Missing limb doesn't dash model's dreams

A Hawaii resident wants to show folks that disabled people are just as beautiful

By Nadine Kam

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Dec 06, 2012

~~<p>In 2008 one of the BBC channels launched the reality show "Britain's Missing Top Model," a reality series in which eight women with disabilities competed for a modeling contract and Marie Claire cover photo. Kelly Knox was named the winner, but the show ran only one season due to a controversy over what many viewers considered to be the exploitive nature of the competition.</p>
<p>For Hawaii model Shaholly Ayers, it instead offered just one more example of the public's discomfort with the disabled and the desire to keep them invisible. It was enough to drive the taciturn woman, born without her right arm below the elbow, to finally speak out.</p>
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In 2008 one of the BBC channels launched the reality show "Britain's Missing Top Model," a reality series in which eight women with disabilities competed for a modeling contract and Marie Claire cover photo. Kelly Knox was named the winner, but the show ran only one season due to a controversy over what many viewers considered to be the exploitive nature of the competition.

For Hawaii model Shaholly Ayers, it instead offered just one more example of the public's discomfort with the disabled and the desire to keep them invisible. It was enough to drive the taciturn woman, born without her right arm below the elbow, to finally speak out. Login for more...