Woman With Bionic Leg Beats Cancer, Lands Top Modelling Contract
Elesha is carving out a successful modelling career. [Photo: Instagram/itseleshaturner]
When Elesha Turner was diagnosed with a life-threatening bone cancer, wand the possibility of having her leg amputated, she feared she’d have to kiss goodbye her dreams of becoming a model. But, having bravely beaten the cancer thanks to the fitting of a new bionic leg, the determined 20-year-old from Hastings has recently been signed to a top new modelling agency.
Back in June 2013, Elesha had an X-ray to try and figure out what had caused the leg pain she’d been plagued with on a recent trip to Egypt. Doctors delivered the devastating news that she had bone cancer and could lose her leg. But in a six-and-a-half hour long surgery they were able to remove just her knee, femur bone and part of her tibia and replaced the lost bones with titanium. She was left with scars and has to use a crutch to walk, but that seems like a small price to pay.
Elesha is busy proving diversity is no barrier to success [Photo: Instagram / itiseleshaturner]
Elesha poses with some of her fellow models. [Photo: Instagram/modelsofdiversity]
After her gruelling rehabilitation, Elesha read an article about Models of Diversity, a company who campaigns to get people of all shapes, sizes, genders and abilities represented in the modelling world. She contacted the agency and went on to feature in their disability campaign. But that was only the beginning of her fledgling modelling career and Elesha has now been signed by agency MK Model Management - headed up by Kate Moss’ step-mum.
“To think that I’ve gone from thinking I might lose my leg, to becoming a model, is just so surreal,” Elesha told Manchester Evening News.
"When the doctors told me I had cancer, it was just a nightmare - I don’t know anyone that’s been affected by it before, so it was so scary.
"When they told me about the surgery, I couldn’t believe it, it’s amazing what doctors can do.
"I had the surgery the day before my birthday, so I woke up on my birthday cancer free.
Elesha is thrilled to be living out her dreams. [Photos: Instagram / itiseleshaturner]
In addition to modelling, Elesha is also working with Bone Cancer Research Trust to raise awareness about the cancer she battled.
"I feel so lucky to be alive, and to be living out one of my dreams,” she said.
This is what inspiration looks like!
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