‘Doctors were full of doom – but now my daughter is a model’
Fiona Matthews’ daughter Beth was adamant that having Down syndrome wouldn’t stand in the way of her achieving her dreams
As she sashays down the catwalk, model Beth Matthews exudes confidence and poise. But she’s much more than a model – she’s shaking up people’s attitudes towards Down syndrome. The 24-year-old has defied doctors’ gloomy predictions and is inspiring others with her incredible career, which has seen her modelling across Europe and featuring in magazines including Marie Claire Brazil and Vogue Italia. Beth and her mum
Fiona, 58, share their story…
I’m so proud of everything Beth has achieved. When she was born by C-section in 1999, doctors painted a very negative picture. After her birth, I remember four or five medics coming in and standing at the end of my hospital bed, holding clipboards. As Beth lay in her crib next to us, they told Steve and me that she’d tested positive for trisomy-21 [Down syndrome] and that our lives were going to be very difficult.
When they explained all the risks she’d face and the medical support she’d need, the list went on and on, but I just said, “I think she’s going to need a lot of love.” They were telling us our lives were over, but as far as we were concerned, we had a gorgeous little baby.
The news brought out the fighter in me, and it brought Steve, 58, and I closer, too. He took three months off work and the three of us knitted together and formed this bond that’s never gone away.
When Beth was one, we moved from Bristol back to south Wales, where Steve is from, because we wanted her to grow up among a smaller community. It was the best decision, because everyone has been behind us.
As a mum, my attitude with Beth has always been that we just get on with it. We never believed she wouldn’t be able to do things. When she was in primary school, I always dressed her in lovely clothes and she was one of the first in her class to learn to read. Her friends never judged her, they just saw her as the one who always looked nice and was good at reading.
Inevitably, there were tougher times, like when she was excluded from friendship groups, but that’s the same for most teenagers. Beth doesn’t have any health problems – things like her eyesight are amazing and there are no medical issues,
‘We’re both very proud to be Beth’s parents’
so life in that respect has been a lot easier.
When Beth started college, she seemed a bit quiet and felt a little lost. But since then, we’ve watched her confidence grow and grow. All our friends say how much chattier she is, and she really knows who she is now. Other people recognise her, too. Somebody asked me recently, “Is Beth famous?” and I said, “Well, she’s famous in Mumbles!” I can’t get round M&S because everyone stops me to say, “I saw Beth on such and such – she looks amazing!”
Since Beth’s modelling career began, we’ve shared some amazing adventures. Every new experience, whether an audition or a shoot, has been an exciting journey.
Beth and I have a shared mission, too. Through her
Instagram, we want to get her message out there that, “Yes, I have Down syndrome, but my life is just like yours – and I get to do amazing things!” We’ve had lots of messages from parents saying, “Thank you for showing us there’s hope,” which means the world to us.
I could never have imagined we’d have such opportunities when Beth was born. Everyone painted a very bleak picture of her future, but we are both so incredibly proud of what Beth has achieved. We’re very proud to be her parents. W hen I was little, I loved dressing up and had good friends, but I lost my confidence when I started
Beth says…
a new school at 16 and didn’t always feel included. Modelling has helped me get that back and I’m much more confident now.
I’ve been modelling for just over two years now, and I’m having so much fun. Last year I walked London Fashion Week, and although I was a nervous I kept going. When I walked back up the catwalk, everyone clapped and Mum was cheering me on.
My first time on the catwalk was for a charity show in Pembrokeshire. We modelled outfits from charity shops, then sold them to raise money. Since then, I’ve modelled all over Europe, even featuring in Marie Claire Brazil and Vogue Italia.
I’ve also been filmed for a BBC film as part of an art installation project by an artist in Cardiff. She’s featuring 20-30 women she thinks are making a difference, and she chose me.
These days, I no longer get nervous when I go to shoots. It’s been great to meet other models who have Down syndrome, such as Jessica Williams and Maya Patil, and it makes me so happy to think I might inspire other young girls with Down syndrome. I’m also an ambassador for the charity Hands Up For Down’s, which does work for speech and language therapy.
I’ve been lucky enough to walk the red carpet at some incredible events, such as the Venice Film Festival. I’ve met famous faces too, including TV presenter Will Millard and Wynne Evans from the Gocompare ads. I recently worked with make-up artist Dominic Skinner from TV show Glow Up, and I’ve done an advert for Amazon, too.
I love my mum and I love that she has helped me to become a model. I really enjoy all our adventures.