This Model Lost Her Leg to Toxic Shock Syndrome and Is Now Walking at Fashion Week

Wasser walked in a show titled “Lumina” with clothing brand Chromat, which also featured transgender and plus-size models.

Wasser said in a 2015 VICE article that she lost her leg at age 24 because of toxic shock syndrome—a build-up of deadly bacteria, which is commonly linked to the usage of tampons. However, a tampon alone is not enough to cause toxic shock syndrome; a person must already have staphylococcus aureus present in his or her body. About 20% of the population carries the bacteria, according to the Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine.

After many obstacles to overcome, Wasser turned her tragic situation into a positive outcome and embraced her beauty.

“I’m more beautiful than I’ve ever been because I’ve experienced so many things, and I can relate to so many different people,” she told TODAY. “And you know, it’s just made me a better person.”

 

Cover image courtesy of People.

By Katlyn Tolly on February 23, 2016
Katlyn Tolly is a weekly contributor at HelloFlo and a student at Columbia College Chicago studying journalism and marketing. In addition to her work at HelloFlo, she's worked with The Prospect, Smart Girls Group, Dormify, and The Columbia Chronicle; the number one non-daily college newspaper. Feel free to message her on Twitter."