Lauren Wasser is a model and activist who has overcome incredible odds to become a prominent figure in the fashion industry. In 2012, Wasser lost both legs due to toxic shock syndrome (TSS) caused by a tampon. Despite this devastating setback, Wasser refused to let it define her. She has since become a vocal advocate for women’s health and safety, using her platform to raise awareness about the dangers of TSS and the need for better menstrual product regulation.
Lauren Wasser grew up in a family of models.
Lauren Wasser was born into the fashion industry in California on March 2, 1988. Her parents were both professional models, and she first appeared in Vogue alongside her mom when she was just 4 months old. Unsurprisingly, the young girl would be drawn to this career path.
She lived a full and active life until she became ill.
Lauren Wasser was a talented basketball player who even received a prestigious athletic scholarship. However, she decided to pursue her modeling career instead. Even so, she maintained an active lifestyle for several years.
Her world was turned upside down at the young age of 24.
AtThe Diary of a CEOpodcast, Lauren Wasser, age 35, shockingly revealed her harrowing experience by saying, “I lost both of my legs because of a tampon.”
The syndrome results from an overgrowth of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria in the body, which can produce a deadly toxin in the bloodstream. TSS first caught public attention in the United States in the late 1970s when several young women became gravely ill. By the 1980s, the syndrome was infecting people at a rate of approximately 6 in 100,000.
It all started with flu-like symptoms, followed by renal failure and, ultimately, two heart attacks, all due to the rare and life-threatening syndrome. With a slim chance of surviving, doctors had to put Wasser into a medically-induced coma to save her life.
After regaining consciousness a week and a half later, Lauren Wasser shared in a poignant interview, “I woke up a week and a half later and had no idea what had even happened. They pumped me full of 80 pounds of fluid.” Tragically, her situation worsened as gangrene spread, causing her right leg and left foot to be engulfed in searing pain. “From there, my feet were on fire, and gangrene set into my right leg and my left foot. There was no option. I had to amputate my right leg.” Then, in 2018, she faced another heartbreaking setback as her left leg had to be amputated.
Lauren Wasser advocates for TSS awareness and safer menstrual products.
As she spoke out about the dangers of TSS, Lauren Wasser emphasized the harmful constituents of tampons, stating, “[They] are made using chlorine bleach, dioxin, and synthetic fibers, which create the perfect storm in our bodies.”
“I have been working with a mother who lost her teenage daughter to TSS when she was 18 — Madeline Mosby. Through the darkness and trauma of that, we have joined forces in wanting to change the world.”
She returned to modeling and became the “girl with the golden legs.”
“My whole job has been to show that you are enough, and you’re beautiful in the skin you’re in and highlighting your scars and the things that you hate most.” With this resolution in mind, Lauren Wasser decided to return to the modeling industry and started looking for gigs again. While many of her colleagues supported her decision to return to modeling, some doubted whether she could make a successful comeback.
Wasser decided to choose gold-toned prosthetics instead of prosthetics that matched her skin color after entirely accepting her new condition. “Making it my own and giving it life, so to speak, changed my perception,” she said, explaining her choice in an interview. Thus, she became the “girl with the golden legs” and started walking for famous designers again.
Currently, she’s still taking the fashion world by storm and fighting for more inclusivity.
Following the amputation of her left leg due to chronic pain, the model is now able to lead a more active lifestyle. She has resumed playing basketball, which is her passion and is even preparing for a marathon shortly. Additionally, Wasser’s modeling career is flourishing as she walked for Gabriela Hearst and Louis Vuitton in 2022 and was featured in Lacoste, Furla, and Shiseido campaigns.
In addition to her thriving modeling career, Wasser remains dedicated to advocating for inclusivity and acceptance of individuals with disabilities and diverse conditions within the fashion industry. Her activism and contributions to the fashion world have earned her a spot on Harper’s Bazaar’s special-edition Women of the Year 2022 covers, alongside other inspiring women.” I’ve worked so hard to be myself and never take ‘no’ for an answer,” is how Lauren Wasser sums up her success.
Lauren Wasser’s incredible journey from tragedy to triumph is just the beginning of a new era in modeling. Stay tuned to learn about 16 more unusual models who are revolutionizing the beauty industry.
Preview photo credit theimpossiblemuse / Instagram, theimpossiblemuse / Instagram
My Son Approached Me, Pale and Holding My Husband’s Laptop – The Discovery He Shared Next Completely Shattered My Reality
Lana always considered herself a grounded person. As a 35-year-old mother and an avid reader of celebrity gossip, she enjoyed the escapism it offered, always with a light-hearted chuckle about how distant those stories were from her own life. Married to Jimmy, her college sweetheart, and mother to their 12-year-old son, Seth, Lana’s days were filled with the ordinary joys and challenges of family life.
