Why Having a Gerber Baby With Down Syndrome Matters
Sometimes the news isn’t as straightforward as it’s made to seem. Ellen Stumbo, The Mighty’s Parenting Editor, explains what to keep in mind if you see this topic or similar stories in your newsfeed. This is The Mighty Takeaway.
On Wednesday, Gerber announced Lucas Warren the winner of its yearly photo contest. Lucus is the first Gerber baby with Down syndrome.
It’s not news that disability representation is lacking in media, and this applies to baby magazines and baby products, too.
Ten years ago, as we arrived home from the hospital after the birth of my daughter with Down syndrome, I grabbed the stack of baby and parenting magazines laying on our kitchen table. I quickly flipped through them, searching for a baby who looked like mine. There were no babies with Down syndrome — no babies with visible disabilities. As a new mom dealing with a new diagnosis and needing to find a sense of normalcy, those magazines made me feel utterly isolated. Bawling, I grabbed the magazines and threw them in our trash compactor.
Where were the families like mine? The babies like mine? They certainly were not shown and celebrated.
When my daughter was almost 2 years old, my cousin, who worked at Target at the time, sent me a message letting me know they were casting for models with disabilities. This move by Target was new in the industry. Today, it is not unusual to see kids with Down syndrome or other disabilities in their advertisements and catalogs. Target has also created a clothing line for children with sensory issues, expanding now to include comfortable clothing for adults, too. (This means I am fully justified when I run to Target to buy bread and eggs and come out with a cart full).
And today, a baby with Down syndrome was chosen, to be the face of Gerber. Baby Lucas will be seen in Gerber’s social media; his beautiful physical features characteristic of Down syndrome will be front and center.
There will be a mom coming home from a hospital with a baby with Down syndrome, wondering if there are babies like hers — and baby Lucas will be there.
And I know I am not the only person who feels this way.
A company like Gerber has the power to change negative stigmas against people with disabilities, and to combat racial and cultural stereotypes. What a step in the right direction of progress. Bravo! #gerberbaby https://t.co/ipR92ja913
— Frances Jiménez (@NoSaint915) February 7, 2018
My brother will be 32 Saturday and has Down Syndrome. Loved seeing beautiful baby Lucas become the next #gerberbaby on @TODAYshow !! Seeing the acceptance and love for those with DS grow from where it was 32 years ago makes my heart so incredibly happy!!! ???????? #DownSyndrome https://t.co/wYOBto2JnH
— nιcσℓє cαяσℓιnє (@nikgenovese) February 7, 2018
Love, love, love this! ❤️ Watching his story brought tears to my eyes! #gerberbaby https://t.co/du6YjPsEeA
— Natalie Barnard (@natalielbarnard) February 7, 2018
A huge congrats to the incredible Lucas- the first #GerberBaby w/ Down syndrome since the contest started in 1920! https://t.co/eTHmKFFEx7
— Global Down Syndrome (@GDSFoundation) February 7, 2018
Meet adorable Lucas Warren, the 2018 Gerber baby! Lucas is the first winner with Down syndrome in the contest’s 90+ year history. Excellent choice, Gerber! #DisabilityInclusion #GerberBabyhttps://t.co/m7H1Uw1U0K via @todayshow
— GlobalDisabilityIncl (@GlobalDisabilit) February 7, 2018
I think this #Gerberbaby is A-dorable. It shouldn’t have taken 90 years to include a child with a disability. https://t.co/2RVMuzkC5P pic.twitter.com/etWq8c3yRB
— Louise Kinross (@LouiseKinross) February 7, 2018
“We’re hoping this will impact everyone — that it will shed a little bit of light on the special needs community and help more individuals with special needs be accepted and not limited” Congratulations Lucas! #gerberbaby #generationG #gigisplayhouse https://t.co/SpRMoxpUrp
— GiGi’s Playhouse Inc (@GiGis_Playhouse) February 7, 2018
Want to talk inclusive advertising? The new #GerberBaby has #Downsyndrome @ChgFaceofBeauty https://t.co/w7AsnCRDfc
— JM Gerhart-Rothholz (@jmgerhart) February 7, 2018
So so great to see #Gerber choose a baby with #DownSyndrome to be the #GerberBaby. ????
Representation matters.
This is a big step forward. ???????? https://t.co/jExEuKTmFP— Beth Foraker (@inclusionchick) February 7, 2018
What an outstanding choice by @GerberLife! So much joy in that radiant smile, congratulations Lucas! #GerberBaby #InclusionRevolution https://t.co/9NPrs28MJG
— Mary Davis (@MaryDavisSO) February 7, 2018
We live in a world that does not often value people with disabilities. One of the most common questions I get asked is, “Did you know your daughter had Down syndrome before she was born?” To me, this question implies children with Down syndrome are not wanted. My daughter is wanted, and she was wanted even when a level II ultrasound revealed several markers consistent with Down syndrome. Her diagnosis was unexpected, but she was always wanted.
TODAY co-host Savannah Guthrie said it best in an interview with Lucas’ parents, “It says so much; the Gerber baby is the ideal baby.” Then she said, directly to Lucas, “and Lucas, you are the ideal baby.”
The new Gerber baby of the year has Down syndrome. He will be the symbol of the “ideal” baby. Amazing! Baby Lucas will break stereotypes and perceptions. That is a reason to celebrate.
Yes, indeed, our babies with Down syndrome can be the ideal babies.
Image via Instagram
Ellen Stumbo is the founder of Disability Matters, an organization with the mission to encourage every church to embrace disability. Ellen is a national speaker who focuses on issues pertaining adoption, faith, disability and parenting kids with disabilities. Ellen writes for several online platforms including Focus on the Family, LifeWay, MomSense, Not Alone, Mamapedia, Group, The Mighty and the Huffington Post. Her writing also appears in several book anthologies. Ellen blogs at ellenstumbo.com and you can also find her on Twitter and Facebook.
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