Thanks to the rise of social media, we’re all bombarded with images of seemingly perfect-looking people; it seems as though the world has become even more shallow in how people are judged.
For those of us that don’t fit the stereotypical “perfect” mold, the world can seem very cruel, with complete strangers feeling it necessary to criticize someone based on their appearance on social media.
Karine de Souza knows this more than anyone. The Brazilian has spent her life covering her skin in SPF100 sunscreens – even when she’s inside her home – due to her rare skin condition.
The 33-year-old was diagnosed with Xeroderma Pigmentosum when she was three years old which means she is at high risk of skin cancer.
Her ”one-in-a-million” condition, which is incurable, means she is highly sensitive to UV rays as she lacks the ability to repair any damage the sun causes to her skin.
Just a few minutes in the sun can mean incredibly painful sunburn for her. Growing up, she was often isolated from the outside world because it was too dangerous for her to spend too much time outside her house.
“When I expose myself to the sun it doesn’t happen in the moment, I don’t feel anything. However, in the future, the lesions appear and need to be removed because of cancer,” she said.
Karine has had to endure 130 surgical procedures to remove lesions caused by the sun, including the removal of her lower lip and part of her nose.
Sadly, it is not only a physical battle she has to endure. Karine often gets stared at in the street and has been the victim of verbal abuse both within her community and online.
But despite her suffering, she remains upbeat and happy and has even found love.
She met her husband Edmilson through social media, who fell in love with her “story and her strength.” Edmilson has always stood by Karine’s side, and he knew he wanted to spend the rest of 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.
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.
Justin Bieber ‘haunted’ by past amid Diddy scandal, claims source
Justin Bieber has been affected by the arrest of former mentor Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs and is struggling to trust those in his inner-circle, according to new reports.
RadarOnline say that the pop icon has withdrawn from the spotlight in the wake of all that has happened over the past few weeks regarding Diddy. Multiple videos of Bieber as a teen have spread around the internet following Diddy’s arrest, prompting all manner of conspiracy theories and speculation.
Music mogul Diddy, readers will surely already know, is facing charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. Another wave of legal filings was announced on October 1, as per the Los Angeles Times, with it revealed that more than 100 people have planned to file lawsuits alleging sexual abuse and exploitation on the part of Diddy.
Justin Bieber has been affected by the arrest of former mentor Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs and is struggling to trust those in his inner-circle, according to new reports.
RadarOnline say that the pop icon has withdrawn from the spotlight in the wake of all that has happened over the past few weeks regarding Diddy. Multiple videos of Bieber as a teen have spread around the internet following Diddy’s arrest, prompting all manner of conspiracy theories and speculation.
Music mogul Diddy, readers will surely already know, is facing charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. Another wave of legal filings was announced on October 1, as per the Los Angeles Times, with it revealed that more than 100 people have planned to file lawsuits alleging sexual abuse and exploitation on the part of Diddy.
In light of Diddy’s arrest, speculation has linked a number of A-listers to the now infamous “Freak Off” parties he used to host. Not only that, but clear links have resurfaced relating to Diddy’s connection to Justin Bieber, said to have been just 15 when the pair met.
According to a troublesome claim made by RadarOnline, Bieber, now 30 years old, is “haunted” by his past.
Concerns were raised by fans recently when Bieber appeared fatigued and gaunt while stepping out for dinner with his wife Hailey. RadarOnline suggest that it was around that time old clips of Bieber and Diddy went viral.
In one of the clips in question, Diddy boasted about spending “48 hours” with Bieber, then just 15.
“He’s having 48 hours with Diddy. What we’re doing, we can’t really disclose. But it’s definitely a 15-year-old’s dream … we’re gonna go full crazy,” he said.
Now sources are suggesting that Bieber’s links to Diddy may be adversely affecting the Baby singer. One individual, said to have worked in Bieber’s team for years, told PageSix: “Do I believe he was involved in some stupid s—? Yeah.
“He was a teenager. He was the biggest pop star in the world. Everyone was worried about him, and we didn’t know if he would survive it.
“People took advantage of everything he did.”
Another source added: “Justin’s done some really crazy s— and he’s alienated the people around him. He doesn’t trust them.”
Since his arrest, Diddy has been denied bail twice, with judges citing the fact that Combs could intimidate witnesses.
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