The Lion King child stole my heart… as did the rest of them.
UK-based photographer Nicole Louise Perkins came up with an idea to advocate against the stereotyping of innocent children because they were born with Down syndrome. Perkins works full-time at a school for special-needs kids, and she’s seen first-hand how amazing they can be when given a chance to shine. She loves her kids very deeply and is constantly motivated to show other people how special they are.
Perkins began her movement with the Down Right Beautiful photo series in 2018 and has reached millions of people all over the world. This year, she moved up to a more creative theme, Down with Disney, where she got these lovely children to dress up as Disney characters and melt hearts in seconds. [1]
Up with Down
According to the United Nations, 3000 to 5000 children are born with a triplicate of the 21st chromosome (instead of a duplicate), a condition known as Down syndrome. [3] People born with this condition have distinctive physical features and they suffer intellectual and developmental delays. They are also be prone to thyroid and heart diseases.
However, they are as unique as everyone else and deserve to be treated equally. Society needs to evolve until people with disabilities are not segregated but empowered and included.
“The abortion rate in the UK for families that find out their baby would have Down syndrome is that 90% will go for a termination. I find these statistics heart breaking,” Perkins told The Mighty.
She also supplied information about her incredible project, stating that it’s been an inspiration to any parents who received the diagnosis.
“The campaign I created last year (Down Right Beautiful) was my first to try and make a change. It included 32 different babies, children, teens, and young adults who have Down syndrome and along with their photoshoot images each of their stories written by their parents are available and also any advice for new parents who have been given the diagnosis,” she said.
Here are the 12 amazing photos from the series:
1. Lion King
2. Toy Story
3. Beauty and the Beast
4. Cinderella
5. Brave
6. Aladdin
7. Monster Inc.
8. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
9. Peter Pan
10. The Jungle Book
11. The Little Mermaid
12. Frozen
When she released the Down Right Beautiful series in 2018, Perkins was shocked at how much the public loved them. Her fans requested more photo series like that one. She received massive support from millions of people and went on to create the Down with Disney series. She plans to do something bigger next year and continue her combat against the myths surrounding kids with disabilities.
“I hope my campaigns will show people there is so much more to people with Down syndrome than what you read on the Internet or are told in hospitals,” Perkins said. “They are the best people you could ever meet and the world is a much better place with people who have Down syndrome in it.
References:
- “Down With Disney Photo Series Recreates 12 Classic Disney Films.” The Mighty. Renee Fabian. Retrieved 21-11-19
- “World Down Syndrome Day 21 March.” UN. Admin. Retrieved 21-11-19
- “Nicole Louise Photography.” Facebook. Retrieved 21-11-19
- “Nicole Louise Photography. Facebook. Retrieved 21-11-19