Nowadays, societies around the world are plagued by problems like negative body image and fat shaming. But, like everything else, changing negative behaviors and perspectives begins with educating young people.
Mahogany Geter, a resident of Knoxville, Tennessee, suffers from lymphedema, a condition that has caused her leg to swell more than is typical. According to the Mayo Clinic, the removal of or damage to the lymph nodes is typically the cause.
Sadly, the 23-year-old Texan has received a lot of online abuse and mockery for not meeting the ideal of beauty. Geter recently published a video in response to these offensive and ignorant remarks.
She mentioned a number of derogatory remarks in her caption, such as, “Why don’t you amputate your leg, ‘it will look better.’”
“It has been extremely difficult for Mahogany to rise above these nasty people, but there is nothing else I can do,” said the person who has lived with the condition her entire life.
Mahogany frequently feels depressed as a result of these cruel taunts, but she receives support from her family and the lymphedema community.
Timika Geter, her mother, is aware of her daughter’s beauty on the inside and out.
It means I can do everything in my power to encourage others to accept themselves and recognize their own beauty.
In fact, Mahogany finds that talking to her mother makes her feel better when she is depressed.
She says of her mother, “she’s like my therapist,” when describing her.
Mahogany Geter is now employed as a motivational model. Because of a blockage in the lymphatic system, excess fluids often accumulate in the limbs and cause lymphedema.
There is currently no cure for the condition, which can develop into lymphangiosarcoma. Mahogany, who was diagnosed at birth, has never had much luck with “feeling pretty.”
“I used to think God had cursed me,” she said. “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.”
Mahogany is currently using physical therapy as a means of healing. She likes to draw, listen to music, and make videos for YouTube or TikTok.
Dealing with flare-ups can be frustrating because all I want is to be able to live my life more freely.
Mahogany hopes to educate people about lymphedema and buy her mother a home.