Football, style and enjoyable: Sport-day style present celebrates fashions with Down syndrome

The runways of Paris and New York had nothing on the Vestavia Hills Civic Center on Aug. 10, when Down Syndrome Alabama hosted its second Football, Fashions & Fun occasion.

Thirty fashions with Down syndrome strutted their type within the newest game-day seems to be from native retail sponsors.

More than 100 supporters cheered the energetic, charismatic fashionistas, who ranged from toddlers to younger adults. Some veteran fashions from final yr’s inaugural present blew kisses, waved to the group, or struck basic catwalk poses. Others provided up cartwheels and excessive kicks to the delight of the viewers.

“Being a kid like me, I was the greatest,” mentioned mannequin Landon Norman, 15, of Hoover. “Walking was awesome!”

Landon’s mother, Dr. Christina Norman, summed up why the expertise is so important. “It gives everyone a chance to shine,” she mentioned.

Retailers agree, noting their robust bonds with Down syndrome and particular wants staff and clients.

“They just want to be part of everything – like you and I want to be part of everything,” mentioned Katherine McRee of Cahaba Heights, the longtime proprietor of The Lili Pad and Gigi’s clothes shops.

Last yr, McRee brainstormed the tailgate style present with the chief director of Down Syndrome Alabama, and neighborhood companions quickly adopted. When teary-eyed dad and mom watched their children sparkle finally yr’s sidewalk showcase, McRee knew that they had a success on their arms.

This yr’s present featured outfits from McRee’s outlets, together with Hibbett and the Pants Store.

Model and occasion co-emcee Grace Davis, 23, of Vestavia Hills, was considered one of McRee’s muses for the thought.

“I liked seeing all my friends; everybody did good,” Davis mentioned after the present. “I have so many friends I can’t keep track of them.”

A buyer of The Lili Pad and Gigi’s for many of her life, Davis now works half time at Gigi’s and the Pants Store. She is also concerned with Down syndrome advocacy on the state and nationwide ranges.

Davis is a former VHHS Spirit Girl cheerleader who later graduated from Auburn University’s EAGLES program, a customized on-campus school expertise for college students with mental disabilities.

Davis now says she loves her jobs and loves earning profits.

“It gives them a platform to be empowered,” mentioned Laura Davis, Grace’s mother. “They gave Grace a life.”

Mom Rachel Hamm was excited for her daughter, Evelyn, 4, to mannequin once more this yr and share the expertise with family members. Evelyn will begin kindergarten subsequent yr at Vestavia Hills Elementary Liberty Park.

“You will never meet a community as loving and as passionate and as welcoming as the Down syndrome community,” Hamm mentioned. “Once you’re in it, you realize why we’re called ‘the lucky few.’ Our family and our friends get to come to this and see the community that we get to live in every day. It’s all just so special.”

Inclusive neighborhood occasions and private interactions have helped dismantle a few of the lingering stereotypes about Down syndrome.

“Everybody is just so excited to come together for a fun, very typical Southern activity,” mentioned Missy Haughery, government director of Down Syndrome Alabama. Her son, John, has Down syndrome. “Football brings people together. In this case, it’s bringing people with Down syndrome together. It has a spirit about it, of empowerment — a spirit of being present and being involved. It’s showing who we are and what we are capable of doing.”

With an emphasis on schooling, advocacy and connections, Down Syndrome Alabama helps high quality of life for affected households. About 1 in 775 infants is born with Down syndrome, attributable to an additional chromosome that alters improvement.

Gatherings like Football Fashions & Fun create an inclusive, nurturing house for celebrating uniqueness and individuality, dad and mom mentioned. Everyone “gets it.” No explanations are wanted. No one is an outsider. Every little one is well known.

“I felt very proud,” mentioned dad Ryan Jones of Liberty Park, whose 16-month-old son, Joey, made his catwalk debut within the arms of mother Alexis Jones. “It’s great to be inclusive of the entire community. This is a segment of the population that deserves to be celebrated.”

Alexis’ voice softened as she recalled the well-meaning however awkward condolences when individuals discovered about Joey’s situation.

“I think the misconception may be that he’s a burden or he’s a stressor,” Alexis mentioned. “Kids come with stress, regardless of if they have Down syndrome or not. He’s perfect — just the way he is.”

Football, Fashions & Fun additionally included a spirit hour with University of Alabama mascot Big Al and Auburn’s Aubie, tales from males who as soon as portrayed Big Al, a silent public sale, and tailgating snacks from Taco Mama. The day wrapped with a screening of the 2024 documentary “Do Right: The Stallings Standard”, tracing former Alabama soccer head coach Gene Stallings’ dedication to legacy and advocacy for individuals with particular wants. His late son, John Mark, had Down syndrome.