Beauty
Bionic Model Marsha Elle Breaks Stereotypes By Loving Her Own Body
“Remember, your best is more than enough.”
How rare is it to see an amputee in the fashion industry? Let’s face it – many of us can’t recall the last time we’ve seen one. In fact, some of you probably can’t recall ever seeing one your entire life! Their imperfection became the main reason which means modeling is permanently off the table for them.
But not for Marsha Elle, the amputee model from Florida who’s known as a bionic model who has a story to tell.
Marsha Elle recalls when she’d hide from people who’d insult the way she walked because of her prosthetic leg.
“Kids would constantly antagonize me day after day,” shared the runway model. “I remember hiding out in the hallways and being late to class to avoid the stares and the teasing of my peers throughout grade school.”
She knew she was “trying her best,” but that instead made her struggle to handle the jeering and staring. At the age of 16, she begged $50 from her mom to try entering a contest, and “felt alive.”
She remembers spending the summer in long jackets to hide her prosthetic, but today she can’t be prouder of herself.
Martha was born with all parts of her body, but suffered from PPFD, or proximal femoral focal deficiency.
Babies with PPFD often don’t have a leg bone, or they may have been shortened, and often don’t have a kneecap either.
Her popularity skyrocketed when a video of her walk at Miami Swim Week 2022 went viral with over 61.7 million views. She’s been crowned by the internet for the perfect representation of bionic models and just amputees in general.
@marshaellemusic Your energy was unmatched! Thank you! Dreams do come true #braver#marshaelle #amputee #miamiswimweek2022 ♬ original sound – marshaellemusic
Marsha has also chosen to share that she’d rather be defined as someone with “diverse ability,” than just someone with a handicap or an amputee. She confidently speaks, “I can do everything.”
But that’s not all! Marsha is also a singer and a songwriter! Art has become part of her life.
Marsha talked about what art meant to her during an interview on her music career. She said, “Art, to me, is moving in purpose, even if it means I have to get outside of my comfort zone.”
She’s also made her platform one that encourages people to never forget appreciating themselves.
“Remember, your best is more than enough,” wrote the model. “No comparisons needed. No one is you and that is your super power.”
