A young girl with a genetic condition is determined to make a difference- chasing her dream of modeling to shed light on a disability she sees as a gift.

18-year-old Madeline Stuart, from Brisbane, in Queensland, has Down syndrome, and along with her mother Rosanne, is on a mission to change the way people define beauty.

For much of her life, 'Maddy' has struggled with weight issues due to her Down syndrome and also has a heart condition- but last year she decided to take control of her life and make changes to become fitter, healthier, and runway-ready.

18-year-old Madeline Stuart, from Brisbane, in Queensland, has Down syndrome, and along with her mother Rosanne, is on a mission to become a model

Maddy's mother Rosanne told Daily Mail Australia that she has always made a point of telling 'her every day how amazing, funny, smart, beautiful, wonderful she is'.

'Maddy has never been selfish and worries about everyone. In basketball if someone on the opposite team falls over she will stop playing and help them up,' she said.

'She is amazing, she is so beautiful, and she makes me feel so special. We will be driving in the car in the morning and she will just pick up my hand and kiss it and tell me she loves me and thanks me. Every morning she comes in and cuddles me to start the day.'

When Maddy, a keen dancer and swimmer, became frustrated with not being able to perform cartwheels and handstands, the pair decided to take exercise seriously so Maddy could keep up with her friends.

'In the beginning Maddie struggled as she is very habitual, and was used to eating a lot so she had to break that cycle. I gave her a lot of support and in about two months she created new habits,' Rosanne said.

Maddy began swimming five times a week, as well as cricket training with the Special Olympics, cheerleading, and hip-hop dancing.

A passionate dancer, the 18-year-old is heading to Los Angeles in the US in July to dance at the world games with her dance group, Bust a Move, a Hip Hop dance program for teens and young adults with a disability.

After losing almost 20 kilograms, Maddy told her mum that she wanted to a model- an announcement that Rosanne said came as no surprise.

'She loves the attention when she is up on the stage, doing a play or competing in gymnastics or cheer, and I have always taken millions of photos of her so she loves the camera,' she said.

18 months ago Maddy decided to focus on becoming healthier and look after her nutrition and fitness

Maddy's mother Rosanne told Daily Mail Australia that she has always made a point of telling 'her every day how amazing, funny, smart, beautiful, wonderful she is'

After losing almost 20 kilograms, Maddy told her mum that she wanted to a model- an announcement that Rosanne said came as no surprise

'Maddy is so confident, she has no hang ups, she is more than happy to parade around the house showing me how gorgeous she is with her hand up behind her head swaying her hips as if to say "look at me",' Rosanne said.

With the help of her mum, and the support of her best friend Jamie Lea and her boyfriend Robbie, Maddy is now looking for an agent to kick-start her modelling career.

'Only when she gets lots of attention through social media will the modelling world look at her, this is unfortunate but true and she really wants to change the way people discriminate against disability,' Rosanne said.

'People with Down syndrome can do anything, they just do it at their own pace. Give them a chance and you will be rewarded beyond your greatest expectations.'

Rosanne said that when Maddy was younger, she can remember strangers stopping her on the street to tell her that her daughter should not be out in public.

'Her doctors told me she would never achieve anything. When she was first at school, on the sports day some of the parents didn't want her to compete as they wanted their child's team to win,' she said.

'A lot of people look at me and feel sorry for me because they see Maddy and think it is such a big job, which it can be, but I walk up the street and I actually feel sad for people who will never experience the unconditional love of someone like Maddy,' Rosanne said.

Rosanne said that she is passionate about giving Maddy an opportunity to do something she dreams of because she wants the world to know that having Down syndrome is a blessing, rather than a disadvantage.

With the help of her mum, and the support of her best friend Jamie Lea and her boyfriend Robbie, Maddy is now looking for an agent to kick-start her modelling career

Rosanne said that she wants the world to see how Maddy shines, and that if given the chance she will 'win millions of hearts and teach people what is really important'

'I think it is time people realised that people with Down syndrome can be sexy and beautiful and should be celebrated,' she said.

'I want people to stop saying "I'm sorry" when I tell them my daughter has Down syndrome, because it's a very naive statement,' Rosanne said.

'Maybe Maddy can stop people feeling that way. If the average person could see the beauty Maddy has inside, how loving and caring she is and if that is what people measured beauty on, then most of the models in the world would have Down syndrome.'

Rosanne said that she wants the world to see how Maddy shines, and that if given the chance she will 'win millions of hearts and teach people what is really important'.

'I look at Maddy who thinks I am actually a super hero, who throws herself in my arms every afternoon when I pick her up and I think how lucky am I that my daughter is so proud of me and just wants the world to know I am her mum.;