Disabled Holly Greenhow Becomes Fashion Star, Despite Not Being Able To Walk OR Talk

Well this should perk you up on a Friday morning.

Little Holly Greenhow has landed ANOTHER modelling job.

This isn't your average child-star story though, because unlike other tots, Holly cannot walk or talk.

The nine-year-old has a condition called Athetoid Cerebral Palsy, which affects her movement, speech and balance so badly that she is usually confined to a wheelchair, which her mother Fiona has to help her with.

Holly's Tesco campaign [Geoff Robinson Photography]
Holly's Tesco campaign [Geoff Robinson Photography]

She communicates using a computer which responds to her eye movements.

Despite all this, little Holly has landed herself a second major modelling campaign, this time for supermarket giant Tesco.

Little Holly is usually confined to a wheelchair [Geoffrey Robinson/REX]
Little Holly is usually confined to a wheelchair [Geoffrey Robinson/REX]

This isn't Holly's first modelling campaign though.

Adorable Holly Greenhow has suffered from her condition since birth but that didn't stop her being cast in the ‘Mini Meet and Greet’ childrenswear campaign for Boden.

Cerebral palsy sufferer Holly Greenhow has been cast in a new Mini Boden campaign [Geoff Robinson]
Cerebral palsy sufferer Holly Greenhow has been cast in a new Mini Boden campaign [Geoff Robinson]



It was schoolgirl Holly’s gran who suggested she try out for Mini Boden as she loves trying on clothes at home.

“My mum suggested it as Holly loves pretty clothes and particularly likes wearing those designed by Boden," said Holly’s trade manager mum Fiona.

“Holly has so many things against her and as her mother I just wanted her to be able to do something that any child could or would love to do, given the chance.”

Holly has suffered from the disability since birth and is unable to walk or talk [Geoff Robinson]
Holly has suffered from the disability since birth and is unable to walk or talk [Geoff Robinson]

Holly's mum explained that Holly went to a casting shoot in London during the summer holidays, where she had an amazing time with the other children.

“Holly really enjoyed it and loved being the centre of attention and we’re really pleased with the finished results,” she said.

The little one’s campaign for Mini Boden comes after the success of Downs Syndrome sufferer Seb White's turn in a M&S childrenswear collection.

Disability charities have shown their support for the pair’s modelling campaigns, saying it helps to improve the visibility of disabled children in day-to-day life.

Holly shone in front of the camera at a London audition over the summer holidays [Geoff Robinson]
Holly shone in front of the camera at a London audition over the summer holidays [Geoff Robinson]

"There has certainly been a lack of diversity in kids modelling campaigns to date, which means that disabled children are often not represented,” said Matt Jackson, head of campaigns at disability charity Scope.

Smiling Holly snapped this week [Geoffrey Robinson/REX]
Smiling Holly snapped this week [Geoffrey Robinson/REX]



"The fact that Holly has cerebral palsy and will feature in Boden’s advertising will certainly help to challenge some of the misunderstandings and prejudice that can make life difficult for so many disabled children.”

Holly stars in the Meet and Greet Mini Boden campaign on the website [Geoff Robinson]
Holly stars in the Meet and Greet Mini Boden campaign on the website [Geoff Robinson]

What do you think of Holly’s adorable campaign? Tell us on Twitter now.

 [Tisha's inspiring everyday life: No arms? No problem]

 

[Boy with Down’s Syndrome chosen as new M&S model]