At 24, Mahogany Geter has embraced her unique journey after being born with a 100-lb leg. Though people have told her she wouldn’t amount to anything, Geter’s life has drastically changed after she was offered an opportunity to model. Now, Geter inspires other people struggling with the same condition by spreading the message of body positivity and self-love.
More Info & Image Credit: Instagram
Mahogany Geter, a Tennessee resident, suffers from a rare condition termed lymphedema that has caused her left leg to weigh an astonishing 100 lb. Lymphedema is characterized by abnormal collection of fluids in the soft tissues that can lead to extreme swelling, which in Geter’s case has applied to her entire left side yet is most apparent in her leg.
When Geter came into the world, it was soon discovered she had a condition which made it challenging for her to walk. She was diagnosed with this affliction shortly after her birth. She said, ““It drains my energy, of course, because it’s an extra 100 pounds,”
The model spoke of how she encountered many challenges during her upbringing, remarking that “being a small kid and having multitudes of grown-ups analyzing me was very difficult.” She also chronicled the hurtful remarks from other people, detailing that “it could definitely take a toll on you mentally and emotionally.”
Also, she said, “As a child, I never felt pretty. I felt ugly, like a freak of nature, and cried in private so many times,”.
Many doctors had recommended surgery for her condition, but she always refused, citing cases where surgery didn’t eliminate the growth completely. She resolved instead to accept herself as is.
In 2017, Geter’s life experienced a radical shift when she was noticed by a photographer while working at Walmart. Initially thinking the opportunity was too good to be true, she eventually agreed to let them take her picture.
She said, “I was like, ’I’m getting older now, maybe it’s time I start putting my full body out there,’ and hopefully me doing that can help somebody else,”.
Geter’s career as a model skyrocketed with one amazing opportunity. This led to her being featured in an iconic YouTube video with more than 10 million views and consequently, her presence on Instagram and other social media platforms has drastically increased.
Geter’s dream of becoming a model is driven by more than just personal ambition. Her ultimate goal is to be able to buy her mom a house and provide for her family, while also raising awareness of lymphedema and celebrating differences. Through her hard work and dedication, she hopes to make those dreams reality.