My left hand was missing when I was born. So growing up, I had to deal with being a somewhat disabled person. And I never once saw someone like me! Not on the streets, not on tv, not in my books, not anywhere… Quite hard for a young girl growing up.
So when my sister started doing portrait photography, I got into modeling. At first, it started just being fun and helping my sister practice her craft. But after a while, it began to turn into a mission! I never had a role model, and there are so many young girls growing up being different. So I wanted to become the role model I never had.
And so I started getting modeling jobs just about anywhere. I’ve been a photo model for covers of magazines, in bridal editorials and beauty shoots. And it’s been great! I get a lot of feedback from girls who were born missing a hand saying they are now proud to show off their arms too. And that’s amazing to hear! To help girls with disabilities change their attitude towards themselves, to love every inch of themselves.
My dreams are still a lot bigger than this. I hope one day it will be normal for girls in wheelchairs to be cast as the pretty girl in a tv show or a movie, and for girls with one leg to be models in Vogue’s fashion report for their unique beauty, so there’s still a long way to go. But… I’m already proud of where we’re going!
Photos made by Blik en Bloos fotografie.
More info: blikenbloos.nl
It took me a while to be this comfortable with my disability
My left hand was missing when I was born. So growing up I had to deal with being different
When my sister started doing photography, I got into modeling
After a while it started to turn into a mission! I never had a role model, and there are so many young girls growing up being different
So I wanted to become the role model I never had
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Share on Facebookintegrating someone different doesn't mean deny their differences or disabilities. Yes she has a birth defect, it doesn't mean she isn't cute.
Load More Replies...I just a photo of an attractive woman. I didn't notice she was missing a hand until I started reading.
Shouldn't have to point it out, but after I saw that the hand was missing, I still just saw a photo of an attractive woman.
Load More Replies...OMG you're so beautiful, I didn't even notice your ar- Yeah, I did, but what does that have to do with your beauty? You're gorgeous, and I'm glad to see you not caring about what anyone else says!
Genuinely didn't even notice anything 'different' about her until I read the whole article; all I saw was the fact that she is gorgeous; your eyes are drawn straight to her smile :) Definitely need more people like this in mainstream modelling.
Glad that she went into modelling. We are all born different whether it is physical or not, that does not make us any lesser than others. Just differently interesting individuals.
Your gorgeous just the way you are, sometimes unseen disabilities are harder to cope with than visible ones. Keep your beautiful smile
tbh, love her eyes and had to reread this article a few times to get the point :/ doofusme. i am a self-confessed eyebrows man tho.. gets me every time
integrating someone different doesn't mean deny their differences or disabilities. Yes she has a birth defect, it doesn't mean she isn't cute.
Load More Replies...I just a photo of an attractive woman. I didn't notice she was missing a hand until I started reading.
Shouldn't have to point it out, but after I saw that the hand was missing, I still just saw a photo of an attractive woman.
Load More Replies...OMG you're so beautiful, I didn't even notice your ar- Yeah, I did, but what does that have to do with your beauty? You're gorgeous, and I'm glad to see you not caring about what anyone else says!
Genuinely didn't even notice anything 'different' about her until I read the whole article; all I saw was the fact that she is gorgeous; your eyes are drawn straight to her smile :) Definitely need more people like this in mainstream modelling.
Glad that she went into modelling. We are all born different whether it is physical or not, that does not make us any lesser than others. Just differently interesting individuals.
Your gorgeous just the way you are, sometimes unseen disabilities are harder to cope with than visible ones. Keep your beautiful smile
tbh, love her eyes and had to reread this article a few times to get the point :/ doofusme. i am a self-confessed eyebrows man tho.. gets me every time
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