Burns survivor Turia Pitt features on the cover of July’s Women’s Weekly

TURIA Pitt has been to hell and back, but ask her how she feels about the cards she’s been dealt and her answer will astound you.

TURIA Pitt has been to hell and back, but ask her how she feels about the cards she’s been dealt and her answer will astound you.

The burns survivor who was caught in a bushfire three years ago during an ultra-marathon in the Kimberley, Western Australia, features on the cover of next month’s The Australian Women’s Weekly.

And her words are just as powerful as the beautiful image on the front.

“I dont think I have done anything inspiring,” says the 26-year-old when asked if she has a sense of how impressive she is.

“I’m just getting on with my life. We should all be making the most out of whatever circumstances we have all been dealt in life. You only have one life to live after all. You can sit around and feel sorry for yourself or you can get on with it. I just choose to get on with it.

“I honestly feel like the luckiest girl in the world.”

Ms Pitt suffered burns to 64 per cent of her body during the 100km race in 2011. Picture: Supplied

Pitt who is part of The Weekly’s Women of The Future judging panel says her perception of beauty has also been redefined.

“Beauty is how we carry ourselves. It’s walking tall and looking people in the eye, and having confidence in yourself. That’s what makes a woman beautiful.

“We are all so much more than our bodies. At first it was hard to go out in public and have people stare at me. But I had to do it, otherwise I was giving in and letting this accident define and defeat me.

Pitt continually leaves anyone who meets her in awe.

“Any attempt to describe the magic and beauty of Turia seems to get lost in platitudes or cliches,” editor Helen McCabe wrote on the magazine’s website.

“Yet I have never met a more remarkable person.”

Commentator Kate Leaver also remarked on women’s website Mamamia that the cover would have a profound impact.

“It will start conversations among people — especially curious children — who will want to know what happened to Turia.

“And it will give parents a chance to talk to their kids about bravery and strength and courage and about beauty being so much more than what you see on the outside.”

July issue of @WomensWeeklyMag out Thurs. With a very special cover girl @TuriaPitt. Especially proud of this one. pic.twitter.com/gFvBHnpLR5

— Bryce Corbett (@brycecorbett) June 24, 2014

Sub-type: comment CAPTION: July issue of @WomensWeeklyMag out Thurs. With a very special cover girl @TuriaPitt. Especially proud of this one. pic.twitter.com/gFvBHnpLR5— Bryce Corbett (@brycecorbett) June 24, 2014

What a cover! Bold decision that deserves a big bravo @helenmccabe. What an awesome woman @turiapitt is. http://t.co/iaKltHWuOQ

— Felicity Harley (@felicityharley) June 24, 2014

Sub-type: comment CAPTION: What a cover! Bold decision that deserves a big bravo @helenmccabe. What an awesome woman @turiapitt is. http://t.co/iaKltHWuOQ— Felicity Harley (@felicityharley) June 24, 2014

@TuriaPitt you made the cover of Women's Weekly. You're not just inspiring because you survived but you're inspiring us all to be strong. ❤️

— The Quentin (@qkenihan) June 24, 2014

Sub-type: comment CAPTION: @TuriaPitt you made the cover of Women's Weekly. You're not just inspiring because you survived but you're inspiring us all to be strong. ❤️— The Quentin (@qkenihan) June 24, 2014

Ms Pitt said she was humbled by her selection.

She joins an illustrious batch of women who have graced the cover of the Weekly, including former prime minister Julia Gillard and former Queensland premier Anna Bligh.

Originally published as Burns survivor Turia Pitt features on the cover of July’s Women’s Weekly