What to know
- Lily Rosenberg, a professional model with Down syndrome, is one of three self-advocates leading the Canadian Down Syndrome Society’s ‘Not Without Us!’ campaign, which uses wrestling as a metaphor to tackle stereotypes.
- The campaign puts people with Down syndrome front and center, allowing them to directly address and dismantle misconceptions in their own words—both inside and outside the wrestling ring.
- Rosenberg is challenging assumptions about what people with Down syndrome can achieve, emphasizing that with opportunity and support, they can live independently, pursue careers, and break down barriers in fields like modeling.
- The campaign highlights the importance of listening to people with Down syndrome, respecting their choices, and ensuring they have opportunities to participate fully in society, rather than being defined by their diagnosis.
People with Down syndrome are stepping into the wrestling ring to fight back against stereotypes and challenge misconceptions as part of a new campaign by the Canadian Down Syndrome Society.
Three self-advocates: professional model Lily Rosenberg, entrepreneur Jacob Stretton and content creator Jasmine Ankamah are leading the conversation on misconceptions about people with Down syndrome.
Over one-third of Canadians with disabilities report that they have experienced barriers related to misconceptions or assumptions, prompting the Canadian Down Syndrome Society to shine a light on people with Down syndrome through the ‘Not Without Us!’ campaign.
The three self-advocates are leading the conversation as they step into the ring with their own unique wrestling personas to confront harmful myths.
‘People with Down syndrome are capable’: Toronto’s Lily Rosenberg on participating in the campaign
Professional model Lily Rosenberg has defied stereotypes through her extensive resume of accomplishments.
From modelling since the age of six to appearing in a documentary highlighting her accomplishments at the United States’ biggest documentary film festival, DOC NYC, and studying at Humber College, Rosenberg is forging her own path, breaking barriers, and redefining what success looks like for people with Down syndrome.
Through the campaign and her wrestling persona, Lily “The Model” Rosenberg, she hopes to show that people with Down syndrome are capable.
“Society shouldn’t believe everything they see on social media before getting to know us. I’m showing society that people with Down syndrome are capable, and to give opportunities for all,” Rosenberg told Now Toronto.
Beyond the campaign, Rosenberg shares that she entered the modeling industry to break down traditional stereotypes of beauty.
“We’re showing that everybody is beautiful. It’s not about your body shape or your ability; we should be accepting of everyone,” she explained.
What are common misconceptions about people with Down syndrome?
Rosenberg explained that many people assume she doesn’t have the capabilities to go to college or live independently because of her condition.
“I’m trying to break down the barriers for people who have Down syndrome. We’re able to go to college, we’re able to go out in the community and live independently; we just need the opportunities to shine,” Rosenberg said.
‘You shouldn’t be labeled by your diagnosis’: About the ‘Not Without Us!’ campaign
The Canadian Down Syndrome Society’s executive director, Laura LaChance, says the conversation often happens around them, not with them — so through the ‘Not Without Us!’ campaign, she’s spotlighting self-advocates in their experiences.
“We’re hoping that by showing our self-advocates with Down syndrome in the wrestling ring, they’re more than capable of standing up for themselves and speaking loudly and clearly, and that you have to think before you talk and give them respect,” LaChance told Now Toronto.
“You shouldn’t be labeled by your diagnosis; you should be labeled by your name,” she added.
LaChance explained that the wrestling concept in the video comes from a theatrical, entertaining perspective to communicate a serious issue: misinformation.
“Misinformation and miscommunication affect everything. It affects your dignity, your school years, you in the workplace, your ability to follow your dreams and your ability to be part of the community,” she told Now Toronto.
“When people look at you, they’ve already made up their mind about what you can or can’t do,” LaChance added.
Through an intense 3-on-3 wrestling match, self-advocates under the personas of Jacob Stretton The Coffee King, Jasmine Ankamah Diva Sassique, and Lily “The Model” Rosenberg take on common misconceptions in the wrestling ring.
In the first fight against “The Glitch,” they discuss the demeaning viral social media posts calling people with Down syndrome a “glitch.”
“By giving the wrestler that persona, it allowed an individual to speak to it directly and to overcome it with confidence, and to show that they deserve respect and dignity,” LaChance explained.
“The campaign shows that people with Down syndrome don’t need others to define their lives. They need us to listen, to respect their choices, and to ensure they have every opportunity to participate,” she said.
