Girl with Down Syndrome Is Mocked for Video of Her Dancing — Dad Hits Back at 'Spineless' Haters

In a world that often lacks empathy and kindness, it's all too common for individuals to be ridiculed for being different. One girl with Down syndrome experienced this harsh reality firsthand when a video of her dancing went viral.

Instead of receiving love and admiration, an innocent girl was met with cruel comments from individuals who hid behind the anonymity of the internet.

But this girl's father, Neil Markham, would not tolerate it. With a heavy heart and a fierce determination, he took a stand against the bullies and refused to let them tear his daughter down.

Why the Father Shared the Video Online

The dad sat hunched over his phone with his eyes fixated on the stream of vile messages that continued to flood in. His heart sank as he read each one, feeling the weight of the hatred and cruelty directed towards his sweet child, Ella.

In a video he posted on social media in 2019, Ella appeared innocently dancing. Her father delighted in sharing her carefree joy with the world until trolls used it to unleash their hurtful words.

As the messages continued to pour in, the father braced himself for the worst.

A Brave and Unexpected Reaction to the Hate

Knowing how much it would hurt her, Neil didn't want to show his wife all the hateful messages, but he knew he couldn't stay silent.

With a deep breath, he did something bold. He responded to the haters directly, challenging them. Neil hit the "post" button, revealing his phone number to the world. He wrote:

"This girl could wish you nothing but happiness. Why do you need to be like this? Contact me directly rather than hiding."

The dad knew it was a risky move, but he couldn't stand idly by while his beloved daughter was subjected to such cruel and senseless hate.

Only One Person Responded

Neil's fatherly instinct to protect his family, especially someone as kind as Ella, kicked in. And as the messages continued to pour in, the father braced himself for the worst.

But to his surprise, only one person had the guts to dial his number and speak their mind. The rest of the "spineless" trolls remained silent, cowering behind their keyboards and lacking the courage to face him directly.

Their Story Gained Worldwide Attention

The father's bravery and the daughter's infectious joy touched many hearts. Even football players were moved by their story, as Tottenham legend Graham Roberts invited Neil and Ella to be guests at his gala dinner.

It was a memorable evening for the youngster, who got to meet her hero and bask in the glory of the football world.

It was a moment of triumph for the family, who had weathered the storm of hate and come out with a newfound sense of hope and community.

A Simple Wish

The father's desire for his precious daughter was simple yet profound — he wanted her to be treated with kindness and respect and seen as a normal person who deserved to be loved and accepted for who she was.

It was a desire born out of the pain and anguish he felt when he saw her being bullied and mocked online, a desire to protect her from the world's cruelty.

Knowing that others shared his longing for a world where everyone was treated with kindness and respect meant the world to Neil and his family.

The Online Reaction

While many people chose to tear the teenager down, some stood up for her, including actress Patsy Kensit, who was "disgusted" by the hate. Netizens encouraged the girl to keep dancing and wished her the best for her future:

"Be proud, Dad. Your daughter is a beautiful, talented individual, and most of all, she glows with happiness."

- (Bryan McElearney) April 30, 2019

"Keep dancing, baby girl. God's light shines through you. Thanks for putting a smile on my face and reminding us to dance, dance, dance. Keep on sharing those great moves with the world. We are watching and dancing with you!!!"

- (Holly Broadwater) May 1, 2019

"The joy of dance is in every human being. I, for one, would be proud to be given the chance to dance with this magical young lady."

- (Don Spencer) April 30, 2019

"You have a beautiful young lady whose spirit is full of life, and dancing is a way to show she enjoys life to the full. I feel sorry for those who cant her for her beauty. Keep dancing, little Angel."

- (Lis Mayes) April 30, 2019

Thankfully, as the duo's story continued to spread and they were invited onto television shows, there was hope that others would be inspired to stand up against bullying and spread love wherever they went.

Click here for another story about a beautiful girl with Down syndrome. She received online hate because of a post shared by her dad, so he defended her.