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Meet Giselle.
She is four years old.
She has Down syndrome.
To her parents, she is the world’s most beautiful princess.
With her adorable energy, it’s hard not to agree with them — Giselle was indeed born a princess.
Although she is non-verbal, her eyes, smile, and energy say so much.
Her parents speak to her in a language she understands so well: love.
Her princess dresses are beautiful.
Giselle’s Disney costumes were sewn by her mom, Kristina Bewley.
Bewley said her daughter is sensitive to clothing texture. She learned to sew so she can hand-pick the fabric Giselle wears.
The Bewley family first went to Disney World last September.
And it was magical. So they did it again. And again.
Since they live in Jacksonville, Florida — a three-hour drive from the park — they’re able to go every month.
Giselle wears a new princess costume every time they visit, usually sewn by her mother.
One of her favorite friends is Jessie, the cowgirl from “Toy Story.”
Giselle used to be very shy. But her trips to Disney World has helped her become more outgoing.
She even “high-fived” a stranger for the first time — a guy dressed as an army man from “Toy Story.”
The trips, said her mother, allowed Giselle to blossom.
The 28-year-old mother said she does not want people to be color or disability-blind.
“Just accept that she has Down syndrome, just like she has brown eyes or dark blond hair. It’s a part of who she is, but it’s not her whole makeup. It’s not all there is to her,” Bewley said.
She just wants people to treat her daughter like they would any other little girl, who likes having fun and wearing princess dresses.
Bewley, who is a photographer by profession, admits it’s not very easy to take photos of her daughter.
“Giselle doesn’t take directions. She can’t be told to pose a certain way or stand at a certain location. Plus, Disney World gets pretty crowded so taking photos of her is definitely a challenge.”
But for their entire family, the photo sessions are learning opportunities. Bewley has the chance to enhance her skills as a photographer while Giselle learns to become more outgoing.
Above all else, the lively 4-year-old has taught her parents a beautiful lesson: “She’s definitely taught us to slow down and savor every moment, and really look into finding the beauty in things.”
Bewley specializes in taking photos of children with special needs. She can be reached through her Facebook page, Giselle’s Garden, which is also her daughter’s official page.