Why I've Struggled With My Body Image as a Woman With a Disability

I have often wondered about body image, especially my own body. I grew up with a visible physical disability that has affected the way my body looks. I guess you can say that my body may look different to others due to the fact that I have had multiple fractures throughout my life, which left my body with deformities.

It is very difficult when you are constantly judged or criticized based on how your body is viewed. Don’t we have the right to choose what we want to wear? Does anyone have the perfect body? Who gets to decide what perfection is? I do believe that how we see ourselves is way more complicated than how others see us.

First, we need to start loving the shape of our bodies regardless of what they look like. Our bodies are our bodies; they do so much for us. We let the toxicity of others get inside our brains. Throughout my life, I have had people comment on my body. I’ve heard hurtful comments such as, “Why are you wearing that?” and “A man will leave you for a woman with a much nicer body.” Yes, these comments have hurt me and I let them dictate how I feel about my body. I don’t want to feel ashamed of my body.

I’ve learned that I need to decide what goes through my armor. Set boundaries by not allowing people to decide how I feel about my body. I get to decide how to feel. It’s unfortunate because I have let what people have said about my body affect me to the point of disposing of my garments because I thought they looked hideous on me.

My message for anyone struggling with body image is this: You are the gatekeeper of your own life. You get to choose who and what you let into your life.