“They Said I’m Too Ugly.” A Woman Posts Selfies for a Year to Defy Her Bullies and Ends Up Modeling in NY Fashion Week

“They Said I’m Too Ugly.” A Woman Posts Selfies for a Year to Defy Her Bullies and Ends Up Modeling in NY Fashion Week

When I was a teenager, someone told me I could never be a model because I’m disabled. These words lingered with Melissa Blake for a long time, but she has since proven that person wrong by becoming a model at New York Fashion Week.

We at Bright Side are huge fans of Melissa Blake and are excited to share her inspiring story.

Melissa never saw anyone who looked like her in fashion magazines.

Born in 1981 with Freeman-Sheldon syndrome, a genetic bone and muscular disorder, Melissa Blake has undergone over 26 surgeries. She attributes her strong sense of independence to her parents, who taught her to never let her disability define her.

When describing herself, Melissa told Bright Side: “I’m a freelance writer covering relationships, disabilities, and pop culture. I’m also a disability activist and lover of a good pun.” She holds a journalism degree and has written for publications like The New York Times, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, ELLE, and others. Melissa also runs a blog that is well worth visiting.

“My mom and sister are my favorite people in the world, and our two cats are the best cats in the world. Nothing makes me happier than spending a day with my family.”

Despite the trolls, Melissa’s dream of modeling came true.

People can be so cruel. You go, Melissa! I’d be proud to call you my friend.

Online trolls tried to discourage Melissa from posting selfies on Twitter by calling her ugly, but instead of letting them win, Melissa brilliantly turned the tables by posting even more selfies. Melissa’s tenacity and viral tweets caught the attention of Mindy Scheier, founder and CEO of Runway for Dreams. In 2020, Mindy invited Melissa to participate in New York Fashion Week.

Melissa modeled this outfit for NY Fashion Week as part of the Runway for Dreams project. More than 25 people modeled for brands like Tommy Hilfiger, Zappos Adaptive, and Target from their homes. This virtual event allowed over 25 disabled individuals to share their stories and emphasize the importance of visibility in the fashion industry.

Melissa has an important message for the world.

If Melissa could capture the world’s attention for just ten seconds, here is the message she’d share: “Please listen to disabled people. Our voices and stories matter. Stop making us an afterthought in society.”

We asked Melissa what advice she would give to her 18-year-old self, and her response was inspiring: “I promise you, there will come a day when you love yourself and your disabled body. You’re going to do some amazing writing! You’ll be okay, Melissa.”

What lesson can we learn from Melissa’s story? We certainly admire her poise and resilience in the face of those who tried to put her down.