Boy with Down syndrome wins ad campaign after being slammed online for wearing florals

Simone Olivero

Yes, you read that right.

Earlier this year, Kat Abianac was attacked online after she posted a photo of her three year old son Parker wearing a floral onesie with a pink hat.

“I have removed all members who felt the need to be nasty over what a zippy mother chooses to dress there [sic] kid!,” read a note from the administer of the Facebook page.

“My son has Down syndrome. I bet the comment writers didn’t notice that because his face was covered by a glorious lavender felt hat,” Abianac wrote in response.

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The original photo posted by Abianac. (Facebook/Parker’s Place)

She goes on to say, “he is going to grow up jumping hurdles of outdated stereotypes. This issue is a mere drop in the bucket of assumptions I already fight every day and try to raise awareness about. I truly don’t care if he grows up and decides he likes pink Ralph Lauren shirts, or pajamas in a startling shade of fuchsia. Or even those floral shirts all the husbands are wearing.”

“Gender stereotyping is real. It limits choices in the most superficial and ridiculous way. I don’t even know how to put it simpler: Dress your kid in whatever the hell you and they want to wear. And then go put them on Facebook.”

ALSO SEE: Kmart catalogue includes kids with disabilities

To further her point, Abianac entered the photo into the Bonds Baby Search 2016, where Parker beat out thousands of entries winning the People’s Choice award.

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(photo: Angelico Jarvis)

“Congratulations PARKER! The WINNER of the recent bonds baby comp.
Your [sic] going to go a long way buddy!” wrote photographer Angelico Jarvis.

As part of his prize, Parker received a 12-month modeling contract with the Australian clothing retailer. Abianac hopes that this will help raise awareness about Down Syndrome and gender stereotyping.

ALSO SEE: Madeline Stuart, Model With Down Syndrome, to Make Her NYFW Debut

“There is a lot of hate out there for children with Down syndrome, there’s always people out there who are willing to throw in their unwanted and unwarranted two cents worth,” she tells the Brisbane Times.

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