Danielle Perry is a radio presenter at Absolute Radio, a band manager, DJ, podcaster and writer for Q Magazine. She’s also a new mum to baby Etta. Although life has changed somewhat, there is a common ground between everything and that’s what she’s going to be writing about in this new column, 'Me +1'. She’s not going to be banging on about sensory classes or Peppa Pig – but the way our interests, styles and passions shift throughout our lives and how it is possible to not lose any of your identity or fun with the impending feeling of being a proper grown up.
I've never felt as protective as I do now. I was always a pretty relaxed person; I could easily go with the flow. But because now I am a mouth piece for another human being, I feel that I’ve changed. I feel a bit She-Ra around my little girl - I honestly think I could move mountains should I need to shield her from anything. A pretty natural process - a common scene narrated by David Attenborough.
When you start meeting more mums, dads and little people you really do see our human existence in all its wonderous forms... I currently live in London and in all the baby drop-in groups you meet such a cross section of society; it fills my world-peace-heart with joy.
I have, though, also noticed that us British aren't very good when it comes to something a little out-of-the-ordinary. A birthmark, a 'late' talker, an early head of hair, a lazy eye or cleft palette. I speak first hand... My little lady has a birthmark that I just adore on her head and sometimes the comments we receive from adults and children are quite unbelieveable and frankly stupid. After a lot of thought and reasoning, I think it’s all down to us all living in a perfect airbrushed Photoshop society, which of course presents problems for our children and how they see themselves within it.
How do we combat that?
It is my responsibility to instil confidence in my little girl in every way, most definitely, but I think society and the media can definitely help. The good news is that I believe body image is now under strict scrutiny and I hope we are on the crest of a wave of change, positivity and celebration of the human form; French models are now required to have a medical certificate, valid for up to two years, confirming their general physical well-being and the fact they are not excessively underweight. Bravo! And in the fashion capital of the world. But it’s not just weight that we are celebrating; our battle scars are getting their moment in the sun too.
Ed Sheeran has recently been talking of his lack of confidence as a child with his image - due to a port wine stain on his face when he was little - you can imagine the jibes from the kids at school can’t you? So decisive at that age. I’m sure foundations for self-belief and self-love were macerated at that point but I celebrate him for the rise in fortune and fame and the recent Glastonbury headline set. That’s quite the trajectory for a shy, hurt little lad from Suffolk and takes almighty balls to walk out onto that main stage armed only with your guitar. And Cindy Crawford's whole look was centred around that fabulous mole that others then went on to pencil onto their own faces. Buy-a-birthmark. YES!
More applause should also be shown to the gorgeous Cassandra Naud too - a dancer with the most beautiful markings who refuses to not embrace her individuality. She is my hero, what remarkable confidence - have a watch of the video below (with a cracking Black Keys soundtrack).
We've all got physical scars - from worry lines to laughter lines; operation scars to accident tears. I do too - I now wear my C-section scar with pride, and wouldn't be without it - it only highlights one of the best bits of my tale.
To be perfectly honest, I always lean more towards the unusual and beautifully unique anyway. Who wants to blend in? I will defend our markings to the hilt. We are all one.
Listen to Absolute Radio at absoluteradio.co.uk and catch Danielle Perry 4-6pm Weekdays on Absolute Radio, and on The Sunday Night Music Club - 8pm - 12am.
READ MORE OF DANIELLE'S COLUMNS:
Why I'm Cautious Of Sharing Photos Of My Daughter On Social Media