This Amputee’s Bikini Snap Is A Wonderful Symbol Of Body Acceptance
[Photo: Facebook/Aimee Copeland]
We all have our body insecurities. Some of us are convinced are stretch marks are too hideous to reveal to the world, others long to be more ripped and some of us are even convinced putting on three pounds will stop people from finding us attractive.
If any of that rings true, try and take a leaf out of Aimee Copeland’s book. The body acceptance advocate suffered from a zip-lining accident in 2012, which left her battling a life-threatening and flesh-eating bacterial disease called necrotising facilitis. The illness left Aimee with just one foot, one leg and no hands. But she hasn’t let it define her, slow her down or dent her positive outlook on life - not in the long-run, anyway.
This week, Aimee took to Facebook to share a bikini photo revealing the extent of her injuries. But it’s not Aimee’s suffering that’s clear to see - it’s how wonderfully joyful she looks in the image. As you would expect, it’s taken Aimee a long time to come to terms with her “new body”, which she explains in the photo caption, but she’s also realised that our flaws are what make us.
“It has taken me a long time to become comfortable with and accept my new body,” she wrote. “We are ALL made with imperfections and there is so much beauty in our flaws. The scars and skin grafting build character! It’s not about what you have – what you do with what you have is what really counts.”
The inspiring post has clearly touched people globally. Since uploading it on Monday, she’s been inundated with supportive comments from men and women and her post has been liked thousands of times.
Another post on Aimee’s Facebook wall reveals how much she values the support she gets, from both strangers and loved ones. “Four years ago today I was fighting for my life at Doctor’s Hospital in Augusta,” she wrote. “Thanks to YOUR prayers and support I have since completed two Master’s degrees, counseled countless individuals who face traumatic injuries, and begun working toward my dream of creating a community growth center for people of all ages and abilities. Thank YOU from the bottom of my heart for your continued support! I would not be here without it.”
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