{"id":436679,"date":"2026-03-12T13:52:38","date_gmt":"2026-03-12T12:52:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/?p=436679"},"modified":"2026-09-22T16:46:11","modified_gmt":"2026-09-22T14:46:11","slug":"premiere-congolaise-aveugle-avocate-parcours-inspirant-jessikah-inaba","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/bodypositive\/first-congolese-blind-lawyer-an-inspiring-journey-jessikah-inaba-436679","title":{"rendered":"The first blind Congolese woman to become a lawyer: the inspiring journey of Jessikah Inaba"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Jessikah Inaba has shattered many preconceived notions about disability. Born blind with bilateral microphthalmia, she has never let this condition define her limits. At 23, she made history by becoming the first Black, blind lawyer of Congolese origin to practice in the UK, proving that determination and hard work can overcome any obstacle.<\/p>\n<h2> An exemplary academic career<\/h2>\n<p> From childhood, <a href=\"https:\/\/anayamedia.com\/2026\/01\/12\/portrait-jessikah-inabala-non-voyante-determinee-a-changer-le-regard-sur-le-droit\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Jessikah displayed a thirst for knowledge<\/a> and a determination to persevere. Despite being completely blind, she pursued her law studies entirely in Braille, supported by her family and friends. In 2017, she earned her accelerated law degree, then completed her master&#39;s degree two years later while simultaneously undertaking demanding professional training. This stage required discipline, organization, and perseverance\u2014qualities that would soon bear fruit.<\/p>\n<p>Her admission to the bar of the Court of Justice of England in 2022 marked a historic turning point: Jessikah became the first blind Black woman of African descent to practice law in the United Kingdom. This achievement illustrates not only her talent, but also the importance of family and community support in realizing her ambitions.<\/p>\n<h2> Pushing boundaries, inspiring others<\/h2>\n<p> For Jessikah, her journey goes beyond personal success. Above all, she wants to pave the way and inspire those living with a disability or facing seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Her message is clear: believing in yourself and your abilities is essential, and determination can transform the impossible into an opportunity. Her example also encourages us to rethink how society views disability and to value skills above all else.<\/p>\n<p>Her career is a powerful symbol: professional commitment can perfectly coexist with a disability, and even serve as a catalyst to inspire future generations. Being blind does not prevent her from fully fulfilling her role as a lawyer; on the contrary, each case handled, each plea delivered, demonstrates that competence and expertise depend neither on sight nor on social norms. <\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" style=\"background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);\" data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DVwlnLdiUEb\/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\">\n<div style=\"padding: 16px;\">\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\">\n<div style=\"color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;\"> View this post on Instagram <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\">\n<div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: auto;\">\n<div style=\"width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p style=\"color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;\"> <a style=\"color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DVwlnLdiUEb\/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A post shared by The Body Optimist (@thebodyoptimist)<\/a> <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h2> Beyond the clich\u00e9s about disability<\/h2>\n<p> Jessikah Inaba&#39;s journey reminds us that disability is neither a flaw nor a limitation imposed by life. Some people thrive in adapted routines or specific environments, and that is perfectly respectable. What matters is the ability to choose one&#39;s own path and pursue one&#39;s aspirations with confidence and determination.<\/p>\n<p>By breaking down invisible barriers, Jessikah offers a new perspective on disability: it does not define the person, it does not limit their ambitions, and it does not restrict their potential. Her story invites us to celebrate the diversity of life paths and to recognize that everyone can contribute in a unique way, regardless of their circumstances.<\/p>\n<h2> An inspiration for tomorrow<\/h2>\n<p> Jessikah Inaba&#39;s success isn&#39;t measured solely by her degrees or career; it lies in the example she sets for all those who dream big despite the obstacles. Her story demonstrates that with courage, support, and unwavering determination, it&#39;s possible to transform challenges into stepping stones to excellence.<\/p>\n<p>Ultimately, Jessikah Inaba redefines what success means and inspires us to pursue our dreams, regardless of perceived barriers. She demonstrates that beyond clich\u00e9s and supposed limitations, human potential can shine in exceptional ways.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Jessikah Inaba has shattered many preconceived notions about disability. Born blind with bilateral microphthalmia, she has never let...","protected":false},"author":8332,"featured_media":436686,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"disable_msn":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6140],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-436679","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-bodypositive"],"image":{"medium":["https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/aveugle-avocate-Jessikah-Inaba-200x113.jpg",200,113,true],"large":["https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/aveugle-avocate-Jessikah-Inaba-500x281.jpg",500,281,true]},"custom":{"td_video":"","featured_image":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/aveugle-avocate-Jessikah-Inaba.jpg","author":{"name":"Elodie Pimbert","avatar":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ebb150e677ac079d2950ab20b2912eb61a03232e64b7780e8ce332174fbc25ac?s=96&d=blank&r=g"},"categories":[{"term_id":6140,"name":"Body positive","slug":"bodypositive","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":6312,"taxonomy":"category","description":"<p>The Body positive section of The Body Optimist celebrates every body: plus-size or slim, young or older, disabled, marked by stretch marks, scars or illness. Portraits, personal stories and explainers question beauty standards to help you feel more at peace with your appearance, with no pressure to lose weight or to love yourself no matter what.