thisisthinprivilege:

I’m noticing all this positive conversation, and I wanted to submit a couple happy experiences I have had. I have Cerebral Palsy and due to this was an extremely small child. CP stunts your growth. But because I use a wheelchair for primary mobility, I hit puberty and went from being really little everywhere to being a plus size women very quickly. I was developing a curvy woman’s body, but it was (and still is) on a child-sized body.

My CP made my feet pointed when I was born and I’m naturally flexible.I’ve always been fascinated by all fine arts and figured out a few simple ballet moves on my walker as a kid. One day when I was about 10, I was swinging, spinning, and pointing my toes on my walker outside. A little girl who  just moved in to the neighborhood was staring at me. Thinking she was going to ask some invasive question about my disability, I ignored her. Then she said, “HOW are you doing that?” and stared at my pointed toes. I explained that I could always point my toes, and she said, “YOU COULD BE A BALLERINA! HEY MOMMY! COME LOOK AT THIS PRETTY BALLERINA!” She didn’t even notice my disability.

My other positive experience came last year at the Disney Store. I am recovering from an eating disorder and was having a very bad day. Sometimes, when the noise in my head is too much, I have to go to my “happy places”-Barnes & Noble & the Disney Store. I can get lost in them & spend hours pouring over books, writing, & looking for new things to add to my Disney collection. When I have a bad day, I go out of my way to change my mood. I was wearing some of my favorite jewelry and pieces from my collection. I was trying on hoodies & feeling VERY self-concious. It’s hard for me to find clothes that fit me comfortably. A 3 year old little girl tapped me on my arm. “Are you a Disney princess?” I didn’t know what to say, but I didn’t want to make her cry. So I said “Yes, yes I am!” What she said next blew my mind. “Wow! I didn’t know they had Disney princesses in wheelchairs! I can’t wait to tell my sissy! She’s in a chair too!” I was floored. Sophia’s mom told me her older daughter had CP too. Before they left, Sophia and her Mom told me I had made their day. What Sophia doesn’t know is she made mine. As she ran was walking out, she told me I was her favorite princess and asked where my doll was. I told her I didn’t have one yet. If I ever see her again, I’m going to show her my wrists. They say “Beautiful Princess.”

I thought this was lovely and worth reblogging. <3

I thought I’d mention that Land’s End has several of their plus size swim bottoms on sale (from regular to ultra-high-rise, which is basically just below bust — super retro looking AND nice for those of you who, like me, are still just sticking your toes into the waters of the bikini world). 

I realize I talk about nonplussized bodies here too; I really like Lands End for a VARIETY of purposes. They let you mix and match, for one thing, and they tend to have a variety of options. For instance, for those of you who aren’t into the femmey bottoms, I was pleased to see they had several lengths of shorts including 9” cargo swim shorts that could be worn with a completely covering top (they offer quick-dry tops that are very modest) or a bikini top. 

Plus, all their stuff is 40 percent off if it’s regular priced. Normally they run expensive for my taste but that’s something I had to let people know about because I’ve heard such good reviews. It took me years to get back to looking at them because they were always the “flattering” choice of my not body positive family members, but I think you could rock it in your own way.

Any followers have their stuff from a previous summer? I’ve heard good reviews but I’d like to see pics! Or, submit what you’ll be wearing out!