Disability doesn't stop Taliyah Jones from inspiring others

MT. HEALTHY, Ohio - Taliyah Jones may have a disability, but that isn't stopping her from being a shining star and an inspiration at her Mt. Healthy school.

Jones’ teachers describe her as a hard worker.  They say she has a lot of friends and loves her teachers at Mt. Healthy North Elementary.

"I'm so proud of Taliyah.  Taliyah was born with Down Syndrome, so since the day that she was able to go to school I've always told her to just do her best and don't let Down Syndrome stop her and this is just an example of her working hard and striving for success," said Taliyah’s mother, Tineshea Riley.

"Taliyah is a great example of how you can accomplish great things when you believe you can do it," said one of Taliyah’s teachers, Katie Munneke.

Munneke said Taliyah loves to do things independently and is very determined.

"She does not want to be reliant upon others and wants very much to function typically in the world," Munneke said. " Taliyah works very hard to blend into a general education setting, and many times people do not notice that she has Down Syndrome, due to challenging herself to fit in to the general population."

Taliyah challenges herself by maintaining a full day in a general education setting, with minimum pull out resource room support, said Munneke.

"I'm just proud of her that she can go out there amongst her peers and the students here at Mt. Healthy North, we're just as excited for Taliyah as I am.  I'm just proud that she can go out there and give 110 percent," said Riley.

Munneke said Taliyah's attitude is felt around the school.

"She's a friend to all. She works hard. She never gives up. She never complains, she's an amazing student and it spills over to the rest of the students in her class," said Munneke.

The third grader is involved in fashion show modeling and landed the cover for Children's Hospital's Down Syndrome clinic.

She's truly and inspiration to anyone who comes in contact with her.