Down's Syndrome toddler gets online following, dispels stereotypes

A toddler with Down’s Syndrome has become an internet sensation and his infectious smile is breaking down stereotypes.

Twenty-month-old Jack Clayton is winning hearts after his dad set up the twitter and Facebook pages called Our Son Jack.

His dad, Lawrence, told the Mirror he set up the pages to show people that Down's Syndrome does not define who his son is.

“He isn’t a Down’s Syndrome baby, he is Jack first and foremost,” he said.

"We wanted to take a very positive attitude to being a family living with Down’s Syndrome and make it all about Jack and who he is, not just his disability,” he added.

Jack – the youngest of three children – was born to 45-year-old Lawrence and his 42-year-old wife Nici Allen in October 2013.

Because of their ages, the couple knew there was a chance that Jack might have Down’s Syndrome, but chose not to have genetic testing to confirm this.

Nici said: "When doctors suggested a termination was an option late in the pregnancy, we both immediately declined."

Jack has had to overcome pneumonia and acid reflux, and will be undergoing exploratory chest surgery later this year.

Jack and his family currently have 12,000 followers across Facebook and twitter.

“For some mysterious reason that smile of his bridges the gap between disabled and non-disabled people around the world,” Lawrence said.

News break - July 29