Cresta's Basics

Name: Cresta
Birthday: December 30th 1972
Height: 6'2"
Location: United Kingdom

I'm not sure where my height comes from. My mum is 5ft6" and dad was 6ft1" (now shrinking!). My brother is only 5ft11" and I'm 6ft2"! My nan was 4ft11 and grandad was 5ft10. My dad blames the daily pint of Guinness drank by my mother and also the fact that she ate for 2 when she was pregnant with me! Anyhows, I wasn't particularly tall when born but soon shot up to be taller than all my classmates, including the boys. I was VERY skinny and gangly with knobbly knees and an akward frame and short hair. I looked like a boy. I can't say that I was affected in a negative way by may height as I don't have any long lasting memories of micky taking. The worst I was called was 'lanky' and 'jolly green giant'. Both of which really annoyed me. Once, a boy called me one of these names and I picked him up and swung him around and around and then let go... straight into the play ground wall. He he :)

My childhood was idyillic with summer days spent riding ponies. My hobby was show jumping and I knew it was time to move onto riding horses when my foot (which was on the end of a very long leg which was dangling a long way down my ponies side) knocked one of the fences over as I was jumping over it!! I was so tall I had to start riding a 17hh (giant) horse at 14. Because I was interested in horse riding and not fashion, it never bothered me that my trousers were 3/4 length or my shoes were clumpy. That was until at 18... I discovered boys. I grew my hair long and wore make up. Although still not a follower of fashion, I became conscious of my clothes and made regular trips to Long Tall Sally (they had a tall zone in those days).

Suddenly boys were interested in me. The ugly duckling had emerged into a confident, elegant individual. I do have one particular memory that has just sprung into my head... it was when i was 15. I thought it was ace to wear the shortest skirts imaginable. I was with mates at a theme park and just about to get on a ride when one of the ride supervisors whistled and shouted... "'those legs will make you a million one day!!!" Well, they haven't made me a million in as much as I haven't been offered any pretty polly contracts, but they have had many an admiring glance over the years and I feel they are my best asset and I feel a million dollars when I show them off.

Anyhows, enough reminiscing. How about the adult years? I can only say that my height has advantaged me in many ways. I have 2 BSc degrees and I'm now an occupational therapist (nothing to do with my height I know). I don't show jump any more but I compete at advanced level dressage which suits my elegant frame. I have been a top hardcore DJ for 4 years in London. The promoter of 'Raindance' (an event) loves the fact that I stand out behind the decks and play pumping sounds. I have lots of natural energy, I have a zest for life and love just being me.

Any downsides to being tall? Hmmm, lets think... my size 10s and the fact that I just can't bring myself to wear high heels and I LOVE high heels :)

All the best
Cresta

Michelle's Basics

Name: Michelle
Birthday: October 14th, 1975
Height: 6'2" Location: USA

Hi, my name is Michelle. I am 6'2", married with 2 children ages 11 and 9. I am a receptionist at a local Radio Station in Houston, Texas. My hobbies include riding bikes, reading, cooking, playing video games, taking computers apart and putting them back together. I enjoy going to happy hour with my girlfriends every now and then. My main focus is my family making sure that they are taken care of first and foremost. I like to think of myself as a good mother and wife - I'm sure if you ask my husband and kids they will tell you the same.

I enjoy meeting new people and having a decent intelligent conversation. I have met quite a few celebrities while working at the radio station. I would have to say my favorite person would have to be Vivica Fox.  She is a very down to earth woman. She is also a very multi-talented woman, which reminds me of myself: I am capable of doing many things - helping the kids with homework, cooking  and cleaning. Just call me Superwoman. I am currently thinking about enrolling in school for computers because I love working on computers. I have full support of my family if that is what I choose to do.

I have always had height issues. In school I hated being labeled as the tallest girl in the school. It was also very hard for me to find a boyfriend my height, I always seem to attract short men (still do) lol. I hated being asking me if I played basketball I have no clue how to play I love to watch it though. It took me a while to grow to love my height. Now if I am in a store and someone needs something off the top shelf I can get it for them without having a complex. I have learned to accept the fact that I am a tall, sexy, black woman. One things for sure there is always going to be someone talking about me "Wow look at her I wonder how tall she is" or "I wish I were your height"....I enjoy getting compliments on my height now especially when I put on my 2 or 3 inch heels. So to all my TALL, SEXY, SISTAS: Keep your head up high in the sky and don't let nothing get you down!!

Have a great day
Michelle

Please help my good friend Ashley who is 6'7" and the tallest woman in Ohio. Sadly Ashley is suffering from Marfan Syndrome and is currently in great pain

Ashley's Wheelchair & Medical fund 

In 1992 I was 4 years old. It was during '92 that my father died from an aortic dissection. He was diagnosed, posthumously with Marfan Syndrome, a connective tissue disorder that can wreak havoc on every part of the affected person's body. He was a man who stood 7ft tall, played basketball for Iowa State University, and lived his entire life with a diagnosis he never received. Medical knowledge of Marfan Syndrome was just starting to form in the 90's.

