A female athlete is the first amputee to become a Sports Illustrated swimwear model.
Paralympian Brenna Huckaby made history this month by appearing in the swimsuit issue of the magazine.
The 22-year-old snowboarder said that she wanted to inspire other women who may not be entirely happy with their bodies.
She told the publication:
“I want to help change the stigma behind disabilities. I want other women, regardless of their body, to know they are powerful and sexy.”
Huckaby gave birth to her first child 17 months ago.
The athlete said that once she did, she finally became comfortable with how her body looked.
“I haven’t always been comfortable with my body. When I was a teenager I would wear shorts with my swimsuit every time. I was afraid of what people would think of me.
“It wasn’t until I had my daughter that I realised my body was more than an object. That was the moment I knew my body was a tool, a strong and forceful tool that takes me from experience to experience.”
Huckaby lost her leg in 2010 to osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer.
Although it took the snowboarder a long time to come to terms with her disability, she hopes that now she can encourage others to be comfortable in their own skin.
She said:
“I hope women feel empowered by it. Everyone should feel sexy.
“It doesn’t matter what your body looks like, when you feel good in your skin it shows. Let me tell you, there is absolutely no reason you shouldn’t feel good in your own skin!”
On Instagram, the snowboarder announced her news by saying that the photoshoot wasn’t mentally or physically easy, but that she was proud that she did it.
“It’s so so so rare to see women with disabilities in the public view of sexy,” she said. “I’m so proud to help curve that view and thank you.”
Huckaby will be competing in the Paralympics in PyeongChang next month.
