It looks as if Mo’Nique’s F.A.T. Chance is not going to air this year or if it does it won’t be during the same time that it has been in years past. That has not stopped ladies from commenting on the posts related to the contest or emailing me with their story. One young lady in particular Rebecca stood out in that not only does she want to break into modeling but she is also visually impaired. I hope that you enjoy her story as much as I have. Thanks again Rebecca for sharing your story!
Who is Rebecca Proctor?
I am a 31 year old mother of a 15 year old boy. I was born and raised in Hartford CT, but now live in Orlando FL. I graduated with a degree in criminal justice from Florida Metropolitan University. I have been blind since the year 2000. I attended school for the blind in Newton, MH, where I learned a great deal of my independence. I own a hair salon in Stone Mountain, GA called Serenity Beauty Salon located at 5444 rock bridge rd. Suite E. Come check us out!
One of My favorite pass times is relaxing while thinking of new innovative ways to build character and self esteem. One of my passions is to help others that have the desire to do something but don’t have the determination or motivation to get up and get going. I think of my self as a motivator and rational thinker.
Why are you interested in modeling?
Although I am a woman that has a disability, I am a beautiful full figured woman. Coordinating clothes to look good on me is one of my best features. Being able to coordinate my clothes and purchase fashionable items makes me feel good. Looking good in any thing that I wear and having people complement me every time is a great confidence booster. Especially if I become a full figured model! I believe that being a blind model will open doors for others that don’t have that “I got to go out there and make it happen” spirit.
By showing people that I am a blind model that has a positive out look on life no matter what disabilities I may have I believe will be very inspiring. Additionally I feel that it will spark any one’s ambition to do things that they might not have thought of doing. Personally I think it would be pretty interesting to see a blind model on the show since most people are used to seeing models that can see and are smaller, it would be different to see a blind full figured model.
In the same that Mo’nique has affected the modeling industry with F.A.T. Chance, going one step further by adding a little something different will be an attention grabber and a ratings booster. People would want to see how some one with a visual impairment would function as a model. Finally, becoming a model will naturally create’s other opportunities for me. Instead of just limiting my self to just one thing I will be able to show off other talents as well.
How is life different for you being visually impaired?
Life for me has changed drastically. However I have learned how to take the bitter with the sweet and turn it into something positive. Learning how to adapt was not as difficult as I thought it would be. Learning how to do things that would accommodate me was fun and challenging. Although I have learned how to adapt I have noticed that people tend to look at me differently. Which does not really bother me it just makes me want to prove to them that whatever their thinking it is wrong.
To me people’s sympathy and “I need to help” attitude sometimes makes me feel like I was really not able to do for my self which is very aggravating, especially for a very independent person like my self. It bothers me when people insist on helping after I have reassured them that I can manage. Don’t get me wrong some people don’t mind that kind of treatment. I prefer my to be looked at as you would a person that has sight. Just show me one time or until I get it and I am good which is another reason that I want to be out there in the lime light to prove that you have to keep it moving.
I usually get a different reaction from people because I don’t want others to think that this impairment has got me down. Since I have been blind I have learned that people that speak up for themselves get viewed differently in society. Although my way of life has change I still try to maintain by trying to do the things that I use to do like drive a car. Just kidding! Keeping a since of humor is what really keeps me moving. I have a wild imagination that has been heightened since I lost my sight, which I thank God for. Try talking with a blind person and you will see just what I mean. Most people that are blind tend to have friends that are blind because they don’t want people to treat them like they are disabled. It is understandable why people think that they would have to do a lot of things for disabled people. However, I am here to say and show people that it is not the case. Some blind people are very independent.
Just hang out with a person that has a disability and you will enjoy their company. At first my biggest problem was trying to meet and greet new people while they were looking at me strange as if they were saying in their mind’s who is she talking to? They would ask that question because I would sometimes be looking somewhere else or facing a different direction. I had this big fear when it came time to talk to some one without telling them that I am blind because I thought there was a big social divide between people with disabilities and those without. However I managed to over come that fear because I am so out spoken. I thought and still think that I want to bring the dividing marginal together so no one will feel like they have to be subjected to their own little groups. I use to hear people say that there is nothing you can’t do. That is true! Don’t give up is the most valuable lesson in life I have learned. Transitioning from your familiarities to something unfamiliar challenges you. That’s what changed my life.
I will finish up Rebecca’s story tomorrow. I don’t know about you but the same thing that inspired me to ask her to tell her story has inspired me to feel that if there is anything that I want to do in life there is nothing that will stop me!