Three years later, at the age of 7, I was diagnosed with the same disorder. At the age of 11, when I stood 6ft tall, I was told I had to stop all strenuous physical activity immediately, or risk a sudden, unexpected death (due to aortic dissection).
I stopped playing sports and started receiving annual echocardiagrams, and began seeing specialists at The Ohio State University's medical center.

By the age of 18 my height finally began to slow, and I stood at a towering 6'7" tall. Let's just say THAT alone has been an adventure (LOL!). Don't be surprised if you see me walking around in an Ohio winter with capris on. At one time they were designed to be long pants but with 42" legs there's only so much a girl can do!

I married my first love, Robert, at the age of 18. He was in the Marine Corps and had just returned from his second deployment. We lived together in California until he was restationed in North Carolina. As soon as we got to North Carolina I found a new team of specialists at Duke Medical Center. They were fantastic. While many would complain about the military healthcare we received, I couldn't say a negative word. I was able to get the care & medications I needed to thrive!

Things were going well. I had several medical issues that were attributed to Marfan Syndrome (scoliosis, sciatica, became legally blind without glasses, etc) but they were nothing I couldn't manage with the help of the great team at Duke.

Robert & I in 2006, living in Twentynine Palms, CA 

However, my life was about to be rocked. In July of 2011 my best friend, a beautiful 19 year old gospel singer named Caitlyn Culpepper was murdered outside our home while I was asleep inside. She was a victim of domestic violence. My husband, at this point a Sgt in the Marine Corps with 8 years in the service and 26 months spent deployed, had been diagnosed with PTSD while serving his final tour in Iraq.

In September of 2011 Robert committed suicide in our home in North Carolina. I became a widow in my early 20's.

I came home to Ohio to try and rebuild a life for myself. By this point my physical health problems had started to affect my daily life. It was almost as if the grief and anxiety wrecked my body. I can honestly say I haven't been the same since.

Robert & I in 2010, we were at MCAS Cherry Point, NC here 

In the last three years my health has declined dramatically. When I lost my husband I no longer had my health insurance through the military. I could no longer afford doctor's visits, medications, and preventative care for basic health, let alone to manage my Marfan Syndrome.

One of the most painful and frustrating aspects of my condition is the effect it has on my bones. They're weak. Did you know that connective tissue has a huge impact in the formation of your bones?

In the last two and a half years I've had three stress fractures (two in my left leg, one in my right) and two tumors (which were determined to be benign but I was advised to have them monitored every 3-6 months to make sure they haven't grown or become aggressive).

I'm a 26 year old young woman who loves to laugh, joke, and have fun. But I have no quality of life left. I'm no longer able to walk through the grocery store because of lower back issues (a condition called Dural Ectasia) that cause intense pain, numbness, and tingling when I stand or walk for more than five to ten minutes. My health has deteriorated to the point where it's physically exhausting to get out of bed most mornings. My mental health is honestly about the same.

Due to my physical health problems I'm unable to work. I had originally begun Cosmetology School to become a nail artist. I thought if I could just make it through my year of schooling I'd be able to have a career that allowed me to sit. I made it 7 months before the pain was too overwhelming to continue.
I'm currently a full time student, majoring in Human Services. I want to help people who are in situations like myself. I want to be the person that answers the phone at your local agency (Job & Family Services, for example) who says, "It's going to be okay. And I'm going to do everything I can to help you". But I've come to realize, at the age of 26, that I may never have the chance to work. I may have to file for disability before the age of 30.

In the meantime, bills are mounting. Medical bills, utility bills, etc. I have to visit local food pantries often in order to eat. I DO recieve a small benefit each month from the VA, but it wasn't designed to be able to live on. I was, however, attempting to keep my head above water.

Anyone who has lived through physical pain, mental anguish, and seemingly unclimbable mountains, knows that 'when it rains it pours'. And it's pouring for me.

The last two weeks I've been experiencing excruciating pain through my left leg. I went to the same orthopedic surgeon who diagnosed my first stress fractures and found out that they believe I have not only another tumor, but another stress fracture as well. And this one lines up with the first one I had on the other side of the leg. They meet in the middle and form a line straight through my leg.

I was devestated. Incase you don't know, a stress fracture is basically a broken bone that hasn't become completely detached from itself. And this is my fourth. I don't work out, I don't run, I don't play sports..I just have Marfan Syndrome.

I started to cry and asked the doctor what he wanted me to do. He immediately told me to get OFF of my legs. He said crutches weren't an option. That I could put all my weight on my RIGHT leg because that pressure can cause another fracture to develop there as well. He looked at me and said, "Ashley if you don't get into a wheelchair you could take a step and your leg could literally snap in half".

