by Beamlak Alebel (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia)
A woman with long dark hair and a white dress sits alone in front of a lake. She is curled up, hugging her knees. There is tall grass in the foreground, and in the background are trees reflected in the water.
Living with inflammatory bowel disease, my body has changed in ways I didn't choose. People see my outward appearance and make assumptions. Often, they don't wait to hear your story, and they judge you based on your size or looks: no words, no chance. It hurts because words can't always express what we feel inside.
They don't see the battles I fight every single day. I’ve heard it all:
"You are too skinny."
"You don't look strong."
"You must not eat enough."
But I know myself - I am strong. My journey is filled with courage, healing and hope. I don't have to be judged by my size, I am more than that. My size doesn't define my strength, my resilience does.
I have faced many tough times, but people don't see me as a serious person because of my appearance. I have survived painful flare ups, countless hospital visits, difficult medication side effects, surgery, and emotional lows and that could have broken me.
And yet, I am still here: still standing, still fighting.
I may not have a body society views as "tough," but I carry strength in my spirit.
I carry it in my story.
Being judged by my body and appearance has been painful, but it has also taught me what really matters: my ability to rise again and again.
I am not a slab of meat to be consumed or judged. Your power lies in what you overcome, not in the size of your frame or your appearance. We are more than our bodies, we are warriors.
No one knows what tomorrow holds, and what we have today is not guaranteed. Life changes, and bodies change, but our worth remains. Let’s learn to see beyond appearance, and appreciate our strength. We never know the silent battles someone is fighting – behind every look, there is an untold story.
Photo by Unsplash.