Mom With Disfigured Leg Stars in ‘Models of Diversity’ Campaign
A woman whose leg was nearly severed in a car accident as a child is now a model.
Claudina Vega of Aurora, Colo., wouldn’t show anyone her leg since a car accident left her disfigured when she was 5 years old. After her mother lost control of her truck, it flipped numerous times and crashed into a tree in Mexico. Vega’s family survived, but her leg was nearly severed by a machete in the back of the truck, and while doctors wanted to amputate, her grandfather wouldn’t allow it. Since then, the now 27-year-old former preschool teacher has undergone 20 surgeries to remove infected skin and to prevent her healthy leg from outgrowing the other. She’s also spent most of her life trying to hide her disfigurement for fear of being bullied.
“I was scared [to show anyone my leg],” Vega tells Yahoo Beauty, adding that other than her family and husband, no one has ever seen it without clothing. “When I met my husband, he said he loved me and didn’t care about what I looked like.”
Last week, Vega saw a Facebook ad for Models of Diversity, a U.K.-based campaign featuring models that don’t fit conventional beauty standards, and propelled by a desire to instill confidence in her 4-year-old son, Vega decided to pose for a photo shoot. “I wanted to feel better about myself and inspire others,” she says. “The photographer made me feel so comfortable and beautiful, and I was having so much fun that I actually forgot about my leg.”
A few days after submitting her photos, Vega was signed by Models of Diversity and named ambassador. “I’m not sure yet what my duties will be, but I hope to represent models of all types and promote diversity,” she says.
However, Vega is already an inspiration. “I’m getting messages from people saying that I’m strong and that if I can show people [my legs], they can show their imperfections too,” she says. But the best takeaway from her experience: “I learned to love myself.”
Read more from Yahoo Style + Beauty:
Lingerie Store Ordered to Remove Window Display of Plus-Size Disabled Models
Mom’s Bikini Photo Proves Women Can Be ‘Gorgeous’ With Cellulite
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. For Twitter updates, follow @YahooStyle and @YahooBeauty.