<\/p>\n<h2>What you\u2019ll find in the Body positive section<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Beauty standards<\/strong>: stretch marks, cellulite, hip dips, body hair and wrinkles, demystified, as in our story on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/bodypositive\/hip-dips-heres-why-hollow-hips-are-an-asset-not-a-flaw-428176\">hip dips, a natural feature rather than a flaw<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Portraits<\/strong>: plus-size models, athletes, women over sixty and disabled people who are changing who gets seen.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Bodies and society<\/strong>: fashion that doesn\u2019t cater to every size, the constant scrutiny of women\u2019s bellies, echoing our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/societe\/grossophobie\">Fatphobia<\/a> section.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Self-acceptance<\/strong>: quotes, exercises and stories to make peace with your reflection, alongside our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/confiance-en-soi\">Self-confidence<\/a> section.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>What is body positivity and where does it come from?<\/h2>\n<p>Body positivity is a movement built on the idea that every body deserves respect and representation, regardless of size, skin color, age, gender or disability. Its roots lie in the fat acceptance movement, which emerged in the United States in the late 1960s to fight weight discrimination. The term later took off on social media, at the risk of being co-opted by brands and refocused on bodies close to the norm. Going back to its activist origins is a reminder that it\u2019s not only about \u201cloving yourself\u201d but also about fighting fatphobia.<\/p>\n<h2>Body positivity vs. body neutrality: what\u2019s the difference?<\/h2>\n<p>Body neutrality takes appearance out of the spotlight: instead of striving to love your body, you respect it for what it lets you do, such as walking, dancing or resting. It suits people for whom the pressure to \u201clove yourself\u201d adds stress, or whose relationship with their body has been shaped by illness or an eating disorder. The two approaches aren\u2019t opposites. On tough days, a few habits help: unfollow accounts that make you feel guilty, wear clothes that fit the body you have today, and thank your body for something it did rather than judging how it looks. Here\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/bodypositive\/why-body-neutrality-is-increasingly-appealing-to-women-446685\">why body neutrality appeals to more and more women<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>Our commitment<\/h2>\n<p>Accepting all bodies has been at the heart of our editorial line since our beginnings in plus-size fashion. We show bodies that are rarely seen without reducing them to a \u201cbefore and after\u201d or a heroic feat, and we reject any message that equates health with thinness. Our portraits let people speak for themselves, and never describe anyone as a \u201cflaw to fix.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Where to start<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/bodypositive\/she-is-told-to-correct-her-asymmetrical-chest-to-choose-to-love-her-as-she-is-428203\">Embracing asymmetrical breasts<\/a>: the story of a woman who was told to \u201ccorrect\u201d her chest and chose not to.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/bodypositive\/nose-stomach-arms-how-complexes-shape-life-choices-432126\">How body insecurities shape our choices<\/a>: nose, belly, arms, and the decisions we make around them.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/bodypositive\/this-plus-size-model-denounces-the-silent-demise-of-inclusive-fashion-431725\">The quiet retreat of inclusive fashion<\/a>: a plus-size model calls out the industry for leaving bigger bodies behind.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/bodypositive\/taboos-surrounding-stretch-marks-model-kelly-brook-decides-to-speak-out-428667\">Breaking the stretch mark taboo<\/a>: why one model decided to speak openly about hers.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/bodypositive\/im-not-a-fit-girl-she-challenges-preconceived-ideas-about-the-athletic-body-447083\">Athletic bodies come in every shape<\/a>: a woman who challenges assumptions about what a sporty body looks like.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n<h3>Does accepting your body mean neglecting your health?<\/h3>\n<p>No. The movement challenges the idea that thinness proves good health and that fat people deserve less respect or care. It calls for health care free of weight stigma and aligns with the Health at Every Size (HAES) approach, which focuses on habits rather than the number on the scale.<\/p>\n<h3>Do you have to love your body every day?<\/h3>\n<p>No. Self-acceptance doesn\u2019t demand constant love: it means every body, including yours, deserves respect, even on days when you don\u2019t like it much. Body neutrality offers a gentler path for those days, focused on what your body does rather than how it looks.<\/p>\n<h3>What does \u201cbopo\u201d mean?<\/h3>\n<p>\u201cBopo\u201d is short for body positive or body positivity. It\u2019s widely used on social media, especially as a hashtag, to share unretouched photos and messages of self-acceptance. By extension, it also refers to the content and creators who champion body diversity.<\/p>\n<p>Keep exploring: all our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\">psychology topics<\/a>, family life in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/vie-de-maman\">Parenting<\/a>, and body diversity on the runway in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/mannequinat-inclusif\">Inclusive modeling<\/a>.<\/p>","parent":6138,"count":677,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":6140,"category_count":677,"category_description":"<p>The Body positive section of The Body Optimist celebrates every body: plus-size or slim, young or older, disabled, marked by stretch marks, scars or illness. Portraits, personal stories and explainers question beauty standards to help you feel more at peace with your appearance, with no pressure to lose weight or to love yourself no matter what.