Meagan Barnard was diagnosed with lymphedema when she was only 15.
It is a rare condition which causes fluid retention and swelling in the body’s tissues.
This disease is unfortunately incurable.
It was a perfect day for aspiring model Meagan Barnard from Minneapolis. While in a seeming landscape venue, she was striking a series of daring shots while in her bikini. However, her photographer noticed something weird in her leg.
Apparently, Barnard has lymphedema—a rare condition which causes fluid retention and swelling in the body’s tissues due to lymphatic system failure. She was diagnosed with this disease when she was only 15, and it’s unfortunately incurable. This caused her leg to become oversized. Barnard has 5 pints of excess fluid in her leg.
“Being diagnosed with lymphedema at 15 was extremely hard for me. I was at an age where all anyone wants is to fit in. For a very long time, my condition made me feel like I was less of a person, that I wasn’t normal like the other students my age. I felt like I belonged in the circus for the way that I looked,” Barnard said.
“Prior to having lymphedema, I was a baton twirler, dancer and basketball player,” she says. “I enjoyed being in the spotlight and performing. Lymphedema took that away from me,” she recalled.
Her condition led her to become a victim of bullying from her schoolmates and even called her Michelin Man. Despite this, she fought the criticisms through standing up for herself. She isn’t humiliated of her condition so that other girls who are experiencing the same will be inspired to have the courage and won’t suffer in silence.
”I really don’t know how I’ve hidden this for so long. I guess I don’t want other young girls to have to go through what I did. At the time I would rather have not been alive than have lymphoedema. After opening up, I feel so much happier. I was extremely depressed; I would come home from school every day, cry and ask why me- it felt like my life was over at 15,” said Meagan.
Barnard raised funds for a series of surgeries to lessen her lymphedema and change her life for the better.
“After surgery, the hopes for my life are endless,” Barnard said.
“Having this surgery would give me the opportunity to dance again, play basketball without being in pain, and even just the ability to wear a pair of boots to endure the cold winters in Minnesota. Having surgery to correct my lymphedema will give me a whole new life,” she added.
What can you say about Meagan Barnard’s condition? Were you inspired by her courage to stand up? Tell us what’s on your mind in the comments field below.
SOURCE: People, Boytrending