Children With Down Syndrome Become Disney Characters in Magical Photoshoot

(TMU) — A photographer in the U.K. has launched a heartwarming 12-day photography mission called Down With Disney to “celebrate and help raise awareness for Down syndrome.”

Nicole Perkins of Nicole Louise Photography is a full-time worker at a special needs school, but during her free time, she runs a photography studio that focuses on young adults and children.

With her love of children and her understanding of the inherent dignity and beauty of youngsters with special needs, Perkins has created magical campaigns to showcase them.

In 2018, Perkins launched Down With Beautiful, which featured 32 different babies, children, teenagers, and young adults with Down Syndrome.

Her latest campaign, Down With Disney, also aims to show that children who have the syndrome remain beautiful.

Perkins told Fox 5:

“There is something so special about people with Down Syndrome and the more people who realize that the better.

They really do make the world a better place.”

Perkins is a huge fan of Disney, and especially the classic animated films. So rather than repeating the informational approach of last year’s campaign, Perkins opted for a playful and fun approach to this year’s shoot.

The results of her photoshoot were truly inspirational and have been praised by advocates and internet users worldwide.

Perkins began the campaign with a 4-month-old baby girl named Aurora Marney who was dressed as The Little Mermaid.

On the second day, she showcased 2-year-old Zephaniah Ojar in a tribute to The Jungle Book

The third day was devoted to depicting 2-year-old Bella Gould as a Monsters Inc. character.

Two-year-old Dorothy Mason played Snow White alongside seven stuffed dwarfs on day four.

Six-year-old named Leiya Cooper wished upon a star as Cinderella on the fifth day.

On day six, Perkins recreated a whole new world from Aladdin in her photo shoot of Abdullah Adnan, 2, as Aladdin, and Maryam El-Khamisi, 7, as Jasmine.

While day seven saw a 2-year-old boy named Angelo portray Simba from The Lion King.

Day eight featured Holly Allan, 10, as Belle and an adorable 6-year-old named Jensen Pointon as the beast from Beauty and the Beast.

On day nine, Frozen was recreated by Lauren Rusler, 6, Poppie Underwood, 6, and 5-year-old Evan Williams.

Day ten brought Toy Story to life as Jackson Vaughan, 2, and baby Rory Haywood portrayed Cowboy Woody and Buzz Lightyear.

On day eleven, baby Jaxon Jones became Peter Pan.

And on the final day of the shoot, day twelve, 6-year-old Chloe Lennon portrayed Princess Merida of DunBroch from the Disney Pixar film Brave.

Perkins has been amazed by the positive response to her photoshoot. She told Good Morning America:

“I have met some amazing families in the process and I’m so glad to see the joy the images of their children has brought to so many people.”

According to The Include Project from the U.S. National Institute of Health, there are approximately 6,000 babies born in the United States with Down syndrome every year, affecting approximately 1 out of every 700 babies.

Over the past 25 years, the average lifespan for people with Down syndrome has doubled from 30 to 60 years. Despite this increase in lifespan, persons with Down syndrome and their families are still faced with significant health challenges.

However, by giving people with Down syndrome proper support and treatment, many are able to still lead very happy and productive lives.

Perkins said:

“I hope people take away the fact that there is a lot more to Down syndrome than what you are told in a hospital.

They are such beautiful special people and the world is a much better place with them in it.”

By Elias Marat | Creative Commons | TheMindUnleashed.com