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Why This Dad Is Turning His Son With Down Syndrome Into a Social Media Star

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Meet the little boy who’s helping to dispel stereotypes all around the world.

MySonJack1
Photo from the My Son Jack Facebook page

Jack Clayton, a 20-month-old toddler with Down syndrome, is currently winning over the Internet with his adorable smile and charming antics. He’s become popular thanks to his Twitter and Facebook pages, which currently have more than 12,000 followers combined.

Jack’s dad, Lawrence Clayton, started the social media pages because he wanted to show people that Down syndrome doesn’t define who his son is, Clayton told Metro. The proud father from Stockport, England, frequently posts photos of Jack playing on the swings, spending time with his parents and siblings and just being silly.

https://twitter.com/OurSonJack/status/620492405205278720/photo/1

Clayton doesn’t ignore his son’s condition in his posts, either. Jack has overcome serious health conditions over the last year, including pneumonia and acid reflux. He’s also scheduled to have an exploratory chest surgery later this year, Metro reported.

More than anything, Clayton wants to prove that just because these complications exist doesn’t mean Jack can’t live a happy, fulfilling life.

[Down syndrome is] just one element of his life,” Clayton told Metro. “We want to bring disability to the forefront of social media so that people can see this for themselves.”

Take a look at more photos of the adorable toddler below.

To keep up with Jack and his family, visit his Twitter and Facebook pages.

Originally published: July 28, 2015
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