Shining Through: Allison's Journey of Resilience and Self-Acceptance

PHOTO BY SAYDE JABRA

In a world often clouded by adversity, it takes remarkable individuals like Allison to illuminate the path with resilience and unwavering determination. Her journey, marked by the challenges of being an amputee, has been both a trial and a triumph—a testament to the power of the human spirit in overcoming obstacles. Growing up, she never saw anyone who looked like her in the spotlight. Now, she stands as a living testament to the potential that resides within every individual, regardless of their circumstances.

For Allison, the road to self-acceptance was not without its hurdles. Battling through moments of diminished self-confidence, she found her beacon of courage in the vulnerability of sharing her experiences online. In documenting her self-love journey, Allison not only discovered her own strength but also became a beacon of hope for others.

The ripple effect of her bravery was profound. Messages of gratitude poured in from mothers of disabled children, touched by Allison's candid portrayal of her journey. With each heartfelt interaction, the seeds of love and inspiration took root and flourished.

Now, as Allison prepares for her first Paralympics appearance, representing Canada in sitting volleyball, her journey comes full circle. From the depths of doubt to the pinnacle of athletic achievement, she embodies the spirit of resilience and perseverance. As she prepares to take center stage on the world's most prestigious athletic platform, Allison is driven by a singular mission: to inspire those who walk the path she once travelled. With unwavering determination, she continues to break barriers and defy expectations, proving that the human spirit knows no bounds.

Models of Canada: How has being an amputee influenced your approach and navigation within the fashion industry as a model?

Allison: I was unexpectedly born missing the lower half of my left leg at birth, and growing up I never saw anybody with a disability in media or advertisements, or if there were, they were petted or used as inspiration for non-disabled. I had no role models and it really affected my self-esteem and self-worth because I never saw anybody portrayed in a positive light with a disability.

If I’m being completely honest, I never set out to be a model. That was never a goal of mine, because I struggled so much with my self-confidence. I sort of fell into the industry by becoming a disability advocate and sharing my vulnerable story online. It wasn’t until my mid 20s that I started to reflect and realize that there was still a lack of representation of positive disabled role models on social media. When I started documenting my self-love journey, I started getting messages from mothers with disabled children, thanking me.

I truly think my online presence is what caught the attention of my first agency in Montreal. From there, my portfolio caught the attention of my second agency in Toronto, B&M Models. It still feels surreal to me to say that I'm represented by not only one agency, but two! Navigating this industry as an amputee is quite difficult because I find that there’s not many of us that have paved the path before me, which at the same time is exciting that I get to be a trailblazer in changing that, but also frustrating because it highlights the lack of representation in the fashion industry.

Models of Canada: Can you share any unique challenges you've faced as a model, and how you've overcome them?

Allison: I think so far I’ve been pretty lucky with the brands that I’ve worked with as a model. I approach this industry a little bit differently than the typical model, or so I think. I really try to work with brands that align with my values when it comes to inclusion and diversity.

Though this can be a double edged sword for me, I want to work with brands that truly uphold their DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) values. I have unfortunately experienced rejection through castings that stated they were looking for “a diverse group of models” and when I submitted, I was told they aren’t “looking for that kind of diversity.” I was shocked by the response because the definition of diversity is the practice of including people from a range of different social and ethnic backgrounds, which includes gender, sexual orientation, and disability.

Overall, I’ve been pretty lucky and have not faced much backlash due to my disability. However, I have friends with disabilities who also model, and they have struggled with brands accommodating their accessibility needs on set. For example, a friend of mine that uses a wheelchair was hired to come model for a brand that didn’t disclose the studio was on the fourth floor, and there was no elevator. I can’t even imagine showing up for a job and having that happen. I know we are all doing our best and the more we talk about these industry situations, the more we can learn from them.

It’s become a common practice for my agency to send the brand photos of the different prosthetic legs I have and ask what will be needed on set. My joke is that I have more legs than the typical person, I have a swim leg, I have a high heel leg, I have a running blade, I have a snowboarding leg, and I have every day functional leg. I always ask if I need to bring my own footwear because it can be hard to get my prosthetic in certain shoes - that’s why I always pack a shoehorn in my model bag.

Models of Canada: Have you noticed any shifts or improvements in inclusivity and representation for individuals with disabilities within the fashion industry?

Allison: I’ve noticed that inclusion of the disabled community is often an afterthought. Disabled people deserve a seat at the table for consulting and design just like everyone else to help make choices when creating adaptive clothing or casting disabled talent for campaigns. The behind the scenes is just as important as the spotlight talent. I have worked with brands who have great intentions when hiring me to model, but then forget to select style (specifically shoes) that work with my body. It’s a working progress!