He wants me in a wheelchair.

As it stands now I have $60 to my name.

I don't want to take a vacation, I don't want to buy a new wardrobe or a fancy new car. I honestly just want to be able to get myself a wheelchair (I have to special order one because of my size), pay for the medications I'm supposed to be on (I haven't been able to fill my prescriptions in months..including my blood pressure medication), catch up on my utility bills, and be able to afford to give someone gas money to get me back and forth to the hospital/school/etc.

I have a neurology appointment at the Cleveland Clinic (approximately an hour and a half away) in early November. The scheduling nurse advised me to come to town the night before and get a hotel room since my appointment is at 7:30AM. I told her I'd be lucky if I could even afford to get there, let alone have the luxury of spending the night beforehand.

I haven't had my aorta checked for an increase in dilation in years. I'd LOVE to be able to get to all the necessary specialists to have my heart, eyes, lungs, etc examined- but truth be told, I'm living day by day right now.

And TODAY I need a wheelchair.

A friend of mine suggested I look into gofundme. She explained that there are amazing people in the world who want to help others like myself. I spent hours pouring over the different people who have posted & donated here and have been humbled by their generosity toward other gofundme campaigns. It's mind blowing.

Please know that I don't have my hand out waiting for people to donate towards my need. If all you're able to do is say a prayer for me or spend some time researching and familiarizing yourself with Marfan Syndrome, I'm so appreciative. Awareness is huge, and being so rare, connective tissue disorders don't get much. If all you're able to do is share my story on Facebook or Twitter, thank you.

Thank you so much for your time. God Bless You :)

-Ashley

Visit Ashley's GoFundMe page

Visit Ashley's support page on Facebook

Älter werden…

Ich werde dieses Jahr 30! Also genau der richtige Zeitpunkt, um über das Thema Alter nachzudenken. Man ist so alt wie man sich fühlt?! Oder wie war das? Na ja leicht gesagt, aber in der Realität oft anders. Ältere Frauen in peinlich kurzen Gürteln als Rock oder Kinder in sexy Outfits, das passt einfach nicht.

Siezen? Duzen?

Woran merkt man, dass man richtig erwachsen ist? Wenn man auf einmal von Jugendlichen und Kindern draußen gesiezt wird. Am Anfang seltsam und eher einem Affront nahekommend, ertappe ich mich jetzt sogar manchmal - je nach Situation - bei dem Gedanken „Wie unhöflich!“, wenn mich ein vorlauter Teenager einfach duzt. Dabei bin ich von Natur aus eher der Duzer - allein schon durch das Internet und die ganzen Social Media, da ist das oft üblich.

Ich finde sowieso, dass man sich je nach Situation auch unterschiedlich alt fühlen kann. Es kommt halt immer auf die Leute und die Umgebung an. Seit ich selbständig bin, ist es mit dem „nicht-so-erwachsen-fühlen“ schlagartig vorbei. Bei mir ist es das Schuhbaby, bei anderen das richtige Baby. Plötzlich hat man Verantwortung, die man zuvor in dieser Schlagkraft nicht hatte. Dennoch kommt der "Ach, ich bin doch noch gar nicht so alt“-Gedanke immer mal wieder kurz zum Vorschein. Wenn ich mit meinen jüngeren - oft noch Studenten - Freunden unterwegs bin zum Beispiel. Da gehöre ich ganz normal dazu und bin für einen Augenblick wieder ein bisschen zurückgesetzt in alte Zeiten. Das man das überhaupt schon so sagen kann. „Alte Zeiten…“

Früher war das mit dem Alter eh noch etwas ganz anderes. Da freut man sich und ist stolz auf jedes Jahr, das man älter wird. Wenn man dann aus den Wachstums- und Entwicklungsjahren raus ist, denkt man sich „Waaas? Schon wieder ein Jahr um?“. Panik.

Wie schnell die Zeit vergeht...

Als kleines Kind wollte ich den Erwachsenen nie glauben, dass die Zeit später schneller vorbeizugehen scheint. Aber sie hatten Recht, von Jahr zu Jahr geht die Zeit gefühlt schneller um. Klar, Kinder erleben viel intensiver, lernen noch viel und entwickeln sich - da kommt einem alles langsamer vor. Wir dagegen nehmen so viel auf einmal wahr und denken in ganz anderen Zeiteinheiten. Manchmal sollte man sich vielleicht doch noch einmal ein Beispiel an den Kindern nehmen, entschleunigen, Zeit anders wahrnehmen und einfach mal einen Tag die Käfer beobachten oder so. Könnte mir auch nicht schaden.

