大象传媒 Scotland - 大象传媒 Scotland - Cher* declares that Down鈥檚 syndrome won鈥檛 hold you back in life so long as you鈥檙e 鈥楽trong Enough鈥� and 鈥楤elieve鈥� in yourself

Cher* declares that Down鈥檚 syndrome won鈥檛 hold you back in life so long as you鈥檙e 鈥楽trong Enough鈥� and 鈥楤elieve鈥� in yourself

26 July 2018

* That’s the Cher from Glasgow — although popstar Cher might well be of the same opinion...

26-year-old Cher Collins is just like many other women her age: she has a job she loves, a dog (called Blue) and an almost-spiritual connection to Mamma Mia 2.

She also has Down’s syndrome.

As her home city of Glasgow played host to the , Cher described how she refuses to let her condition hold her back.

Having Down's Syndrome Doesn't Stop Me | Cher's Story

"Having Down's Syndrome shouldn't stop you from doing what you want to do".

Cher was named after the megastar singer, whose career she follows.

I just think you should accept people for who they are.

Cher Collins

“I was excited by the new Mamma Mia because it had ‘me’ in it!”

Charity Down’s Syndrome Scotland helped Cher get a job working in a café. “I help out in the kitchen baking scones, cooking,” she explained. “It’s the best job ever!”

Having a job has helped boost Cher’s confidence and increased her autonomy — something which has not gone unnoticed: “My family are proud of me because of everything I’ve done.”

Her independence and pride in her job has helped Cher build a life she loves. She believes that other people like her should be able to live life to its fullest.

“Having Down’s Syndrome shouldn’t stop you from doing what you want to do. I think you should just accept people for who they are and not [judge them] because of their disability.”