A Central New York woman is being recognized nationally for her work helping to design the first ever Barbie with Down syndrome.

Kayla McKeon, of North Syracuse, who has a management position with the National Down Syndrome Society, is also a registered lobbyist in Washington.

She hopes the Barbie can both be a familiar face for individuals with Down syndrome, while inspiring others to learn more about it.

“I’m 35 years old, and I’ve been working with the National Down Syndrome Society for five years,” she said.

In addition to her work with the National Down Syndrome Society and other organizations, she’s also an avid knitter.

“I make a variety of things, and this is just one of them. So this is a blanket I’m making for her (friend) and then I have another. I’m making a hooded scarf down there as well,” McKeon said.

While she says her love of knitting is well known, what has her making national headlines this spring is her work helping to create the first Barbie with Down syndrome.

“Having a doll with Down syndrome is a way of representing the Down syndrome community, and representation is definitely pivotal today,” she said.

Through her work with the National Down Syndrome Society, she was asked by Mattel to be a model for the doll. Representation she says was critical to its creation.

“If you want to model somebody with Down syndrome, then you should have somebody with Down syndrome to model after,” she explained.

That meant incorporating characteristics that would both be recognizable and familiar to people with Down syndrome, and that would help to educate others.

“The eyes are almond-shaped with a flat nasal bridge. These are just some of the characteristics of Down syndrome. And then if you can see, there is a crease in the palm. That is another characteristic of Down syndrome,” she said.

She stressed how important it is for people who have Down syndrome to see themselves reflected in various aspects of popular culture, and to be comfortable in their own skin.

“I love having Down syndrome. I wouldn’t change that for one minute. That’s what makes me, me,” McKeon said.

An avid coffee drinker, McKeon says in addition to a cup or two a day, she is energized by her advocacy work, expanding the conversation around Down syndrome and fostering acceptance.

“That way people can understand the value in the work of somebody with Down syndrome,” she said.

“We just want to people to understand what it is because if you don’t know what Down syndrome is, this is an opportunity for you to learn.”

The Barbie has been officially launched and made available for purchase by Mattel.