Wir Selbständigen haben ja in der Regel eines nicht: Zeit. Und trotzdem jede Menge zu tun und Termine über Termine. Und weil es noch nicht genug ist, nimmt man sich noch ein paar Projekte dazu. Wie zum Beispiel Blogbeiträge zu schreiben. Hihi, verrückt. Statt Käfer zu beobachten, könnte ich vielleicht auch einfach mal wieder ein bisschen drauflos malen. Das macht mir nämlich auch Spaß, schon immer. Auch als ich jünger war.

Ach, jaaa. Damals, als man als großes Mädchen einfach immer für älter und verantwortungsbewusster als gleichaltrige, kleinere gehalten und auch so behandelt wurde. Als man als Kleinkind von Erwachsenen diskriminiert und blöd angemacht worden ist. Weil man noch auf Mamas Arm war oder einen Schnuller im Mund hatte. Als man bei Spielen bei Stadt-, Kirchen- und Siedlungsfesten von Erwachsenen angemeckert und des Lügens bezichtigt wurde, weil man angeblich schon älter war und deswegen verschärftere Regeln gelten würden. Als man beim Kindergartenfest als Einzige nicht im Zirkuskarussell aus kleinen Schubkarren mitfahren durfte, weil man schon zu groß sei. Als Leistungen und Vernunft immer erwartet und als selbstverständlich angesehen worden sind und man im Gegensatz zu den Kleineren nicht dauernd gelobt worden ist. Als die Kleineren aufgrund des Niedlichkeitsfaktors bevorzugt und teilweise für gleiche Leistungen besser benotet worden sind. Klein und niedlich, das ist wie bei Katzenbabies oder Hundewelpen. Das weckt den Beschützer- und Helferinstinkt.

Mit zwölf wurde ich schon gesiezt

Es wird automatisch versucht, es den Kleinen einfacher zu machen und sie zu bestärken. Die Größeren, die eh schon durch ihre Andersartigkeit aus der Masse stechen, könnten das aber auch mal ganz gut gebrauchen. Zumal diese doch in der Regel vor allem im Jugendalter bedeutend zurückhaltender und sanfter sind - ich wurde ja mal als Schaf im Wolfspelz bezeichnet. Und bin oft wegen meiner zurückhaltenden Art (man denkt ja, als Große sticht man eh immer so hervor, ob man es will oder nicht) eher übersehen worden.

Die Kleinen dagegen drängen sich manchmal gerne in den Mittelpunkt, damit sie eben nicht übersehen werden. Das ist ein bisschen wie bei den kleinen, wild bellenden Hunden. Aber es gab natürlich auch lustige Seiten: Als ich mit zwölf im Restaurant gesiezt wurde und mir ein Schnaps nach dem Essen angeboten wurde und sich mein älterer Bruder “Und du? Willst du einen Lutscher?“ anhören durfte. Ich lache noch heute darüber. Damals, als man einfach nie nach einem Ausweis gefragt worden ist. Nirgendwo. Während kleinere Mädchen es oft hassten, mit 18 noch ausgepickt und nach dem Ausweis gefragt zu werden, fand ich das ganz witzig. Underage-Stempel gab es für mich nicht.

Als ich Anfang oder Mitte zwanzig war, kam dann der plötzliche Umschwung. Auf einmal hielten mich alle für jünger! Crazy. Kannte ich so gar nicht. Und ich musste das allererste Mal meinen Ausweis in einer Bar zeigen - für ein Bier! Ich habe mich kaputt gelacht. Und so ging es weiter. Meistens hält man mich für Mitte zwanzig. Bei Businesstreffen ist das eher andersherum - die meisten gehen nicht davon aus, dass man sich so jung schon selbständig macht. Im Schnitt bin ich dann also wieder so alt, wie ich wirklich bin. Prima, dann passt es doch!

Ich finde es aber teilweise auch schwierig, das Alter abzuschätzen. Je nach Sonnenbank- und/oder Schminkstand und Umgebung kann man sich da schon einmal vertun. Und wenn ältere Menschen versuchen einen auf „jung“ zu machen, geht das oft eher nach hinten los. Ich halte auch nichts von diesem Jungend- und Schönheitswahn. Schrecklich, wenn diese operierten Gesichter alle ähnlich gruselig verzerrt und ohne richtige Mimik sind. Ich finde ja Lachfältchen bei vielen ganz bezaubernd. Das gibt dem Gesicht so einen sympathischen Ausdruck. Falten zeigen einfach wer wir sind und was wir erlebt haben. Und ich sage ja auch immer „Lieber alt werden, als früh sterben“. Veränderungen gehören da nun einmal dazu.

…aaah, ich muss mal eben in die Drogerie flitzen! Ich habe eben eine neue, krasse „bald-bist-du-30-Falte“ entdeckt… Vielleicht sollte ich so eine Hy-aal-o-glatt-Creme oder wie die heißen doch mal ausprobieren! ;)

6'1 1/2" Sarah is the owner of Schuhe Grossartig, a German footwear company dedicated to women with larger feet.

