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Four-Year-Old Boy With Down Syndrome Lands Modelling Job

Four-Year-Old Boy With Down Syndrome Lands Modelling Job

Smiley Riley has quite the portfolio at just four-years-old and doesn't let the condition hold him back.

Rachel Andrews

Rachel Andrews

A rainbow baby living with Down Syndrome has melted hearts after he landed modelling jobs for the likes of Mothercare and the Jools Oliver Little Bird range plus more.

Four-year-old Riley Baxter, from Rochester, Kent, has been dubbed 'Smiley Riley', and it's easy to see why from his modelling portfolio.

While his parents initially feared that people would see Riley's disabilities rather than his abilities, the tot has never let the condition set him back.

But since joining support groups, parents Stuart and Kirsty have been amazed by not only little Riley's progress, but society's too with everyone adoring their son.

The boy has been dubbed 'Smiley Riley' by his friends and family.
Caters

And after someone suggested Riley started modelling, the tot joined Zebedee Management who showcase the little boy's poses, naturally charm and heart-warming smile.

Living up to his nickname, Riley has perfected adorable pouts that have gotten him modelling contracts and at school fellow classmates swarm around him.

Dad Stuart explained: "After we were told he had Down Syndrome I cried, not for the case that I would love him any less but just knowing how cruel the world can be.

At just four, he's already got quite the portfolio.
Caters

"That was the first thing that went through my mind but obviously my perceptions were wrong, and wow how wrong I was.

"There was the fear of the unknown and why this had happened to us, but if I knew then what I know now, I wouldn't have been upset at all.

"Riley is getting so much out of life and whenever he accomplishes something it seems that little bit extra special knowing how much harder he had to work for it."

His parents initially feared for Riley as they knew how cruel the world can be.
Caters

According to his parents, the four-year-old loves the camera and does everything with a smile.

After losing their first daughter, Skye, 19 weeks into the pregnancy in 2013, Stuart and Kirsty spent much of their time concerned for Riley.

Mum Kirsty recalled: "So for the whole of Riley's pregnancy I was very anxious, the hospital were really good with us, we had more scans and consultation appointments.

But the little boy hasn't let the condition hold him back.
Caters

"Every time I went for a scan, I couldn't look at the monitor and had to wait for Stuart to tell me it was all ok."

Kirsty sobbed with joy and relief after hearing her son's first cry, knowing they 'got to the end' and finally could hold him.

Shortly after, Riley was diagnosed with Down Syndrome, when nurses noticed he was floppier than other babies and showed some identifying features of the condition.

Riley is a rainbow baby as his parents suffered a stillbirth at 19 weeks.
Caters

Kirsty said: "We didn't know he had Down's Syndrome until after Riley was born, we had the routine blood tests and scans, but they didn't pick anything up.

"He had some of the classic tell-tale signs, like the crease in the hand, the spacing of his big toe from the others."

After leaving hospital, they joined support groups and would go onto learn Makaton sign language to communicate with him.

Riley's parents didn't know he had Down Syndrome until after he was born.
Caters

Stuart said: "We wanted to understand what he needed if he would be non-verbal for a longer time and to be able help him when he cried.

"Now he has such a repertoire of signs it's unbelievable, it's to the point where other children are learning it from him."

Riley is now able to speak two-word sentences, including 'Mommy' and 'Daddy', being able to recite the alphabet from R to Z and count from one to ten on his own.

Riley friends 'swarm' around him at parties.
Caters

The parents haven't experienced any derogatory comments about their son and normally only need to explain why Riley is less verbally communicative to other children.

Aside from that, they are amazed by his progress and have found his fellow classmates adore him.

Stuart said: "He goes to a mainstream school, and they all love him there, whenever he goes to parties, he is always the centre of attention.

"At one party we turned up a bit late, there were 20 children sitting around a lady dressed as a fairy.

"I heard them say Riley's name and then they all came running towards him. Their love for him is amazing."

Smiley Riley has modelled for Mothercare and other brands.
Caters

Far from their early concerns that Riley would be treated differently because of his disabilities, the parents have been greeted with love, kindness and curiosity from the public.

Stuart said: "If I could go back to that moment and how we felt when we first found out, I would not have been upset at all.

"He can do everything anyone else can, it just takes him a little longer and we have enjoyed that more.

"He has needed us more, so if anything, it's meant we could give him extra love.

Riley's parents say they were destined to have him.
Caters

"We were so delighted to have him, our little boy to love and bring up."

There's no denying that this is the inclusivity the fashion industry needs, paving the way for others just like Riley.

Featured Image Credit: Caters

Topics: Life News, Real