My name is Andie and I’m a mother of 3 who has lived with chronic health conditions from the age of 16.

To be honest I don’t really know how to not live around my health challenges. When you have lived a life of complex health challenges, not much phases me. I am a strong, compassionate, resilient human being who is a deep empath which can be beneficial and detrimental at the same time.

I have always been interested in modelling from a young age but was too afraid to push any further and revelled in bringing up a family. My health stopped me continuing hairdressing full time, stopped my teaching assistant path, I realised my body could only cope with very little at a time. I have had 14 operations since the age of 17 and have gained a lot of knowledge and understanding over the years which has always put me in a good position with medical professionals.

I have been writing a blog related to my health and personal experiences for over 10 years now; I’m very open and honest regarding the things that have happened to me over the years in the hopes of helping others in the same position. I am a fierce advocate for fibromyalgia. You can find me here: https://andie01322.wordpress.com/ Life of a Fibro Warrior

In 2021 I fell ill with Covid and was hospitalised for 10 days with inflammation of my heart, this was one of the scariest times of my life, to the point I thought I was saying goodbye to my family. I think this was the defying moment when I realised `I have so much more to give and to enjoy despite Long Covid setting me back on top of everything else. I have an amazing husband of 32 years and has been by myside every step of the way.

I have a passion for inclusion and diversity having lived my life with restrictions and feel such joy when I see diversity and inclusion especially in the modelling industry. If you haven’t lived a life of pain and fatigue, it’s hard to express how one feels when you challenge yourself to push forward with something new. It’s not because I don’t feel confident or do I doubt my abilities, but my body has a way of doing what it wants when it wants, and I hate letting people down. I joined a FB group called Models of Diversity and have enjoyed my journey so far at a pace that suits me. That’s the key I
believe; it must be at my own pace otherwise my body will just shut down.

With the lead up to The Inclusive Fashion Show London all I had to do was feel well. If only I had a crystal ball to foresee any challenges that may arise, but isn’t that the point, we don’t know how we are going to feel in any given moment. The runway was everything I hoped it would be, my first runway show was magical.