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Our Lives

Series 5

The Girl with the Colourful Leg

Duration: 29 minutes

First broadcast: on BBC One LondonLatest broadcast: on BBC Two Northern Ireland

In 2018, Bernadette Hagans from Belfast was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma, a very rare cancer that develops in cells around joints and tendons. Her right leg was amputated from the knee down, and she had to learn to walk again using a prosthetic limb. Despite this, Bernadette felt lucky to be given a chance to live, and a week after being discharged from hospital was signed as a model.

This programme follows Bernadette, now 25, as she takes part in a fashion shoot for Elle magazine and makes history as the first amputee to compete in the final of Miss Northern Ireland. She tells us how her diagnosis has changed her for the better, and how she now views her 'robot foot' as a piece of art, customising it and regularly changing its colour with the help of a vinyl car wrapping company.

Since sharing a video of her reaction to her diagnosis, her positive social media posts and pictures of her colourful prosthetic customisations have gained her a worldwide following. Now a charity ambassador as well as a model and actress, Bernadette feels part of the 'inclusion revolution'.

Executive Editor: Nicola Alexander
Producer/Director: Tim K Newell
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Contributors

Director:
Tim Newell
Producer:
Tim Newell
Executive Producer:
Nicola Alexander

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