Jearlean is more than a top fashion model from Baltimore, Maryland. She is an author, speaker, and a cancer survivor who has to go through the rest of her life living with two ostomy bags attached to her body.
Jearlean Taylor was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called Rhabdomyosarcoma at age three. Rhabdomyosarcoma is a type of sarcoma. Sarcoma is cancer of soft tissue (such as muscle), connective tissue (such as tendon or cartilage), or bone. Rhabdomyosarcoma usually begins in muscles that are attached to bones and that help the body move. Rhabdomyosarcoma is the most common type of soft tissue sarcoma in children. It can begin in many places in the body.
There are three main types of rhabdomyosarcoma:
Embryonal: This type occurs most often in the head and neck area or in the genital or urinary organs. It is the most common type. Alveolar: This type occurs most often in the arms or legs, chest, abdomen, genital organs, or anal area. Anaplastic: This type rarely occurs in children.
The exact cause of RMS is unknown. However, it is thought to be related to genetic changes that occur in muscle cells. Some risk factors for RMS include:
RMS can develop anywhere in the body, but it is most common in the following areas:
To diagnose RMS, a doctor will perform a physical exam and order imaging tests, such as an MRI or CT scan. A biopsy may also be performed to remove a sample of the tumor for analysis.
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Jearlean was cancer-free a year after her diagnosis but left with a permanent ostomy (colostomy and urostomy), which aids in her bladder and bowel functions. This causes her to wear (2) ostomy bags. An ostomy refers to the surgically created opening in the body for the discharge of body wastes. An ostomy bag (pouch) attaches to the abdomen and is fitted over and around the stoma to collect the diverted output, either stool or urine.
Despite having obvious setbacks due to her ostomy bags, Jearlean pushed on. Moving into one of her loves, fashion and modeling. And as anyone would think a model might be self-conscious about showing her body, but not Jearlean. As a matter of fact, she flourished.
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“Being a model and still having my ostomy bags, was not as hard like I initially thought,” explains Jearlean. “The beginning of my career as a model, I still did not tell anyone I had ostomy bags. I was more afraid of what people would think, how they would react, and if I would be able to wear certain clothing, outfits, and even designer garments. But my talent speaks for itself on the runway and in front of the camera. I manage to make it happen. I discovered ways to make sure my bags are secure and stable. I don’t concentrate on my bags anymore when modeling. I hit the runway with confidence, my talent, and fierceness.”
“I am author, fashion model, motivational speaker, and woman of God,” she continues. “My life has proven to be a journey of unexpected challenges. Through my journey, I am blessed to have my desires, passions, and dreams come true. I have been a fashion model for over 20 years, yes, with two ostomy bags.”
“There are few definitions of a winner; one that wins admiration, successful through praiseworthy ability and hard work. I believe we all have a winner in us. We have the ability to make a difference, to change lives, be role model, and be all that we can be.”
“Growing up having two ostomies (since the age of 3 years old), my parents taught me my bags do not have to dictate my future or what I can do or who I can become. Mom taught me to live, be, do, dream, have aspirations, goals, and inspire others. My motto and life affirmation is I am “different to make a difference” and YOU are too!”
“Live your life on purpose with a purpose for a purpose,” is one of the many mottos that Jearlean lives by.
Her outer appearance does not show the physical condition that she lives with daily. As a result of her passion for modeling and her reality of cancer, Jearlean decided to open a Christian centered modeling company, J & Company Christian Modeling, in 2006. Their motto is “we build, train, and develop from the inside out”.
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