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.
I Found My Husband with His Lover at the Airport and Decided to Follow Them to Paris — Here’s How It All Unfolded
My reality came crashing down at the airport when I discovered my husband with another woman. This heartbreaking moment led to an unexpected encounter with a charming and kind airline pilot, setting me off on a romantic escapade to Paris. Despite the excitement, I wondered if such a romantic journey could truly last.
Brian and I were facing challenges in our marriage, though I hadn’t fully grasped their weight. Clinging to hope, I held onto my Paris ticket and navigated through the crowded airport, trying to calm my racing nerves.
I planned to surprise Brian on his work trip to France, thinking a romantic getaway in the city of love might rekindle our relationship. But instead, I saw him at the airport with a young woman, their intimate connection undeniable.
My heart broke as the truth dawned on me. “Brian!” I exclaimed, stunned.
His surprise quickly turned to indifference. He released the woman and approached me. “Ava, what are you doing here?” he asked, frowning.
“I wanted to surprise you, to spend time together in Paris,” I stammered, feeling my dream crumble.
Brian pulled me aside, visibly annoyed. “This isn’t a good time, Ava. This is business,” he said dismissively, tearing my ticket apart. “And she’s just a colleague. Go home.”
Tears welled up. “I thought we were trying to fix us,” I said, devastated.
“This was a mistake. Leave,” he said coldly, walking away with the woman, leaving me shattered. I collapsed beside my suitcase, crying, when Jack found me.
“Are you alright?” he asked, his voice full of concern. I looked up into kind eyes and saw his pilot uniform, finding him handsome.
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