Glamputee: Meet The UK's First Double Amputee Model

A young double amputee is set to trailblaze for other people in her situation, after winning a modelling contract, making her the first double amputee model in the UK.

The pretty young woman finally had both legs amputated after enduring years of pain, and is excited to get on with her life now her leg pain is gone.

Courageous Lizzy Holmes, 23, had just had her second leg amputated when her mum took a photo of her in a hospital bed.

She sent it off to a top modelling agency in a bid to boost Lizzy's confidence and that picture has now secured her a contract.

Lizzy was born with club feet - a condition less commonly known as congenital bilateral talipes equinovaurus.

She has suffered a lifetime of chronic pain and endured 36 operations - the first when she was just 10 weeks old.

Her first leg was amputated below the knee the day after her wedding to soldier Lewis Georgeson, 21, in August last year - and her second leg was removed just five weeks ago.

Lizzy said: “My mum took a picture of me after the operation and sent it off to the agency. They instantly replied. I was shocked because I wasn't wearing any make-up in the picture and only had shorts and a t-shirt on.

"I can’t wait to do some modelling, it will be brilliant. I am not embarrassed about my legs and I'm the company's only double amputee model.

"I've taken control of my own health and something positive has come out of it so I want to help other people to do that too.

"I want to inspire others and build their confidence. My brother-in-law took some photos of me for my portfolio and we came up with an idea to do 'glamputation' shoots to try and give others their confidence back."

Lizzy's condition meant both of her feet were back to front which has meant regular morphine doses just to manage the pain.

She made the brave decision to have both legs amputated and after her latest op, she said: “I feel amazing, relieved and free.

“I have wanted to remove them for a long time as I know life will be much easier for me with prosthetic legs."

Lizzy explains: "A girl in America had both her legs amputated and was doing sports and it really inspired me.

"I'm hoping to pass it on to other people that it is a viable option to have the amputation. It is a relief that I have had both of my legs taken off.

“I may never be completely pain free, as the way I’ve walked has affected my spine, but I already feel much better.

“While I am fit and young I can adapt to my new life. I don’t let my disability stop me from doing anything. I'm looking forward to modelling and I also love to swim.”

Lizzy, from Leeds, trained as a nurse for two years but had to quit due to the heavy lifting required for some parts of the work. As well as her modelling, she is now studying with the Open University to become a primary school teacher.

Lizzy will be given two sets of prosthetic legs by the NHS, one for everyday use, plus a pair of blades for running or sports.

She is also planning to raise money for special leg covers, which are not available on the NHS.

She has had “great” support from family and friends, including husband Lewis who is “luckily strong enough to carry me when I need it”.

She said: "I'm so lucky to have Lewis, he's been absolutely fantastic. My mum says she couldn't have asked for anyone better. He's carries me up and down the stairs and is a big support."

Lizzy, who has three sisters and one brother, is getting measured next week for her new prosthetic legs.

Her sister Amy said her sibling’s modelling bid was “amazing”.

She said: “I’ve seen my sister suffer with 23 years of pain and she has had more than 30 operations

“Since having her second leg removed, she has gone from strength.”

Sally Rix, co-ordinator at Talent Management, which has signed Lizzy up, said: "We were very impressed by Lizzy and we are going to do everything we can to help her.

"We have models of all sizes, shapes and disabilities. Lizzy is the only female double amputee on our books and she is the only one I have heard of in the country. We are going to have her appear on the front cover of a magazine that we promote and then we will go from there."

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