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Jokiva Bellard (23), a body positive activist, shows off her lupus scars as inspiration to others with the same affliction.
The scars and blisters on Jokiva’s body have been documented on social media with the intention of motivating people to accept and love themselves, Metro reports.
The burn-like lesions appeared on the New Orleans native’s skin when she was 18. Doctors misdiagnosed her with eczema, but things soon worsened for the model.
“In the beginning it wasn’t that bad, it was just a rash and joint pain, and then it accelerated,” Jokiva explains. ‘My skin would peel, I’d get blisters, it got to a point where I couldn’t even open my eyes and I couldn’t breathe.”
She was then diagnosed with lupus – a debilitating autoimmune disease that attacks healthy tissue.
Later she was informed that she’d be burdened with lupus for the rest of her life. She takes 21 pills a day.
“Lupus takes its toll, but it brings you to appreciate life more,” Jokiva says.
She’s been subjected to nasty comments about her appearance. “I even had someone call me a crackhead,” she said.
Despite this Jokiva continues to share pictures of herself in order to inspire others.
“Body positivity is loving the skin you’re in,” she says.
Sources: Metro, Daily Mail, The Sun
