I’m not honestly sure what to write, which is ironic because I’m a writer at heart. I don’t really like writing about myself so we’ll see how this goes!
Although I’m not at ease writing about myself, I want to explain it’s not because I’m uncomfortable with my body. Hey, I know I’m no Jessica Simpson. As a matter of a fact, I’m fairly certain both of her breasts would be the mass equivalent of half of my bum, but I love my body. If I don’t give you a little back story, you might not understand how big winning this contest would be for me.
I was in a major boating accident when I was 3 years old. My leg was pulled into the propeller and broken in eight different places. I survived the accident despite all odds and only one of my legs was damaged. Thanks to the miracle work of the surgeons they were even able to put it back together.
Because of the severity of my accident I’ve had two leg lengthening procedures (known as Illizarov) and probably over a dozen other surgeries. Since my accident I’ve spent the other 19 years of my life in and out of the hospital. It’s been tough, and I’ve had my ups and downs. My mom raised me to believe everything happens for a reason, and I do. Approximately 80% of my right leg is covered in scars and it took me a while to come to terms with that.
I haven’t needed surgery for almost over four years now and that has really helped to cement a brighter outlook on things. It may be cheesy, okay…. I know it’s cheesy, but my scars are a part of who I am. I’ve learnt so much from my situation. I know that when people see me on the street in shorts during the summer that that’s not what they’re thinking, and sometimes it’s awkward, but I’ve come to see things in a happier light. (Sometimes I joke I was bitten by a shark to break the ice.)
A few years ago I met a boy who didn’t notice I had scars, or that I even walked with a bit of limp sometimes. He loves me, supports me, and even wraps my leg in a wrap sometimes when it’s sore.
I’ve been interested in doing boudoir photo shoots with Tait Boudoir for over a year now, but something has always come up. When I first found them, I re-wrote an email to them a dozen times, trying to come up with a way of saying “hey, I’ve got scars all over my right leg, are you still willing to take pictures of me?” I’ve put this off for so long because I didn’t know how to explain my situation. But I believe everything happens for a reason and now if they read this, it’ll be out there.
I’d like the free photo shoot to not only celebrate but commemorate the confidence I have in myself and my body. A lot of my photo albums have pictures of me recovering from surgeries, and I’d like to add a boudoir shoot to add to the collection to show how far I’ve come!
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