Mother mocked over stretch marks writes open letter on Facebook, goes viral

A mother-of-five who was ridiculed on a beach for her stretch marks has written an open letter on Facebook - which has gone viral.

Tanis Jex-Blake, from Alberta, Canada, says she was trying to sunbathe on Alberta Beach while her children were playing, and it was the first time she'd worn a bikini in public for 13 years.

According to the Mirror, she overheard someone say "Oh my God, look at that, that's f***ing nasty, that's disgusting, look how gross that is."

Tanis said she opened her eyes to see two men and a woman looking over her and pointing.

She pretended to ignore the comments, but cried all the way home. And then she decided to hit back with an online open letter.

The letter was shared on Facebook and has hit the headlines in Canada and around the world.

The letter, posted on Facebook, read: "I'm sorry if my first attempt at sun tanning in a bikini in public in 13 years "grossed you out". I'm sorry that my stomach isn't flat and tight. I'm sorry that my belly is covered in stretch marks.

"I'm NOT sorry that my body has housed, grown, protected, birthed and nurtured FIVE fabulous, healthy, intelligent and wonderful human beings. I'm sorry if my 33 year old, 125 lb body offended you so much that you felt that pointing, laughing, and pretending to kick me. But I'll have you know that as I looked at your 'perfect' young bodies, I could only think to myself "what great and amazing feat has YOUR body done?".

"I'll also have you know that I held my head high, unflinching as you mocked me, pretending that what you said and did had no effect on me; but I cried in the car on the drive home.

"Thanks for ruining my day. It's people like you who make this world an ugly hateful place. I can't help but feel sorry for the women who will one day bear your children and become "gross" in your eyes as their bodies change during the miraculous process of pregnancy. I can only hope that one day you'll realise that my battle scars are something to be proud of, not ashamed of."

Tanis has received thousands of messages of support on Facebook and Twitter.

One woman wrote: "Woohoo @TanisJex_Blake! Turned a moment of vulnerability into a moment of strength and empowerment."

While another added: "Your body is awesome and so is your attitude."

According to Global News, Jex-Blake says her shame has now turned to a feeling of empowerment and she hopes her situation will help other women feel more confident about their bodies.

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