Age: 27

City: Emporia

Disability: Spastic Hemiplegia Cerebral Palsy

First and foremost, I think it’s very natural and common for people to have struggles with their body image. As for myself, I have struggles about my body both regarding my disability and some that have nothing to do with my Cerebral Palsy.

My life-long struggle is the way I walk, my posture, and my spastic arm. I am reminded that my walking is unusual to most when I either see myself walking in a video recording, see myself in a reflection, or the thousands of stares I get in public. This struggle is a daily struggle; however, when I feel myself feeling this way, and I encourage you to remind yourself of this if you feel this way, I remind myself that “I am loved for how I am by the most important people in my life. Stranger’s opinions and curiosity should not define on how I feel about myself.”

As for my body image struggles that are not regarding to my disability, and I’m sure most mothers agree, is the weight I have accumulated over the past six years of having two kids. I’ve always been a small girl who never had to worry about my weight. So, after having kids, it definitely has been a new struggle I’ve been learning how to navigate. I have a hard time finding exercises that I can physically do; however, walking with my family and dog, eating right, and doing a ton of researching for easy exercises will one day be rewarding with my goals. If you are struggling with that same thing, I encourage you to remind yourself that your body is AMAZING for creating human life. And the aftermath it leaves your body is a reminder, and is proof, that your body is BEAUTIFUL!

Age: 32

City: Overland Park

Disability: I have Cerebral Palsy and it affects my mobility, as well my physical ability.

My disability has affected my body image because it puts limits, at times, on the exercises that I can do. What having my disability has made me always look for are alternate ways to exercise, along with trying to make healthy eating choices that can help shape my body image. I know, for me, it is a little bit of trial and error at times because I know I am a different person from my early twenties to now being in my early thirties.

For me, other factors that have affected my body image had been some physical health issues that limited my opportunities to work on my body. I believe, outside of age, my body image has changed over time because my perspective has changed. I now see the importance of staying physically fit and physically active regarding my physical and mental health.

My advice to youth struggling with body image issues: only you can make the changes that are necessary to improve your quality of life and your outlook on life. If you want to make changes to your body, it does not have to be an overnight transformation. In many situations, it may be a goal that you could set for yourself long-term. Do not let anyone stop you or discourage you from becoming the happiest and healthiest person you can be. Regarding your physical fitness- find an exercise regimen that works for you and that meets your standards for yourself without physically exhausting yourself or something that mentally demands too much of you.

Age: 27

City: Kansas City

Disability: Spina Bifida

I think that my disability has affected how I view my body image in a few ways. First, I have had several surgeries and have several scars. My surgeries have also caused my legs to look different than an individual who is able bodied. My disability also requires me to use a wheelchair, which has affected my body image.

Today’s society puts pressure on males to look a certain way in order to be considered attractive. Your body has to look a certain way and you have to have certain features to be considered attractive.

I used to try to make my body look a certain way in order to impress others. As I have gotten older, I have tried to focus on doing things that make me happy with how I look and not worry about other’s opinions.

Do your best not to listen to society and even your friends that might be telling you that you have to look a certain way. Try to make your focus about presenting yourself in a way that makes you happy. Once you focus on self-love, you will learn to be more confident in how you look.

Age: 29

City: Haysville

Disability: Low vision

I feel like my disability and having to wear glasses (or the ones I had growing up) affected how I seen myself. Having color lenses had me always questioning how others seen me and had me really not loving my image of myself. Other factors, such as health issues with my thyroid and having children, have affected also how I see myself, like weight gain and stretch marks.

[My body image] has changed over time by learning it’s the body that gave me my 2 boys. It’s the body I'm still learning to love. And I would advise others to do what makes them happy- get pictures taken. It’s one way I've learned to love my body, as well as I remind myself daily it takes time and it's a learning curve to it sometimes.

Age: 29

City: Kansas City

Disability: Visually impaired

As I was growing up, I was constantly picked on because I didn't have two perfectly good eyes like everybody else around me. Overtime, I have accepted me for who I am. Be proud of who you are and ignore what everybody else says.

Age: 26

City: Garden City

Disability: Spina Bifida

I feel like the label of having Spina bifida has affected my image of my body. Growing up, and getting with the right community, I've learned that God made me this way for a reason and that's to spread His name, so I've come to accept my body. I would say, take at least 5 minutes a day- put love into how you perceive your body image. The voice you listen to the most is your own, so be aware of how you speak to yourself. Everyone is beautiful in their own way.