When Meagan Barnard entered puberty, she developed lymphedema in her left leg. Puberty is already a challenging time for most teenagers, but for Meagan, it was even more difficult.
She was bullied at school and cruelly nicknamed “Michelin Man,” leading her to go to great lengths to conceal her leg.
Meagan Howe / Facebook
At 24, her left leg swelled to more than twice the size of her right one. She kept it hidden even from her boyfriend, who had no idea she was living with lymphedema. For years, she avoided wearing dresses or skirts and made sure to cover her leg with loose clothing.
Lymphedema is a condition that causes swelling in the arms or legs, typically due to damage or removal of lymph nodes, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Meagan was first diagnosed at 15, a time when she felt isolated, abnormal, and even suicidal. She never spoke about her condition with friends or family, choosing instead to suffer in silence. The bullying she endured only made things worse, with classmates making cruel remarks like, “I didn’t know the Michelin Man went to school here.”
At 24, her left leg swelled to more than twice the size of her right one. She kept it hidden even from her boyfriend, who had no idea she was living with lymphedema. For years, she avoided wearing dresses or skirts and made sure to cover her leg with loose clothing.
Lymphedema is a condition that causes swelling in the arms or legs, typically due to damage or removal of lymph nodes, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Meagan was first diagnosed at 15, a time when she felt isolated, abnormal, and even suicidal. She never spoke about her condition with friends or family, choosing instead to suffer in silence. The bullying she endured only made things worse, with classmates making cruel remarks like, “I didn’t know the Michelin Man went to school here.”
At one point, Meagan felt hopeless
She wrote a suicide note to her father, believing she couldn’t cope any longer.
Her condition caused her left leg to retain up to three liters of extra fluid, yet she managed to keep it hidden for years—even from her boyfriend, Robert Neidenfeuhr. For two years, Robert had no idea about her condition, as Meagan was extremely cautious, ensuring closed doors and dim lighting during their most intimate moments.
She wrote a suicide note to her father, believing she couldn’t cope any longer.
Her condition caused her left leg to retain up to three liters of extra fluid, yet she managed to keep it hidden for years—even from her boyfriend, Robert Neidenfeuhr. For two years, Robert had no idea about her condition, as Meagan was extremely cautious, ensuring closed doors and dim lighting during their most intimate moments.
Meagan Howe / Facebook
Then, everything changed. After years of struggling with self-acceptance, Meagan decided to stop hiding. She opened up about her lymphedema in a powerful photoshoot, publicly revealing her leg for the first time in a decade.
Then, everything changed. After years of struggling with self-acceptance, Meagan decided to stop hiding. She opened up about her lymphedema in a powerful photoshoot, publicly revealing her leg for the first time in a decade.
Meagan Howe / Facebook
She made a bold decision
Driven by a desire to help young girls with lymphedema embrace themselves instead of suffering in silence. Meagan has been invited to model more. Using her platform to inspire others to accept their bodies and overcome insecurities.
Driven by a desire to help young girls with lymphedema embrace themselves instead of suffering in silence. Meagan has been invited to model more. Using her platform to inspire others to accept their bodies and overcome insecurities.
Meagan Howe / Facebook
Her journey is a testament to resilience and self-acceptance—proof that beauty lies in confidence and authenticity.
Her journey is a testament to resilience and self-acceptance—proof that beauty lies in confidence and authenticity.
