Mountain Area Community Services, Inc.

03/29/2026

❤️💙💚💛

03/02/2026

02/21/2026

Thank you for your service to the county. We appreciate your visit and look forward to the next visit.

Thank you to Mountain Area Community Services for the invitation to join your social hour and lunch with staff and clients. Sheriff Ricky T. Buchanan and Chief Deputy Nathan Mace enjoyed the fun, fellowship, and time spent connecting with everyone. The McDowell County Sheriff’s Office appreciates all you do for our community!

02/19/2026

Karen Martin Morgan

02/19/2026

Sheriff Ricky Buchanan and Chief Deputy Nathan Mace of the McDowell County Sheriff's Department made a visit to Mountain Area Community Services' day program, where they participated in lunch and engaged with participants. During the visit, some individuals were honored with deputy badges, and all were given the opportunity to pose questions. We extend our gratitude to the Sheriff's department and Ric Luther for their partnership in making this event a success and acknowledge the staff's contributions to its realization.

02/18/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1K5NHwFAJn/?mibextid=wwXIfr

When Madeline Stuart was born on November 13, 1996, in Brisbane, Australia, doctors delivered devastating news to her parents: she had Down syndrome. Just ten days later, she was in heart failure and required emergency surgery.

The medical team outlined the challenges ahead, focusing on what Madeline might struggle with, what she might never achieve, and what her limitations could be. They spoke about the difficulties she would face, but they never considered her determination or the dreams she would one day chase.

In 2014, Madeline attended a fashion show in Brisbane with her mother, Rosanne Stuart. Inspired by the event, she turned to her mother and said two life-changing words: "Mum, me model."

Rosanne, who understood the fashion industry's narrow standards and lack of representation, immediately recognized the weight of her daughter's words. But she also knew Madeline well. If she was serious, Rosanne promised to support her wholeheartedly. It would take discipline, hard work, and effort but Madeline was ready.

She embarked on a rigorous health journey. Many individuals with Down syndrome face metabolic challenges that make weight management difficult, but Madeline remained committed. She adjusted her diet, exercised consistently, and over time, she lost 44 pounds.

In early 2015, Rosanne arranged a professional photoshoot and shared the images online, hoping to catch the eye of modeling agencies.

The response was overwhelming. Within days, the photos were viewed by millions. Designers and brands began reaching out, and media outlets picked up the story of the aspiring model from Brisbane. Her global debut was inevitable.

By September 2015, Madeline Stuart made history by walking at New York Fashion Week, debuting for FTL Moda at Vanderbilt Hall in Grand Central Terminal. At just 18, she strutted confidently in floor-length gowns, lighting up the runway in front of flashing cameras.

While Madeline wasn’t the first model with Down syndrome to walk a Fashion Week runway (that honor belongs to Jamie Brewer), she chose to build a full-time, lasting career in the industry.

Madeline signed with fitness brand Manifesta and handbag label everMaya. She graced the pages of Vogue and became the first professional model with Down syndrome to represent a cosmetics brand when she partnered with GlossiGirl.

In 2017, Madeline launched her own fashion line, 21 Reasons Why by Madeline Stuart, a tribute to both her age and chromosome 21, which defines Down syndrome. Her collection premiered at New York Fashion Week.

Since then, Madeline has walked in over 100 shows across the globe, including in New York, Paris, London, Milan, Dubai, and Shanghai.

But her impact reaches far beyond the runway. In Brisbane, she founded a dance initiative to support young people with disabilities who want to pursue performance. The program grew into the Madeline Stuart Dance Company. She has worked with the Australian Foundation for Disability, supported the Special Olympics, and advocated for inclusion on a global scale.

In 2018, she received the Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award from the Global Down Syndrome Foundation for her work promoting diversity worldwide.

Madeline’s message to others is clear: never give up. Work hard, believe in yourself, and remember that while challenges are real, they are never barriers to ambition.

While the fashion industry still has progress to make in terms of representation for models with visible disabilities, Madeline’s success has broadened expectations and redefined beauty. She has proven that beauty isn't defined by a single mold it’s about confidence, persistence, and visibility. It’s about showing up and making the world adjust to your standards.

Doctors once warned Madeline’s mother about limitations, but Rosanne raised a daughter who became one of the most recognized models with Down syndrome in the world.

“Mum, me model.” Those words reshaped their future. And today, Madeline Stuart continues to walk forward, paving the way for others to follow and redefining what is possible.

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