With the rise of social media, we’re constantly seeing images of perfect-looking people, making the world seem even more focused on appearances.
For those who don’t fit this “perfect” mold, life can be tough, with strangers feeling the need to criticize others based on their looks.
Karine de Souza knows this all too well. The Brazilian woman has a rare skin condition that requires her to cover her skin in SPF100 sunscreen, even when she’s indoors.
At age three, Karine was diagnosed with Xeroderma Pigmentosum, a rare condition that makes her very sensitive to sunlight and puts her at high risk for skin cancer.
This condition, which has no cure, means her skin can’t repair damage from UV rays. Just a few minutes in the sun can lead to very painful sunburns for her. As a child, she had to stay inside most of the time because being outside was too dangerous.
She explains, “I don’t feel anything right away when I’m in the sun, but later on, I get painful lesions that need to be removed because of cancer.”
Karine has had 130 surgeries to remove lesions caused by the sun, including parts of her lower lip and nose.
But her challenges go beyond physical pain. She often gets stared at and has faced verbal abuse both in person and online.
Despite all this, Karine stays positive and happy. She even found love with her husband, Edmilson, whom she met through social media. Edmilson was drawn to her story and strength, and he’s always been by her side, knowing he wanted to spend his life with her.
He also decided to embrace Karine’s three children from her previous relationship, which of course, meant a lot to Karine.
”He came and he showed me that I could live a true love story”, she says.
But after posting photos of them together online, Karine was once again exposed to a whole host of offensive comments.
”We have already read many offensive comments calling me a monster, deformed, a zombie,” Karine said, as per the Daily Mail.
Other comments suggested that their relationship wasn’t genuine and that Karine was a ”sugar mommy,” and that she must be very rich.
”Because of the fact he’s a young man and pretty, that caught people’s attention and they didn’t believe that he was with me because he really liked me,” Karine said.
A photographer who captured the couple after they got engaged posted a selection of the images online and wrote:
”In a world where appearance matters more than the feeling, they met not by chance, but by a gathering of souls, an encounter of acceptance and character and love emerged when their souls met and today you are the inspiration to so many people who do not believe in themselves, in life and especially in love.
“THANK YOU every day for being who you are. STOP complaining for being like you are. HUG LIFE, and accept yourself. Much gratitude for teaching me so much. You guys are AMAZING. You are the missing hope in so many people. Thank you for the big hug, and for the wonderful day we experienced together. I carry your smile with me forever.”
His heartfelt words and beautiful images he captured of Karine and Edmilson went viral, and thousands of people commented, congratulating the couple.
Karine wants others to realize the importance of being positive.
”Be happy, smile, because life happens only once,” she said.
In 2023, Karine and Edmílson welcomed a baby girl into the world, and they couldn’t be happier! Their daughter, Zaia, was long awaited – Karine and her husband had been trying for a baby since 2020.
Karine has been through so much but thanks to her positive attitude she has found the happiness she deserves.
Her story is inspirational so help us inspire others in similar situations by sharing this story with your friends and family.
Breastfeeding in Public: A Mother’s Creative Response
Although there has long been discussion around breastfeeding in public, one instance from 2018 still has an impact on moms all over the nation. When Melanie Dudley, a new mother from Texas, breastfed her three-month-old son at a restaurant, she became the talk of the town. The following events are both humorous and thought-provoking.
It was 86 degrees outside, and Melanie was covertly nursing her infant. But a man seated close to her felt uneasy and requested her to cover up. Melanie answered with a twist that made everyone in the restaurant laugh, refusing to become defensive. Laughter from bystanders as she covered her own head with the nursing cover.
Melanie’s unorthodox approach was captured in a photo that rapidly went viral on Facebook, igniting a national dialogue about nursing in public. The tragedy happened in 2018, yet its significance is still relevant today. It draws attention to the current discussion over a mother’s unrestricted right to breastfeed her child.
In addition to showcasing Melanie’s sense of humor, her innovative technique brought attention to an important topic: respecting women’s autonomy and the natural act of breastfeeding. It serves as a reminder that society need to encourage and support moms as they face the difficulties of parenthood.
Breastfeeding is a lovely, organic process that has many advantages for both mother and child. Regardless matter where they are, it is imperative to provide a space where moms feel at ease caring for their infants. Promoting the wellbeing of moms and their infants requires providing support and understanding.
Thus, let us honor the bravery and tenacity of every breastfeeding mother out there. They should be commended for their commitment and love, not condemned. Breastfeeding is a journey that ought to be celebrated and embraced rather than kept secret.
Let’s keep pushing for the right to breastfeed in public and making sure that all mothers experience support and empowerment. We can all benefit from a more accepting and understanding society if we work together.
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