Sade’s transgender son proudly shows off gender confirmation surgery scars: ‘They set me free’

Sade’s transgender son is proud of his scars.

Izaak Theo Adu took to Instagram to share photos taken by photographer Stella Malfilatre for the series Body Stories. In the first image, Adu is lying down shirtless and scars from his top surgery are on display. His left arm, placed under his head, also has a scar, which is from undergoing a phalloplasty procedure.

“My scars are here. They set me free. To be who I was born to be. At times it was hard to find the light. Didn’t know if I’d make it to the other side. But here I am. I wear my scars with pride,” he captioned the post.

In a personal essay to accompany the images, Adu shared how he struggled with his outward appearance not matching his identity.

“I went through an extended period where I couldn’t look at my body in the mirror; I was so pained by the reflection that would stare back at me, it was so far from the image I saw through closed eyes. It wasn’t mine; it didn’t align with who I was,” he wrote.

Now, that’s all changed. “People have often asked about my scars and how I came to acquire them,” he explained. “I remember when those questions used to make me feel uncomfortable, and I realize now, that was because I hadn't learned to embrace them yet. It has taken me a long time to get to a place of peace in my shell, but now, I am proud of the body I walk in.”

Adu has come away from his journey with the gift of patience, saying that “it has given me the ability to live in the moment as much as possible, and I have learned that what one needs will come when the time is right.”

Last year, while recovering from his April 2019 phalloplasty, a surgical procedure to create a penis using tissue taken from the forearm, Adu gave a shoutout to his famous mother for her love and support.

“It’s been a long hard road but We did it!! We are coming home!!!! Thank you for staying by my side these past 6 months Mumma,” he wrote. “Thank you for fighting with me to complete the man I am. Thank you for your encouragement when things are hard, for the love you give me. The purest heart. I love you so much. Queen of queens #mumma #lioness #queen #iloveyou,” he said.

The model regularly shares heartwarming moments with Sade while also raising transgender awareness.

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