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| Model Gemma Flanagan shows disability has no boundaries - image by www.TimLos.com |
Meet Sandstorm's #SoSandstorm #EmpoweringWomen campaign model Gemma Flanagan.
Gemma is a vivacious 30 year old from Liverpool in the UK and a successful model and business entrepreneur. 4 years ago life was very different for Gemma, she was Cabin Crew with a British Airways and life was exciting and full of new experiences. Suddenly in 2011 she was struck down with the life threatening illness and everything changed for her from that point on!
Gemma contracted an illness called Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS) which at her worst, left her completely paralysed and in intensive care. In total she spent 9 months in hospital and she underwent intensive rehabilitation to regain basic skills such as talking, writing and walking. As a result of Gemma's illness she has been left with disabilities. This means she relies on crutches and a wheel chair as she am unable to stand or walk unaided because of the muscle and nerve damage in her core, back, hips and legs.
However, 4 years on from that extended period in hospital, Gemma is determined not to let her disability rule her life.She is passionate about showing society that she and others who have disabilities have a place within fashion. Gemma lives predominately in a wheelchair, but she is also able to get up and strut her stuff on a catwalk and perform at photo shoots using her blinged up glam sticks!
Last October Gemma attending a casting session for designer swimwear company www.SandstormLuxury.com. Sandstorm were searching for 'real women' for their 2015 swimwear campaign. Gemma along with 16 other women were chosen from almost 300 models who wanted to model for the brand. At the end of January 2015 the company completed the first swimwear photo shoot with the group of women who are of all ages and from all walks of life at a beautiful location in North Devon - South Coombe Luxury Cottages.
Gemma took her place amongst the group of women and looked stunning in a pretty pink bikini chosen for her to where by the brand's owners - Naomi and Lili John.
Not content with just modelling for the day, Gemma then went on to complete an Underwater photo shoot which was organised by Sandstorm Luxury in conjunction with specialist underwater photographer - Tim Los of www.TimLos.com.
Tim captured a series of incredible underwater images of Gemma both with and without her wheel chair. The images shows this awe inspiring woman shows no fear! Gemma felt the underwater experience allowed her to be free from the constraints of her disability and lack of mobility.
Lili John spokeswoman for Sandstorm said; 'we feel very fortunate to have such an awesome team of women to work with on our 2015 swimwear campaign. Gemma's courage and hard work is inspiring to all of us and we are delighted she has chosen to be part of the #SoSandstorm #EmpoweringWomen #SS2015 swimwear campaign'.To discover more about the www.SandstormLuxury.com Empowering Women campaign - click here
Gemma is an ambassador for Models of Diversity. To find out more - click here
NOTE: Images are copywritten to originators and it is prohibited to take copies and or alter the images in any way without prior the written approval from the originators as follows:
Poolside images - Chris Leishman of http://leishmandesign.co.uk/
Underwater images - Tim Los of www.TimLos.com
