'It was my sister's birthday and we had agreed to meet at King's Cross station before we headed out for the night. As I looked around for her, I spotted a familiar face and did a double take. But it wasn't my sister. It was someone who looked exactly like me. Then the penny dropped. It was me!
My face was on six metre-long billboard posters advertising Madame Tussauds splashed all over the London Underground - including King's Cross.
"That's absolutely huge!" I gasped.
It was surreal to look up and see my face smiling back at me and I couldn't help but laugh. I felt so many emotions, but above all, I felt a sense of pride and delight.
A few weeks earlier I had taken part in a publicity campaign for Madam Tussauds. It wasn't my first big modelling job - I've been on the TV and radio, and in the newspapers, multiple times.
But each modelling job has been a real "pinch me" moment. I love doing modelling shoots: I love having my make-up and hair done, getting to wear clothes that have been especially picked for me, and posing for the camera.
It's more than that, though.
I never thought I'd be able to model because of narrow perceptions of what a model "should" look like. I was born with cerebral palsy, a neurological condition that impairs a person's ability to control their movement and posture. Due to increased stiffness in my body, and a lack of coordination and balance, I use walking aids and a wheelchair to help me move around.
So I was delighted to sign with the inclusive modelling agency Zebedee Talent in 2020 and be offered paid modelling jobs.
FACING CHALLENGES
This story is from the December 04, 2023 edition of New UK.
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This story is from the December 04, 2023 edition of New UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
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