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And she’s doing it topless.
“Not my breasts.
Not my hair color.
Not my size 2, or my size 40.
Not my skin color.
I define me.”
Initially, Leaphart had planned to undergo reconstructive surgery after her mastectomy.
She spoke with a reconstructive surgeon and decided on an appropriate implant size.
“I was depressed,” Leaphart tells SELF.
“I was devastated.
I felt like a freak.
Im walking around with these things hanging out and no breasts.”
At first, she says, the crowd on the beach was shocked by what they saw.
Women came up to her afterwards, saying that she had inspired them to have their own breasts checked.
In an October 2015Facebook postabout the documentary, Paulette further explained the inspiration behind her walk.
“I will walk a thousand miles… for all those who went before me,“she wrote.
“For all those who participated in trials so that I had better treatment options.
I will walk a thousand miles for all those yet to follow.
I will walk to support all those who are unable to physically participate in walks themselves.
To show my empathy and compassion for all those who have lost a loved one to this disease.
For the common bond that all fighters share.
I will walk across the country topless, for myself and for others!
I will walk because Im celebrating LIFE!”
Recently, Leaphart was featured in Beyonce’s visual albumLemonade.
She appeared in the sectionsHopeandFreedom, and says thatFreedomis her favorite song on the album.
She says it’s a fitting anthem to women’s strength and independence.
Im sexy as all know what,” she says.
“I was proud of my scars, you know?
And I realize that my breasts don’t define me.
They dont define us.
Society keeps telling girls and young women: ‘This is what beautiful looks like.
This is what sexy looks like, and this is what you should look like to be beautiful.’
And its a lie.”
Learn Story here.
Support Paulette and her familyhere.
Scar StoryfromM Emily MacKenzieonVimeo.
Photo Credit: Scar Story
