Plano teen and model Jude Hass made history by being the first male with Down syndrome to model in New York Fashion Week.
Plano teen and model Jude Hass made history by being the first male with Down syndrome to model in New York Fashion Week.
"This is my dream to do this," said Hass as he walked into the NBC 5 studio.
He visited NBC 5 to raise awareness about making history.
While sitting on the anchor desk, his mom asked what he’d say to his fans.
After a few seconds of thought he responded with “I love you everybody."
The lights and cameras are nothing new to Hass. He's been modeling since he was just three-years-old.
"I always tell him that I gave him life, but he gave me one right back," his mom, Rachel Wolverton, said.
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She said since Jude was born, their family has been fighting people's perceptions.
"You know, that's more of a barrier to him than Down syndrome is. I mean, he is so capable, he's so able," Wolverton said.
On Hass’s birthday, his modeling agent called with an invitation to walk on a runway during fashion's biggest week in New York City.
"I was excited. I was proud," Hass said.
He then did what anyone else would do, he got a gym membership.
“So I could work on my muscles,” he said.
Finally in New York City, walking the runway with a crowd of people cheering on his Fashion Week debut, he made history.
“And of course I'm sitting there thinking like 'that just happened, that was amazing,’" Wolverton said.
Hass is the first male with Down syndrome to model during New York Fashion Week.
"It's a platform to expand society's understanding of what beauty is," Wolverton said.
It’s an opportunity that came because of a team of people who don't see limitations, only Hass's potential.
As the interview at NBC 5 was wrapping up, we asked Hass if there’s anything he’d like to add that she didn’t ask him about.
"I love my family,” he answered.
Hass is back on a plane Friday to New York city to walk in the national Buddy Walk to raise awareness about Down syndrome.
