Melanie’s tall story set to help others
6FT 4IN MUM NOW ACCEPTS THAT SHE WAS BORN TO STAND OUT
THIS mum-of-two spent years dreaming of being shorter after being cruelly told “she was too tall to be a woman”.
But Melanie Coulson now embraces the stares and comments she receives for her 6ft 4in height - and even wishes she was taller. The 46-year-old accounts administrator from Mansfield has a rare hereditary condition called Marfan Syndrome which affects the body’s connective tissue, with its main characteristics being long and slender limbs and being tall. According to the NHS, it affects one in 3,000 people.
By the time Melanie hit her teens, she was already the height she is today, and was bullied at school for her height, which made her feel unattractive as she longed to be smaller. She had the habit of stooping in conversation and only ever wearing flats to try to blend in.
Melanie’s insecurities surrounding her height continued throughout her 20s and 30s, as people often asked if she was a man or a transvestite, claiming that she is “too tall to be female”.
Despite the negative comments she receives, and struggling to find clothes to fit her, Melanie says she has finally embraced her height and lives by the belief that she “was born to stand out, not blend in”.
With the support of her daughters Rebecca, 26, and Hayley, 23, who have not inherited her height, Melanie decided to set up her Instagram and Youtube to inspire both boys and girls to be comfortable with their looks from an early age. “When I was growing up, I was really tall with long limbs which is a trait of Marfan Syndrome, which resulted in me being bullied all through school, and just feeling generally unattractive and different through my 20s and 30s, never wearing heels, and stooping to try to make myself look smaller,” said Melanie.
“I have really struggled with buying clothes as I was growing up as I can only purchase clothes from a tall range of clothing. I tend to shop in New Look or Dorothy Perkins tall range, due to having a 36-inch inside leg.
“More recently I have struggled with people’s attitudes towards my height. People are so quick to judge, and I am often asked, if I’m a male or female, or if I am a transvestite, which I did find really upsetting in the beginning.
“People do not realise how hurtful a comment like this can be – it’s certainly not giving my ego a boost. When I have challenged people why they ask this, their reason is generally along the lines of ‘well you are too tall to be a female’ which makes me sad that their attitudes are so shallow.
“The best thing about my height today is the fact that I have now come to terms with it. This didn’t happen overnight and age has definitely been a big factor in this. I now stand by the motto: I was born to stand out, not blend in. I embrace the fact that I am tall, I want to inspire people to be more confident and comfortable with their appearance as early as possible.
“And of course, being able to reach things high up, that regular height people can’t, is a benefit.”
Melanie has inherited her height from her father’s side of the family, where her cousins are all tall, but nobody on that side has been tested for Marfan Syndrome.
Melanie also developed symmetrical vitiligo which has caused patches of her skin to turn white due to losing pigmentation and ten years ago she lost her sight in her right eye due to an accident and wears a prosthetic.
Melanie hopes she can encourage anyone struggling to come to terms with who they are to be proud and embrace what some may consider ‘flaws.’ “The turning point for me was when I learnt to love myself and learnt to come to terms with the negative comments,” she said.
“I have a wonderful support network around me, with my family and my friends. I wonder if anyone else is feeling the way I did for so many years. I am always wanting to support people and maybe I can inspire someone who is struggling with their identity.
“Through comments I get on my videos or on my Instagram I can see that I have helped some people. I can honestly say I love my height and actually wish I was taller. I now wear heels for my videos that make me around 6ft 10in.’’