A model who contracted a mystery virus in Bali, which led her to suffer from chronic heart disease has penned a poignant post about her scars.
Bec Craven, 29, was 24 when she was struck by the illness which meant she had to have a mechanical heart for a time, before undergoing a heart transplant.
Taking to Instagram, where she boasts more than 14,000 followers, Bec, from the Gold Coast shared photos of her scar just five weeks after receiving a new heart and of her today.
‘Where have those 2 years gone!!’ the model wrote. ‘Having a transplant has not just been a blessing but an eye opening experience.
‘I feel like I’m on a never ending rollercoaster sometimes. The pressures of our society can be pretty crazy and hard to deal with.
‘Scars were always something that you felt like you had to hide but GUESS WHAT it’s 2018 and scars are not only labelled beautiful, special, unique but are powerful and storytelling.
‘Show the world what you’re made off!’ Bec concluded her inspiring post.
‘There will always be those annoying people that comment nasty things but you will shine above that.
‘You can wave to them from top. Love yourself.You ARE worth every penny and MORE.’
It’s not the first time Bec has opened up about her experience.
In September 2017, the model penned a post in response to the news that singer Selena Gomez had undergone a kidney transplant.
‘I know she will never actually see this but from one transplant recipient to another, woman to woman, you are truly blessed,’ Bec wrote to the superstar.
‘The gift of life is one that not many people in the world get given. Not only were you an inspiration to many already but now you are to so many more.
‘Having a transplant was/is hard. I know my journey wasn’t easy and still isn’t! Having a heart transplant 1 year and 8 months ago and a mechanical heart before that has completely changed my whole out look on life.
‘Each day is special. The people you meet are special. The world we live in is special.
‘The work I’ve done over the past 2 years here in Australia to raise awareness for organ donation gives me so much joy to think I’ve at least saved one persons life.’
