100 Not Out

Imagine being a model around the world for Calvin Klein and Levi among others – where your looks are literally your income stream – only for not one, but two autoimmune diseases wreak havoc on your body. In a rare interview with someone under 40 on 100 Not Out (two in two weeks after episode 208 with Kale Brock!), we chat with Blair Norfolk. Blair suffered from Vitiligo and Ulcerative Colitis. The former is the condition Michael Jackson suffered from which drew widespread rumour and innuendo throughout his life. The latter was the beginning of Blair’s major challenge. At the age of 21, Australian-born Blair uplifted his life in Melbourne to move to the UK as a full-time working model. As is the stereotype of high fashion models, Blair quickly became entrenched in the lifestyle characteristic of the fashion industry with parties, substance abuse and a do-anything-you-can for your appearance attitude. Fast forward to 23, and Blair becomes very ill, bedridden with blood in his stool and a chronic lack of energy,