Unfortunately, those who suffer from unusual conditions sometimes also have
to put up with looks and comments that others make just because they don't
"look like everyone else."
So it's important that to learn more about rare diseases and the people
living with them so we can increase our understanding and awareness.
One way to do this is to highlight role models who dare to speak openly
about their lives—even though they don't belong to the norm.
Isa-Bella Leclair was born with Parkes Weber Syndrome, a genetic disease
that, among other things, results in lymphedema, or a swelling in one of the
legs.
Fluid started collecting in Isa-Bella's right leg when she was very young.
Over time, her right leg swelled to twice the size of her left one.
"I literally realized something was wrong with her body the moment she
was born," Isa-Bella's mother says.
By the time Isa-Bella Leclair was at university, her right leg weighed 40
pounds (18 kg).
Physical activity was virtually impossible. Finding a pair of jeans that
fit was out of the question.
And since Isa-bella's right leg has always drawn attention, she often
received questions and had awkward glances.
"When I was in public at the mall or beach, people would stare at me.
I had to grow up faster than other kids and had to realize what I had and that
it was normal for people to be curious," says Isa-Bella. "I would
explain to people my own age, saying just simply, 'I was born this way.'"
Fortunately, Isa-Bella, who is from Canada, has always had the support of
her family—especially her sister Danyka.
But even though Isa-Bella had a healthy sense of self-esteem and was a
positive person, she just wanted to hide her leg.
Being on display so much wasn't easy.
"As a mom, I would expect her to come back home from school crying
because she couldn't do something, but that day never came—not once," her
mother told the Daily Mail.
When Isa-bella was 19, however, she decided to do something that would
inspire millions of people.
It all started with a selfie on a family vacation in Florida. But the photo
soon took off on social media.
Many people thought it was brave of Isa-Bella to pose in her bikini and
show off her leg.
"I think it's important for people who have health issues to not only
work on getting healthy but to work on loving yourself and accepting who you
are," says Isa-Bella.
"For me, beauty isn't just on the outside. When I say someone is
beautiful I see someone who makes you feel good when you're around them,"
Isa-Bella says. "My condition doesn't define me and there's no way I would
let it stop me from wearing a cute swimsuit or a cute dress."
Since her bikini images went viral, Isa-Bella has won a beauty contest in
her hometown of Campbellton, New Brunswick.
She often speaks and writes about Parkes Weber Syndrome and explains what
it's like to live with lymphedema.
Her goal is to keep raising awareness and knowledge about what she and many
others are going through.
Now, Isa-Bella has graduated and she regularly gets lymph draining massages
from a physiotherapist, Manon Tardif, which have been promising so far.
We wish you great happiness in the future, Isa-Bella!
Watch this video to see how this brave girl is changing the standard of
what is considered beautiful, one photo at a time.
Isn't it uplifting to see such a happy, positive young girl
doing her best to help others who might not always be happy with their bodies?
I think Isa-Bella deserves a big round of applause for her
courage. It requires a lot of mental strength to dare to do what she's done.
Please share her story. Hopefully, even more people will be
inspired by this 19-year-old!
This post was republished from en.newsner.com You can
find the original post here.