THE unique body image challenges faced by women with disabilities have been revealed by the My Body My Voice Project, led by Victorian organisation, Women's Health in the South East (WHISE).
The project, supported by the Butterfly Foundation and Women with Disabilities Victoria, emphasises the impact of ableism, inaccessibility, and underrepresentation in media.
"Body dissatisfaction is universal, but for women with disabilities, ableism and lack of representation compound it," commented Kit McMahon, CEO of WHISE.
The Australian project calls for a shift towards more inclusive, patient-centred healthcare that respects each individual's experience.
Ruth Wykes, a participant in the focus group who lives with chronic pain, shared her perspective: "[We] do live a fairly isolated existence".
"We don't fit in a box.
"We don't all respond to a particular type of medicine or a particular type of therapy.
"What we need is for you to listen, to listen without assumption," Wykes said.
Women with disabilities are also often excluded from mainstream conversations about beauty standards and body positivity.
McMahon said, "addressing body dissatisfaction is crucial as it is a known risk factor for eating disorders".
This project seeks to change that narrative by promoting a more inclusive and diverse understanding of beauty, and all bodies are worthy of respect.
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