She was bullied as a child. But now she has over 8,000 supporters on Instagram. The fashion model’s left leg adds 100lb to her total body w...
- Advertisement -
She was bullied as a child. But now she has over 8,000 supporters on Instagram.
The fashion model’s left leg adds 100lb to her total body weight at its largest. Defiantly, the disabled woman has vowed to never have it amputated.
The Aspiring model, 23, with one larger leg due to a rare condition that makes the left side of her body swell reveals she feels 'beautiful' despite trolls telling her to have an amputation.
Mahogany Geter, 23, from Knoxville, Tennessee, was born with lymphedema, a long-term condition where excess fluid collects in the body's soft tissue, causing swelling on her left side.
She suffered ignorant comments and bullying as a child that knocked her confidence, but now she says she feels ‘beautiful inside and out.’
The aspiring model ignores online trolls and proudly shows off her disability with empowering photoshoots on social media.
Shortly after her birth, doctors noticed the difference in Mahogany’s left foot and gave her mother Timika Geter, now 42, the lymphedema diagnosis.
There is no cure and excess fluid builds in Mahogany's leg which can only be eased with physiotherapy and lymphatic drainage massage.
Mahogany who is the eldest of three sisters, said: “My mom was so worried when I was diagnosed but we have got through everything together. As a child I never felt pretty, I used to think God had cursed me. I felt ugly, like a freak of nature and cried in private so many times.”
“Then I decided that I was given this condition because I am emotionally strong and I can handle it. Since then I have been learning to accept and celebrate myself.”
“I want to inspire other people to celebrate their differences. I now believe I am beautiful on the inside and out. I'm proud of what my body can do.”
Trolls try to mock Mahogany with comments telling her to ‘amputate her leg so she will look better’ but she has learnt to ignore them.
“I have had my fair share of ignorant comments, one person told me my leg looked like a ham roll and one girl at school called me a deformed b***h. It has been so hard to rise above these mean people but I have no other choice,” Mahogany said.
“For the longest I felt so low about myself but once I got older and with loads of support from the online lymphedema community and my mom who is my inspiration, she is so strong, I realised how beautiful I am. Not only looks but as a person.”
Her acts inspire other people to accept themselves and see how beautiful they are. On good health days Mahogany likes to stay active with her physiotherapy and creates content for TikTok and Instagram, posted on her page lymph.goddess23 where she has over 8,000 followers.
Primary lymphedema is caused by alterations (mutations) in genes responsible for the development of the lymphatic system. The faulty genes cause the parts of the lymphatic system responsible for draining fluid to not develop properly or not work as they should.
Primary lymphedema often runs in families, although not every child born to someone with the condition will develop it themselves. Secondary lymphedema develops in people who previously had a normal lymphatic system that then becomes damaged.
Mahogany manages her condition each day with massage, compression dressings and physiotherapy. She drinks lots of water to flush out her system and has to avoid salty foods and alcohol. Unfortunately, she can suffer with flare ups of cellulitis, a painful skin infection caused by the swelling.
Despite her condition, Mahogany has a dream. “If I ever make it big I want to buy my mother a house and take care of my family, then I’ll do everything I can to raise awareness of lymphedema to pay it back to everyone who has ever shown me kindness.” – Online Sources
“Then I decided that I was given this condition because I am emotionally strong and I can handle it. Since then I have been learning to accept and celebrate myself.”
 |
| Mahogany Geter has Been a Target of Online Bullying |
Trolls try to mock Mahogany with comments telling her to ‘amputate her leg so she will look better’ but she has learnt to ignore them.
“I have had my fair share of ignorant comments, one person told me my leg looked like a ham roll and one girl at school called me a deformed b***h. It has been so hard to rise above these mean people but I have no other choice,” Mahogany said.
“For the longest I felt so low about myself but once I got older and with loads of support from the online lymphedema community and my mom who is my inspiration, she is so strong, I realised how beautiful I am. Not only looks but as a person.”
Her acts inspire other people to accept themselves and see how beautiful they are. On good health days Mahogany likes to stay active with her physiotherapy and creates content for TikTok and Instagram, posted on her page lymph.goddess23 where she has over 8,000 followers.
Primary lymphedema is caused by alterations (mutations) in genes responsible for the development of the lymphatic system. The faulty genes cause the parts of the lymphatic system responsible for draining fluid to not develop properly or not work as they should.
Primary lymphedema often runs in families, although not every child born to someone with the condition will develop it themselves. Secondary lymphedema develops in people who previously had a normal lymphatic system that then becomes damaged.
Mahogany manages her condition each day with massage, compression dressings and physiotherapy. She drinks lots of water to flush out her system and has to avoid salty foods and alcohol. Unfortunately, she can suffer with flare ups of cellulitis, a painful skin infection caused by the swelling.
Despite her condition, Mahogany has a dream. “If I ever make it big I want to buy my mother a house and take care of my family, then I’ll do everything I can to raise awareness of lymphedema to pay it back to everyone who has ever shown me kindness.” – Online Sources
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
Tinzwei Is A Worth Voyage For Those In Pursuit For Up-To-Date World Events.
Read More At The Online Coronavirus Portal Or Use The 24-Hour Public Hotline:
South Africa: 0800 029 999 or just Send Hie to 0600 123 456 on WhatsApp
No comments