Bullied In School, Girl With Down’s Syndrome Now Runs Her Own Fashion Business

28-year-old Laura Green refused to let Down’s Syndrome stop her from chasing her dreams. Green set up Serendipity, a fashion accessories brand, in 2010, and now sells her products at exhibitions and craft fairs across the UK.

“I didn’t want to work in Asda. I wanted to run my own business. There was no career planning at school for me. I was just killing time until I was moved onto the next step in the system. After three years I said “no more” and I left. I decided that I wanted to work in fashion. Not for someone else but I wanted to set up my own business selling fashion accessories. So that’s what I did,” she told The BBC.

Laura studied business and retail in college. However, she left college early because she was bullied. In her second year of college, Laura got a job with the self-advocacy group, Halton Speak Out. When people thought it was not even worth talking to her about her future, she was preparing to take matters into her own hands.

With help from Halton Speak Out, and support from family and friends, Laura asked herself what she wanted to do, recognized her skills in fashion accessories, decided to make that her career, and instead of following a path planned by someone else, went on to pave her own way in the fashion world.

Laura established the business with friend Rachel Melarangi, who also has Down’s Syndrome, after the pair received backing from the Prince’s Trust. In an interview, Laura said, “It’s important for people with learning difficulties to have jobs. I’m offering other young people work placements now. I’ve taken on two people with similar needs. I’m living my dream.”

Laura is also an actor in musicals. She performed in the musical Oliver in February, and will perform in the same musical again in September.

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