Erabaru.net. A rare condition has made a brave woman rise in her life.
Mahogany Geter, 24, was born with enlarged legs – she now weighs around 45kg – and believes the difference is part of what makes her beautiful.
Geter lives with lymphedema, a chronic disease that causes body parts to swell due to lymph nodes not draining body fluids properly – meaning he will need regular physiotherapy and massage to drain excess fluids for the rest of his life.
Although Geter’s lymphedema affects the entire left side of his body, it is his legs that bear the brunt of the condition.
Genetic lymphedema like Geter, which affects just one in 100,000 people, also puts it at higher risk of developing painful and debilitating fibrosis, thickening or scarring.
The Tennessee resident was diagnosed with the condition right after birth, and it continues to make traveling difficult.
“It drains my energy, of course, because it’s an extra 45kg,” he told local NBC affiliate WBIR. “So when I say I’m not very fast, or my mobility is limited, it’s very true.”
He has received a lot of unkind stares and comments, especially throughout his childhood.
“I’ve been through a lot of stress because you’re a kid, and you have a lot of adults looking up at you,” Geter shared. “I would say it can probably affect you more mentally and emotionally.”
“As a child, I never felt beautiful. I felt ugly, like a freak, and cried in private many times,” he added.
Many doctors suggested surgery, but in more severe cases surgery did not remove the swelling completely, so he always declined the offer.
Geter decided the only way forward was to accept himself for who he was and promote body positivity – which he was able to start doing in 2017.
He was working at a Walmart when a photographer approached him and asked him to take his picture.
“I was like, ‘I’m getting older now, maybe it’s time I started putting my whole body out there,’ and hopefully doing that can help other people,” admits Geter.
She was initially hesitant to accept the offer, but eventually gave in and had her picture taken, leading to the start of her modeling career.
Geter has a large presence on social media, with a combined 47,000 followers across two Instagram accounts and one YouTube video with over 10 million views.
“Especially, I get a lot of positive responses, and what I like the most is helping people who also feel low,” he said.
Geter hopes to continue her dream of becoming a model and flaunting her swollen legs to help others celebrate their differences.
“When I grow up, I want to buy my mother a house and take care of my family, so I will do everything I can to raise awareness of lymphedema to give back to everyone who has ever shown me kindness,” he shared. (yn)
Source: nypost
