Champion Gymnast with Down Syndrome Just Signed a Modeling Contract
Defying the odds is what girls do best. One girl with Down syndrome has defied the odds against her time and time again, inspiring others to do the same.
Chelsea Werner has spent her life being told “no.” But rather than walking away in defeat, this gymnast-turned-model wants to show the world what real beauty looks like.
View this post on Instagram
Photo by the amazing @rajat hair and makeup @yaviviartistry @wespeakny ????
“Always know you are beautiful just the way you are,” she wrote on Instagram. “We are all unique and special.”
While gymnastics has always played a huge role in Werner’s life, it’s modeling that has remained on her heart. Even when multiple agencies turned her down, she continued to pursue her dream.
View this post on Instagram
“I think gymnastics has trained me to be disciplined and to work hard,” Werner told A Plus. “In gymnastics, each new skill takes a very long time — sometimes years! I think that it has given me confidence.”
It is that confidence that kept her going until she finally received the “yes” she’d been waiting for.
After she was told there wasn’t a market for models with Down syndrome, Werner pushed even harder.
“My parents and I don’t give up. There is a market and I’m showing them!” the determined dreamer told A Plus.
Then We Speak founder Briauna Mariah saw Werner through social media. It was there she realized how special this young woman is.
“I saw Chelsea’s potential to thrive in this industry and immediately reached out,” Mariah told A Plus. “It’s important women feel represented in the industry.”
View this post on Instagram
It appears that Werner is thriving. Ever since her first photo shoot in 2017, this girl has shown the world that beauty comes in many forms.
According to A Plus, Werner wants her fans to know “they are capable of doing things maybe they didn’t think they could do. I hear from parents a lot that I give them hope for their children with disabilities.”
What a beautiful testament and inspiration she is. We love that she’s reaching her dreams and encouraging others to do the same. She is a true example of what it means to persevere.
Truth and Accuracy
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.
Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. Advertise Today.
