The Continuous Journey to Redefining The Standards Of Beauty

Hi everyone!

So if you've been following this blog you may have read my posts on how the fashion industry has made a major change by incorporating more diverse people in their work such as people with disabilities.

See Previous posts:
 2014: Changing The View On Diversity
New York Fashion Week Open It's Arms To Diversity

Well this movement is becoming even bigger now with the addition of Madeline Stuart of Australia

According to her mother,Madeline or Maddy as her family calls her,a lifestyle change to become active and healthy helped her become more confident and reach her dreams of becoming a model. 

Like most girls, Maddy had struggled with her weight, but thanks to dance, swimming and cheer leading she has lost weight and is more confident with herself.

 Other than raising her confidence Maddy also hopes her new found career will change society's look on down syndrome and look past her disability and see the beautiful person outside and in.
“People need to see how she shines, how her personality just bursts out.” her mother says.

Side Note: That swimsuit is cute! Werk it girl!


Maddy is currently looking for an agent, but I have a feeling she will find one in no time!

 Site


Another trend I am seeing is the advertising of plus size models and as a plus size girl it makes me very happy!

I've always struggled with my weight and seeing ads with skinny models didn't help with my confidence as a teen, but as I grew up I learned to love my body and curves. I know I'll probably never be a size 0 because I love to eat, but sometimes going to the mall and trying to shop can be a bit of downer when everything I like is not in my size. I have boobs, a butt, hips, thighs and might be a bit wider than other girls. And even if a certain store says it's for a plus size women it might only cover a few of the problem areas you have and it's just like "Ugh do these manufactures actually think people are all the same size? Do they not know us curvy girls like to look cute too?" 

But as of recently the media has brought models who aren't a size 0 to light and it 's making me want to embrace my curves more!

 Meet the curvaceous  women who are changing the fashion game...

Nadia Aboulhosn

She has been called the Kim Kardshian of the blogging world and has thousands of followers on her social media accounts who love her edgy street fashion shots.  She has also been featured in Vogue and has her own plus size line called Nadia Plus for the fashion website Boohoo.
 
  "Don't listen to what other people think and say about you because ultimately the way you feel about yourself is what's important"

Instagram | Blog

 Tess Holiday

Tess has had a trailblazing year by becoming the first model of her size to be signed to a major modeling agency and  this past month, she made heads turn by becoming People Magazine's covergirl. Not only is she modeling, she is also founder of the #effyourbeautystandards movement that empowers women to love themselves as they are.    

"There is no such thing as a perfect body and the hardest barrier for women to overcome is themselves,"


 Instagram | Site

Gabi Fresh

 

Gabi not only is a fashion blogger/ model she also has her own swimsuit company called Swimsuits For All. She also came up with the campaign #everyBODYisflawless by posting a lip dub of Beyonce's hit ***Flawless with fellow plus size bloggers Nadia Aboulhosn and Tess Holiday encouraging women to love their bodies no matter what shape or size they are!

"You don't have to be a certain size to claim your confidence. Fat is not a flaw. This video is dedicated to the mainstream media, to the fashion industry, to internet bullies, and to anyone else who thinks it’s their right to try to make us feel less than because of their insecurities. #everyBODYisflawless"

- See more at: http://gabifresh.com/2014/05/everybodyisflawless/#sthash.H4luiARA.dpuf

you don’t have to be a certain size to claim your flawlessness. Fat is not a flaw. This video is dedicated to the mainstream media, to the fashion industry, to internet bullies, and to anyone else who thinks it’s their right to try to make us feel less than because of their insecurities. #everyBODYisflawless
- See more at: http://gabifresh.com/2014/05/everybodyisflawless/#sthash.H4luiARA.dpuf

you don’t have to be a certain size to claim your flawlessness. Fat is not a flaw. This video is dedicated to the mainstream media, to the fashion industry, to internet bullies, and to anyone else who thinks it’s their right to try to make us feel less than because of their insecurities. #everyBODYisflawless
- See more at: http://gabifresh.com/2014/05/everybodyisflawless/#sthash.H4luiARA.dpuf

Blog | Instagram

Ashley Graham 

Back in February she made headlines by being the first plus size model to be in sports illustrated as a part of the #curvesinbikinis campaign. Ashley's modeling career started at age 12 and is most notably known for modeling lingerie for the plus size clothing company Lane Bryant. She also recently gave a TED talk about her struggle with her body image and learning to embracing her body while working in the fashion industry.