Visit the Schuhe Grossartig website

Big girl, you are beautiful…

Weihnachtszeit ist Essens- und somit Kilozeit. Sprich, man ist froh über kaschierende XL-Pullis, lange streckende Strickjacken und bauschige Mäntel. Herrlich, einfach wild drauflosfuttern, was das Zeug hält und die Zeit mit Lebkuchen, Weihnachtsplätzchen, Adventskalenderschokolade und Glühwein genießen.

Ich kann nicht mehr richtig atmen...

Aber von wegen, Pustekuchen. Mein supertoller streckender Mantel geht fast nicht mehr zu. Und es ist erst Anfang Dezember. Schock. Alarmstufe rot. Mein Kleiderschranksortiment enthält generell ein breites Größenspektrum, denn Frau schwankt gewichtsmäßig. Viele kennen das. Aber wenn die größten Sachen, die man hat, so richtig eng sitzen und man sich weder traut tief ein- noch auszuatmen und man sich in diesen nicht mehr so ganz wohl fühlt, dann ist es höchste Zeit die Reißleine zu ziehen und etwas zu tun. Denn nackt herumlaufen ist auch keine Lösung. Back to nature ist in diesem Fall nichts für mich.

Als 1,60 Meter großer Mensch schnappst du dir einfach eine Kleidergröße größer. Sitzt, passt, wackelt, hat Luft, weiter geht es. Als große Frau, die sich generell schon am Rande des normalen Größenspektrums bewegt, gestaltet sich das Ganze etwas komplizierter. Spezialläden für Dicke oder Curvy Girls bieten leider selbst heutzutage eher das Modell bunter Sack an. So zumindest meine Erfahrungen. Wenn ich mir aber was Weites, Untailliertes, was auch noch zu kurz ist anziehe, kaschiert das nix, sondern macht mich zur unförmigen Tonne. Von curvy siehste da nichts mehr. Das ist also alles Mist.

Am besten ist es natürlich, es erst gar nicht so weit kommen zu lassen. Aber was willst du machen, wenn du nicht als langbeiniges Topmodel, sondern als kräftiges Curvy Girl mit Veranlagung zum Overcurvy Girl und Liebe zum Essen geboren worden bist? Ich kann echt einfach immer essen. Ob es mir gut geht oder schlecht. Man kann mich mit Essen sogar richtig glücklich machen. Das ist schon fast ein bisschen krank. Aber Hallo?! Lecker essen?! Was für ein Genuss! Ja, wie bei allen Sachen, kommt es natürlich auf die Menge an. Das hat momentan leider etwas Überhand genommen –Stress und so, Ihr kennt das. Deswegen kommt man dann leider auch nicht mehr zum Sport.

Gut, dass es Fitnessstudios gibt!

Gut, dass man im Fitnessstudio angemeldet ist. Die Geräte freuen sich auch so richtig, wenn sie endlich mal jemand verschont und fernbleibt… Zack, bist du im Teufelskreis drin! Aber nicht mit mir. Ich habe die Reißleine gezogen! Essen ist keine Lösung. Essen ist keine Lösung. Essen ist keine Lösung. Und Sport ist kein Mord!

Der Plan: Wieder „nur“ drei ordentliche Mahlzeiten am Tag, nichts zwischendurch und möglichst wenig Kohlehydrate abends. Ist natürlich zu dieser Jahreszeit besonders schwierig. Deswegen hatte ich nach ersten Erfolgen auch schon wieder einen Mega-Rückfall. Wenn es mit dem Weglassen des „Zwischendurchgeknuspers“ schon nicht klappt, wäre regelmäßiger Sport ja immerhin ein Anfang. Aber das ist natürlich gar nicht so einfach mit all den Terminen. Und der Überwindung. Egal, wir haben schon ganz was anderes geschafft. Also, auf in die Muckibude zum Hulken. She-Hulk, ich komme! Naja, demnächst irgendwann zumindest.

Wenn das an den Geräten wenigstens richtig Spaß machen würde. So wie Tischtennis oder Handball oder Volleyball. Ihr seht schon, ich entspreche dem „Große-Menschen-Klischee“ und mag Ballsportarten. Aber entgegen der Frage, die immer alle große Menschen zu hören bekommen, habe ich noch nie Basketball im Verein gespielt. Damals, damals als ich noch jung war, habe ich Tischtennis gespielt, kurz parallel Volleyball und nachher Handball. Als ich mein Studienjahr in Spanien war, war ich sogar mit lauter kleinen Spanierinnen im Uniauswahlteam. Das ist alles Sport, der richtig Spaß macht! Tja, leider ging dann erst das Knie kaputt, dann der Rücken und schließlich die Schulter. Für so ein lädiertes Ding fallen dann die coolen Sportarten also leider weg. Und dieses bissl Gymnastik, was man immer macht, kann man ja nicht als Sport zählen.

