I'm completely exhausted and can hardly string a coherent sentence together because I've spent the past fortnight organising the Youreable calendar of disabled models.

It was shot at my house and everyone worked round the clock to make the calendar much more than just 12 pictures of sexy chicks and we've achieved above and beyond everything we set out to do.

All the models, the photographer and the make-up artist put in 110% and the results are astounding. I've had a sneak preview and the pictures encapsulate the beauty, glamour and timeless style I had envisioned; each photo is a complete work of art.

Now the photographer is working hard to get the artwork finished so the calendars are ready by November 1st. I know from your enthusiastic e-mails that many of you are as eager to see the fruits of our (considerable) labour as I am.

One thing that I feel I ought to discuss is an e-mail I received asking me why only 'gorgeous models' were being used in the calendar rather than 'real people'.

Firstly, I'd like to say that the 'gorgeous models' in the calendar are real people. Secondly, whether someone is 'gorgeous' or not is largely in the eye of the beholder. The models I used happen to be particularly amazing individuals and that, along with their natural beauty, shines through in the photos.

The e-mail went on to say: "It saddens me that you have to be a model who is disabled just to get noticed". In answer to that I would say of course you don't have to be a model who is disabled to get noticed. These six disabled models are trying to make a difference and that is why we're getting noticed.

The fact is that you can't use people who have no experience in front of the camera to model in a calendar like this, just as you wouldn't expect someone with no acting experience to appear in a drama.

Disabled models, me included, are rarely offered any modelling work, but we've all had a bit of experience so were able to get into character and morph into sirens in front of the camera, but it's not something that comes naturally to everyone.

All of us worked for free on the calendar because we felt it was an opportunity to push some barriers. We agreed that any profits made will go to the Afghanistan Appeal.

The truth is that we'll sell many more calendars, make more money, reach more people and therefore challenge more perceptions if the images in the calendar are of beautiful women.

We live in a society where disabled people are considered to be inferior citizens but this same society values beauty. If we are going to make any headway to change things we have to work within the social parameters; we're using beauty to get people's attention but while they're being seduced by the pictures, they'll also have to register the disability.

It's hypocritical for disabled people to expect to be fully accepted by society and not judged on the way they look because they don't conform to "acceptable" stereotypical images of beauty, and then have a problem with people who are considered to be beautiful. No-one should have to apologise for their physical appearance whether they are disabled, able-bodied, "good-looking" or not.

I was on a Radio 4 programme earlier this year discussing "disability and self-image". Dr. Paul Darke (the disabled TV critic) said that me being a TV presenter was a "step backwards" for disability because as I'm pretty, I'm "pseudo normal".

This particularly upset me because I was being discriminated against because of the way I look, ironically, by another disabled person. It's enough having to deal with society's prejudice without having to fight against "fellow" (I use the term loosely and this saddens me) disabled people.

Being attractive doesn't invalidate anyone's disability. As a disabled woman, I want to see disabled people participating fully in society and that means in everything.

So, if we pose in a sexy calendar and we're disabled, that's a step forward for disability because it's an opportunity to be included in something that has up until now, only been the reserve of able-bodied women.

Comrades

This is a message for disabled people everywhere; instead of judging and attacking other disabled people because they do things which don't fit in with your political beliefs or ideals, focus your energy on trying to do something to change things in a way that you are happy with.

We all have to take some responsibility if our social environment is going to change for the better. The calendar was one of my attempts, writing this column is another. You don't have to agree with what I do but at least acknowledge this; I'm doing something.

I don't like the way things are for disabled people and I'm trying to make a difference; can you say the same?

Modelling Competition

I know loads of you readers are interested in modelling because you've sent me your photos and asked to be in the calendar. It's too late for the calendar obviously, but there's a competition for disabled models being held by the agency that I and all the girls in the calendar are with.

It's open to both sexes; you have to be over 16 and disabled to enter. E-mail Louise Dyson at louise@visablemodels.co.uk, give your address and request an application form. Do it quickly as the applications must be back by 6th November.

Good luck sex kittens!

• Want to contact Lara? Email lara.masters@youreable.com.
  

Posted: 24 Oct, 2001