Inspiration
Trolls Tell Woman She’s ‘Too Ugly’ But She Hits Back With Selfies For A Year And Now Becomes Model In NY Fashion Week
Such an inspiration.
Melissa Blake has never seen anyone who looked her in fashion magazines but has finally seen herself! Yes, Melissa, who had been dubbed too ugly like a blob-fish, is now a model for New York Fashion Week. During her teenage days, she had often been told she could never be a model because of her disability, but of course, she has proved everyone wrong.
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As a teenager in the 1990s, many people weren’t interested in Melissa Blake because of her disability.
When she kept sharing selfies of herself on Twitter, trolls told her she should stop doing it because she was ugly. Melissa didn’t stop; instead, she got back at them in a fierce way by sharing more selfies. And much to her bullies’ surprise, she can now say that her wittiness and viral tweets helped her get onto the New York Fashion Week Stage.
Even the internet dubbed her too ugly like a blobfish, but she regularly hits with selfies for herself.
Melissa, who has a genetic bone and muscle disorder, stands a little under 4 feet tall.
The founder and CEO of Runway for Dreams, Mindy Scheier, is a huge fan of Melissa. In 2020, Mindy asked Melissa to be part of the fashion event at NYFW. The outfit (pictured below) Melissa modeled as part of the Runway for Dreams project. The NYFW had over 25 people model brands like Target, Tommy Hilfiger from the comfort of their home.
Now, Melissa, 40, is a fashion role model herself after appearing in the Runway for the Dreams fashion show.
Melissa was among 25 people worldwide who were chosen to model in the NY Fashion show.
The virtual catwalk permitted more than 25 disabled people to share their stories about living with a disability and how important it is for them to be seen and acknowledged by the fashion industry. “Please listen to disabled people. Our voices and our stories matter – stop making us an afterthought in society.” Melissa said in her message to the whole world via Brightside.
The catwalk allowed disabled people like Melissa (pictured here with her mom and sister) to share their stories.
Melissa was born in 1981 with Freeman-Sheldon Syndrome that has caused her over 26 surgeries.
When asked what she would tell her 18-year-old self if she had the chance, Melissa added: “I promise you that there will come a day when you love yourself and your disabled body. Also, you’re going to do some amazing writing!! You’re going to be okay, Melissa.” She had been born into this world in 1981 with Freeman-Sheldon Syndrome, a genetic bone and muscular disorder that has caused her to endure over 26 surgeries.
Melissa credited her confidence to her parents, who taught her never to let her disability define her.
Melissa, pictured with her mom, is a freelance writer covering relationships, disabilities, and pop culture.
Melissa credited much of her independence to her parents, who taught her never to let her disability define her. However, she’s a freelance writer covering relationships, disabilities, and pop culture. Melissa is also a disability activist and lover of a good pun. She holds a journalism degree and has written for magazines like The New York Times, ELLE, Glamour, and Cosmopolitan.
Melissa has always been interested in fashion; hence it was a thrill to be in the show.
