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One day, we hope this story won't be surprising.

The Sainsbury ad featuring Natty

 

 

This seven-year old model is really no different from any other seven-year old girl around.

She wants to be Elsa from Frozen.

She loves swimming and annoying her big sister.

She devours chocolate cake.

But she IS different from other seven-year olds as she is about to be a much recognised face in the UK having just become the star of a major UK retailer’s advertising campaign.

Oh – and she was born with Down syndrome.

Natty Goleniowska has been chosen over hundred and hundreds of other young girls to star in the Sainsbury’s Back to School campaign.

It is a massive advertising blitz in the UK – with online, magazine, TV and catalogues. Her face will be everywhere!

Her mother Haley told The UK Telegraph “It would be nice if this wasn’t news. But we are grateful that Sainsbury’s chose Natty for the shoot.”

“The more that advertising is inclusive — showing children in wheelchairs, with Down’s syndrome or any other disability — the better. And one day, we hope it won’t be surprising.”

Natty it seems has been a star in the making since she was born. First appearing an advertisement for a clothing company, Frugi, when she was four-years old.

Born with two holes in her heart which prevented oxygen circulating Natty had a difficult first few years. Her family, who live in Cornwall, had to deal with feeding her through a nasogastric tube and a massive surgery when she was two-years old.

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But it seems there is no stopping the vivacious seven-year old now.

The idea – to normalize disabilities such as Down syndrome is taking hold in advertising.

Natty and her family

The Mail Online spoke the UK Down’s Syndrome Association who said:

‘There does seem to be a sea change going on at the moment in attitudes towards children with Down’s Syndrome and this a very positive thing. Anyone looking at pictures of Natty can see she is just delightful.”

“In a way, it is great not to make a fuss of it because to most school children, seeing a child with Down’s Syndrome in school is now part of everyday life. The fact that children like Natty are being included in advertising is very powerful.”

In 2012 the UK company Marks and Spencers used a six-year old boy, Seb White, in their Christmas campaign. At the time some raised concerns that instead of this being a step forward for disability rights it was tokenism.

Just looking at the thrill that Natty gets from participating in the campaign though surely makes those arguments null and void.

Her Mum Haley write in her blog that she hopes this will change the perceptions of children with Down syndrome. ( note: In the UK it is called Down’s Syndrome)

 

And we hope that Australian retailers start to follow suit – and use more kids like Natty in local campaigns.