I would LOVE to see more disabled people casted for campaigns where their disability isn’t the front and center “selling” point. What do I mean by this? I’d love for disabled models to model clothing just like everyone else without always showing the disability through the clothing. For example, I would really like to be hired to model pants. You won’t be able to see my prosthetic, but the brand is still genuine in hiring disabled content because they’re great models (period), not just great disabled models.

Models of Canada: What advice would you give to other aspiring models with disabilities who are navigating their way through the fashion industry?

Allison: Please do not give up! The fashion industry is changing, it can be challenging to find our place in it, but it’s slowly changing and our time is coming. One of the biggest pieces of advice would be not to hide your disabilities or differences to mold into what you think the fashion industry wants - they need diversity and your unique qualities that make you beautiful. The demand to see more real and related bodies is there and you will find brands and/or agents that value you as you are. Sometimes, you may need to advocate for yourself too, but the efforts are so worth it!

Models of Canada: How do you use your platform as a fashion model and athlete to advocate for greater diversity and inclusion in the industry?

Allison: Growing up, I never saw anybody that looked like me. There was no framework as to what somebody with one leg looked like, what they were capable of, or what they were passionate about. I had no role models. I believe that this subconsciously taught me that my body wasn’t worthy or beautiful enough, not even just for this industry, but in general. I started using social media as a way to document my memories, I never set out to become an influencer or a fashion model.

My online journey actually began when I started to post photographs of my travels (I love to travel I’ve travelled 35 countries as a solo female traveller thus far- which is also something people didn’t think I could do as an amputee), it was really hard for me to prosthetic when I was wearing bathing suits on the beach. So I decided to make a account about my difference and my travels by creating the #HopAroundTheWorldWithMe. Believe it or not, this hashtag somehow connected to mothers that had children with different disabilities that would write to me and thank me for showing in a positive light and giving them immense hope for their child’s future. I remember the first time I received a message like this, I cried. It dawned on me that I didn’t have a role model growing up, but I could be that for somebody else. That’s when I decided to become an advocate for diversity and inclusion online by sharing my story and becoming very vulnerable with strangers. These strangers then became my community. 

Believe it or not my biggest insecurity and something I had for a majority of my life is the thing that unlocked the gates and flooded me with so many supportive people that are passionate about representation in this industry. I will never stop advocating for representation on my platform. I truly believe that becoming an advocate saved my life because I hated who I was for so long. It’s given me purpose to help build confidence and to be a role model for the younger generation.

Models of Canada: What is your most memorable photoshoot you’ve had so far? How did it make you feel? 

Allison: My most memorable photo shoot was when I modelled for Joe Fresh in Toronto! I remember getting the email stating they were interested in working with me and I could not believe it. Joe Fresh wanted me in the forefront of a campaign. A campaign that was celebrating movement for their athletic line, where they personally asked me why movement is important to me.

The whole production was unbelievable. I’ll be honest, when I showed up to set I was nervous because this was the largest production I had ever been invited to with other really well known models. However, within the first five minutes, my nerves went away because everyone was so welcoming, and I felt like I belonged. (I think sometimes I’m nervous about showing up where people immediately think that I’m the diversity hire).

Joe Fresh had chosen a photo of me with my running blade to blow up as a giant banner to put in store. I started seeing photos circulating online and photos that Joe Fresh would directly send me pictures of young amputees posing in front of my photographe in store, smiling. I’m getting emotional writing this, because I know what I’m doing as a model has such a great impact on these kids and I’m so happy that they can see somebody like them not only in a campaign but wearing clothing and a prosthetic that gives him freedom to move and be who they want to be.

Models of Canada: Paris Paralympic Games 2024… Tell us about it! 

Allison: It’s a very exciting time! I play volleyball with Team Canada’s women’s sitting volleyball team. This will be my teams third time going to the Paralympics, but it will be my first! I am so excited to represent my country on the largest international stage. Sometimes I pinch myself or wish that my younger self could see me now. I have been playing sitting volleyball for a total of 8 years, but I’ve been officially back with the team since Tokyo – so three years. 

The Paralympic will be held in Paris this year, just like the Olympics. However, the Paralympics are from August 28 to September 8, so a couple weeks after the Olympics. I’m so excited to compete. Our teams goal is to make the podium! We want to bring home a medal for Canada.

There is so much work to be done when it comes to representing ParaSport and a positive light. Think of how awesome it would be for even kids to see all these different adaptive sports that are possible for them to join, making them feel included. Unfortunately there is a lack of broadcasting for the Paralympics, but it does not diminish the joy it brings me in representing Canada on the world stage. It just gives me immense hope that the advocacy that my team is doing will bring the recognition that the Paralympics deserves by the time I retire, so that the next generation can be represented in the best possible way.

If you’re interested in following along on Allison’s journey, follow her @allisonelang and follow her team @canadawsittingvb

Written by: Models of Canada