Model offers birthday photo shoot to his sister with Down syndrome

bez-imeni-1

Chris Garafola is an American model who has worked for brands like Puma and New Balance. Though he was recently listed as one of Harper Bazaar’s «25 Hottest Guys to Follow on Instagram,» it wasn’t his photos that have been conquering people’s hearts.


Chris is very close to his big sister, Brittany. «For me, my purpose here is to make sure my sister has a good life, is protected and is healthy,» he said. «Her happiness is my happiness, and that has held true from when we were kids to today.» You might say that having a sister you care about is nothing unusual…

…but Brittany has Down syndrome. Despite her illness, this never stopped her from wanting to do everything Chris did. If he came home with a new phone, she would want the same. When he went to college, Brittany also tried to be more independent.

After Chris started appearing on magazine covers alongside Gisele Bündchen, it was no surprise that his big sister would want to do the same. Knowing Brittany would want to give it a try, the male model lined up a very special treat for her upcoming 32nd birthday.

Your purpose will always be greater than your challenges. We are all worthy of everything this life has to offer. Not just some things, everything. Not just some people, everyone. You were blessed with the miracle of life, just like everyone else. Now, if you want to define beauty, start with putting a hand over your heart. If you feel a beat, you have a purpose, and it doesn’t get any more beautiful than that. Keep on dancing my angel, and never stop. CREW & SPONSORS ?@hive.studio @tayglo @kaciecorbelle @cassablanca_kid @austinhuck @jpietroski @itsclaireroche @kaciecorbelle @chrisvalites @sashagreenhalgh @michael0bueno @hlm1230 @bearwalkcinema @veevisuals @tayglo @kaciecorbelle @ennisinc @maggieagency @thetrustees @wholefoods @starmarkets @b_p_r @boston_photo_rental

A post shared by Chris Garafola (@chrisgarafola) on

bez-imeni-1
Chris used his social media channels to recruit stylists, photographers, videographers, and makeup artists; his goal was to organize a special photo shoot for Brittany. «When I started to show her the commercials or magazines I was in, she would tell me she wanted to do it, too,» Chris said. «But I told her that she was already a model — I was trying to be like her!» When Brittany saw her brother’s gift, she couldn’t hide her joy.

I am so, incredibly grateful, for all of the amazingly talented people who offered their time and services, to make my sister Brittany's birthday, one she'll never forget. Brittany has always wanted to do everything her little brother did. If I go to prom, she wants to go to prom, if I go to college she wants to go to college. Over the years, I always showed her my work and she’s like, “That’s cool! I want to model!” She kept asking and asking. As you guys who follow my journey know, Brittany and I would do Instagram videos together documenting our every day lives as siblings. She started saying, “I want to go to Hollywood! I want a limo!” I was like, “Where are you getting all this stuff from? You don’t want to go to Hollywood, you have the best life in the world.” But she kept going back to the modeling thing so I decided to surprise her for her birthday and make that wish come true and have her model for the day. The priority was to make her day and show her she can do anything that her brother can do and she should be allowed to. My sister’s the most beautiful person in the world. On a greater scale, I wanted to show the world what true beauty is. I wanted to encourage people to live life happy, be strong and confident, and to spread positive energy with the world. There is a lot of hurt and anger in our world, but there will always be more love and light. Brittany, your brother loves you more than you know. I hope you had the best day — you looked stunning. Maybe one of these days, you and your little brother will model a big campaign together as #TeamGarafola. Regardless, you'll always be a supermodel and you will always, be my hero. **BIG THANKS TO OUR AMAZING CREW!!** ?? @hive.studio @cassablanca_kid @austinhuck @jpietroski @itsclaireroche @chrisvalites @sashagreenhalgh @michael0bueno @hlm1230 @bearwalkcinema @veevisuals @tayglo @kaciecorbelle @ennisinc @maggieagency @thetrustees @wholefoods @starmarkets @traderjoes @b_p_r @boston_photo_rental @changingthefaceofbeauty #changingthefaceofbeauty #fashion #editorial #Supermodel #todayshow #ellendegeneres #dailyinspiration #downsyndromeawareness #lovematters #love #Gap #IMGModels #wlyg #calvinklein

A post shared by Chris Garafola (@chrisgarafola) on


Chris said his sister demonstrated incredible professionalism during the shoot and did a better job than many of the models he’s previously worked with. This behind-the-scenes video of the photo shoot definitely proves it…


By sharing the photos on social media, he also wanted to show the world what true beauty is.

As Chris has shown, beauty comes in many different forms. But one question remains: how is he going to top that surprise for Brittany’s next birthday? No doubt she’ll be happy with whatever he decides to do.

Source


1