My Legs Will Never Stop Growing | BORN DIFFERENT

A WOMAN living with two conditions that mean her legs will not stop growing has told of how she still feels beautiful. Katrina, 41, from Georgia, USA, has both lipedema and lymphedema - disorders of the lymphatic system that have caused an abnormal build-up of fat and fluid in her legs. Over the years, she has undergone surgeries to remove some of the build-up, but ultimately, she has had to learn to live with the condition. She said: "My legs will pretty much continue to grow. There's no cure." Though she has been experiencing symptoms since she was a child, Katrina was only diagnosed at 35 years old. She added: "When I first got diagnosed, I felt validated. It had been such an uphill struggle, with people telling me it was all in my head or that I was too young to be in pain. Mentally, that took its toll." Now, though her mobility is severely affected, and she requires help with everyday tasks, she refuses to be defined by her condition. She regularly speaks out about lipedema and lymphedema online and has connected with several other women living with the disorders through the years. And now, in a bid to normalise different body types, she has posed for an empowering photoshoot with her friend and fellow lipo-lipedema warrior Elise. She said: "The shoot is to let people know you can still have a life with these conditions. I'm going to still get cute to the nines, I'm still going to be beautiful. I'm not my legs. I am Katrina."
Follow Katrina at https://www.instagram.com/bigbabytheboss/ and https://www.tiktok.com/@bigbabytheboss