A Breast Cancer survivor has moved into the Adelaide Hills to open a new specialist lingerie and swimwear store.
‘Bra Fitting Wisdom’ in Birdwood has opened its doors for the first time today, offering those who have undergone breast cancer and surgery a safe and comfortable space to go shopping and get a professional fitting.
Owner Gillian Horton tells ARN’s Adam Connelly and Jennie Lenman that she brings with her 10 years experience running a similar store in Canberra called ‘Colleens’ following her diagnosis and single mastectomy in 2018.
“I remember being fitted with a silicone breast form which gave me balance, I remember looking in the mirror and thinking, ‘I’ve got this, I can do this,’ and it was such a profound moment for me. Fast forward six years and Colleen was retiring and was going to close the business if nobody bought it and I just knew that’s what I wanted to do,” Gillian told ARN’s Adam and Jennie.
“Recently I relocated to Birdwood and I really want to help the local women here.”
She says she has really enjoyed developing a positive community through her work.
“Having the understanding, the empathy, there are no questions at all that are out of bounds. Quite often we’ve laughed together, we’ve cried together, we’ve hugged together… cancer doesn’t just affect one person it affects families, it ripples out to the communities and if the person who’s diagnosed is feeling so much better within themselves, the way they look, the way they feel, both inside and outside, then the people around them can see ‘Oh my gosh, she’s going to be okay’,” Gillian said.
