24 year-old Taylor suffered major burns to her body in an explosion, in which she almost died. After being burned on 42% of her body, Taylor spent over 25 days in the burns unit, requiring two blood transfusions, skin grafts, and three surgeries to be able to talk again. She suffered third-degree burns on her arms and legs and second-degree burns on her face and neck. The former model was also left with mobility restrictions due to her scarring. She said; “Physical therapy was so painful, as it was stretching all of my scars.” She went on to say her self-esteem was at an all-time low. “Not being able to do the things I used to and not looking the same but day by day, I see progress, slowly but surely. I’ve accepted that I can’t change what happened or speed up time.”

Taylor continued to say; “I still don’t see myself the same, but I know I can’t change it, so I live with it and yes I will model again to show other burn survivors that life goes on.”

Taylor, who is also training to become a nurse, is now learning to embrace her scarring.

Despite the scars, she says she wants to go back to modeling. She hopes to pose for photo shoots to empower other burn survivors. She wants to show people that life goes on, no matter what adversities are thrown your way.