“I felt free once I knew I wasn’t going to fit the narrow mould that society wanted me to fit in. I was never going to be perfect enough in an industry that defines perfection from the outside in and that's okay! Rolls, curves, cellulite, I love every part of me!”


Instagram | Site

Denise  Bidot

 Denise is the newest model to make waves in the media by being a part of the new campaign Beachbody Not Sorry for Gabi Fresh's company Swimsuitsforall  in which the sultry ads shows her in a bathing suit untouched which sadly is very rare in the media. The campaign aims for women to be confident with their "imperfections" and stop apologizing for them.

“I agreed to be part of this campaign because it’s about sharing your story with others and opening up the conversation about beauty,”

Instagram | Site

 I have to say is ladies keep doing what you're doing and keep flaunting it, us curvy girls appreciate!

And in the words of Beyonce herself...

-Lupita

My Life With A Disabilty

Now as I mentioned in my introduction post I have a disability I haven't really spoken about it on social media because I felt like people that I've met over the internet haven't even met me in person and I feel normal in a way.

 But I feel like it's time for me to talk about it and make people aware of it or even relate to some of you that are going through it like me...

That disability is called cerebral palsy or CP for short. This is a result of a birth defect in the brain which is caused by damage to the motor control center. It can happen in early stages of pregnancy, during birth or a child can show signs of having CP up to age 3.

Signs of having CP are:

• Poor Muscle tone
•  Poor coordination and balance
• Spastic muscles or movements
• Not meeting specific milestones 

Sadly there are no cures for this, but there are many different ways to help it from worsening, like rehabilitation and physical therapy,or even surgery.

There are levels of severity with CP. There are people who can walk and get around with some sort of supportive device and may not need help from others as much, others are bound to a wheelchair and depend on others to do daily tasks.

In my case I can walk with assistance or I use a walker to get around, but for long distances I use a wheelchair to get around.

My whole life has been a challenge since day 1. I was born premature at only 6 months and basically fit into the palm of your hand (I know this for a fact because my grandmother tells my birth story at every family gathering we have haha).

As I grew up I went to school just like any other kid, the only thing that I did differently was that I was in a special education program that helped me in any areas that I had problems in, but I was in a regular class with everyone else. I dealt with things like any other kids goes through growing up (hormones,acne, crushes etc).

Even now when I went to college I had some help, but this time I would go to classes on my own and be more independent having to adjust to having the college experience. I was a little more at ease, a little more sure of myself and slowly coming out of my shell. I have made so many great friends and met some people who were helpful if I needed it.


I also do things like any other person, only I have to find ways to do them in a way that is easier for me. It is very frustrating and tiring, but like everything that is new you have to practice it until you can get it right. It also might take me a bit longer to do something that a normal person can do, but I feel proud that I am able to them on my own. This also includes asking for help when I need it, because when I was younger I didn't do much of and I guess it was because I wanted to prove I could do it on my own. I now realize that it's okay to ask for help, no one will look down at you for it because asking for help is what all people do no matter what you have. I also realized that if a person asks me if I need help I know it's just in their best interest and you can just politely say you're fine. (unless it's a really cute guy then you can take up their offer, haha)

Now that I'm an adult, I'm more independent in a way that I'm able to go somewhere without depending on my mom to take me. This is thanks to a bus service that picks me up at my house and takes me where I need to go, so I can go to the store, to hang out with friends or go to important appointments on my own and feel like a normal person.

Although there are instances where people assume things just by looking at me and treat me a certain way.

When I was younger it used to bother me so much that kids would stare and ask whoever they were with what was wrong with me and their parents would try to quiet them saying it wasn't nice. It was never to point where they would laugh and make fun of me, but it made me upset that I wasn't like the other kids, that I couldn't do or play like they could. I would get so upset over why I was the way that I am and I had the want to be like everyone else and not have this disability. I remember in Elementary school there was  a teacher who told my parents I wasn't academically capable to be in a regular class, if only they could see me now.

Sadly some people still assume the intelligence or what a person with an impairment can do.

Take Stephen Hawking for example, he has a disability and is probably the smartest person in the world , both Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder suffer from blindness and are musical legends and respected by many. I've also heard many inspiring stories of people who overcame others expectations and assumptions and have done so many great things.

