Big up the sisterhood

When I decided that I was going to include a section in my blog called 'Big up the sisterhood,' I knew instantly that there was one woman that I really wanted to shout out about; a modern day icon and role model to us all - the beautiful Katie Piper.

After surviving a rape and acid attack in 2008 carried out by an accomplice of a  man that she had dated briefly but barely knew, Katie suffered horrific facial burns which left her with severe disfigurement.

Over the last few years not only has she undergone extensive reconstructive surgery, but this remarkable woman has rebuilt her life and gone on to help other burn victims.

 A quote from her website http://www.katiepiperfoundation.org.uk/meet-katie/ explains how in the early days, Katie struggled to come to terms with what had happened to her

"  Prior to the attack, Katie was a model and budding TV presenter with a hectic social life and a glowing future in the public eye. The attack ruined Katie from the inside out. Like many, she believed her life was over now that she was a ‘burns victim."

 But it wasn't long before she pulled herself together and fought back." [She] began researching support for burns survivors and she was introduced to other effective non-surgical treatments such as laser, camouflage make-up, and medical tattooing".

In 2009, Katie shared her story on Channel 4's "My Beautiful Face," and has gone on to develop the phenomenal Katie Piper Foundation, which offers everything from image workshops to advice and access to hair treatments and cosmetic tattooing.

One cannot begin to imagine how devastated Katie Piper must have been after the attack, but she has shown the world what it is to be a fighter. Undoubtedly she must have had some extremely dark days, but instead of letting them destroy her, she has used them to empathise with those who have suffered as she has and has worked hard to allow others the opportunity to obtain the same remarkable treatment as she received in France after her attack.

If ever there was a woman that deserved a spot in Big up the Sisterhood, Katie Piper is that woman.
Find more information at
http://www.katiepiperfoundation.org.uk/