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
I Overheard My Husband Talking To My MIL About $10,000 and Our 3-Year-Old — What They Planned Shocked Me to My Core
They say betrayal doesn’t always come from enemies. Sometimes, it comes from the people you trust most. One night, I overheard my husband talking to his mother about our 3-year-old son — followed by a price tag. My blood ran cold as I unraveled what they were planning to do to my child behind my back.
Have you ever had a moment where everything you thought was solid suddenly felt like quicksand? When the people you trusted most revealed themselves to be complete strangers? That happened to me one Tuesday night, and I’m still shaking as I write this.
Portrait of an emotional woman | Source: Midjourney
Six years ago, I met Nathan during my final year of university. He was charming, kind, and seemed to understand me in a way no one else did. We had one of those whirlwind romances — the kind where you stay up all night talking, where every touch feels electric, and where you can’t imagine ever being with anyone else. Within a year, we were married.
I remember the night he proposed. We were walking through the park where we first met, and he turned to me with tears in his eyes.
“Amelia,” he whispered, “you make the world make sense. Before you, everything was just… noise. But now?” He dropped to one knee. “Now I hear music everywhere I go.”
My hands trembled as I said yes. If only I’d known then that the music would turn to discord.
Close-up cropped shot of a man slipping a ring onto a woman’s finger | Source: Unsplash
When our son Leo was born three years ago, I thought our life was complete. Sure, we had our struggles like any couple, but nothing major. At least, that’s what I told myself. Looking back, I should have seen the red flags, especially when it came to Nathan’s mother, Susie.
She moved in with us right after Leo’s birth, claiming she wanted to help. “Just for a few weeks,” she said.
Those weeks turned into months, and those months into years. She had her own house nearby, but somehow, our home had become hers. Nathan never questioned it. I tried to be understanding and be the perfect daughter-in-law.
But there was always this underlying doubt that Susie saw me as an outsider in my own family.
A senior woman smiling | Source: Midjourney
“Darling,” I said to Nathan, “don’t you think your mother might be more comfortable in her own home?”
He always brushed it off. “Mom just wants to be close to Leo. She’s family, Amelia. Why does it bother you so much?”
“Because sometimes I feel like I’m raising our son with her instead of you,” I replied, but he never seemed to hear the pain in my voice.
I let it go, never imagining they would betray me like this.
It was past nine when I got home that night. I’d been working late, trying to finish a project, and all I wanted was to kiss Leo goodnight and crawl into bed. The house was unusually quiet as I slipped off my shoes in the hallway.
Rear shot of a woman walking in the hallway | Source: Midjourney
I never meant to eavesdrop. Then I heard the whispers from the kitchen. At first, I thought I was imagining things. But then I recognized the voices.
My husband and his mother.
“Ten thousand dollars, Nathan. Think about what we could do with that,” Susie’s voice drifted from the kitchen.
A senior woman in the kitchen | Source: Midjourney
I froze with my hand still on my jacket zipper. They were speaking in hushed, urgent tones. I should have walked in and let them know I was home. But then I heard my name.
“But using Leo for this… I’m afraid Amelia will…” Nathan’s voice was hesitant.
My heart stopped. Using Leo for what?
“He’s perfect for it,” Susie insisted. “Young, charming, exactly what they’re looking for. And Amelia doesn’t need to know anything about it until it’s done.”
“She has no idea,” Nathan agreed. “And it’s better that way.”
An anxious man | Source: Midjourney
Every muscle in my body tensed and a chill ran down my spine. Better that way? What exactly were they planning to do with my son?
I should have burst into the kitchen right then, but something kept me rooted to the spot. Maybe it was shock or maybe some part of me needed to hear just how far they would go.
“We need to do this soon,” Nathan muttered. “Before she starts suspecting us.”
“Leo will be fine,” Susie reassured him. “You know this is the best thing for him. And it’s ten thousand dollars… for you. She doesn’t even have to know.”
A senior woman looking at someone in the kitchen | Source: Midjourney
Then my husband spoke again, softer this time. “I know, Mom. I just… I don’t know how she’ll react if she finds out.”
That’s when I found my voice. Stepping into the kitchen doorway, I flicked on the light.
“FIND OUT WHAT?”
They jumped like they’d been electrocuted. Nathan’s face went white, while Susie’s expression hardened into something I’d never seen before.
A startled man | Source: Midjourney
“AMELIA!” Nathan panicked. “You’re home early.”
“What were you planning to do with my son?”
The silence that followed was deafening. Nathan and Susie exchanged glances — those conspiratorial looks I’d grown to hate over the years.
Nathan’s eyes flickered to his mother before he forced a smile, his voice turning unnaturally casual. “Oh, babe, we were just discussing about that daycare program you mentioned. Mom thinks we should go ahead and enroll Leo before the spots fill up.”
Susie nodded way too fast. “Yes! That’s all it was. Nothing to worry about.”
Nothing to worry about? The pit in my stomach deepened.
A stunned woman | Source: Midjourney
“We’ll talk later,” Nathan said, his eyes never leaving his mom’s face.