One story in particular that has stuck with me since I've heard it in high school is the story of Nick Vujicic who was born with no limbs and yet he still does things like surfing ,swimming and has a lovely family of his own (Read his incredible story here). So next time you call a person a retard or cripple, just know they might end up going somewhere and doing amazing things!

 I'm not going to lie, I still find myself asking why can't I be like a "normal" but, in my 23 years of life I now realize there really isn't a right definition of being "normal", so this is what I am and it's okay to be different. I know there will be many more challenges for me and I am so grateful for the love and support of my mom who always tells me give up and follow whatever dreams I have. Hopefully one day I will make those dreams come true and make her proud.

I'm  also very lucky to have friends who I've known for most of my life that are in the same sort of situation as me, so if I have any doubts or fears on something that they've already been through I can go to them for advice or just talk it out with them or vice-versa. It also gives me comfort that I'm not alone in this situation and that I can go to someone who is probably going through the same struggles and at the same time we can help each other out in a way.

Like any person who has any kind of struggle, it's good to have that kind of support from others who are going through the same thing, because other people, no matter how hard they want to feel like they know or understand how it feels to be in that sort of situation, they only see the outside of what you go througn7h on a day to day basis, rather than the the emotional toll it can have on person going through it.

I'm very thankful to have regular friends who look beyond my appearance and treat me like any other person. I'm already a very shy person as it is and sometimes I do feel like my disability holds me back even more when meeting new people, but I've met so many good people that made me feel accepted and normal  that helps me be more social. It's great to have that sort of balance of people in your life because it can change other peoples assumptions of you when they first see you, like "oh he/she's so cool, you gotta see how funny and smart they are!" rather than just introducing as the "kid in a wheelchair" or "the kid with a walker". I also feel really lucky to know that they will help me if I need it and be there for me whenever and I hope they know that I would do the same for them!


So if you are like me and have a disability here's a tip I learned: Don't let  disability define you, keep your head up and keep going! It's going to be a bumpy road  but with the right attitude and support of people that love you, you can get through it! Once you accomplish whatever obstacle is in your way, your going to feel so proud of yourself and much more stronger than before.

And to anyone else reading this: Don't assume. Don't be afraid to ask questions because you both might learn something and gain a friendship for life...

"You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have."-Unknown

-Lupita

(If you have any questions or just need someone to talk to you can reach me on any of my accounts on the side panel)

Hello lovelies,

I just wanted to do a little introduction post to welcome you to my blog. My name is Lupita and I'm a 23 year old college student majoring in Journalism and mass communications at my local community college. I still live at home with my mom brother. Sadly my dad passed away in 2009, so life hasn't been easy in these last few years but we're adjusting still to this day. we seem to be doing fine with a few bumps along the way, but we get through them.

This is all thanks to my mom, she's probably the strongest person I know. I don't know what I'd do without her. She's also one of my best friends, she knows me better than anyone and I can always count on her for anything. She's my biggest supporter and always tells me just to try things I'm too scared to do by telling me "The worst thing that could happen is you fail, but at least you'll know you tried it". I love her more than anything in this world!

 Okay enough with the mushy stuff here is some things about me...

-I have a disability called 'Cerebral Palsy', so I use a wheelchair and need assistance to get around (I will probably write a post explaining about this on a later date)

-I love to write (Hence my major)

-I love to read. (Although I haven't sat and read a book in it's entirety in a while)

-I like to meet new people.

-I also like to be by myself most of the time. I've always been an introvert, so I can be anti-social at times.

-I'm very awkward and shy around people, but once I'm comfortable with you I'm a whole different person.

-I'm a homebody. My weekends include being on my laptop, spending my time on sites like Tumblr, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Youtube (All the links to my accounts are in the 'About Me' section) and recently got into netflix, so I spend ALOT of time binge watching movies and tv shows.


-I am a HUGE fangirl when it comes to thing like tv shows or celebrities.

-I can't spend a day without listening to music

-I'm Mexican, but I'm such a white girl at heart (I'll explain it later)

-I LOVE food and chocolate

-I also would love to travel more in the future

-I have an OBSESSION with accessories (sunglasses, hats, scarves etc.)

-Most recently I have been obsessed with make up and it's getting pretty bad haha

So I guess that's all for right now...

I hope you learned a little more about me and if you have any questions for me or just wanna say hi follow me on any of my accounts.

-Lupita