Jessica Jacinto: A Model with Down Syndrome Who is Breaking Beauty Standard

Jessica Jacinto is a 22-year-old model from Valencia, Venezuela. At 22, she is breaking the standards of beauty. The young model was born with Down Syndrome, where a person has an extra chromosome.

She has dreamed of becoming an international model, and things seem to be going her way.

Dreaming of becoming an international model

According to Green Lemon, her modeling career started in high school. Even in high school, she was active in sports. She tried swimming, gymnastics, but she said none of it made her as happy as when she walked the runway.

Her first glimpse of the runway was a beauty pageant dedicated to girls with Down Syndrome. Her mother, Yanira, said that she could see her daughter shine. She knew then that this was "Jessica's world."

According to Bored Panda, Jessica said that modeling made her feel empowered and genuinely passionate about the career. She said she likes to be an international model and admits that she wants to walk the runway.

With the unwavering support of her mom, she started to embark on a very successful career.

According to Jessica, being a model is like studying a career you like. She said it takes dedication and innovation to improve yourself. She said that the minute she walked down the catwalk, she felt she had become someone else. She said it almost felt like someone was suddenly coming out inside her. She admits feeling empowered.

Since then, Jessica, with the help of her mother, has taken part in many castings and a modeling contest. She signed up for events and surfed Instagram to look for modeling opportunities.

The persistence is slowly paying off. Local entrepreneurs and designers have since invited her to model. They liked her charisma and strength, which helped them carve her path in Venezuelan catwalks.

However, pursuing their dream is never easy. The mother and daughter admit that they have their share own rejections. However, they say this does not discourage them as the mother and daughter have gone through thick and thin. Her mom manages her social media.

Related Article: Couple With Down Syndrome Enjoys Dream Wedding

Different but not inferior

However, Jessica is not just a model. She also has her share of social activities like participating in a project, "we are different, but not inferior." She is also a member of the Venezuelan Red Cross. She said that she was able to participate for the first time in various activities with kids with Down Syndrome through the project. The experience, she admits, is different as she has always been included with the regular kids. The mom says many parents of children with Down Syndrome have written them asking for advice, according to Brightside.

Jessica's mom shares parenting advice on having a child with Down Syndrome

•  Do not be discouraged when something goes wrong, and never be afraid to try something new.
•  There is a good time for everything, do not feel anxious if you do not get results overnight.
•  Do not try to make your child be someone that she is not. Let them be themselves.
•  Work and Strive. Nothing is easy, but nothing is impossible either.
•  Do not compare with others.

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