My Body Beautiful

Growing up I clearly knew my soul chose to incarnate into this body at this time in history for a reason. This is most likely why I have never felt 'disabled'. Like I understood it is only my physical body that is missing a bit. My soul is complete, whole, all powerful and limitless.

Is perfectionism really something to aspire to? Wouldn't most people prefer to be happy in their own skin, embracing and celebrating their uniqueness rather than chasing perfection?

Being a non-conformist, diversity and individuality excites me. If we all looked the same, had identical personalities, we would be robots - not humans. How boring!

For as long as I can remember, I have always being fascinated with spirit.

Growing up I clearly knew my soul chose to incarnate into this body at this time in history for a reason. This is most likely why I have never felt 'disabled'. Like I understood it is only my physical body that is missing a bit. My soul is complete, whole, all powerful and limitless.

Photo credit: Hey Girl Magazine, Photographer: Simon Clemenger

It wasn't until I started modelling that I suddenly felt disabled. I was labelled and put into a box.

Attitudes disable me. The lack of opportunities disables me. Not my arm. My arm is amazing!

Why does most of society fear disability so much? It isn't catching! Besides, it is rather interesting to be disabled. Some of the most amazing, beautiful, funny, strong, creative people I know are disabled.

I wish people could see ability before the impairment.

Photo credit: Getty

What does it mean to be disabled in 2017?

I do not feel disabled when I'm carrying bags of shopping, a hefty two-year-old and pushing a buggy - all at the same time.

I am a warrior.

Now is the time to stop pitying, marginalising, stereotyping and victimising disabled people.

Our bodies may look different, some bits might be missing, bits may not work like yours but it doesn't make us any less able, worthy or important.

Having one hand does not make me broken, incapable, powerless or in need.

I am quite the opposite.

Disability is your perception.

What is beauty in 2017?

There should be no barriers to beauty. Beauty should not be defined by ability, skin colour, race, size, gender choice, age or sexuality. Beauty is for everyone.

Disabled people are the most underrepresented minority group in the world. Since the beginning of time we have been oppressed and marginalised by society, made to feel like outcasts rather than inmates.

Disability needs to be part of the diversity agenda, the whole body positivity movement and be represented in fashion, beauty and the media.

Having a physical disability is so fixed and permanent. We will never be 'perfect'.

I don't want to be perfect.

I am not ashamed of my body, why should I be?

I want every young disabled person know that their body may be different, but that doesn't make it any less beautiful or lovable.

Being different means you make the difference.

In the past, I definitely took my body for granted. I never stopped to think how incredible, resilient, adaptable my body is.

My body conditioning class instructor told me what incredible core strength I have. I never even realised.

On reflection, not many people do one-handed planks and are able to hold it for two minutes.

Being born like this, having one hand is natural to me. I don't do things like everybody else, but I still do it in my own unique way.

When I was pregnant with my son, I never thought about how I might hold my baby or change his nappy - I knew when the time came, we would just get on with it together and so we did. That was a minor.

Nobody tells you how gruelling breastfeeding is and that cluster feeding is a real thing! I remember feeding Jenson at 3:30pm and was still feeding him at 10pm.

I can't say I have it any harder than any other mum.

Going through labour and childbirth, no matter how agonising, exhausting and terrifying it is - I wanted to feel every pain and contraction. I wanted to see what my body could do and push it to its limits.

Becoming a mother, has given me even more love and admiration for women's bodies.

Women are magical, mystical, beautiful, powerful, spirited warriors - who else has the ability to bring another soul into this world?

I'm not done in, done for, weak, maimed, wrecked, deactivated or put out of action - like the thesaurus describes the word disabled.

I am a powerful creator, beautiful, strong, worthy, resilient, adaptable and able.

Revelling in every flaw.

I am enough. I am worth it.

HuffPost UK Lifestyle has launched EveryBody, a new section calling for better equality and inclusivity for people living with disability and invisible illness. The aim is to empower those whose voices are not always heard and redefine attitudes to identity, lifestyle and ability in 2017. We'll be covering all manner of lifestyle topics - from health and fitness to dating, sex and relationships.

We'd love to hear your stories. To blog for the section, please email ukblogteam@huffingtonpost.com with the subject line 'EveryBody'. To flag any issues that are close to your heart, please email natasha.hinde@huffingtonpost.com, again with the subject line 'EveryBody'.

Join in the conversation with #HPEveryBody on Twitter and Instagram.

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