Everyone needs support in life. When you’re ill you need more support. When you’re seriously ill, you need all the support you can get. All cancer sufferers need support from friends and family but sometimes it’s people outside of your safe zone that can help you the most and that is part of what Brave Ladies want to do with our mastectomy swimwear range.

So when Brave Ladies were invited, for a second time, to our local Breast Cancer support group in Purley we didn’t hesitate in being involved.

We attended the Breast Cancer support group last year with our first mastectomy swimwear range and had a great reception from all of the brave ladies there. Sadly, but inevitably, there were new faces in the group this year for us to show our 2016 Brave Ladies collection to – but what an amazing group of women.

Once again I am left astounded by the trials these brave ladies have been through – are going through – and how open and positive they are. Don’t get me wrong, I fully understand that there is no quick fix for breast cancer. I understand that it leaves physical scars. I understand it leaves emotional scars. I understand that the fear of never being “normal” again is horrendous to live with.

BUT… when a room full of women share their experience, knowledge and can laugh with two, virtual, strangers, I feel that a sense of healing is apparent.

Healing can come in different ways for different people. You have to find what is best for you. What is best to heal your body? What is best to heal your mind? Mine is easy! Mine is laughter.

So – having shown the ladies our new mastectomy swimwear range and explained the functionality, the sizing, the prosthesis and the practicalities – all of these women realised that the vibrant, colourful swimwear in front of them would be something they could use to start their healing. All of these brave ladies around me started to relax and we started to have a few giggles – to say it how it is. In some ways laughing at what life has dealt us is the only way forward. Cancer is pants!!! There is no doubt about that. But these girls have found a small light at the end of their tunnel and are looking for the way forward. Brave Ladies want to be part of their way forward – full speed ahead I say!

AW