#ThisIsActive Q&A with Maggie Erickson, Inspiring College Graduate and Model with Down Syndrome

Our #ThisIsActive Q+As are part of an ongoing series to show how plus size women live their active lives. Share your active life with us on social media by using #ThisIsActive on Instagram or send your story to social @ junoactive.com for a chance to be featured.

Maggie is a young woman celebrating life with an extra chromosome. She currently lives in downtown Minneapolis, is active in modeling for Arc Value Village (one of her favorite places), and has started additional modeling as a new job. She is loving her new modeling career! She is a past member of the Board of Directors of the Down Syndrome Association of MN and is a committee member of the Self Advocacy group at Arc Minnesota. She works a fun seasonal job(s) as a ticket scanner for the MN Twins and for the MN Vikings/US Bank Stadium. She is a 2017 graduate of the Bethel BUILD program and a 2009 graduate of Highland Park High School. She is an avid Special Olympics supporter and athlete, as well as a super duper friend to many.

1. How long have you been modeling?

I have been modeling since I was 17, but lots more over the past 2 years.

2. Why do you think it’s important to have diversity in the models we or any company uses?

I want to do the same things as other people do, like modeling. Also, I am a role model to others.

3. What is your favorite way to work out or stay active?

I like the treadmill and lifting weights; sometimes I work with a trainer. I do many Special Olympics sports (track and field, swimming, bowling, golfing) so am usually active in a sport most times of the year. I take dance classes at Curio Dance Studio. I like to walk and I really like to ride a bike on the bike path in the nice time of the year. I have a cute dog named Harry and walk him often.

4. What do you hope for the future in terms of media representation for people who are living with Down syndrome?

I think it all helps people see us and love us! And my friends and I love Facebook. I feel great about all the media that I see with people with Down syndrome on Facebook, Instagram and in the newspaper. I was just on TV and did 2 videos this year (one for Arc of Minnesota and one for Gigi’s Playhouse Twin Cities) and I was in the StarTribune variety section just yesterday. Lots of my friends and I just did a style show and we got lots of media coverage.

5. What is a big personal goal you have for the future?

Modeling more!!! I also love data entry.

6. You just graduated from college, which is an amazing accomplishment. What was that experience like?

I just graduate from the BUILD program at Bethel University in St. Paul. I loved it a lot; I met new friends, I lived in dorm for 2 years. I liked being independent on my own, having a job and an internship at Special Olympics Minnesota. I was on the Bethel Dance Team, and loved meeting the football teams and watching their games. I was an intern with the girls softball team and I loved the coaches too, they really helped me. I just loved hanging out with my friends.

7. What’s your favorite sports team?

I can’t just say one. I love the Minnesota Vikings and the Minnesota Twins, I even know Joe Mauer.

You can follow Maggie’s adventures on Instagram at @bumags17.

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