Kindhearted Kiera

What is your flaw? My weight and the shape of my body. 

What are three phrases that have hurt you?

1. You look like a crack head.

2. You're nothing but skin and bones.

3. You're not black because you have no butt. 

When I was younger, I would always get picked on for being too skinny. I was tall and lanky for my age. Kids called me a stick and said I had no butt. The thing that hurt the worst was being asked, "how are you supposed to be black and not have a butt? Black girls always have big butts." So I would always try to get tighter clothes that made me look more curvy.

Then I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease: a chronic stomach condition that makes hit hard to gain weight and very easy to lose. During a really bad flare up I dropped to from 125 lbs to109 lb, dangerous for a 5'5" teenager. It's been four years since that bad flare up and I still haven't gotten back to 125 lbs, but I'm the happiest with myself I've ever been. Though I'm still "skinny," I have more muscle mass and am overall more healthy. I now love my shape and my body. I am fearfully and wonderfully made by God. 

"It's funny how people want to be different from everyone else but when they meet someone different they make fun of them"

Encouragement to others:

You aren't defined by any form of stereotype. God made you fearfully and wonderfully. Its a GREAT thing you don't look "normal" for a black, girl, white girl, blue girl, mermaid, whatever because you are unique and at the end of the day all that matters is that you are healthy and happy. You just be the best you you can possible be.