Expert: Kitty Kavey - 12/20/2008

Question
Hello my names Carina Perdoni, I'm 20 years oid in a wheelchair, my dream is i'd love to be a model and i was wondering what advice you could offer me i sure this programme called Britian's Missing Top Modeling that deals with just people with disabilties and thats what attracked me to modeling also i ve always wanted to one.

Answer
I've heard of that program, but haven't had the opportunity to see it myself yet.  

There are models who are in wheelchairs - and agencies who represent them.  Have you already contacted the show you mention?  If not, it might be a good place to start: http://www.bbc.co.uk/missingmodel/

You can at least try to network with either the show directly (they may have a list of disabled-friendly resources), or contact previous contestants who are in a similar situation to yourself.

Alternatively, try contacting the agencies in your area who represent the type of model you are interested in becoming.  If there are only two, (or five, or twenty) you only need one agency to say they's be interested in representing you in order to move forward with your dream.

I worked independently before I was represented, and still managed to do so after I lived in an area where agency representation was more difficult to accomplish.  I am disabled, but not in a wheelchair - so it's a bit different in my case, but certainly still possible.

Earlier this year I attended a modeling shoot where there was a young lady in a wheelchair, and she appeared to be just as welcome as anyone else - and I'm currently in the Netherlands, far from the bustling industry of London, NYC or LA.

What's important is that this is something you want to do, and there are people out there (photographers, agents, et al) who are willing to work with you.  Finding them may be the challenge, but it can be done, and you can do what you want to do.

If you are near a large market (such as London, Los Angeles or NYC) it will be easier, but the possibilities are always there in most places if you can travel a little, or even start your own group of like-minded persons for support while you pursue your goal.

I don't think this is the same program as the one you mention, but it may also give you some leads to research and contact:
http://www.huliq.com/39498/wheelchairs-no-bar-to-beauty-disabled-models-say

Also, if you're in the UK, look into: http://www.visablemodels.co.uk/

Good luck to you,
~Kitty