Marsha Elle was born with proximal femoral focal deficiency (PFFD), a rare birth defect in which the femur bone in the upper thigh area is either malformed or missing, causing one leg to be shorter than the other. As a result, the lower half of her leg was amputated.
Yet, in spite of being an above-the-knee amputee all her life, the Miami-based motivational speaker refuses to let that stop her from pursuing her dreams of becoming a musician and model. And most importantly, she hasn’t let it rob her of her joy, as evidenced by the uplifting photos she shares on Instagram, flaunting her curvaceous figure and prosthetic leg.
Releasing her first hit song, “Hallelujah,” at the age of 17, Elle has quickly become a positive influence and inspiration for those who dare to dream big and those who aren’t afraid to embrace the things that make them different. Recent songs such as “Unlimited” and “My Life” from her Brave EP were written and arranged with the promise to deliver “love, strength and hope” to others.
“God used music to save my life,” Elle wrote on her website. “It kept me in my right mind. God said, ‘If you are willing, I will use you, your gift will not go to waste.'”
And judging by her photos on Instagram, which defy arbitrary beauty standards, Elle doesn’t seem to be allowing any of her Black Girl Magic to go to waste.
Not only has there been a favorable response to the singer-songwriter among the fellow amputee community for boldly facing her fears and insecurities, but celebrities have also taken notice of her. Actress Jada Pinkett Smith recently reposted an image of Elle with this simple caption: “Beauty.”
Slay, Marsha Elle! We celebrate you for using your platform and voice to bring some much-needed joy and light into the world.