IT'S OK TO BE DIFFERENT

I am often asked if I had the choice to have 2 arms would I take it... The answer is no.

When I was much younger I hated the fact that I was 'different'. I hated knowing that I didn't look like everyone else and I hated the thought that there were things in life that I may not have been able to do because I was missing my left arm.

I desperately tried to change everything about myself, which simply resulted in self loathing which eventually manifested into an Eating Disorder.

I look back now and realise that every thing I have achieved, every experience & opportunity has come about BECAUSE of my differences not in spite of them...
And therefore I am grateful. And I wouldn't change a thing.

Your 'differences' make you the person that are. And the reality is ... We are ALL different.

The more time you waste trying to be someone else ... The further away you get from aligning with your true self.

A lot of the image issues I developed started at a young age, I didn't look like the other kids and I certainly didn't see any celebrities, models or characters in books that looked like me.

I decided to write my first children's book "Little Miss Jessica Goes to School" to introduce more diversity to the characters that children are exposed to. The more children see characters that they can relate to, the easier it is to embrace diversity.

"Little Miss Jessica Goes to School" articulates a powerful message about body image, difference and acceptance for a young audience.