Twenty-two-year-old model and business law student Zoey Seboe’s all-embracing acceptance of a rare skin condition known as lamellar ichthyosis is making headlines after she was announced as a Top 30 finalist for this year’s Miss SA pageant.
The fresh-faced beauty took to Instagram to thank her supporters saying:” Thank you, South Africa. Thank you so much to everyone who has reached out to me for their prayers thoughts, comments, love, and support. Thank you.”
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Seboe told the media: “I entered because I am ready to face my power and embrace my future and I believe the Miss South Africa platform is closely aligned with the social causes I support.”
“I believe I should win because I am driven to take this platform to the next level, not just in diversity and inclusion but in breaking stereotypes that have been consciously and unconsciously perpetuated towards those who look different."
“My goal is to inspire people to believe in themselves and to promote a fair representation of diversity and inclusion on platforms that help us define our collective and cultural narrative.”
Good luck Seboe – in a world where unrealistic beauty standards are the norm, you get my vote.
According to rarediseases.org, Lamellar ichthyosis (LI) is a rare genetic skin disorder that is present at birth. It is one of three genetic skin disorders called autosomal recessive congenital ichthyoses (ARCI). In LI, the body creates skin cells at a normal rate. However, they do not separate from each other at the surface of the skin the way they should. In addition, the body does not shed the skin fast enough, causing brown scales to form.
