Meagan Barnard experienced lymphedema in her left leg when she entered puberty.Puberty is difficult enough for both boys and girls in their teens, but Meagan’s experience was considerably more difficult.She did everything in her power to conceal her leg because she was made fun of at school and given awful nicknames like “Michelin Man.”Meagan’s left leg then grew to more than twice the size of her right leg when she was 24 years old.Her partner was unaware that she had lymphedema, therefore she wouldn’t even show him her leg.Then something occurred.Following years of feeling ill, Meagan made the decision to “come out” with her lymphedema.She even showed off her leg during a professional photo session.
Swelling that usually affects one of your arms or legs is called lymphedema. The Mayo Clinic states that the removal or injury to the lymph nodes is typically the cause.
At the age of 15, Meagan Barnard developed lymphedema. She refused to discuss her strange, lonely, and suicidal feelings with her friends and family.
For more than ten years, she avoided wearing dresses or skirts and instead covered up her swelling leg with loose clothing. Someone at her school even exclaimed, “I didn’t know that the Michelin Man went to school here,” in an attempt to make fun of her.
Meagan penned a suicide note to her father on one occasion because she felt so horrible and didn’t believe she could take it any longer.
Meagan’s left leg can contain up to three liters of extra fluid, and it once swelled up to more than twice the size of her right leg when she was 24 years old.
She began seeing a man named Robert Neidenfeuhr as she grew older. Before revealing her lymphoedema to the public during a picture session, Meagan was able to conceal it from her fiance for two years, according to the NZ Herald.
Even in their most intimate times, Robert claims he never noticed her swelling leg. 👇🏻
“She was very careful, but I really didn’t notice,” Mr. Neidenfeuhr clarified. Numerous doors were closed, many lights were off, and so forth.
Meagan has up to three liters of extra fluid in her leg due to the disease, which has led to distressing nicknames like “Michelin Man.” She covered her leg with loose clothing or a cushion for many years.
Until one day…
For the first time in ten years, Meagan flaunted her legs a few years ago. In the hopes that young girls who experience lymphedema won’t have to cope with it in silence, she made the decision to come out about it.
Now, Meagan Barnard has been invited to model more after showcasing her leg in glamor photographs, and the results are incredibly impressive. Meagan hopes that by exposing her body, she would encourage girls to embrace their individuality.
If you also believe that Meagan is a strong, beautiful, and inspirational person, please share!
