Thanks to the rise of social media, we are all bombarded with images of perfect looking people; it seems that the world has become even more superficial in how people are judged.
For those of us who don’t fit into the stereotypical image of the ‘perfect’ person, the world can seem very cruel when complete strangers feel the need to criticise someone based on their appearance on social media.
Karin de Souza knows this as well as anyone. Because of a rare skin condition, the Brazilian has been smearing sunscreen with SPF100 her entire life – even when she’s at home.
At the age of three, the 33-year-old was diagnosed with xeroderma pigmentosum, which means she is at high risk of skin cancer.
Her incurable one-in-a-million condition 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 turn into incredibly painful sunburns for her. Growing up, she was often isolated from the outside world because it was dangerous for her to spend too much time outside.
‘When I am in the sun, it doesn’t happen immediately, I don’t feel anything. However, in the future there are lesions that have to be removed because of the cancer,’ she says.
Karin has had to undergo 130 surgeries to remove sun damage, including the removal of her lower lip and part of her nose.
Unfortunately, it is not only physical struggles that she has to endure. Karin is often stared at in the street, she has been the victim of verbal abuse both in her environment and on the Internet.
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 was always there for Karin and knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.
He also decided to take in Karin’s three children from her previous relationship, which of course meant a lot to Karin.
‘He came along and showed me that I could live a true love story,’ she says.
But after Karyn posted photos of them together online, abusive comments have been poured back at her.
‘We’ve already read a lot of abusive comments calling me a monster, deformed, a zombie,’ Karyn said, as reported by the Daily Mail.
Other comments have suggested that their relationship is not real, that Karyn is a ‘sugar mum’ and that she must be very rich.
‘Because he’s a young man and handsome, it caught people’s attention and they didn’t believe he was with me because he really liked me,’ Karyn said.
A photographer who captured the couple after their engagement posted a selection of images online and wrote:
‘In a world where appearances matter more than feelings, they did not meet by chance but through the meeting of souls, the meeting of acceptance and character, and love arose when their souls met, and today you are an inspiration to so many people who do not believe in themselves, in life and especially in love.’
‘Every day thank yourself for being who you are. Stop complaining about being who you are. Embrace life and accept yourself. A huge thank you for teaching me so much. You guys are amazing. You are the missing hope for so many people. Thank you for the big hugs and the wonderful day we had together. I will forever carry your smile with me.’
His heartfelt words and the beautiful pictures of Karyn and Edmilson went viral and thousands of people commented congratulating the couple.
Karin wants others to realise how important it is to be positive.
‘Be happy, smile, because life only happens once,’ she said.
In 2023, Karin and Edmilson had a baby girl, and they couldn’t be happier! Their daughter, Zaiyia, was long-awaited – Karin and her husband had been trying to have a baby since 2020.
Karin had to go through a lot, but thanks to her positive attitude, she found the happiness she deserves.
Her story is inspiring, so help us inspire others in a similar situation by sharing this story with your friends and family.
