Woman with skin disorder shares modelling dream

A rare genetic disorder used to see Sara Geurts hide her body away, but the 26-year-old is bravely pursuing her dreams of a modeling career after learning to love the skin she’s in.

Sara is just one of 12 people in the world living with Dermatosparaxis Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), which causes defects in collagen, resulting in soft skin that is saggy and extremely fragile.

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After her diagnosis at the age of 10, Sara’s appearance began to change in her teen as her skin started to sag – and she began to get self-conscious.

But not anymore, with Sara happily posting endless bikini photos on social media in a bid to raise awareness about her condition.

“After years of struggling with my appearance, I finally feel attractive,” Sara told Closer magazine.

“I know my skin is wrinkled like a granny’s and I look 50 – but I’m still beautiful.”

For Sara, who’s since appeared in fashion shows and magazine shoots, her attitude changed four years ago when she realised her insecurities were just holding her back, not only with modeling but with her personal life as well.

“I felt I wasn’t ‘good enough’ to have a proper relationship – I had a few brief flings and one-night stands,” she told Closer. “I couldn’t make love with the lights on and I always wanted to cover up.”

While some with Sara’s condition are prone to dislocations and may become wheelchair bound, Sara admits she suffers from severe pain but is managing it for now.

“I stick to more natural remedies and prefer massage therapies, acupuncture and essential oils,” she told The Sun. “Anything that’s basically natural I am all for, including medicinal marijuana.”

The inspiring model now has dreams to travel to LA and break into the industry there.

“With my pictures… you can clearly see the discrepancies EDS has caused within my skin, & why I choose to model with my specific type, as a way to raise awareness for all forms of Ehlers Danlos,” Sara wrote on Instagram.

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