Supermodel Ellie Goldstein, born with Down’s Syndrome, shares her empowering and uplifting story
WORDS: DANIELLA THEIS
When Ellie Goldstein was born, doctors said to her parents that she would amount to nothing – would not walk, talk, or go to university. Like over 40,000 other people in the UK, Ellie has Down’s Syndrome, a genetic condition present from birth.
However, she has defied the odds presented to her and her parents. Ellie learned to walk and talk, has gone to school and is now in college, studying performing arts.
At only 21, she has also achieved career milestones many others can only dream of.
Ellie is a supermodel. Aged 15, she secured a modelling job with Superdrug. Six years on, she is the first supermodel with Down’s Syndrome to represent names like Gucci and Adidas and has appeared on the cover of Vogue.
After appearing on Loose Women, Ellie was approached by TV presenter and model Katie Piper, a disability activist who survived severe injuries from an acid attack in 2008. Katie asked Ellie she would be interested in writing a book.
Against All Odds is the result of this new adventure.
AGAINST ALL ODDS
The book tells Ellie’s life story, from early beginnings to her burgeoning career, through her own words, as well as those close to her – her mum, her dad, her sister Amy, a dance teacher, friends and a teaching assistant.
The first to speak is her mother Yvonne, someone who Ellie says has always been her champion.
“I initially did it (the book) to make other parents aware,” Yvonne explains. “At the beginning, if you don’t know you’re having a baby with Down’s syndrome, it turns your world upside down.”
Ellie had been a surprise baby. After months of trying for a second child, Yvonne and her husband had decided to adopt, only to find out she was pregnant when the adoption process was moving forward.
Just as much as a surprise was Ellie’s diagnosis with the genetic condition. Yvonne was previously told by doctors that she was at “low risk” of having a baby with Down’s Syndrome.
In the book, Yvonne details the birth – how Ellie was taken away, and no one answered her questions until the midwife said, “We think she’s got Down’s Syndrome.”
After hours of waiting, the doctor appeared who said Ellie woul
