In days past, being an underwear model meant having a perfect body without any imperfections. Nowadays, things have changed. People don’t want to see perfect bodies; they want to see real bodies.
Aerie is aware of that and has started choosing models that stand out. They are all different in their own way. What some people might see as disabilities, other people see as something special that sets them apart from others.
Aerie recently released photos of models with various disabilities, including down syndrome; cancer; fibromyalgia; and other chronic illnesses.
They want people to see that just because people are different, doesn’t mean they are any less beautiful.
Abby Sams, one of the models, talked about the experience of being chosen and what it means for everyone with disabilities. She said:
“I sent them a video saying how, as someone who’s never seen disability or chronic illness represented in media, Aerie Real should mean that beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, ethnicities, and abilities. They agreed, and I won a spot at the shoot.”
Abby also posted some of her modeling photos on Twitter for everyone to see.
She is excited that so many other women with disabilities were also chosen as models. She added:
“@Aerie also had a gal with an Ostomy, Type 1 Diabetes, Vitiligo, arm crutches, a cancer survivor, down syndrome Paralympian, me, and fibromyalgia (+ body hair). Their work in chronic illness and disability representation this campaign was REAL and AMAZING.”
Abby also explained how it is important for the world to see people with disabilities as normal people. They can do much of the same things other people do, and most of them just want to feel like they fit in. She added:
“I love that they didn’t make a big deal. Normalize disabilities and chronic illnesses. We exist. We’re out here living our lives and we’re part of the community. This campaign is about showing real people, not for attention and I love that.”
Model Gaylyn Henderson, who has an ostomy bag in her photo, also explained how excited she was to find out that she was modeling for Aerie and how it changed the way she feels about her health issues.
She said:
“I held on as long as I could to my colon because if this surgery didn’t work, then what would come next? I was still striving to be ‘normal’ by clinging to the very thing that was killing me. But there came a time where I had no choice, and it was the best thing that has happened to me.
“Even though ostomy is life-saving surgery, many are reluctant to receive them because of the negative stigma. I didn’t want others to suffer unnecessarily as I did because of the negative stigma surrounding having and living with an ostomy. There is little to no positive awareness or programs specifically targeted at increasing self-worth as it relates to living with an ostomy. So, I started the organization Gutless and Glamorous.”
Now that Gaylyn is a model and is raising awareness about her disease and her organization, she feels that more people will get the support they need.
She feels that the Aerie campaign is going to make a significant difference in the lives of many other people. She said:
“There was an unspoken feeling in the atmosphere that couldn’t be described. Many of us, myself included, struggled with self-acceptance due to illness and the devastating physical and psychological effects that it can cause. We understood the magnitude of what this campaign meant and how very special it would be!”
Chelsea Werner was also excited to learn that she was chosen to model for Aerie and to raise awareness about the challenges that people with disabilities face regularly.
She said:
“I was so excited when I heard I was going to be part of this campaign! It got even better when I was shooting it. I got to meet others who have challenges in their lives and my idol, Aly Raisman. I feel so proud to be part of this. I hope this spreads a message that we are all unique and beautiful and love to be represented.”
These women are all beautiful, and they are proving that people with disabilities or chronic illnesses can do anything they set their minds to.
Aerie is also helping to empower these young women and many other people who have chronic illnesses or disabilities, but also big dreams.
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@Aerie just sneakily released some of my photos!
Look at this disability representation people!!! Also look at me because I cant believe it’s actually me so yeah pic.twitter.com/nfhaBrKqHX— abby sams 🦈 (@abby__sams) July 10, 2018
