Meet Jessica Kirkwood | Model

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

Hi Jessica, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Well it’s a little interesting to say the least. Ever since I was young and can remember I wanted to model. Unfortunately I suffered from ugly duckling syndrome really bad growing up and I also have a physical disability (Cerebral Palsy) and I’m a full time wheelchair user and didn’t think I could ever really do it. I would always look through magazines like Vogue and such and be like “I want to do this and be beautiful and sexy just like these women.” I really just wanted to be an inspiration to many people, everyone who felt like me hated their looks or ever felt out of place. I’m chasing my dreams for you and if I can do it so can you just believe in yourself. Modeling is my safe haven and where I feel most beautiful and happy.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m a model it’s my passion and has been for as long as I can remember. I consider myself to be unique in a sense because I have a physical disability called Cerebral Palsy and I’m a full time wheelchair user . Let’s see recently I graduated from Illinois Central College and became certified as a Medical Office Administrative Assistant. In time I want to go back to school and obtain a BA, Masters and maybe even a doctorate in due time.

Modeling wise I think I’m still most proud of getting published for the first time (Fashion Ignite Peoria), even though it was local in my hometown it’s still a big deal and something I didn’t really see coming. Also the first time that I did a semi nude/nude shoot I was so nervous about showing off my body but I did it and felt so beautiful and proud of myself .

I actually started out in my early College days. I attended Southern Illinois university- Carbondale and we had a modeling group of campus and I decided to take a chance and try out and I made it. After that a lot of people took notice of me on campus and via social media and wanted to work with me and thought of me as a big inspiration. I kind of just kept developing myself from there.

I’m so passionate about modeling and I love it so much and it keeps me very positive which helps me a lot. Getting to where I’m at has definitely been full of highs and some lows and a turn of events but very rewarding at the same time. God is definitely watching over me and taking care of me. I think the biggest thing I had to do was continue to develop my self confidence and believe in myself and just know that I can do whatever I put my mind to if I believe in myself and a lot of things and issues that I thought that I had were all in my head and no one ever really had a problem with my wheelchair or my disability it was really just my own personal feelings. I’m really seeing that I’m one strong individual and I’m powerful and nothing can stop me from making my dreams come true.

I really just want people to see me for me and know that I’m not my disability. I’m just a really beautiful, BOUJEE, saditty, high maintenance chick. I just happen to be in a wheelchair and I can do it all plus more.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
It’s funny because I’m actually not from the ATL I’m from Peoria, Illinois so I don’t know my way around the city I would need a tour guide. I have always wanted to visit and see everything like the different landmarks and learn about the history of the city. I do also want to go to ALL the malls and get some great food maybe I’ll get lucky and run into a few celebrities while I’m out and about.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would probably have to say my father, although he’s no longer with us he loved me most and was my biggest fan and number one supporter. He was the very first person that I told my dreams to and that I wanted to model and he believed in me above all.

Instagram: ForeverJessica_xoxo

Twitter: Im_4everblessed

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/100000708303167/

Image Credits
Chas Richardson