Also, auf in die Muckibude

Tanzen macht mir ansonsten noch Spaß, schön zur Musik auspowern! Heftige Sprunggeschichten und so lässt man dann halt einfach weg. Leider sind solche Kurse oft etwas zu früh für im Einzelhandel arbeitende Menschen und als Selbstständige fehlt mir da auch einfach die benötigte terminliche Flexibilität.

Mir bleibt also nur das Hulken in der Muckibude.

Apropros -kennt Ihr das, wenn Ihr Euch zwischen all den gestylten, zwei Köpfen kleineren Trainingshäschen wie ein Fremdkörper vorkommt? Wie jemand, der verrückterweise wirklich nur zum Sport herkommt und nicht zum Flirten oder Muskelpakete aufreißen? Wie jemand, der aus diesem Grund auch ungeschminkt in Sportbuchse mit langem Schlabbershirt drüber erscheint? Ich kenne das nur zu gut! Und Mädels, macht mal Eure Haare zusammen! Sport mit offenen Haaren geht gar nicht. Das finde ich auch immer in Action-Filmen so witzig. Die Heldin turnt und kämpft da immer mit offenen Haaren und meistert alles perfekt. Dabei stören offene Haare total – sie schränken das Sichtfeld ein, sind immer im Weg und können leicht irgendwo hängenbleiben. Mal davon abgesehen, wie verdammt warm das mit offenen Haaren ist. Schwitz... Also wenn Ihr mal auf der Flucht seid, denkt immer an ein Haargummi.

Die Trainingshäschen-Ausrede kann ich auf jeden Fall nicht mehr verwenden, in meinem aktuellen Studio sind zu meinen Zeiten eher ältere Leute da. Herrlich, ich sage es Euch. Alles total entspannt. Da fallen mir meine Größe und meine unstylishe, etwas zu kurze Trainingshose gar nicht mehr so auf.

Ihr seht schon, ich kriege das hin. Anfang des Jahres bin ich wieder voll in Form. Und bis dahin tänzele ich einfach noch eine Runde weiter zu Mikas "Big girl, you are beautiful".

6'1 1/2" Sarah is the owner of Schuhe Grossartig, a German footwear company dedicated to women with larger feet.

Visit the Schuhe Grossartig website

Hey there! My name is Ashley, I was born and raised in Ohio and I'm currently standing at 6'6 3/4" (flat footed). I just turned 19 in late August.

Like anything else in life, having height comes with its advantages. I'm hard to lose in a crowd, I'm the first person little old ladies in the grocery store ask for help from, and I make my own fashion statements by wearing capris and flip-flops in 10 degree weather. There are plenty of disadvantages too, but I've really grown to love my long legs. Growing up was tough. I reached 6ft at the age of approximately 11 and since middle school I had high school coaches breathing down my neck for an opportunity to have me (and my height) on their team.

Each time I had to disappoint and inform them that I had Marfan Syndrome, a heart problem I was diagnosed with at the age of 7, shortly after my 7ft father passed away from complications surrounding it. My heart problem restricts me from most all physical activity, which unfortunately shot down my dreams of playing professional basketball early. In addition to that, I was teased relentlessly for years. Kids at school showed no mercy and many days I came home in tears. 

My experiences growing up have taught me to keep my head up and smile. I'm a beautiful young woman who was blessed with an incredible mother who instilled in me integrity and respect. I'm now blessed with an amazing husband who is 5'8" and stands by my side at all times. Sure, the stares and comments are still annoying but I can't let myself get down over others' curiosity and sometimes ignorance. I'm currently living on the East Coast where my husband is stationed. I'm pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and am hoping to live overseas in a few years.

My favourite quote is: "Sure, they glance because they're curious... but they start staring because they're jealous." 

All the best
Ashley

Stephanie's Basics

Name: Stephanie
Birthday: July 2nd, 1984
Height: 6'0"
Location: United States

About me

I LOVE being tall. I wouldn't have it any other way. I am a six foot blonde and I dig the attention. I work at a law firm downtown and love to dress up. Allot of people tell me that I should wear flats, but I cannot resist my heels. I am an average of 6'4" on a daily basis. I don't know what I would do without my legs... I never have to ask anyone to get anything for me, Haha.

I was born in Houston, TX, but have lived in Cincinnati, OH since I was 5 years old. I work downtown at a law firm as a receptionist. I like to go swimming, read, rides ATVS, and play paintball... I love to play rough and show the boys that the girls can play just as hard as them.

I just recently got married: my husband is 6'2" and definetely doesn't mind it when I wear my heels. My girlfriends think I am crazy wearing 3-4 inch heels out... but when you are already this tall what's a few inches, right? Plus they make my legs look even better. The only thing I wish for is a store here in Cincinnati dedicated to tall women... that would be awesome.

