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“Teenage girls’ body image is
huge, and I had all the body image
M
else, so anytime they said I couldn’t
The advertising campaign, This got a blade fitted. In the campaign,
do it, I found a way to show them that
I could,” she said.
In 2016, Janelle decided to ditch
her realistic looking prosthesis and
Girl Can, is designed to help women Janelle shows how it’s done in a
overcome feelings of judgement, Zumba class – proving that this girl
intimidation or embarrassment when certainly can! Now nothing holds
exercising, with a clear message that Janelle back – her blade only makes
it doesn’t matter how you look or how her go faster.
Janelle and Neslihan are among
Growing up with a vision
impairment, Neslihan’s family was
25 women who feature in the concerned that if she played sport she
campaign, encouraging others to could get hurt so she was encouraged
push past their fears, get moving and to stay on the sidelines.
give it a go regardless of their ability
or fitness level.
Janelle (pictured left) was born
This girl can
‘that’. I just wanted to be like everyone
elbourne women Janelle
Evans and Neslihan Sari
are ambassadors for a
VicHealth campaign inspiring all
women to get active.
well you do it.
loves
issues that everyone else had plus
It wasn’t until Neslihan (pictured
above) was in her thirties that she
started running. Initially, she walked
without a fibula in her left leg and, tethered to another person until
at the age of six, her right foot was she built up the confidence to start
amputated. To fit in with her peers, running.
Janelle always wanted the most
realistic prosthetic leg.
Thanks to Achilles Running Club,
Neslihan is now “hooked” and loves
As a teenager, Janelle had many the freedom she feels when running.
of the traditional body image issues She is now a regular on Melbourne’s
that girls face but she also had to iconic Tan track and is proud of what
overcome fears about being judged she has achieved.
for her prosthetic leg.
www.thisgirlcan.com.au
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