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
Lynda Wiesmeier: Cause of death, Playboy career, movies
Actress Lynda Wiesmeier gained notoriety for her roles in a few well-known movies.
However, one particular photo of her has drawn notice recently since it seems to offer a window into a bygone period.
Lynda Ann Wiesmeier, a blonde bombshell whose voluptuous form adorned the pages of Playboy Magazine, was born in Washington, D.C., in 1963.Her father was a doctor in the US Air Force, and Bitburg, Germany, was the starting point of her adventure. The family relocated frequently prior to Lynda’s eventual arrival in sunny Los Angeles. She also lived for a while in Bound Brook, New Jersey, where she established herself as a frequent Jersey coast sun worshipper.
Lynda enjoyed working and being active, juggling three professions: acting, modeling, and office clerking in a medical facility.
Playboy was drawn to her attractiveness in 1982, and they featured her as the centerfold of their July edition. Following her Playmate status, Lynda’s career in show business went into overdrive as she starred in movies that highlighted her gorgeous natural body. She starred in films like R.S.V.P. (1984), Teen Wolf (1984), Malibu Express (1984), and Real Genius (1985).
Last motion picture
However, her last movie may have been the one that made people take notice of Lynda Wiesmeier. She was chosen to play Dianne in the zombie horror film Evil Town in 1987.
The film featured the renowned Dean Jagger in the lead role of an insane scientist searching for perpetual youth. His approach? making a medication synthetically from human pituitary fluid, naturally. Things got worse as he was extracting the fluid; the poor donors’ brainless zombies were the product of the process.
In an intriguing turn of events, Keith Hefner, the younger brother of Playboy founder Hugh Hefner, was also featured in Evil Town. With Lynda and Keith involved, the movie had a strong Playboy vibe.
Though the movie was scheduled to open in theaters on June 3, 1987, there was so much anticipation that several theaters opened their screens a day early, on June 2. Nevertheless, Evil Town fell short of expectations despite the hype.
It was derided by critics who labeled it a “silly horror film.” Cavett Binion of All Movie Guide noted that the picture was a mash-up of footage from previous movies, including a 1970s unfinished effort, and that former Playboy Playmate Lynda Wiesmeier “spiced it up with some gratuitous nudity.” Hurt!
Fortunately, Lynda Wiesmeier was destined for a little return. In the years after its debut, a specific scene from Evil Town has become extremely popular for unknown reasons.
It’s not, however, for the reasons that one might think.
Scott Hunter, an almost unknown actor, appears on screen with Lynda in this unforgettable scene.
This appears to be your typical 1980s photo at first sight. A young guy and lady are posing in front of a Dodge automobile while wearing iconic ’80s clothing. But if you examine more closely, you might find something surprising!
Lynda is wearing high-waisted white shorts with a bright red blouse that is intricately knotted at the waist, while the man is wearing dark shorts and a gray hoodie with multicolored patterns all over it. Back then, short shorts were all the rage, and Scott wore his with one of those ubiquitous corduroy shirts.
Their vintage attire is a lovely return to the 1980s for many, since it screams ’80s fashion. And it’s just this that makes people swoon over this picture.
The 1980s saw a large, vivid, and dramatic fashion trend that we embraced, including glam rock, punk, and preppy designs.
We could experiment with hair, cosmetics, colors, and an abundance of plastic jewelry along with other wild accessories. And because to Lynda and Scott, we can sometimes be transported back in time to this amazing era with just a simple shot from a lesser-known movie.
departed the field
Following her departure from the film business, Lynda decided to start a family and married her first husband. She went on to have two amazing children, a son and a daughter.
The family made their home in Lafayette, Louisiana, where Lynda started working as a records manager at a legal firm, according to Joyce’s Take.
But then things changed, and in 2004 Lynda, ready to start again, packed her bags and moved to sunny California following her divorce. Lynda loved her relationship with her followers, even as she moved on. She became well-known at several fan events, sharing her experiences and signing autographs, such as WonderCon, Glamourcon, and The Hollywood Collectors Show.
Reason for demise
Sadly, Lynda’s adventure came to an end in December 2012, at the age of 49, after a valiant fight with a brain tumor.
Considering what she could have said about her time in movies like Evil Town, a nostalgic snapshot of a bygone period in movies, is bittersweet.
We can still honor Lynda’s legacy and the happiness she gave her admirers despite her passing. If you too miss the 1980s, please share this article!
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