Be Visible! Love your Body! And Other Inspiration from Worthy Woman, Jenn
Hello! My name is Jenn. I was diagnosed with CML in 2016 at the age of 28. I consider myself grateful for this diagnosis as it provided an explanation for my chronic invisible illnesses. In a way I was relieved because my chemotherapy was in the form of a daily pill. Then if I stayed in remission for 2 years without treatment, I was considered “cured”. I thought to myself this was the best possible prognosis I could receive to be diagnosed with a blood cancer. It is now 2024 and I am still taking oral chemotherapy daily…
No one talks about the long term side effects of oral chemotherapy, and for me it has caused me to gain other serious illnesses (less than 5% chance of these side effects). I have also faced many discriminations against me for the size of my body. People are proactively making themselves sick or following harmful dieting habits just to avoid looking like me; As if I “look bad” or that my “body is bad” or “undesirable/ideal”. Well, to all of you I say “I am Worthy to EXIST in my body as I am now. There is no such thing as a bad body”!
I LOVE my FAT body because it has carried me and been so strong through my highs and lows. Carried me to a place where I have a fulfilling life where I can give back to the community and all those who have faced similar challenges in life. I am here to encourage you regardless of “looks” and disabilities to get in front of the camera! Be visible! You are gorgeous and deserving of love, respect and dignity!
Thank you Shannon for capturing my power, strength and softness in this photoshoot. You are a beautiful soul! Thank you to the Fat Liberation, BIPOC & LGBTQIA2S+ community for helping me find beauty within myself. Thank you to my spouse for showing me unconditional love and support. I highly recommend getting in front of the camera and learning to feel neutral/love what you see. It’s perfectly good to exist in your body as you are today! Fat people and those with disabilities deserve to exist and be seen as beautiful!
