Natty for Face of Kinder 2013

I know that ad inclusion is a very important part of what we campaign for here at Downs Side Up. Natty and a team of others across the UK have been getting their faces into catalogues, brochures, websites, films and commercials, showing the world a different kind of beauty, acting as role models for others and encouraging the the PR teams to look at representing every one of us in their marketing strategies. Read about the pioneers who are changing attitudes here. 

I have to admit though that writing around to companies and attending castings was a very time consuming process, but happy in the knowledge that increasing numbers of companies were opening their modelling criteria to those with disabilities and others parents were forging ahead, I guess I relaxed the pressure a little. I also found myself caught up in other writing and media campaigns which took all my focus.

We decided not to go all the way to London for a recent Boden casting and were on holiday when Urban Angels needed someone for an ad, but we were excited to see our friend Kostas in the latest Co Op commercial. There is also a new model Julius hitting the headlines in Australia and a little boy Adam in Ireland is working for Marks and Spencer so it is happening.

But actually I am left wondering if companies really are employing a long term policy of inclusive advertising, or simply engaging in one offs for whatever reason...

So, I shall start looking around for more modelling opportunities for Natty, our model with Down Syndrome. Locally as far as possible, as it can be slotted into our day so easily that way, taking little away from school time. If everyone did a little bit here and there for a local tourist attraction or shop or company we could cover the country in a network of inclusive advertising. 

For now we've entered Natty into the Face of Kinder 2013 competition. If you would like to vote for her you can do so here. (Vting has closed).

Just type Natty (there's only one) and follow the instructions. It takes around a minute.  You can vote for as many children as you like, so enter your child too and we can all vote for each other's children.

                                                      

So go on, dust off your keyboards, get voting and get writing to those companies! 

Together we can make a difference and get disability into the media.

Our Local Hero: Natty G

Today a lovely positive little piece came out in our local newspaper. 

I was immediately struck by the positive headline. No 'Downs Girl' here as so many of the nationals have previously written about Natty. And the article quite rightly praised Mia for being as much a part of the success story.

The picture shows 'No Papps Natty' holding her glass star award for Child of Courage or Achievement of the Year, an accolade which she won for opening the doors of the advertising world to children with disabilities, changing the face of beauty and also being an inspirational role model to many families, changing perceptions of Down's Syndrome and providing hope (her middle name as it happens).