Model and disability rights advocate Haleigh Rosa has revealed her horror at hearing Candace Owens say it "seems ridiculous" to include a model in a wheelchair for top brand campaigns.
Haleigh's image from a SKIMS Adaptive Collection by Kim Kardashian campaign was used in an outburst by political commentator Candace this week.
After showing the snap on her channel, Candace told her 1.4million viewers: "I don't really understand how far we're going to take this inclusivity thing, I really don’t get it, and if I am wrong educate me."
She continued: "I don't know why this needs to be done. I'm just getting tired of this all inclusivity thing. It seems ridiculous."
Further hitting out at the inclusion of disabled models, she mocked that when she sees such images, she thinks: "Whose idea was this? Was it your idea? Okay, you're fired."
However speaking to the Mirror Haleigh, who has also featured in campaigns for brands such as Tommy Hilfiger, criticised the comments and urged Candace to "educate yourself".
She said: "I think it's horrifying what she said. It's disgusting and it's setting a really bad example for people that actually do follow her.
"I don't think any body is not worthy of being seen and the fact that she chose my body to talk about how basically unimportant people in wheelchairs are, and the fact that we shouldn't even be shown was disturbing."
Haleigh, who was left paralysed from the waist down after a car accident eight years ago, continued: "It's not setting a good example for people and I'm more concerned about younger generations and people like myself, that eight years ago, I probably would have been crying about that.
"Now, you know, I'm strong enough to not let that bother me mentally. But there are people that it would bother and that's the issue. Definitely."
When asked why she thought Candace felt the need to call out such campaigns, Haleigh added: "I mean, I would have no idea of knowing what goes on in that woman's brain. I think that she's a loose cannon that is constantly looking for the next controversy."
She also thanked her friends and followers for their overwhelming support, before admitting she doesn't expect Candace to say sorry for her comments - nor does she require an apology.
However, she did say if Candace wanted to make amends for her demeaning words, she could donate to her foundation, the For Everyone Foundation.
Haleigh set up the foundation at the start of this year in a bid to bring encourage inclusivity and accessibility across the world.
"Any way that I can help the community that's what I want to do," she admitted.
"There's so many things that people need," Haleigh continued. "And living with a spinal cord injury can be very expensive.
"So whether it's giving back to those therapy centres or given back therapy, sessions, or like I said, the recreational activities that people would like to do that are expensive. I would like to help be able to make that possible for people."
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