Isa-Bella Leclair: Parkes-Weber Syndrome Sufferer Sends Powerful Message With Viral Bikini Photo

Isa-Bella Leclair, who suffers from Parkes-Weber syndrome, has inspired thousands after she posted a viral bikini pic that became a powerful body-positive message, People magazine reports. Isa-Bella Leclair is 19-years-old and, like most teenagers her age, likes to share photos on social networks. In 2012, the teen posted a photo of herself in a bikini while on the beach during spring break. Three years later, the picture has become a viral sensation and an inspiring message to many.

https://instagram.com/p/0HJVscjia5/?taken-by=isa19961

As previously mentioned, Canadian Isa-Bella Leclair was born with a rare disease called Parkes-Weber syndrome, which causes swelling in the extremities. It is defined as “a disorder of the vascular system, which is the body’s complex network of blood vessels. A characteristic feature of Parkes Weber syndrome is overgrowth of one limb, most commonly a leg. Abnormal growth occurs in bones and soft tissues, making one of the limbs longer and larger around than the corresponding one.”

In her case, Isa-Bella Leclair suffers from abnormal swelling in her right leg, which she has no problem showing in photographs.

“Because I was born with the malformation, I had no other choice but to get used to people staring and asking me questions. I always told myself from a young age that curiosity is normal and the only thing that can help it is awareness, so I learned about what I had and told the other kids about it even before they had time to ask,” Leclair wrote on Lymphalexa, a website dedicated to people with similar problems.

Isa-Bella’s right leg is actually twice as heavy as her left and weighs about 40 pounds. Despite this, she continues to live in hope by conducting therapy sessions that have so far resulted in a six-centimeter size reduction.

“My condition doesn’t define me and there’s no way I would let it stop me from wearing a cute swimsuit or a cute dress. For me confidence is the most important part because when people see someone confident in their body – even with a disability – they don’t have pity but instead admiration.I think it’s important for people who have health issues to not only work on getting healthy but to work on loving yourself and accepting who you are. For me, beauty isn’t just on the outside. When I say someone is beautiful I see someone who makes you feel good when you’re around them.”

[Image via YouTube screenshot]