Cup strapper Stevie Payne gives hope to Down Syndrome kids

The Melbourne Cup was memorable for many reasons. Stevie Payne was just one of them. Not only because he was the winning strapper, but because he became a symbol of the possibilities for people with down syndrome.

Prince of Penzance jockey Michelle Payne, right, celebrates with strapper Stevie Payne, left, after winning the Melbourne Cup. Source: AAP

Yesterday’s Melbourne Cup was full of incredible tales, and Prince of Penzance's strapper Stevie Payne was just one of them.

As he was crowned the winner strapper, Payne became a symbol of the capabilities and possibilities of people with Down Syndrome.

“What happened with Stevie yesterday would have really bolstered a lot of families,” Down Syndrome NSW Executive Director, Traceylee Aristedes said.

“It’s a big message to everybody out there that they can be treated as normal and have such a great life if you allow them to have responsibility”.

“I think the message it sends to families of people with Down Syndrome is that your child or your person with Down Syndrome can be part of it all, given the right support. They can be included, they’ve got something to offer and they can be really good at stuff."

Watching the coverage of the Cup, 12-year-old Grace Gilsenan’s eyes lit up.

Grace Gilsenan and her sister. Source: SBS News

Like Mr Payne, the Year 6 student also has Down Syndrome.

“He’s (Mr Payne) going to be proud,” Grace said.

Grace’s mother Jane Gilsenan said her daughter recognised Mr Payne’s Down Syndrome features, and was astonished to see him receive his award on the television.

“Just to see a young man with Down Syndrome doing his job at an elite level…it was just heart-warming,” Mrs Gilsenan said.

Both Mrs Gilsenan and her husband Perry were swept up in the emotion, making sure both their daughters took in the moment.

“We made a point of calling our girls in and saying ‘look, here’s an amazing woman who’s achieved a lot and, look she’s got a brother with Down Syndrome, just like you, and look at what you can do if you pursue your goals’, so yeah, I shed a tear,” Mrs Gilsenan said.

“I think it basically shows that there’s a lot of hope there,” Mr Gilsenan said.

Mr Payne’s sister and Melbourne Cup winning jockey Michelle Payne said people with Down Syndrome didn’t need pampering, but they should be given a chance.

“It’s a big message to everybody out there that they can be treated as normal and have such a great life if you allow them to have responsibility,” she said.

As one of 10 children, Mr Payne has learnt to be independent.

“He does everything himself - he can cook and wash and does his banking, he’s very mobile,” Mr Payne’s father Paddy Payne said.

“[I’m] very proud of him, he’s a blessing to the family.”

Mr Payne also proved a blessing at the barrier draw for the Cup, when he picked the number one barrier for Prince of Penzance.

“Apparently everybody was saying the Japanese were looking at each other like 'is this for real?' [We’ve] got a little Down Syndrome up there picking barrier one for a female jockey in a $6 million race,” Michelle Payne said.

Ms Aristedes said she hoped Mr Payne’s achievement encouraged employers to consider hiring people with a disability.

“Hopefully it will help people in the broader community to understand that people with Down Syndrome are just like the rest of us, and can contribute and work, and have a good life,” she said.