In 2012, Lauren Wasser's name became known around the world. The young woman was a survivor of toxic shock syndrome.
Lauren was only 24 when her life changed forever. She woke up on October 3, 2012, feeling a little under the weather. She was on her period, and she remembers changing her tampon. Since she wasn't feeling well, she went to bed early.
When Lauren's mom didn't hear from her, she sent police to do a welfare check. Lauren seemed OK, but when they came back a few hours later, she was lying facedown on the floor, completely unconscious.
They rushed Lauren to the hospital, where she was diagnosed with toxic shock syndrome. Both of her legs had developed gangrene, and doctors recommended amputation.
Lauren went ahead with the removal of her right leg, but she decided to only have her toes amputated on her left leg. Now, Lauren has undergone surgery to complete the below-the-knee amputation of her left leg.
Despite being a double amputee, Lauren is still positive about the future.
Some readers may find a few of the following photos emotionally upsetting. If you do not wish to see evidence of Lauren’s TSS hospitalization, please click back to the LittleThings homepage.
Photo: Instagram / theimpossiblemuse; Instagram / camraface
[H/T: Today]
Lauren Wasser was only 24 when she lost her right leg to gangrene caused by toxic shock syndrome.
Instead of wallowing in her misfortune, Lauren decided to become a model and activist.
At the beginning, Lauren struggled to embrace her new body, but eventually she started to become comfortable with her prosthetic leg.
Lauren started including her leg in her modeling shots.
In addition, she started speaking out more and more about toxic shock syndrome.
She's worked over the past few years to push companies toward more transparency when it comes to feminine hygiene products.
Although Lauren had initially chosen to keep her left leg, she was in constant pain.
Eventually, she decided her life would be better if she were to get her left leg amputated as well.
In December 2017, Lauren revealed to her friends and followers that she'd be undergoing surgery.
On January 11, 2018, Lauren had surgery to have her second leg amputated.
In the days since her surgery, Lauren has been open about the way it will change her life.
She uses her platform as a model to inform others about the dangers of toxic shock syndrome, using her own story as inspiration.
Lauren may be a double amputee now, but she's not planning on letting that slow her down.
Just before her surgery, she shared the above photo on Instagram, saying she was ready for the next chapter of her life.
After surgery, Lauren was surprised in the hospital by Amy Purdy, who's an actress, a model, and a snowboarder.
Amy is also a double amputee, and she wanted to show her support for Lauren by visiting.
Lauren was definitely moved when Amy came to visit her.
She shared a picture on her Instagram, explaining that Amy was living proof that "life is only going to get better and I have so much life to live."
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