Special needs model | fashion photography | Chicago portait photographer | Cortney

Recently I had the pleasure of meeting Cortney and her Mom Michele. Despite her Cerebral Palsy, Cortney dreams of becoming a model. You can help her by sharing this blog post.  Below are some of my favorite photos from her modeling shoot. Keep reading   to find out more about her story.

Her beautiful smile is just contagious.

‘Cortney is a 19 year old girl with Cerebral Palsy. Her CP has limited her physically and mentally. She has been in therapy most of her life and has had several surgeries.  Even with her struggles, she has always been a happy, easy natured girl.  It seemed that every time her parents had her in front of the camera that she would beam!  Cortney loved the pictures and welcomed any opportunity to be in front of he camera! When people ask her what she wants to be when she “grows up” she will tell them, “I want to be a model.” Cortney’s mom tried for several years to get her into modeling.  The bigger agencies turned her down, but Cortney was fortunate enough to be part of a campaign called, “Changing the Face of Beauty.”  This opened up a few doors for Cortney.  She was on Chicago’s WGN news with Karen Myer, was featured in Chicago Special Parent, and was in a wheelchair ad.  She also modeled for a few Etsy jobs.  Then Cortney’s life returned to normal and no other opportunities seemed to come her way…..until This past May when Cerebral Palsy Family Network shared a collage of photos of Cortney letting people know that Cortney’s dream was to be a model.  The images went viral! She had over 1.5 million shares.  This led to many opportunities! Cortney was featured in a commercial for “Differently Awesome” clothing, modeled for Etsy shops and boutiques, modeled shoes for Sseko, and is getting the chance to walk the runway in Branso,MO in August for Runway Loud.  This is a huge fundraiser for the March of Dimes.  She is touching the lives of many and changing people’s perceptions of people with disabilities.  She wants to be a model.  With this dream she defies her disability, and teaches people that ALL dreams are achievable! ‘

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