Sarah Hyland Responds to Body-Shamers in Post on Twitter
“Modern Family” star Sarah Hyland is speaking out against her body-shamers with words that may resonate with anyone who has experienced physical changes in their appearance due to an illness.
In an essay shared on Twitter, Hyland responded to comments she’s received about her body in response to her recent Instagram posts as well as her appearance on the ABC television remake of “Dirty Dancing” that aired Wednesday night. The actress has kidney dysplasia and underwent a kidney transplant in 2012.
In her post, Hyland says she hasn’t had “the greatest year” and that it’s brought “a lot of changes and with that, physical changes.” Explaining those changes, she wrote:
I have been told I can’t work out. Which, for me, is very upsetting. I am an activist for activity (and for eating junk food in bed but it’s all about balance right?) I love to be outdoors. I love to be strong. (I’ll be using that word a lot.) Strength is everything. Being strong has gotten me where I am. Both mentally and physically. I am not a fan of “being skinny” which many of you have told me that I am too much of. “Eat a burger, your head is bigger than your body and that’s disgusting” and you’re right! I should eat a burger! Cause they’re fucking delicious! But guess what. I do. And again, you’re right. No one’s head should be bigger than their body but considering I’ve basically been on bed rest for the past few months, I’ve lost a lot of muscle mass. My circumstances have put me in a place where I’m not in control of what my body looks like.
Hyland said she’s striving to be “as healthy as possible” and is not “promoting anorexia” as people have claimed. She also acknowledged how hard it can be to watch her body change, calling out the effects of prednisone — a corticosteroid used to treat inflammation in the body and known for causing weight gain, including in the face.
Since I’m here…you may wonder. Am I bothered by my appearance right now? Well it’s never fun to look in the mirror and see your hard work at the gym fade away or have your legs be the size of one’s arms. But I know that when I get clearance I will be able to get back to the STRONG, lean and fabulous self I know I can be. You all will probably have something to say about that as well but it won’t affect me. I don’t mind when you say that I look pregnant. Or fat. Because I know that my face is swollen from medication that is saving my life. For those on prednisone I know what you’re going through and I commend you sticking git out as I have.
She concluded by encouraging others to stay positive in the face of judgment. “Don’t let other’s comments alter any part of you! Love and positivity is what we need most,” she wrote.
Image via Creative Commons/Emma Jacob, Happy Finish
Erin is the former senior editor and chronic illness editor of The Mighty. She joined The Mighty in 2015 and previously worked at Inside Weddings magazine, Mic, and The Huffington Post. She was also the features editor at The California Aggie, UC Davis' student newspaper. She is honored to be a part of the Mighty community!
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