A model who was born with one hand has revealed how she is raising her two-year-old son to celebrate people who look different.
Kelly Knox, 33, from London, told how her ‘sensitive’ son Jenson is ‘always kissing and cuddling’ her arm and tells her how beautiful it is.
In an interview with FEMAIL, she said: ‘He does not judge or sees my arm as something negative or to fear. If you are surrounded by difference, you are more accepting of difference.’
Trailblazer: Model Kelly Knox, 32, pictured, was born without her left forearm. She shot to fame after winning the BBC programme Britain’s Missing Top Model in 2008
Family life: The mother-of-one revealed how her two-year-old son Jenson, pictured, is growing up understanding how people can be different
The mother-of-one also spoke out about the need for greater diversity on the catwalk and in the fashion industry as a whole.
She said: ‘Disability is the last barrier to break in the fashion industry and I am here to tear those walls down. The fashion industry has become more inclusive in the past nine years but yes, there is a long way to go.’
Kelly, who was born without her left forearm, was propelled into the limelight when she took home the crown in BBC programme Britain’s Missing Top Model in 2008.
On winning, she was signed to Take 2 Model Management but just six months later the company went into liquidation.
Acceptance: The toddler, pictured, cuddles his mother’s arm and tells her it is ‘beautiful’
‘All my dreams came crashing down,’ she said. ‘I felt like I was left in the gutter. My warrior spirit would never give up, so I picked myself up and made my own connections within the industry.’
Kelly, who has recently signed with MiLK Model Management, got her second break when she was introduced to style guru Gok Wan and cast to appear in one of his TV shows. Since then she has modelled in editorials, campaigns and catwalks, including appearances at London Fashion Week.
She has also become an avid campaigner for models with disabilities. While the industry has progressed over the last nine years, there is still some way to go.
Career highlight: Kelly (far left) said one of her highlights was walking in the Simply Be London Fashion Week show last year which showcased the need for diversity within fashion
‘Tokenism needs to end,’ Kelly said. ‘Whether it is a curve model, a black model, a transgender model or a disabled model. We deserve representation all the time.’
At home, Kelly, who does not label herself as a disabled person, explained how her son is naturally accepting of the way she looks.
She said: ‘If you are surrounded by difference, you are more accepting of difference.
Leading the way: Kelly said there was still a need for greater diversity within the industry
‘My son will grow up embracing and celebrating diversity with me as his mum and his dad being mixed race. Naturally, he’ll be open-minded, empathetic, sensitive and compassionate – this makes me feel super proud.’
She added: ‘Jenson idolises Michael Jackson, he will often hold my arm and pretend to sing into it like a microphone.
‘He is always kissing and cuddling my arm, saying how squishy and beautiful it is.’