text: A former air stewardess who was struck down by a devastating illness is making her catwalk debut today in a wheelchair. Gemma Flanagan, 31, from Liverpool, was left paralysed after suddenly being hit by Guillain Barre Syndrome, a rare condition which attacks the nervous system. The aspiring model was working for British Airways when the condition first struck. But the aspiring model, 31, isn't letting that hold her back as she makes her catwalk debut today . Air hostess Gemma Flanagan, pictured strengthening her legs, left, and in a wheelchair, right, was left paralysed after being hit by Guillain Barre Syndrome . She said: 'I had just come back from Las Vegas and felt odd, like I was jet-lagged. My legs were heavy and I had pins and needles.' Gemma assumed partying in six-inch heels during her stopover was the cause of the pain in her legs. But for seven months her family watched on as she was left frozen in her own body, unable to move, speak or even swallow as the illness - which affects only one in 50,000 people in the UK - took hold. She assumed partying during a stop over was the cause of her pain - but she had Guillain-Barre Syndrome . After returning from a flight she felt jet-lagged; her legs were heavy and she had pins and needles . Gemma was used to getting sore feet from partying in heels and never thought she might end up paralysed . Tests in October 2011 confirmed the diagnosis which led to Gemma first having to use crutches - and now a wheelchair. She spent seven months in the specialist Walton Neuro Rehabilitation Unit in Merseyside where she learned to talk, write and even partly walk again. Today, the aspiring model is taking part in a show called 'The Beauty Within' by Models of Diversity at London's Olympia. It is designed to show anyone can be beautiful, whatever their age, size or disability. Gemma said: 'People think sexy and disability don't go together, that you can't be sexy in a wheelchair, that you can't be glamorous, but I want to show that you can. 'It is more difficult because when you are walking you can maybe do a little dance but, in a wheelchair, you're a little more limited. After tests confirmed her diagnosis, Gemma spent months in the specialist Walton Neuro Rehabilitation Unit . 'But I'm looking forward to it - and I just hope I don't roll off the end!' Gemma will soon move to a bungalow with her boyfriend because she finds it increasingly difficult to get upstairs. And she admits having to use her wheelchair more frequently has previously left her in tears. She added: 'It's about seeing beyond the metal and the rubber, the wheelchair, to see the person behind it or in it.' Today, the aspiring model is taking part in a show called The Beauty Within, showing anyone can be beautiful . The aspiring model - seen here at the races - wants to show that you can be glamorous in a wheelchair . Gemma, pictured with the mobility scooter she sometimes uses to get around . 'Sometimes I do feel like I'm losing control but I have to try to stay positive and tell myself I have got through worse since my diagnosis. 'That's why I wanted to model in my chair. It's sticking two fingers up to things and saying you can do things, you just have to do things in a different way. 'It's about your personality, who you are inside. Doing the fashion show is saying "this is me".'
target: Gemma Flanagan, 31, from Liverpool, was hit by Guillain Barre Syndrome .
  She was working for BA when rare illness left her paralysed .
  But today the aspiring model makes catwalk debut in her wheelchair .
  She is taking part in a Models of Diversity show at London's Olympia .