All the best
Stephanie

Gail's Basics

Name: Gail
Birthday: December 30th 1964
Height: 6'0"
Location: United States

I am Carolyn Gail Frazier, and I am a 6 foot wife and mother of 3 wonderful boys. I was born in Texas on December 30, 1964. I spent the majority of my school years moving from place to place because my Dad was in the service. Yes, at times it was difficult being taller than all my friends and all the boys. I remained pretty shy until I was out of school. During my childhood I had the nick name of "Clumsy Carolyn Gail". I still managed to grow up fine and I now have a degree in Business Management, but am happy to be a stay at home MOM!

I have learned to view my height as one of my many outstanding attributes. I do answer questions quite a bit about whether I played basketball and I quickly quip that I was not coordinated enough to play competitively, but my Mom was a big basketball star, she was 6' tall as well, but much more athletic than I. We have made our home in Missouri in my Husband's hometown. The kind of men I like are, kind, generous, and funny. That is why I married the man I did. We raise our children to respect others, work hard to be someone, and enjoy life. Our individual differences make our world a better place. What fun would it be if all women were 5'2" with eyes of blue??? We all need to embrace our individuality and be thankful for the differences we have!

All the best
Gail

Adeola's Basics

Name: Adeola
Birthday: January 12th, 1982
Height: 6'3" Location: USA

Hello my name is Adeola. I am currently 28 years old and I am 6'3" TALL. I was born in Lagos, Nigeria on January 12, 1982. I currently reside in South Carolina with my husband.  In researching info on tall women fashion, I came across your website, which I can admit, I have bookmarked and I am aggressively prowling through all the things I really didnt know, LOL.

I have always been tall, I was the tallest kid in MY ENTIRE SCHOOL up until I reached middle school where in the 8th grade, in which I PROUDLY regained the title once more ;-) In High School I was the tallest girl from 9th grade til graduation.

I am currently a professional athlete who has played all over the world and currently working on getting into fashion especially designed and catering to the long legged beauties such as myself.  I love being tall, its a gift and a blessing to be at my height.  I have embraced my beauties and my culture and nothing is better than when a beautiful regal women walks in the room and commands everyone's attention with her height alone, it speaks volumes to me every time, and I just shine my pretty whites and embrace it.  Hey it's something that my other 5'7" friends cant do... LOL.

I have a pair of many Christian Louboutin which are 5"  in size 12 and wear them proudly and I'm sorry I will not stop loving gorgeous and beautiful high heels cause  I STAND AT 6'3".  As the saying goes I'm closer to God in my heels. LOL. 

I have always been an ambitious and being at my height, it has definetely opened many doors for me.  Like, for instance, I attended a great college for FREE under an athletic scholarship to play basketball at Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH. I graduated with a BA in Communication Arts: Advertising and minor in Business.  The funny thing about sports, especially basketball, you learn quickly that you are not alone as being well over 6 FEET.  I am all for young females being active and knowing that they are not alone and that although they might struggle with self-confidence, sometimes what is perceived as lack of can always be your best quality.   Growing up and hearing stories of other  (famous) tall women such as Tyra Banks, Kimora Lee Simmons, Serena Williams, they too struggled with what are now one of their best features, THEIR HEIGHT AND BODY. 

I know when my athletic career is over with I will definitely pursue a career in fashion designing as I am currently and diligently working on it as I type this. I just finished my logos and signatures from guess whom, another friend who is over 6 FEET, who played at Stanford and also was a member and my teammate on the Nigerian National Women's Basketball Team.  As tall women we are talented, and the sky is literally the limit for us even more, my height as allowed doors to open up and even when they were not wide open and just a crack, GUESS WHAT my confidence and ability in myself allowed me to open.

The important thing I want other to take away from me is that, God has blessings in us all, and with us, tall gals... LOL!  Embracing our physique and stature and becoming encouraging and positive to others is the beginning. So embrace your height and if you are the only one then just know that you are just that UNIQUE IN BEAUTY, MIND, AND SPIRIT.

All the best Adeola

Name: Sini
Birthday: February 12th 1969
Height: 6'3"
Location: Finland

Hello, everyone. My name is Sini and I am from Finland. I didn't grow tall before I was 15, but then very fast to this height in about 2 years time. Even I am tall, I have enjoyed much more dancing and singing than basketball. That also I tried, when younger. I love my height and I feel feminine, even I am tall, because my persona is that. Sometimes it feels uncomfortable, when strange people mention about my apperance often, but I would not change it for anything.

