After a weekend of celebrating independence and beauty and freedom, it only seemed fitting to share a few inspired words from Patience Hodgson, lead singer of the Australian band The Grates. She was recently photographed by Natalie McComas as part of an oh-so-necessary portrait series titled Beautiful in this Skin – a celebration of unique formations and the inspired bodies they decorate.
Patience grew up with a large, rare port wine stain birthmark, otherwise known as Klippel Trenaway Sydrome, covering half of her upper body. She speaks delicately – almost affectionately – about her condition, a beautiful picture of what it means to accept yourself, slightly flawed, as a perfect and intended creation. “I love my birthmark’s spectrum of colour,” Patience writes. “When I’m warm it’s a kind of red-purple, like the colour of some plums and when I’m cold it’s a vivid, almost neon blue.”
She goes on to note that she sees her skin as a super power. “It’s a kind of protective barrier protecting me against non-accepting and unthoughtful people,” she writes.
Bam. What an inspired thought, yes? That the flaws we hold are, instead, gifts packaged with perspective. Marked with beauty. Perfectly wrapped in the loveliest of paper, the color of port wine. Happy Monday, friends.
Image Credit: Natalie McComas
That’s awesome, and very brave of her.
Thank you Erin, for this discovery. Inspiring woman, incredible photograph. Good food for thoughts
You’re so welcome! Such an inspiration for sure.
I have to add, I am very impressed, not only by her strength, but also by the the photographer’s treatment and choice of subject.
Right? It’s such a worthy subject.
Beautiful! I love her skin too – it looks like a nebula suffusing pinks across a deep purple universe. :O
Ahhh, beautifully put, Erin!!!
Beautiful! I have KT -on my leg. It is hard to explain but the asymmetry of my body is something that I have grown to love.
Oh, I can only imagine how beautiful that might be, Lane! I love your perspective. :)
Oh my gosh! what an inspiring post. She is so beautiful and her lovely color only adds to it. What confidence she shows – especially when society could try to make her self-conscious but she isn’t. Strength and beauty.
Strength and beauty indeed. :)
Lovely indeed. Then the next step is to discard all protection and greet all comers with an open heart and complete vulnerability. Here’s to the unique!
Amen!!!
Oh MAN that last quote from her hit me like a freight train in the most beautiful way. “It’s a kind of protective barrier protecting me against non-accepting and unthoughtful people.” What an incredible, beautiful, and inspiring way to look at a physical flaw. I hope I always remember it and pass those words on to my future children…whether it’s about them or about other people. Great post, Erin :)
Thanks, Katy – and right? Didn’t that quote just stop you in your tracks? Beautiful.
Thank you Erin!! I am so pleased this has inspired you and your followers! I have photographed 7 other people now, so the series is taking shape slowly but surely x
I can’t WAIT to see – please keep us posted, Natalie! Thanks for your amazing work!
Wow… honestly, I love it. It reminds me of the pinkish purple sky at dusk or a pink nebula ^^
Yes!!!
This is beautiful :D
I love the things that make people unique. I believe they are endearing. How boring would the world be if we were all the same?
Totally!
Really beautiful, and maybe what I liked best was how you articulated the message to be drawn from her. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Annie!
my girlfriend has the same thing on her arm and leg and i tell her that they are my favorite parts of her body.
she’s my number one super favorite
Ahhhh, that is the kindest thing ever!
We really need this kind of ideas and thoughts. Thank you Erin!
Thank YOU, Kreetta!
Love this. So much.
RIGHT? It’s beautiful.
Such a wonderful thought about being comfortable just the way you are. She is beautiful.
She truly is!
I love these more thoughtful posts that you so often do and are lacking in our community. I love the super powers comment she made. Not only can it act as a barrier but also as an opportunity for her to open the eyes and minds of people. Thanks for sharing!
xx Erin
I completely agree – she is SUCH an inspiration. And gosh, thank you Erin!!!! :)
OMG! I have never saw anybody with the same KTS as me! I love you so much! We are beatiful!
Hi Erin, Could you possibly contact me? I would really like to get in contact with Patience somehow. Its regarding KTS. I wont go into detail here, long story but it involves my granddaughter recent diagnosis with something very similar. Hope to hear from you. Kindes Regards Vicky
Hi Vicky: Sure thing! Emailing now.