“I love that I can inspire others to make a change and love the skin they are in,” comments Cunningham in her interview. This amazing teenager also gives credit to fellow model, Madeline Stuart, who also has Down Syndrome, as her fashion role-model and hopes to one day meet her. “She is such an inspiration to many girls with Down’s Syndrome and special needs and challenges. No matter what, we are beautiful, confident and can do anything that we set our minds to.”

As a victim of bullying herself, Cunningham has made it her mission to educate and also look past her bullies. She knows what it takes to be successful in the future and obtain her goals—college, buying a house of her own, and continuing to make a name for herself in front of the camera. Wise beyond her years, Cunningham knows that her journey through the entertainment industry won’t be easy, but the tenacious teen is ready to meet the challenge head on.

Check out the video below to listen to Cunningham tell her story in her own words and be sure to follow her rise on Instagram.

Down Syndrome or Down’s Syndrome, also known as trisomy 21, is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of all or part of a third copy of chromosome 21. To find out more, visit the Global Down Syndrome Foundation here.