Category: Real Life

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Real Life

Rejected for adoption due to PREGNANCY PHOBIA

All Kayleigh has ever dreamed of is becoming a mum, but she suffers from tokophobia – an intense psychological fear of pregnancy and childbirth. She is so terrified that she even avoids her pregnant friends and takes at least one pregnancy test per week. Hubby Gary is supportive, but cyberbullies have targeted Kayleigh, telling her to ‘get over it’ and saying she doesn’t deserve help from a surrogate mother. In desperation, Kayleigh applied to adopt a child through her council – but she was rejected due to her phobia. Now Kayleigh feels like her only chance to be a mother has been taken away from her. She said: “All I want is to be given a chance.”

Kayleigh’s story appeared on the Mail and Metro Online.

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Real Life

I saved my life to walk down the aisle!

Natasha had always dreamed of getting married, so she was thrilled when her boyfriend of four years, Scott, proposed by dressing their two-year-old daughter, Evie-Mae in a babygrow emblazoned with the words ‘Mummy, will you marry Daddy?’. Within two months, she had picked her dress and selected nine bridesmaids. But just three months before her dream wedding, Natasha contracted the deadly blood infection, sepsis. Luckily, NHS call handler Natasha recognised the symptoms – including a fever, fatigue and disorientation – and an ambulance was promptly called to rush her to hospital. There, Natasha was put in an induced coma as doctors battled to save her life. Her devastated fiance and family were warned that she may not survive. Thankfully, Natasha pulled through and last month she walked down the aisle. She said: “Almost dying made my day so much more special. It was everything I had always dreamed of.”

Natasha’s inspiring story appeared on the Mirror and Mail Online.

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Real Life

Birthmark bullies won’t stop my Hollywood dream

Bullied mercilessly at school for her distinctive birthmarks, Marika never believed that she’d be able to accomplish her dream of becoming a Hollywood actress. Throughout her childhood, she suffered cruel taunts from school bullies, who said she looked like a ‘cow’ and was ‘splattered with mud’. After undergoing seven painful surgeries to remove the largest of her birthmarks – which cover 60% of her body – Marika says she has finally decided to embrace her unique look. She now hopes to become a Hollywood actress to inspire body confidence in other girls. “I will never look like a typical movie star,” she explains. “But I’m glad. My birthmarks make me who I  am. It’s taken me 19 years, but I finally love and respect myself.”

Marika’s story has appeared in Good Housekeeping, and the Mail Online.

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Real Life

I Zumba-d away 14st of flab!

Embarrassed by her 23st 10lb body, Gillian reluctantly agreed to attend a local Zumba class with her daughter, Helen. And she was soon cha-cha-ing her way to slimmer thighs and a flatter stomach. After banishing her beloved cheese and pickles from her kitchen cupboards and attending up to five Zumba classes per week, Gillian shed an astonishing 14st and is now a slinky size 8.

Her amazing story appeared in Best.

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Real Life

Pregnancy weight fear made me starve my unborn child

After piling on the pounds during her first pregnancy, Amanda was determined to stay slim while expecting her second child, Macauley. But what started as a bid to stay healthy soon spiralled into a deadly eating disorder. Consumed by her desire to be skinny, Amanda began skipping meals and exercising for up to three hours a day – gaining just 7lb during her entire pregnancy. Thankfully Macauley was born healthy, but within days of giving birth, Amanda was setting her alarm for 3.30am to squeeze in seven hours of exercise. Eventually her weight plummeted to 7st, and her hair fell out – forcing her to seek help for her anorexia.

Now fully recovered, Amanda worked with me to share her inspiring story in Woman magazine.

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Real Life

Gastric bypass revamped my sex life!

Gillian was nicknamed ‘Big Momma G’ because of her size 30, 25st body. But after years of hiding under the duvet and switching off her bedroom light, she vowed to ditch the flab and underwent an £11K gastric bypass. After shedding an incredible 13st, she’s sassier than ever and loves treating hubby Colin to some sultry outfits and X-rated moves.

As seen in Real People.

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Real Life

I had a tumour the size of a BABY growing in my tum

Lianne was devastated when doctors told her she had a rare form of kidney cancer called Ewing’s sarcoma. But the biggest shock was yet to come. After undergoing surgery to remove the tumour, she was gobsmacked to discover that it weighed 6lb – the average weight of a newborn baby! Now Lianne has made a full recovery, and credits her positive attitude to her adorable four-year-old son, Regan.

She bravely shared her story in Pick Me Up.

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Real Life

Boyfriend proposed after Facebook ‘likes’ challenge!

Hannah’s boyfriend Rhys proposed after strangers around the world helped her beat his challenge of  489 likes, 499 shares and 500 Facebook comments. Rhys had originally been planning to hide a ring in some sushi, but when Hannah mentioned that she’d seen people get laptops or puppies after getting lots of likes on Facebook, he decided to set the rather unusual challenge. After Hannah’s status went viral, Rhys dutifully proposed outside their local town hall. The social media savvy couple now plan to wed at Disney World next summer.

As seen in the Mirror, Metro and Mail Online.

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Real Life

E-cigarette burned down my house!

Sarah had just finished reading her son a bed-time story when her house was set on fire by an E-cigarette she had plugged in downstairs. To add insult to injury, Sarah had only given up smoking that day. Thankfully she and her son escaped the fire and are now back in their home. Sarah shared her story in Chat to highlight the potential dangers of charging E-cigarettes.

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Real Life

Abused by Dad after Mum died

Corinne was devastated when her mum died, but her nightmare wasn’t over. Just weeks after her mum’s death, her paedophile dad began sexually abusing her. The twisted pervert – who was also a nudist – blamed Corinne’s increasingly withdrawn behaviour on her grieving for her mum. But after being inspired by the Jimmy Savile scandal, Corinne reported her dad to the police and he was jailed for three-and-a-half years for his despicable crimes. She bravely shared her story in Pick Me Up to raise awareness for other victims of sexual abuse.