The 29-year-old star posted a photo of herself as a young girl sitting on her dad’s lap with a heartfelt message following his passing.
Lawley, who has modeled for theSports Illustrated SwimIssue, has been a vocal advocate for body positivity and diversity in the fashion industry.
Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic
The model previously told PEOPLE that she doesn’tworry about her weight or measurements anymoreand doesn’t even own a scale. She understands the pressures women feel to look good, and she’s hoping to teach her daughter, 4-year-old Ripley, that “strong is the new sexy.”
“When you have to lose a lot of weight for modeling, you’re not strong and you’re not healthy, it’s like the exact opposite,” she says. “So for me, I really want to make sure my daughter feels good and looks healthy and is happy with that.”
Lawley’s also been candid about her lupus and antiphospholipid syndrome and thescary accident when she fell down stairsafter suffering from a seizure because of it. “There’s a reason I was public about my lupus and aps [antiphospholipid syndrome] diagnosis from the starts, a lifelong incurable (for now) condition I didn’t know what I or still am in for,” the model said.
“I unfortunately had a seizure on my staircase, I fell from over 7ft and landed on my face. I suppose it’s ironic that I’m a model, however I’m grateful I didn’t break my neck. I’ve managed to come full circle with that gratefulness, and luck. I could of had it holding my daughter for example, or I could be in a wheelchair, or not breathing at all,” Lawley continued. “With fashion week coming soon I wanted to acknowledge my new lighting bolt scar on my forehead (aka official wizard now) lip and chin. As the scars fade, apart of me wants nothing to do with them and a part of me wants to embrace them. They make us who we are. Plus wearing daily makeup to cover my face is something I do not do.”
Lawley also paid tribute to other people fighting the disease in hopes of comforting some of her fans who may be in similar situations.
“Life isn’t all rainbows. I’ve found strength the past few months following people who are brave to share their physical and emotional ongoing battles.”
source: people.com
