Meet Jessica Kirkwood | Model

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jessica Kirkwood and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jessica, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Personally I feel “Risk Taking” is very important. I know it sounds cliche but the bigger the risk the bigger the reward often times it’s very much true. As a child it was always a dream of mine to become a model it was all I ever wanted but because of my disability I really didn’t think I could. I decided to take a chance and go after my dreams and was very surprised no one had an issue with my disability. I use to be extremely nervous and apprehensive about “modeling nude/ semi nude” because of the fear of getting a really negative backlash and being judged so harshly well I took the risk and it was actually very much the opposite and everyone was so supportive and positive and it really helped elevate me and my career and people still reach out to me to tell me how inspiring I am. I say take that risk more often than not it’s probably life changing and will lead you right where you need to be.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Well I’m a Model and I started roughly at the age of 22 my early college years. I actually was a member of a modeling group on my college campus. What sets me apart from most models I would say is the fact that I have a condition called Cerebral Palsy which I was born with and I am a wheelchair user. A very proud moment that I have had thus far was getting the opportunity to participate in my hometown fashion event in the summer of 2015 it was called Fashion ignite Peoria. It was an event showcasing everything that goes into a photo shoot up close and personal. Hair, Makeup, styling and the actual shoot which got our photos published it was so nice being recognized by my very own city. I really hope to one day grace the covers of Vogue and Sports Illustrated. After my participation in the modeling group on campus people started to take notice of me via social media and different photographers would ask if I’d like to collaborate on future projects and it continued from there. I definitely wouldn’t say it was easy but definitely rewarding. Modeling takes a lot of time, hard work, dedication and commitment you really have to love and have a passion for it. I haven’t faced too many challenges thus far which is good everyone has really been great as far as understanding I have a physical disability and being accommodating. My main challenge is perfecting my modeling getting my poses 100 percent correct and mastering my face but that comes with time and lots of practice. I’ve really learned to have a lot more confidence and to be more self assured I can do anything, everything is limitless and the only thing stopping me is me. I would like everyone to know that I’m more than what meets the eyes. I’m not just beautiful but I also have a lot of substance and I am not my chair or just a person with a disability. I’m very unique and I’m very much an individual and I can do anything and everything that anyone else can except walk correctly I’m a dope person.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well being that I’m not from Atlanta and I’ve never been before but it is on my bucket list of places to travel I don’t really know. All I know is what I’ve seen. I really want to go to The Trap Music Museum, STK steakhouse, old lady Gang Southern Cuisine, Lenox square and take a tour of the city just to name a few things. I’d also love to meet Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms if she’s available.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d love to thank all family and friends everyone I love to many to name and everyone who supports me which very much includes my extended family (social media and the ones that I’ve never met) they’ve shown me so much love and support and have been with me so long and I really appreciate you all. I also want to take the time to thank my father he is no longer here on earth but he was definitely my biggest supporter and I know if he were here he’d be so proud of me and so happy for me and glad that I’m really going after my dreams.

Website: Disability Awareness Page♿️: Disability Awareness Living with Cerebral Palsy
Instagram: ForeverJessica_xoxo
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/mwlite/in/jessica-kirkwood-53614461
Twitter: Im_4everblessed
Facebook: Jessica Kirkwood 16
Other: SC: BarbieOnWheels

Image Credits
Chas Richardson