I swallowed. “Yeah… of course.”
I tried to shake it off. Maybe I was overreacting. Maybe it really was about daycare. But my gut wouldn’t let it go.
That night, after everyone had gone to bed, I did something I’d never done before — I checked Nathan’s phone. The message thread with his mother was right at the top.
“They just need one parent to sign. She doesn’t have to know.”
“They’re offering more for younger kids. Easy money.”
“I’ll handle it. Just get her signature on something and I’ll swap it out.”
A startled woman looking at her phone | Source: Midjourney
My stomach twisted so hard I thought I might be sick. I scrolled up. A company name caught my eye. I Googled it quickly. And to my shock, it was a modeling agency.
It was real. No scams or hidden dangers. But that wasn’t the point.
They had planned to forge my signature and use my son WITHOUT my consent. The worst part? Leo was already signed up.
I forced myself to breathe through the panic and shock. With trembling hands, I took screenshots of everything and emailed them to myself. Nathan had no idea what was coming.
A heartbroken woman | Source: Midjourney
Then I called my sister.
“Sarah,” I whispered into the phone, trying not to wake anyone. “I need help.”
“Amelia? What’s wrong? You sound terrible.”
The dam broke, and I sobbed quietly into the phone, explaining everything.
“Pack a bag,” she said after I explained everything. “Come stay with me. We’ll call a lawyer in the morning.”
“I can’t believe this is happening,” I choked out. “I trusted him, Sarah. I trusted both of them.”
“Listen to me, Amy. You’re stronger than you know. And Leo needs you to be strong right now.”
A sad woman talking on the phone | Source: Midjourney
The next morning, I barely heard a word Nathan said. I waited until he was settled at the kitchen table with his coffee. Then, without a word, I slid my phone across to him.
The open messages stared back at him.
“Care to explain?” I demanded.
Nathan’s grip tightened around his mug. He picked up my phone and scrolled through the messages, his face paling with every line he read.
A man shaken to his core | Source: Midjourney
Susie stiffened a little but said nothing.
“Babe, I —”
“Don’t even try to spin this. You were going to sign Leo up for a modeling contract behind my back. And swap out my signature?”
Nathan ran a hand over his face. “It’s not like that.”
“Then tell me what it is like, Nathan.”
A furious woman with her arms crossed | Source: Midjourney
He hesitated. “Mom needed help.”
I blinked. “Excuse me?”
“Mom has gambling debts,” he confessed. “She’s about to lose her house. We needed the money fast —”
“So you decided to use our son as a cash machine? Without even talking to me?”
“I didn’t know how to tell you…”
“How about ‘Hey, honey, my mom’s in trouble, let’s discuss our options’?” I laughed bitterly. “But no, you and your mother decided to go behind my back and forge my signature instead.”
A distressed man | Source: Midjourney
“I was desperate!” Nathan fell to his knees, grabbing my hands. “Mom was talking about… about losing everything. I couldn’t let that happen!”
I yanked my hands away, my voice ice-cold. “And what about Leo? What about your son? Was your mother’s gambling addiction worth sacrificing his trust and safety?”
“Amelia, please —”
“We’re done.” I turned around. “I’ve already called a lawyer. I’m filing for divorce.”
“Don’t do this,” he begged, tears streaming down his face. “We can work this out. I’ll do anything.”
“It’s too late. You’ve already shown me who you really are.”
An angry woman pointing her finger at someone | Source: Midjourney
I didn’t just leave. I took everything. I froze our joint accounts, filed for full custody, and documented every lie and every text.
Nathan begged and apologized. But I never looked back… because a man who can betray me and our son deserves to lose everything.
That was six months ago. Today, I’m sitting in my new apartment, watching Leo play with his toys, completely unaware of how close he came to being used as a solution to his grandmother’s problems. The divorce is final, I have full custody, and Nathan isn’t allowed within 50 feet of us without supervision.
Oh, and the money they were so desperate for? Turns out Nathan took a loan to save his mother’s house… something he could have done from the beginning instead of trying to exploit our son.
A briefcase stashed with money | Source: Pexels
Last week, I ran into Nathan at the grocery store. He looked older and tired.
“How is he?” he asked softly, staring at the floor.
“He’s good,” I replied. “He started soccer. He loves it.”
“I miss him so much, Amelia. I miss you both.”
I felt a familiar ache in my chest, but it was duller now, more like an old scar than a fresh wound. “You should have thought about that before you chose your mother’s secrets over your son’s welfare.”
A heartbroken man holding his head | Source: Pixabay
But you know what? I’m glad this happened. Because sometimes it takes a crisis to show you who people really are. And while it hurts that my husband valued his mother’s gambling habits over his wife’s trust and his son’s well-being, I’m glad I learned the truth rather than live a lie.
As for me? I’m doing better than ever. Leo is thriving in his new preschool, I got a promotion at work, and most importantly, I sleep soundly at night knowing my son is safe from those who would use him for their own gain.
Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is walk away from the people who hurt you, even if they’re family. Especially if they’re family.
A mother hugging her little son | Source: Pexels
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
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