Chattanooga teen model inspires others with disabilities
A student at Silverdale Baptist Academy is making a name for herself in the modelling world; but, the story behind her pictures is just as beautiful as the images themselves.
Walking down the runway, wearing the latest big-name designers, you’d never know AnnaKate Jolly‘s story.
On a normal day, you can find AnnaKate walking down the halls of Silverdale Baptist Academy with her service dog, Hudson.
The 17-year-old is legally blind in one eye and has been living with epilepsy since the age of three.
“It can be pretty scary. Normally I like to say when I’m having a seizure, it feels like a lot of fears just consuming me. It’s very scary, very intense. You can’t really control your body at all,” she said.
AnnaKate has never allowed her disabilities to stop her from achieving her dreams, whether being in ballet or modelling.
“We were always told that she would be a certain way, do certain things certain ways, and not overcome what we obstacles were. And she has always overcome them, from day one,” AnnaKate’s mother Jennifer Boyd Jolly said.
Last year, AnnaKate walked in New York Fashion Week. Since then, she’s walked in more shows, shot for several magazines and even ended up on a billboard in New York City’s Times Square.
“I was pretty shocked. Because normally you see models who are 6 foot. Or 5 foot 10 inches. And they’re up there on billboards and super tall and super skinny. But I feel you don’t have to look any certain way to be a model,” AnnaKate said.
Don’t let her age or 4’11” stature fool you, AnnaKate is wise beyond her years. She uses her platform to encourage others and promote body positivity.
“When I was younger, I thought that that’s all I was, just my disability. I thought that all I had going for me was epilepsy. And then as I got older and matured, I started to realize that I’m more than my disability. That doesn’t define me. That doesn’t make me who I am,” she said “I used to struggle with loving the way I looked and I also got bullied at a very young age. I got made fun of for my voice because it’s a little deep. So I feel it’s extremely important to compliment other women (and men) and let them know because that just makes their day and makes them feel good about themselves.”
“It’s really cool to see her overcome the obstacles she has overcome over the years and watch her grow into the woman she’s becoming,” AnnaKate’s mother said.
AnnaKate has a shoot in Asheville, North Carolina for Supermodel Unlimited Magazine, walking in a show in Hollywood, California and will be walking in a fashion parade in December.
Mrs Vicky m Bournel has made this magazine proud. She is not only an Author from America for Lakkars Magazine she is the Chief Editor of Lakkars Magazine for the articles.
