**Port Talbot Mother Challenges Down’s Syndrome Stereotypes After Son Thrives as Child Model**
When Leanne Constable was 16 weeks pregnant, an unexpected phone call forever altered the course of her life. The midwife on the line informed her that her unborn son had a 95% chance of having Down’s syndrome, a diagnosis that left Leanne in shock. What she hadn’t anticipated was how much more information she would receive about terminating her pregnancy than about the reality of raising a child with Down’s syndrome.
Leanne, a mother of four from Port Talbot, recounts how medical professionals repeatedly encouraged her to consider ending her pregnancy. “A consultant told me, ‘Babies with Down’s are never healthy and you’ll be lucky if he achieves much.’ It was so overwhelming that I insisted it be added to my notes that I did not want to discuss termination,” she told Wales Online. Her experience, she says, was marked by a lack of balanced support, with little focus on what Down’s syndrome actually entailed for her baby or her family.
Fast forward four years, and Leanne’s son Parker is an energetic, joyful child attending a mainstream school. While Parker is not yet verbal and learned to walk later than his peers, his progress is met with enthusiasm among his classmates, who cheered him on as he took his first steps. Now, Leanne and her family are committed to dispelling outdated narratives about Down’s syndrome, with Parker himself having become a child model—his story followed by 140,000 people on Instagram.
Leanne gave birth to Parker when she was 39, already a mother to children now aged 18, 19, and 22, who adore their youngest brother. She acknowledges that, in the beginning, she and Parker’s father Steffan Rowe were shocked by the diagnosis. Her memories of that uncertain time are vivid: “I had never met anyone with Down’s before. My biggest worry was whether my child would have quality of life and be accepted by others,” Leanne recalls. Yet, she was resolute that termination was not an option, a decision she made clear to her medical team.
Feeling unsupported by the health system, Leanne reached out to charities for guidance. She noted, “It seemed there was more guidance available if you were considering termination, rather than support to help keep a baby with Down’s. That didn’t seem right.” She states that, although her midwives were sympathetic, the majority of medical practitioners offered a negative outlook on Down’s syndrome, which made her pregnancy especially difficult.
After birth, Parker faced additional challenges due to a diagnosis of Hirschsprung Disease, a condition affecting part of his large intestine, necessitating surgery at just three months old. Despite ongoing health concerns, the family remains positive about Parker’s future. Leanne says her son’s achievements—though sometimes slower than his peers—are causes for celebration. “He’s the most loving little boy you’ll ever meet. His personality is cheeky and determined, and he brings so much happiness into our lives.”
Unfortunately, ongoing support from the NHS, including physiotherapy and speech and language sessions, has been limited; Leanne credits local charities for stepping in to provide much-needed therapies. Parker, now settled into primary school, enjoys activities from football to puzzles, and his family has found the inclusive environment to be highly supportive.
Leanne has used social media not only to keep family and friends updated but also to raise awareness about the lived reality of Down’s syndrome. “I wanted to show that having a child with Down’s can be filled with joy. Parker has already worked as a model for major brands, and we hope his visibility shows other families that different is beautiful,” she explains.
According to Down Syndrome UK, more children with Down’s syndrome are thriving in mainstream education settings than ever before. The charity reports that approximately 65% of children with Down’s are now enrolled in local schools, thanks in part to policies promoting inclusion. Leanne believes inclusive education is vital for Parker’s development, stating, “A real sense of belonging, social interaction, and day-to-day learning—these are things every child deserves.”
With around 40,000 people living with Down’s syndrome in the UK, stories like Parker’s are becoming more visible. The message from Leanne and her family is clear: with understanding, support, and opportunity, children with Down’s syndrome can lead full and happy lives—serving as an inspiring reminder to challenge misunderstanding and prejudice wherever it may arise.