Like any mother would, Janice Di Joseph wants to give her daughter the best life she can. Putting a smile on Ricchina’s face is an important part of Janice’s day. The only thing that’s a little different about this mother-daughter relationship is that Ricchina has Down Syndrome. Over the years, Janice’s little girl began to notice she was different than her peers. After attending other weddings with her mother, Ricchina would ask why she wasn’t getting married. Janice would never know what to say, so she decided to give her baby girl the wedding she always wanted for her 25th birthday. The pair happened to bump into Lindsay Morris, a photographer, on the train. When she discovered what this mother was doing for her daughter, she just had to photograph it. The moments she captured were absolutely magical.
On the big day, Ricchina got ready at a friend’s salon in south Philadelphia.
She posed, ready for some beautification.
When she saw her hair and makeup in the mirror for the first time, she just had to laugh.
Her family were in tears, happy to see their Ricchina about to celebrate a wedding.
Her mother had to help get her going at the beginning of the day…
But once she was dressed, all Ricchina could do was admire her reflection.
Before heading downstairs, mother and daughter share a moment together.
Janice nervously calls the late limo driver…
And then it’s time. Her neighbors showed up to see her off.
The wedding was traditional, even down to the garter that Ricchina had seen many times.
They had a head table, full of food and family.
And Ricchina and Janice even had a touching first dance to “Endless Love.”
(H/T Slate) You can see more of Ricchina’s wonderful day at Lindsay’s photography website. So many people spent so much time and energy making sure that this special girl didn’t feel like an outsider. It’s wonderful. Individuals with Down Syndrome and other disabilities should be treated with the same love and respect that everyone else is. Share her big day with others by clicking below.