Today I work as a professional artist and am somewhat known in my country. We all are born with qualities of our own and it is important to make the best of it. Life can be short and so many opportunities in the world. If people are not comfortable with our height,we can make them by being kind. It feels great to see here so many tall women! I am so happy! I am tall, but my foot size is not very big and I weigh 74 kilos. I like exercise, music, singing, reading and writing and of course arts. My way to look at life is that we have many choises and if one door closes, thousand open the same time. Of course I have felt sadness, loneliness and hardships in my time by 43 years of age, but I try to always find the light and new ways in most situations.

My height has helped me in my arts profession, since I keep speeches and present my art work to people. To be honest, even I am 6'3", I adore high heels! If one is this tall, might as well be that in style! Many shorter men have approached me and a tall woman always gets attention. At moments I would like to turn that off by pressing some "holiday now"-button, but mostly I love people's kind words and fun attitude about my height. It is not the height, the weight or anything as one feature in us, it is about the whole apperance and how we present ourselves. I would like to wish you all many happy hellos and keep the lovely postures proud!

Funny story

In 2002 I was sent as artist to represent to Shanghai. It was a great trip,wonderful art events,dinners,people,media. I loved it. In Shanghai, there is the a huge skyscraper called JinMao. At the time it was the third tallest building in the world. I had a Chinese sweet assistant, shorter than me, of course, with humour and wit.

I looked up high to the tall building JinMao and said, my gosh, that is a tall building. Chris said, yes, you looking at JinMao and the by-passers at you! :-) My hair was red then and many Chinese had never seen any foreigners, let alone as a tall a woman as me. To Shanghai, also tourists from China arrive, as it is a large and main gate way to the West in China.

So I replied to Chris: "Oh,I feel like a huge giraffe with neon light on her forehead in a zoo now,when people look at me all the time". Chris had a funny face and she said: "Yes they do - but to watch you is for free." :-))

Now that I've seen your site Joerg, I would like to be even taller!

Warm regards from Sini

Name: Jasmine
Birthday: June 4th, 1991
Height: 6'3"
Location: USA

Hi, my name is Jasmine. I've been taller than anyone that surrounded me. Lucky for me my mom put me into sports which helped build my confidence. My issue with clothing was and still is somewhat of a struggle. But with my skills in sports and funny personality I became the strong driven tall young woman that I am today. I'm 6'3" and I played basketball 4 years at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and now I'm heading overseas to Romania to play pro basketball for my first year. I'm an aspiring clothing designer for tall women just like me who love looking fabulous and who want to accentuate our height we were blessed with.

I've always loved fashion and I think clothes can do a world of change in a persons life especially for us tall women who get made fun of. The only people that picked up on me for my height were people who envied me and I want me to do that based on what I have to offer. Namely a great fashion sense, a driven personality and sense of humor. I want to have clothes that accentuate our "above average features". I'm all about empowering any girl who thinks of their height as a burden because one think I've learned is that you can use what you have to get where you want.

Growing up I was always a smiling goofy kid who loved to make friends especially with people around me. That's something that I take pride in. I love meeting new people and being memorable. Whether it's a warm hug, kind words or some advice that they might have needed.

I'm big on family and friends. There's nothing like accomplishing my goals and then having those smiling faces embrace you when you get back. There's no better feeling than setting a goal and conquering it. With or without a support system you can accomplish all that you want. I am a living testimony of that.

All the best
Jasmine

Hi, my name is Allysun, I go by "Ally" for short.. Although there is nothing short about me. I am 23 years old and I am 6'1" and I wear a size 12 shoe. Not fun let me tell you.. I have never been able to find cute "girly" shoes in my size and I sure as hell won't find a pair of pants that's long enough.. Not with a 34in inseam.

Growing up I have always gotten made fun of for being tall, considering I was taller than most of the boys in my class until about my Jr. year of high school, I was a very large, and easy target. I got the "how's the weather up there" or the "did you play basketball?" along with many others. I was actually in choir for all of my going to school years which was humiliating in and of itself simply because I was always in the top row of risers and right in the middle, sticking out like a sore thumb.

Although it may have been slightly humiliating at times, I stuck with it because It was my passion. My senior year of high school they even did the "Choir Awards" they were supposed to be funny little jokes about each student.. Most of them were fairly clever and funny.. Except mine... I was deemed "The Human Skyscraper".... Quite often I got asked if my parents were tall, thing is they aren't. I honestly don't know where I get my height, or my red hair for that matter.

Over the years I have found ways to overcome my "Tall Struggles" I have avoided wearing pants. I usually wear shorts or leggings. I don't really pay attention to the ignorant comments anymore, and I have learned to actually love my life as a tall woman. I still wear heels and I have gotten pretty good at finding shoes that fit. The only struggle nowadays is finding a man taller than me, and of course the fact that my hips and knees make me feel like I'm 50 some days. Over all though, I have somehow learned to enjoy being tall. I guess I have just accepted myself the way that I am. Hopefully someday I will find a man that accepts me as well.