Olivia DePiore, now 24, is a childhood cancer survivor and a successful working model on the runway, as well as in print and TV advertisements. 5ft tall in height, she is quite petite which is unusual in an industry that tends to celebrate statuesque young women. She is based in Twinsburg, Ohio, rather than New York or L.A. She is a childhood cancer survivor with Down syndrome too, but none of this has ever stopped her from becoming the sought-after model she is today, who has graced the runways in Milan, Paris and New York.

Olivia, who also goes by the name of “Liv,” was raised by her parents, Vicky and John, who never for a minute thought her diagnosis would in any way put limitations on her. “Our motto,” said Vicky,” was “I think I can; I think I can,” the famous refrain from the childhood book “The Little Engine That Could.” They always kept a positive mindset and helped to instil in Olivia the desire and conviction that she would succeed.

Recently, she has crossed the globe to spread the word on diversity and inclusion: she has been at New York Fashion Week 3 times, Paris Fashion Week, Milan Fashion Week and Dubai World Fashion Week, as well as being at the Cannes Film Festival Fashion Show this year and the Philippines too. She is a London Ambassador as well and her aim is to go to as many places as possible to promote the fact that differences should be welcomed. She is simply inspirational and there is no stopping her! Bravo Olivia!