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Fat-Shamed Teenager Just Did The Bravest Thing To Shut Down Bullies
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After Being Fat-Shamed, This 13-Year-Old Posts Swimsuit Pics To Shut Them Down

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This 13-year-old just did the bravest thing ever. Or shall I say, two bravest things… Paris Harvey not only hit back at her bullies but she did so by facing her biggest fear – stripping down to her bathing suit in public.

The Kent-based teenager suffers from a metabolic condition, which means she gains weight quickly and struggles to lose it. She was also born with hip dysplasia, so her left leg is 1.5 cm shorter than her right and she has pins in her joint which cause her to limp. These two conditions lead to people calling her fat and mocking her for ‘walking like a penguin’.

“I got bullied in the past and after a while, you start to believe what people say. I became really insecure about how I looked,” said Paris. “I can be eating the same food as the next person but I gain weight. It’s not like I’m sitting at home all day eating crisps. But I felt like I shouldn’t have to explain myself.” So, over Bank Holiday weekend, Paris decided to finally face her biggest fear – stripping down to her bathing suit at the beach. And guess what? She not only faced her fear but she embraced it too by taking pictures and posting them on Twitter! The pics went viral with over 337k likes on Twitter. Even though Paris did receive negative comments from people saying she was ‘promoting obesity’, she chose to “focus on the support because hate is nothing compared to love.” “I feel like we should embrace who we are,” Paris said. “I’m not making myself a model but I wanted to show people that it doesn’t matter what size you are – you are born into that body.”

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More info: Twitter (h/t)

Because of Paris’ two conditions, people bully her by calling her fat and mocking her for ‘walking like a penguin’

“I can be eating the same food as the next person but I gain weight,” Paris said

 “But I felt like I shouldn’t have to explain myself”

So, over Bank Holiday weekend, Paris decided to finally hit back at bullies by posting pics of herself at the beach – which went viral with all kinds of mixed comments

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Some people were inspired

Others were negative

Some even started debating with the negative commenters

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But in the end, Paris chose to “focus on the support because hate is nothing compared to love”

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itspamduh avatar
ItsPam Duh
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a good reminder, never worry what others think. Wear what you want where you want regardless of your size.

janicefoster391 avatar
Janice Foster
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Good on her - many people NEVER reach that degree of emotional maturity, let alone during their early teens, when most people are generally at their most vulnerable to peer pressure and body issues. Beautiful inside and out!

yenskie10 avatar
Yen Lua-Madzarevic
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

“EMOTIONAL MATURITY” IT IS!! 👍🏼👍🏼 Which, even some of our leaders ain’t got!!

Load More Replies...
jlk103144 avatar
John L
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Every time you worry that you are burdened with the world's worst handicaps holding you back, there is always someone to remind you that you are better off than you thought.

Load More Comments
itspamduh avatar
ItsPam Duh
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a good reminder, never worry what others think. Wear what you want where you want regardless of your size.

janicefoster391 avatar
Janice Foster
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Good on her - many people NEVER reach that degree of emotional maturity, let alone during their early teens, when most people are generally at their most vulnerable to peer pressure and body issues. Beautiful inside and out!

yenskie10 avatar
Yen Lua-Madzarevic
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

“EMOTIONAL MATURITY” IT IS!! 👍🏼👍🏼 Which, even some of our leaders ain’t got!!

Load More Replies...
jlk103144 avatar
John L
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Every time you worry that you are burdened with the world's worst handicaps holding you back, there is always someone to remind you that you are better off than you thought.

Load More Comments
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