This came through to me from Nancy Hayssen, author of 'Sexy at any size' and I thought I'd share it - see what you think?
"Today I received one of those notes which made me happy and cry inside at the same time.
"My name is Jessica*.
I'm 17 years old and I'm trying to become a Plus Size Model. I have started taking model classes and am currently in the running to be National American Miss 2008. Everyone I know says I am fully capable of becoming a Plus Size Model, but I am not very confident."
* name changed to respect privacy
Accompanied was a poem ...
I'm Sorry
I'm sorry...if I'm not skinny enough for you to see my ribs.
I'm sorry...if I'm not pretty enough to be "your girl".
I'm sorry...if I'm not tan enough for you.
I'm sorry...If i don't have a dream body that turns you on.
I'm sorry...if i won't drop down to my knees to get you to like me.
I'm sorry...if my hair is not long enough.
I'm sorry...if I'm not the "hottest" girl you have ever seen.
But most of all...
I'm sorry that most guys can't accept a girl for who they really are.
....As Nancy's naked body lay for all the television crew of CBS' Entertainment Tonight and soon the world to see.....
"What am I doing?", she said to herself. But, she did it for all the women who don't feel good enough because of the thousand of negative media images they've seen...Nancy says this is for the teen girl right now who is struggling in defining herself and is going on a "diet" at ten years old.
This is for Jessica, the sweet girl who just emailed me feeling not confident enough, apologising for not measuring up to society's definition of beauty.
This is for every man and woman on the planet... Embrace and accept yourself just the way you are - Right Now.
Nancy on Youtube
2008-07-03 @ 08:28