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Pain Into
Passion: Model and Disability Activist Grace Strobel on Pursuing Your Dreams
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hen Grace Strobel was born with Down syndrome, doctors were sure that her development would be severely limited. But 24 years later, Grace is breaking barriers in the fashion industry and inspiring thousands of young people to achieve their dreams. After a severe bullying attack in 2017, Grace co-created #TheGraceEffect, a presentation about overcoming obstacles, treating people with kindness and respect, and living with a disability. She has since spoken to over 3,000 students and continues to raise awareness and break down stereotypes about people with disabilities. While doing research for #TheGraceEffect, Grace came across photos of a model with Down syndrome and was inspired to pursue modeling as well. Grace’s modeling photos achieved viral online fame in 2018, leading to an influx of encouraging comments and invitations to speak and model for various functions and publications. Since then, Grace has
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modeled in over 14 magazines, has walked the New York Fashion Week runway for Tommy Hilfiger Adaptive / Runway of Dreams, and has partnered with brands like Fenty Beauty, skincare line Obagi, and clothing brand Alivia. Global Heroes sat down with Grace and her mother, Linda, to discuss #TheGraceEffect, her modeling career, and words of wisdom for dealing with bullying. The Grace Effect, a presentation for schools about living with a disability, has been praised for how informative and interactive it is. Can you tell us the story that inspired you two to create #TheGraceEffect? GRACE: The first job I got was working in the lunchroom at a school. It was actually my school, the school I had gone to. The lunchroom was full of kids talking and eating. The thing I loved most about this job was helping people. I loved feeling responsible, capable, and that I belonged. One day, some kids who were eating lunch asked me for help opening their fruit cups
and milk cartons; that was part of my job. Having Down syndrome, I have to work hard at my dexterity. Those kinds of tasks are harder for me, but I can do them. I was standing by the lunch table trying to open a fruit cup when I realized the kids I was helping were laughing. It suddenly felt wrong. Why were they laughing? What was funny? Then I realized. They were laughing at me. They didn’t need help to open their food at all; they had asked me so they could watch me struggle. I started to feel sick and dizzy. The lunchroom was always a loud place, but now all the sounds seemed to mix together into a roar. I ran back to the kitchen, and I burst into tears. When you make fun of someone, it only takes a few seconds. For the kids laughing at me, it was over. For me, it wasn’t over. I’ve always been a positive, upbeat person, but I felt scared, alone, and for the first time, I felt hated. That was when everything changed for me. I decided to start working toward changing perceptions of people with disabilities.
