Have you ever wanted something so badly when you were young and it came so close to happening but it slipped away. Well that happened to me when I was 12. Spoiler alert – this story has an amazing ending! When I was 12, I was diagnosed with scoliosis. I found out I had scoliosis was about 10 minutes before I was going to walk the runway at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, a dream come true for a tall skinny 12 year old girl who was teased about her body. Back in the day, my nickname was “bird legs.” My home economics teacher Miss Murokka thought this would be good for me to walk in this runway but, as I was getting ready to model the stylist said I was crooked. The lime green jumper I was about to wear on the runway wasn’t hanging right on me. The stylist said, sorry, you can’t go out looking like that, I didn’t get to walk.
I remember being a little sad but happy to see my classmates on the stage. I was worried about telling my parents what had happened. They took me to the doctor and my diagnosis was sever scoliosis and the doctor said that I needed surgery. Well that didn’t happen, so I tried to understand my diagnosis and do everything in my power to stay strong and healthy. It became my way of life. This way of life has served me quite well in so many ways. Physically, I haven’t had any back surgery. Making healthy food choices to keep my weight low so that I can relieve stress and pain on my spine and mentally I became very strong. This has been a lifesaver, literally.
I’ve always loved, with a passion, clothing and style. Being able to disguise my curvature and show my individuality through my fashion choices came to serve me well. I’ve always been a bargain shopper and can see the potential in all aspects of fashion.
I never left the passion for the runway die. A dream, that as a little girl, came true at OC Fashion Week. I walked for Chubbi Line, the most inspiring and talented 13 year old I have ever met! Her sisters and mother make for the perfect team and their passion for the love of fashion shines!
The excitement leading up to the show was so fun for me, imagining what it will feel like being in beautiful, hand designed, hand made clothing! Well, Saturday finally arrived – the night of OC Fashion Week Designer Competition. I wanted to showcase her 2 designs the very best I could. It was easy because I just fell in love with her choices for me! Walking the runway was everything I imagined, from the #behindtheseams #bts madness, hair and makeup, to being told times to dress! I was very welcomed by the other models, one in particular, Darlene, she made me feel so comfortable and filled me in on what to expect! So helpful, and a new friend for sure.
I was thankful we had some practice walks, where I was able to practice showcasing Egypt’s designs. When the show finally started, it was so exciting! Walking the runway, wearing beautiful clothes, feeling on top of the world was a dream come true! Once again proving age is just a number!
“Being confident is the key to life. Don’t be afraid to be you! I’m super different from a lot of kids my age with style and personality, and I’m OK with it. And if you are OK with it, everyone else will be, too.” Leo Howard How fitting is this quote!
If there is something you have been longing to do, good gracious, DO IT! We can make a million excuses and justify them all, but if we stop ourselves and realize what we are doing we can change our lives! “Once your excuses are gone, you will simply have to settle for being awesome.”Lorii Myers
So let’s all stop making excuses, live our dreams…. no matter how long you’ve been dreaming them, small or big, doesn’t matter, just do it! I can’t wait for that next dream to be fulfilled! What are your dreams? How will you make them happen? I’d love to hear in the comments below!