<\/p>\n<h2>What you\u2019ll find in the Body positive section<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Beauty standards<\/strong>: stretch marks, cellulite, hip dips, body hair and wrinkles, demystified, as in our story on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/bodypositive\/hip-dips-heres-why-hollow-hips-are-an-asset-not-a-flaw-428176\">hip dips, a natural feature rather than a flaw<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Portraits<\/strong>: plus-size models, athletes, women over sixty and disabled people who are changing who gets seen.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Bodies and society<\/strong>: fashion that doesn\u2019t cater to every size, the constant scrutiny of women\u2019s bellies, echoing our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/societe\/grossophobie\">Fatphobia<\/a> section.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Self-acceptance<\/strong>: quotes, exercises and stories to make peace with your reflection, alongside our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/confiance-en-soi\">Self-confidence<\/a> section.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>What is body positivity and where does it come from?<\/h2>\n<p>Body positivity is a movement built on the idea that every body deserves respect and representation, regardless of size, skin color, age, gender or disability. Its roots lie in the fat acceptance movement, which emerged in the United States in the late 1960s to fight weight discrimination. The term later took off on social media, at the risk of being co-opted by brands and refocused on bodies close to the norm. Going back to its activist origins is a reminder that it\u2019s not only about \u201cloving yourself\u201d but also about fighting fatphobia.<\/p>\n<h2>Body positivity vs. body neutrality: what\u2019s the difference?<\/h2>\n<p>Body neutrality takes appearance out of the spotlight: instead of striving to love your body, you respect it for what it lets you do, such as walking, dancing or resting. It suits people for whom the pressure to \u201clove yourself\u201d adds stress, or whose relationship with their body has been shaped by illness or an eating disorder. The two approaches aren\u2019t opposites. On tough days, a few habits help: unfollow accounts that make you feel guilty, wear clothes that fit the body you have today, and thank your body for something it did rather than judging how it looks. Here\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/bodypositive\/why-body-neutrality-is-increasingly-appealing-to-women-446685\">why body neutrality appeals to more and more women<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>Our commitment<\/h2>\n<p>Accepting all bodies has been at the heart of our editorial line since our beginnings in plus-size fashion. We show bodies that are rarely seen without reducing them to a \u201cbefore and after\u201d or a heroic feat, and we reject any message that equates health with thinness. Our portraits let people speak for themselves, and never describe anyone as a \u201cflaw to fix.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Where to start<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/bodypositive\/she-is-told-to-correct-her-asymmetrical-chest-to-choose-to-love-her-as-she-is-428203\">Embracing asymmetrical breasts<\/a>: the story of a woman who was told to \u201ccorrect\u201d her chest and chose not to.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/bodypositive\/nose-stomach-arms-how-complexes-shape-life-choices-432126\">How body insecurities shape our choices<\/a>: nose, belly, arms, and the decisions we make around them.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/bodypositive\/this-plus-size-model-denounces-the-silent-demise-of-inclusive-fashion-431725\">The quiet retreat of inclusive fashion<\/a>: a plus-size model calls out the industry for leaving bigger bodies behind.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/bodypositive\/taboos-surrounding-stretch-marks-model-kelly-brook-decides-to-speak-out-428667\">Breaking the stretch mark taboo<\/a>: why one model decided to speak openly about hers.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/bodypositive\/im-not-a-fit-girl-she-challenges-preconceived-ideas-about-the-athletic-body-447083\">Athletic bodies come in every shape<\/a>: a woman who challenges assumptions about what a sporty body looks like.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n<h3>Does accepting your body mean neglecting your health?<\/h3>\n<p>No. The movement challenges the idea that thinness proves good health and that fat people deserve less respect or care. It calls for health care free of weight stigma and aligns with the Health at Every Size (HAES) approach, which focuses on habits rather than the number on the scale.<\/p>\n<h3>Do you have to love your body every day?<\/h3>\n<p>No. Self-acceptance doesn\u2019t demand constant love: it means every body, including yours, deserves respect, even on days when you don\u2019t like it much. Body neutrality offers a gentler path for those days, focused on what your body does rather than how it looks.<\/p>\n<h3>What does \u201cbopo\u201d mean?<\/h3>\n<p>\u201cBopo\u201d is short for body positive or body positivity. It\u2019s widely used on social media, especially as a hashtag, to share unretouched photos and messages of self-acceptance. By extension, it also refers to the content and creators who champion body diversity.<\/p>\n<p>Keep exploring: all our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\">psychology topics<\/a>, family life in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/vie-de-maman\">Parenting<\/a>, and body diversity on the runway in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/mannequinat-inclusif\">Inclusive modeling<\/a>.<\/p>","cat_name":"Body positive","category_nicename":"bodypositive","category_parent":6138}]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/436679","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8332"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=436679"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/436679\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":436687,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/436679\/revisions\/436687"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/436686"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=436679"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=436679"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=436679"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}