OshKosh Holiday Ads To Feature Down Syndrome Model Who Was Rejected

You may recognize the name and face of Asher Nash after his mother, Meagan, began pushing for more equal representation in media.

After a modeling agency told Meagan that they would not be submitting her son’s photos to OshKosh because the company’s open casting call didn’t say they were looking for “special needs” children, Meagan set off on a mission.

SHARE this article on Facebook. What an incredible mother — and an equally wonderful child!

Meet Asher Nash.

Not only does he already have kind of name that sounds like a suave, successful model, this adorable toddler has the mad camera skills to go along with it.”Anytime I take out my phone and tell him I’m going to take his picture, it’s like he knows what to do and the brightest smile comes across his face,” Meagan said. “He really seems to enjoy having his picture taken.”Because of his natural skills and adorable smile, Meagan decided to respond to an OshKosh open casting call this summer.

Meagan Nash took to Facebook to post about her experience with the modelling agency blocking the way for her son. 

Meagan posted this on the Facebook page Changing the Face of Beauty, an initiative empowering those “living with disabilities by advocating for inclusive imagery,” on October 6th, because of the work they do changing perceptions about disabilities.Asher was featured on ABC News, CBS News, US Magazine, and more. 

It sparked a lot of outrage.

Especially coinciding with Down Syndrome Awareness Month.Meagan’s first thought was, “how in the world does she know they don’t want a child with a disability if they haven’t even seen his picture?” OshKosh didn’t even have the opportunity to reject her son. The modeling agency didn’t even give him that chance.

And while the world benefited from being able to see these adorable photos, it was more than just cuteness for other mothers.

Meagan’s explained the impact that this has had, inspiring other families of children with special needs. “There was one mother who emailed me and said, ‘Not only is what you’re doing great for your son, but I think you are paving the way for other babies too who have Down syndrome."”