STILLWATER, Minn. - Someday it won't be a story -- or at least that's what the parents of 2-year-old Izzy Bradley are hoping by sharing theirs this week.
Their rambunctious, adorable little girl has a smile that's infectious, which is why it caught the eye of advertising directors at Target. She was picked from several other toddlers to appear in last Sunday's ever-popular weekly ad. But when her photo appeared, it got the attention from people around the world.
In addition to having a beautiful smile and bubbly personality, Izzy also has Down syndrome. So when her parents were given the opportunity to have her photographed alongside every other kid, they felt it was an important message to send.
"The Down Syndrome Association put out a notice in June that Target was looking for models for their advertising. We decided that we really supported that move and Izzy's pretty smiley, so we'd give it a try," said Izzy's mom, Heather.
In September, the family got a casting call asking if they'd bring Izzy in for a photo shoot. They were excited that she was selected but also heartened by what the selection meant.
"I mean, I have mixed feelings about it. I'm really happy that she's in it from a personal side, although modeling isn't something that I would have considered with my other daughters, but I just so support that they're so inclusive and I really wish that it wouldn't have to be a story because all retailers were willing to make inclusion part of selling their items."
They didn't know when her photo might appear -- or if it would at all -- so when they picked up this Sunday's ad, everyone was pleasantly surprised -- Izzy included.
"She points to herself and says, 'Izzy! Izzy!' She knows it's her. She smiles. I think she really likes it but of course she doesn't understand the scope of it," Heather said.
For the Bradleys, they hope someday models like Izzy will be so common that it won't be notable. But they acknowledge that there's still an effort that needs to be made.
"I think everyone realizes that this is a nice way to encourage other retailers to include models of all abilities in their ads and by celebrating this, that we're hopefully encouraging them to move in that direction," Heather said.
This isn't the first time Target has done this -- and they aren't the only retailer to make the effort. But the fact that it is more rare is exactly why Heather is including her daughter.
At the end of the day, she said, "it's just a toy and a girl."
Heather said the fact it went viral is overwhelming -- she said she's heard from families worldwide, the farthest coming from Australia.
"That's been really fun," she said.
Izzy was paid for her photoshoot. Her parents say they put it in her own bank account, where she can spend it however she likes someday.
