Dad with Down syndrome son: Don't feel sorry

A little model in some Target & Nordstrom ads caught the eye of blogger Rick Smith. Why? He noticed that six-year-old Ryan posing in the ads has Down syndrome -- and it wasn’t pointed out. He was just shown as an ordinary boy, living life and playing.

As the father to a Down syndrome child, 13-month-old Noah, Smith appreciated the positive portrayal in a national ad and wrote about it on his blog, “Noah’s Dad.” Smith has been on a mission since little Noah was born, trying to de-stigmatize Down syndrome and show the world that children with the genetic condition can have full and productive lives.

Read more: Parents praise ads with Down syndrome kids

Smith, his wife Abbie and little Noah joined HLN's Vinnie Politan to talk about the ad and what it’s like to raise Noah. Smith explained how they were shocked when Noah was first born and they kept hearing “I’m so sorry” from everyone. However, they wanted to “show the world that our story wasn’t sad.”

Through the blog, Facebook, and Twitter, Smith provides education on Down syndrome, how to support the cause and updates on Noah’s own development. 

Watch Vinnie Politan on HLN's Prime News live weeknights at 6 p.m. ET and follow @VinniePolitan on Twitter.