Never say never. History of young model with Down's syndrome
A 14-year-old model with Down's syndrome is taking the internet by storm after an Instagram post garnered the attention of a modelling agency.
Rubia Traebert, 44, from Curitiba, Brazil originally posted a picture of her teenage daughter Georgia to Facebook 'as a joke', but the snap racked up more than 1000 likes.
The young model now has a huge fan base, boasting more than 50,000 followers on Instagram, has been signed to five modelling agencies and has posed in campaigns for high profile brands in Brazil.
'Friends and family tell us that we are two warriors and that we serve as an example for many mothers and children with special needs,' Rubia said.
However, her mother Rubia says the 'hardest part' is when people post comments saying Georgia's success is down to her blonde hair and blue eyes.
'Georgia is a very kind child and very talented, otherwise she would not have come so far,' she said.
Stay-at-home-mother Rubia and her husband, Herman, were living in Boston, for two-and-a-half-years before she fell pregnant with their daughter in 2003.
Rubia and Herman wanted to deliver their daughter in Brazil to be close to family, so in July 2003, when she was five-months pregnant, they moved back to their hometown.
Growing up, Georgia had to change schools many times, and found it hard to settle and find friends, particularly because girls her age didn't have the 'patience' for her developmental delays.
But in June 2016, Rubia decided to post a picture of Georgia to help inspire other children with Down's syndrome. The picture received over 1,000 likes.
'It all started as a joke; I posted a picture of her on Facebook and it was a hit straight away. The idea was to see how much it can inspire other Down's Sydrome children,' Rubia said.
'Today she is listed in five modelling agencies but what really worked was [her] Instagram and Facebook [profiles]. That's where she became known worldwide.
'Now jobs have started to appear; she has just made a commercial for a famous brand here in Brazil and also modelled for one of the biggest jewellery designers in Brazil.
Georgia was born in November 2003, and shortly after her birth was diagnosed with heart disease and Down's syndrome.
At just five-months-old, Georgia had to undergo heart surgery, and Rubia quit her job to look after her full-time.
'During my pregnancy with Georgia, all my pre-natal exams were showing up OK, and we didn't have a clue she would be a child with Down's syndrome,' Rubia said.
'Naturally, at first was a shock for us, but since the very first moment she was born she was received with a lot of love.
'Of course, the news took us by surprise I confess that at the time I was filled with a mixture of sadness and insecurity' she continued.
'On the first day, she was diagnosed with heart disease and underwent heart surgery when she was five-months-old – the procedure was a success, and she is completely cured. We can say that was the day she was reborn.
'Soon after the mourning was over, we went through the struggle. I've always tried to really stimulate Georgia at home.
'I played, I sang, I danced with her - the stimulation was done daily at home by myself. I quit my career to dedicate myself entirely to her and it worked.'
Rubia continued that Georgia 'loves her life' and 'is thankful every day for her success and for being so happy'.
'We should all be like her; thankful for our lives rather than complain' Rubia said.
'Today, as she stands out in the media, she is now surrounded by girls who ask her about her career and her work, so being in the media and having a career helped a lot with her confidence in that sense' Rubia continued.
'Her biggest dream is to be an actress or a singer, then a model. So, we are investing in drama and singing classes. Who knows? Maybe she will act next.'
Down's syndrome is caused by an extra chromosome in the cell and entails learning disability and potentially a range of other health problems.
Earlier this month, Kate Grant, 20, from Cookstown in Co Tyrone, was unveilied as a brand ambassador for cosmetics giant Benefit, has modelled for Debenhams.
She was crowned winner of the Teen Ultimate Beauty Of The World pageant last year, the first winner with Down's syndrome.
Discussing her success at the time, Kate's mother Deidre said: ' 'She is paving the way for people coming behind her,'
'She is aware of that and wants to spread awareness about inclusion for people with disabilities and that is what she has done from the very start.
'She is aware that she is able to do that in a way some of her friends cannot. She is using her voice for them.'