Turia Pitt: Don’t call me a burns victim!
Turia Pitt is many things: she is an athlete, an author, a mum and a motivational speaker.
But the one thing she doesn’t want to be called is a victim.
The marathon runner, who suffered burns to 65 per cent of her body during a horror grass fire in 2011, refuses to let her appearance define her.
In her latest newsletter, Turia, 31, penned an inspiring message about how she deals with negativity.
‘Here’s something you need to know about me: I’m “different”, not “disfigured,” she wrote.
‘I’m a “burns survivor”, not a “burns victim”. I’m “strong-minded”, not “pushy”.’
Turia, who gave birth to her son Hakavai last year, reminded her fans to change the words they use to describe themselves.
‘Early on in my recovery, I decided that the words I used to describe myself would not be negative. Not then, not ever,’ she added.
‘The word “disfigured” makes me feel limited, so I never use it. And if other people use that word, I gently remind them that no, I’m not disfigured, I just look a bit different.’
To receive newsletters and updates from Turia Pitt you can follow her here: https://www.turiapitt.com
