen many people with Down Syndrome be models.

“They they can have the chance to feel beautiful and pretty like I do”

Katie made history last year when she became the first woman with Down Syndrome to front a beauty campaign.

“It’s basically pretty awesome to be on this product and it’s amazing,” she said

She fronts the haircare campaign. Photo: Instagram
She fronts the haircare campaign. Photo: Instagram
Katie is changing the face of the beauty industry. Photo: Instagram
Katie is changing the face of the beauty industry. Photo: Instagram

And while Katie has the support of the brand, her family and friends, she revealed it wasn't always like that and she had a hard time in school.

“I remember when I was followed by a lot of kids back in school and they put gum in my hair, they put rocks down my shirt and took my books out of my bag and stomped on them,” she said.

“I had a lot of family who supported me through that.

“I talked to them, I talked to my friends and my mom about it and I remember my mom talked to my school about it.

“I just looked past that and I overcame my obstacles.”

Here she is pictured at school. She said she was given a hard time from the other kids. Photo: Barcroft
Here she is pictured at school. She said she was given a hard time from the other kids. Photo: Barcroft

Now Katie is seeing all her dreams come to life and she couldn’t be happier about it.

“I was given the chance to shine,” she said.

“I want the world to see people with disabilities have abilities and beauty belongs to everyone.”

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