ELISE Sasso, a United States Virgin Islander, inherited a genetic disorder called lipo-lymphedema from her late mother. The condition, which is a combination of Lipedema and Lymphedema, causes an excess of fat to accumulate in different parts of the body. Growing up, Elise didn’t realise she had the condition as her mother was never diagnosed. She was often criticised for simply being overweight, being told to diet and exercise to lose weight. “It made me feel self-conscious," she told Truly. “I didn’t want to show off my legs." But two years ago when she realised her condition was chronic, Elise created a not for profit organisation called Beauty is the Beast to raise awareness about the condition. She said: “I want to be the individual who breaks down the barriers that society has put up." She wants to use her platform to educate and change the negative stereotypes that surround these conditions. Elise now feels confident to show off her legs in public so she is going to her friend Lisa’s shop to try on some clothes that reveal her legs. She has learnt to embrace her condition and show off her beauty through fashion. She said: “It’s fun, it’s confidence, it’s freedom."