Negative body image and fat shaming are issues plaguing societies all over the world today. But just like everything else, breaking bad habits and thoughts starts with educating young minds.
Mahogany Geter from Knoxville, Tennessee, has lymphedema – a condition that caused her leg to swell beyond what is typically considered normal. It’s usually caused by the removal of, or damage to, the lymph nodes, according to Mayo Clinic.
Sadly, many people on the Internet have mocked and attacked the 23-year-old Texan for not looking like the standard of beauty. Recently, Geter posted a reaction video in relation to these hurtful and ignorant comments.
In her caption, she wrote about a variety of nasty things that have been said to her, including, “Why don’t you amputate your leg, ‘it will look better.’”
Mahogany, who has lived with the condition all her life, explained, “It has been so hard to rise above these mean people, but I have no other choice.
While often feeling low because of these cruel insults, Mahogany finds support in the lymphedema community and from her family.
Her mother, Timika Geter, understands how beautiful her daughter is beautiful both inside and out.
“It means I can try my best to inspire other people to accept themselves and see how beautiful they are.”
In fact, when Mahogany is feeling low, talking to her mother is what helps her feel better.
When describing her mother, she says, “she’s like my therapist.”
Lymphedema is when excess fluids build up, commonly in the limbs due to a blockage in the lymphatic system.
The condition can turn into lymphangiosarcoma and has no cure currently. Diagnosed at birth, Mahogany has always struggled with “feeling pretty.”
Mahogany currently uses physiotherapy as a method of getting better. She enjoys drawing, listening to music, and creating content for TikTok or YouTube.
“It does get frustrating dealing with flare-ups because I just want to live my life more freely, and it feels like I can’t.”
Mahogany dreams of buying a house for her mother and raising awareness on lymphedema.
