
Thanks to the rise of social media, we’re all bombarded with images of seemingly perfect-looking people; it seems as though the world has become even more shallow in how people are judged.
For those of us that don’t fit the stereotypical “perfect” mold, the world can seem very cruel, with complete strangers feeling it necessary to criticize someone based on their appearance on social media.
Karine de Souza knows this more than anyone. The Brazilian has spent her life covering her skin in SPF100 sunscreens – even when she’s inside her home – due to her rare skin condition.
The 33-year-old was diagnosed with Xeroderma Pigmentosum when she was three years old which means she is at high risk of skin cancer.
Her ”one-in-a-million” condition, which is incurable, means she is highly sensitive to UV rays as she lacks the ability to repair any damage the sun causes to her skin.
Just a few minutes in the sun can mean incredibly painful sunburn for her. Growing up, she was often isolated from the outside world because it was too dangerous for her to spend too much time outside her house.
“When I expose myself to the sun it doesn’t happen in the moment, I don’t feel anything. However, in the future, the lesions appear and need to be removed because of cancer,” she said.
Karine has had to endure 130 surgical procedures to remove lesions caused by the sun, including the removal of her lower lip and part of her nose.
Sadly, it is not only a physical battle she has to endure. Karine often gets stared at in the street and has been the victim of verbal abuse both within her community and online.
But despite her suffering, she remains upbeat and happy and has even found love.
She met her husband Edmilson through social media, who fell in love with her “story and her strength.” Edmilson has always stood by Karine’s side, and he knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.
He also decided to embrace Karine’s three children from her previous relationship, which of course, meant a lot to Karine.
”He came and he showed me that I could live a true love story”, she says.
But after posting photos of them together online, Karine was once again exposed to a whole host of offensive comments.
”We have already read many offensive comments calling me a monster, deformed, a zombie,” Karine said.
Other comments suggested that their relationship wasn’t genuine and that Karine was a ”sugar mommy,” and that she must be very rich.
”Because of the fact he’s a young man and pretty, that caught people’s attention and they didn’t believe that he was with me because he really liked me,” Karine said.
A photographer who captured the couple after they got engaged posted a selection of the images online and wrote:
”In a world where appearance matters more than the feeling, they met not by chance, but by a gathering of souls, an encounter of acceptance and character and love emerged when their souls met and today you are the inspiration to so many people who do not believe in themselves, in life and especially in love.
“THANK YOU every day for being who you are. STOP complaining for being like you are. HUG LIFE, and accept yourself. Much gratitude for teaching me so much. You guys are AMAZING. You are the missing hope in so many people. Thank you for the big hug, and for the wonderful day we experienced together. I carry your smile with me forever.”
His heartfelt words and beautiful images he captured of Karine and Edmilson went viral, and thousands of people commented, congratulating the couple.
Karine wants others to realize the importance of being positive.
”Be happy, smile, because life happens only once,” she said.
In 2023, Karine and Edmílson welcomed a baby girl into the world, and they couldn’t be happier! Their daughter, Zaia, was long awaited – Karine and her husband had been trying for a baby since 2020.
Karine has been through so much but thanks to her positive attitude she has found the happiness she deserves.
Her story is inspirational so help us inspire others in similar situations by sharing this story with your friends and family.
Cameron Diaz explains emotional real reason behind decision to retire from acting for 11 years

The Holiday favorite last appeared on screen as Miss Colleen Hannigan in 2014’s Annie
Cameron Diaz has been a bona fide Hollywood darling since making her point- film debut beside Jim Carrey in 1994’s The Mask.
Following her part as Tina Carlyle in the blockbuster, the 52- time-old went on to appear in classics like My Stylish Friend’s marriage, raised Princess Fiona in the Shrek ballot and played Natalie Cook in 2000s Charlie’s Angels and its effect, Full Throttle.
Now if you cast your mind back to 2014, Diaz was having a shelter of a time.
She was Carly Whitten in The Other Woman, Annie Hargrove in Jake Kasdan’s coitus Tape recording and Miss Hannigan in the Annie reboot.
But after stepping out as the matriarch of the iconic Hudson St Orphanage, Diaz mysteriously went silent.

A decade latterly, the Californian has lifted the lid on why she decided to suddenly quit Hollywood and exit the limelight.
The concession comes as Diaz gears up to make her return to the tableware screen with the aptly named action comedy film, Back in Action.
The mama – of- two will play former CIA asset Emily contrary Jamie Foxx’s Matt as she and her mate are forced to return to work after their secret individualities are exposed.
Back in Action, directed by Seth Gordon, is set to debut on Netflix on 17 January 17 and comes ahead of Shrek 5’s cinematic release in July 2026.

The direct effect to 2010’s Shrek Forever After will see Diaz reprising her voice part as Princess Fiona alongside Mike Myers as the nominal Dream works character and Eddie Murphy as their noble horse, jackass.
Making it a chapeau- trick, Diaz is also presently rephotographing the Apple TV movie outgrowth.
The Jonah Hill- directed design is billed as a black comedy and will star The Holiday alumna in an unnamed part.
The star- speckled also cast includes Keanu Reeves, Laverne Cox and Bottoms’ Kaia Gerber.
So with her triumphant assiduity return on the horizon, why did Diaz move down from the spotlight in the first place?
Appearing at Fortune’s utmost important Women Summit in California before this week( October 14), Diaz admitted bowing out was just ‘ commodity’ she had to do.
“ It felt like the right thing for me, to reclaim my own life, and I just really didn’t watch about anything differently, I didn’t.
“ And nothing’s opinion, nothing’s success, no bone’s offer, no bone’s anything could change my mind about my decision of taking care of myself and erecting the life that I really wanted to have, ” she continued, as per The Hollywood journalist.
The actress continued to claim that erecting a family came commodity she was ‘ passionate about’ and that working in the assiduity no longer ‘ fed her soul’.
Thankfully, it appears the star has re-found her spark, with all eyes now on Diaz’s imminent return.
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