Sarahléna Manise, Miss Namur contestant: “Behind the rain, there’s always sunshine”
Portraits Bullied at school, she went through eating disorders before regaining her confidence. Aged 18, a nursing student and Miss Namur contestant,…
Portrait · Visé area, Province of Liège
Véronique
After her illness, she no longer recognised herself in the mirror. Top Women gave her back the pleasure of dressing up, wearing make-up and even posing.
Text The info-shooting editorial team
Photos Paty Evrard
Based on the first-hand account published by info-lux.com in January 2022
“My name is Véronique, I’m 48.” So begins the account she gave info-lux.com in January 2022.
Married and a mother of two boys, she lives in a small village a few kilometres from Visé. She is 1.50 m tall, a petite height that has earned her a few nicknames. She sums up her journey in one sentence.
I went from “Smurfette” to “frumpy old housewife”, by way of “Barbie”!
Véronique, January 2022
The “Barbie” phase
Meeting the man who would become her husband changed the way she saw herself.
I felt beautiful, slowly gained confidence and started taking care of my looks… At one point I’d dyed my long hair blonde, and some people called me Barbie!
Véronique, January 2022
She finally dares to dress the way she wants. Alongside her job, she is building a freelance business as a Life & Business Coach: “I’ve given talks, written little books and even been on radio shows!”
February 2017
“Sadly, in February 2017, everything changed. I was diagnosed with cancer.” Then came aggressive chemotherapy that caused a thrombosis, high doses of cortisone that made her put on a lot of weight, and radiotherapy affecting her oesophagus, stomach, lungs and heart.
Two long years of rehabilitation followed. She had to relearn how to climb stairs, handle objects, use cutlery and write.
In a few months, I felt as if I had aged 20 years: my hair grew back completely grey, my eyesight got worse, my skin is wrinkled, I put on weight, my joints ache…
Véronique, January 2022
When I look at myself, I see an old woman… and I don’t like myself any more.
Véronique, January 2022
A happy coincidence
“And then, by chance, I came across Top Women… a happy coincidence.” Founded by Nathalie De Reuck, Top Women supports women of all ages and body types over several months, with coaching, workshops and challenges, to help them accept themselves as they are.
Thanks to Top Women, I'm starting to accept the person I've become, and to accept my image and what I can do now.
Véronique, January 2022
She is learning to accept her limits and to stop feeling guilty when she needs rest. She has even taken up painting, a challenge she thought unthinkable a few months earlier because of her joint pain.
In front of the lens
Thanks to Top Women's coaching, I've rediscovered the pleasure of dressing up and doing my make-up. I even dared to have photos taken!
Véronique, January 2022
These photos are by Paty Evrard: in the studio, in black leather against red velvet, and outdoors, in autumn colours. Thanks to Top Women, she says, a new circle of friends is forming, and the desire to take on projects is coming back.
Thanks to Top Women, my new life can finally begin!
Véronique, January 2022
Véronique’s gallery
Tap or click a photo to open it full size, then scroll through with the arrows, the keyboard or by swiping.
2022 · In the studio, black leather
2022 · In autumn colours
2022 · Light coat and grey wool
Profile: Véronique on info-shooting. To offer her a photo shoot, write to the editorial team, who will pass it on.
Photographer: Paty Evrard’s portfolio.
On info-lux.com (in French): Top Women in Visé: what's the story? (January 2022) and, for background, Top Women 2022: the podium.
Sources: personal account published by info-lux.com on 9 January 2022; presentation of Top Women based on info-lux.com (June 2022). Each photo is credited in its caption.