However, one seemingly normal Thursday afternoon, Lana’s world was turned upside down, echoing the very gossip narratives she indulged in for entertainment. It all started when Seth, needing to finish a school project, asked to use Jimmy’s laptop because his own was updating. Jimmy, usually meticulous about his personal and work boundaries, had left his laptop at home that day, which Lana thought little of at the time.
As Seth worked at the dining table, he stumbled upon something unexpected. He found a folder not protected by the usual business-related passwords—a folder filled with personal photos that would ignite a storm of betrayal and disbelief within Lana. Concerned by what he saw, Seth called Lana over, his voice tinged with confusion and worry.
The photos Seth uncovered showed Jimmy and Lana’s sister, Maya, in a series of intimate moments—laughing over coffee, an affectionate kiss on the hand, too-close-for-comfort during family gatherings—each image a blow to Lana’s heart. Trying to maintain her composure, Lana assured Seth she would handle the situation and asked him to focus on his homework.
Over the next couple of days, Lana wrestled with her emotions and the crumbling image of her marriage. She decided to keep up appearances until she could confront Jimmy and Maya together, searching for the right moment to seek the truth.
The opportunity came when Maya, unaware of Lana’s discovery, suggested they spend a Saturday together at the spa. Throughout the day, Lana observed Maya, looking for any sign of guilt or confession, but none came. Maya was her usual bubbly self, chatting about work and future plans as if nothing was amiss.
My Son Approached Me, Pale and Holding My Husband’s Laptop – The Discovery He Shared Next Completely Shattered My Reality
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Lana always considered herself a grounded person. As a 35-year-old mother and an avid reader of celebrity gossip, she enjoyed the escapism it offered, always with a light-hearted chuckle about how distant those stories were from her own life. Married to Jimmy, her college sweetheart, and mother to their 12-year-old son, Seth, Lana’s days were filled with the ordinary joys and challenges of family life.
However, one seemingly normal Thursday afternoon, Lana’s world was turned upside down, echoing the very gossip narratives she indulged in for entertainment. It all started when Seth, needing to finish a school project, asked to use Jimmy’s laptop because his own was updating. Jimmy, usually meticulous about his personal and work boundaries, had left his laptop at home that day, which Lana thought little of at the time.
As Seth worked at the dining table, he stumbled upon something unexpected. He found a folder not protected by the usual business-related passwords—a folder filled with personal photos that would ignite a storm of betrayal and disbelief within Lana. Concerned by what he saw, Seth called Lana over, his voice tinged with confusion and worry.
The photos Seth uncovered showed Jimmy and Lana’s sister, Maya, in a series of intimate moments—laughing over coffee, an affectionate kiss on the hand, too-close-for-comfort during family gatherings—each image a blow to Lana’s heart. Trying to maintain her composure, Lana assured Seth she would handle the situation and asked him to focus on his homework.
Over the next couple of days, Lana wrestled with her emotions and the crumbling image of her marriage. She decided to keep up appearances until she could confront Jimmy and Maya together, searching for the right moment to seek the truth.
The opportunity came when Maya, unaware of Lana’s discovery, suggested they spend a Saturday together at the spa. Throughout the day, Lana observed Maya, looking for any sign of guilt or confession, but none came. Maya was her usual bubbly self, chatting about work and future plans as if nothing was amiss.
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That evening, back at Lana’s house, as they sat down for a family dinner—with Jimmy joining after what he claimed was a long day at the office—the tension was palpable to Lana. After the meal, while she was getting dessert, she overheard Maya and Jimmy in the kitchen discussing their situation. Maya’s words, “We can’t keep this from her anymore. It’s wrong,” confirmed the betrayal.
Confronting them then and there, Lana demanded the truth. The explanations that followed were fraught with excuses and apologies. Maya and Jimmy tried to justify their actions, claiming a deep connection that had unintentionally evolved beyond familial bonds. Lana, devastated yet resolute, realized the depth of their betrayal and decided it was time to reevaluate her marriage and her relationship with her sister.
In the weeks that followed, Lana and Jimmy attended counseling sessions, but the trust that had once underpinned their marriage was irreparably damaged. They agreed on a temporary separation, giving each other space to reflect on their future. Seth, deeply hurt by the revelations, struggled to interact with his father, feeling betrayed by the role model he had looked up to.
As Lana navigated through the aftermath of the discovery, she was forced to confront the reality that life could indeed be as unpredictable and dramatic as the stories in her gossip columns. She focused on healing and finding a path forward for herself and Seth, believing in the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of honesty and communication in mending the wounds of betrayal.
This poignant episode in Lana’s life serves as a stark reminder that no one is immune to life’s unexpected turns and that strength often comes from facing harsh truths head-on.
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