When we last wrote about Madeline Stuart, the 18-year-old Australian model with Down syndrome, she had just landed her first major modeling contract. Now, this talented young lady has announced that she’s going to walk in the New York Fashion Week with MODA in association with the Christopher Reeve Foundation this fall. Stuart will be the second model with Down syndrome, after Jamie Brewer, to participate in the event.

“I would just like people to accept, love, and show kindness,” Madeline’s mother Rosanne told Cosmo, when asked what she wanted people to take away from her daughter’s work. “The modeling is fun and everything, but it’s just a vehicle to get the message out. I think that’s why she’s done so well, is because this isn’t about us. It’s about fighting the fight for all the people out there that are a bit different that need to be loved.”

More info: madelinestuart.com | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter (h/t: cosmopolitan)

Madeline is an 18-year-old with Down syndrome who always wanted to be a model

She decided to lose 44lbs (20kg) to keep healthy, and began to pursue her dream

Madeline got her first break earlier this year when she signed with modelling agency Manifesta

And then came the big news: she would walk in the New York Fashion Week this fall

“The world was ready,” says Madeline’s mom Rosanne

“The world wants to be inclusive, it just hasn’t had anyone on such a platform that they were able to do it easily”

“Imagine in 10 years what society will be like for people with disabilities”

“Everyone’s going to want that friend to teach them what true love is”