Woman Once Shamed for Her Looks Triumphs at NY Fashion Week, Proving Bullies Wrong
Melissa Blake is a journalist born with Freeman-Sheldon Syndrome, a rare genetic bone and muscular disorder. Despite being told that her dream of becoming a model would never come true due to her disability, Blake defied the odds years later by modeling at New York Fashion Week. In addition to her modeling achievements, she covers stories on disabilities, relationships, lifestyle, and pop culture.
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Melissa Blake, a journalist with Freeman-Sheldon Syndrome, has undergone about 26 surgeries on her knees, hands, hips, and spine. Despite the challenges posed by her condition, she always dreamed of being a model. Growing up, she eagerly read glossy fashion magazines but was disheartened by the lack of representation of people who looked like her.
When Blake was a teenager, someone cruelly told her that she would never become a model because of her disability. Those hurtful words stayed with her for many years, reflecting the broader societal mindset that disabled people had no place in the fashion and beauty industry. Little did Blake know that she would one day help change that narrative.
Twenty years later, at the age of 42, Blake’s dream became a reality when she walked the runway during New York Fashion Week, modeling the new adaptive clothing line for Zappos. Her participation came during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, marking a significant transitional moment in the world.
While Blake acknowledged that the pandemic was a vulnerable time for disabled people, limiting their access to healthcare and other necessities, she emphasized the overdue need for a reformation of beauty standards. She was proud to be part of this change in the fashion world.
Blake’s runway walk was filmed in the comfort of her home, as were the videos of the other 25 models, each sharing their stories about living with disabilities and what it meant to be part of creating inclusive spaces in fashion.
Reflecting on her journey, Blake expressed her excitement about seeing the fashion industry become more inclusive. She praised non-profit organizations like Runway of Dreams, founded by Mindy Scheier, whose son was born with muscular dystrophy. Scheier’s organization aims to promote functional and fashionable clothing for disabled people, using events like New York Fashion Week as a platform.
Although Blake admires figures like Scheier, she also uses her blog, “So About What I Said…,” to share her own experiences, particularly about finding love as a person living with disabilities. She has contributed her insights to respected publications like *Psychology Today*.
Blake has also stood up to online bullies. In 2019, after receiving cruel comments about her appearance, she shared three photos with a defiant caption: “During the last round of trollgate, people said that I should be banned from posting photos of myself because I’m too ugly.” Her tweet went viral, and three years later, Blake commemorated the moment with another powerful message: “Because of you, I blossomed instead of withered, took up space instead of hid. I’m still standing…and rolling!”
🎉 HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY VIRAL TWEET 🎉
Can’t believe my viral tweet turned two years old today! The most unexpected moment and I’d like to thank the trolls…
Because of you, I blossomed instead of withered, took up space instead of hid. I’m still standing…and rolling! 📸❤️✨ pic.twitter.com/V15uWIWMOT
— Melissa Blake (@melissablake) September 8, 2021
Regardless of what others say about her, Melissa Blake remains determined to create inclusive spaces through her various platforms and her award-winning blog. Her journey is a powerful story of a woman who once felt ugly due to societal standards but defied the odds, growing up to become a model—despite living with a 100lb foot caused by her condition. Blake’s resilience and advocacy continue to challenge perceptions and inspire change in the fashion and beauty industries.
