Bournemouth model and personal trainer Jack Eyers has made history as the first disabled man to walk in New York Fashion week.

Jack, 25, was picked by designer Antonio Urzi to walk in his show in New York yesterday - the first male amputee to take part in the prestigious annual event.

 

 

Jack started modelling after attending a Models for Diversity workshop two years ago. His leg was amputated  at 16 because a condition called  proximal femoral focal deficiency meant it had failed to grow properly.

He said it felt like he had been "reborn" after the amputation. He took up basketball and played for GB Juniors, took part in the Paralympic opening ceremony in 2012 and even featured in Gladiator as an injured soldier.

He wanted to be a fireman but when that didn't work out went to work as a personal trainer before taking up modelling.

He's modelled for Boohoo, become a role model for Models for Diversity and spoken at conferences calling for more disabled people to be included in fashion. Last summer he was picked as the star of the Strip for Scope campaign.

Speaking to Caters News before his appearance on the runway yesterday, Jack said: ''It all feels so surreal. I can’t believe this is actually happening.

"To be the first male amputee model on a New York Fashion Week runway feels amazing - it feels like such a big deal. I just want to show that having a disability doesn’t need to hold you back."

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