Bella Hadid has detailed her near 15-year-long battle with Lyme disease and the impact it’s had on her in a new candid post.
The supermodel, 26, said she is “finally healthy” after more than a decade of struggling with her health as she shared several photos taken during her treatments throughout the years, to Instagram on Sunday.
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection spread to humans by infected ticks that can cause symptoms such as joint and muscle pain, headaches and tiredness.
In her lengthy caption, Hadid, who was eventually diagnosed with the disease in 2012, reflected: “The little me that suffered would be so proud of grown me for not giving up on myself.
“Living in this state, worsening with time and work while trying to make myself, my family and the people who support me, proud, has taken a toll on me in ways I can’t really explain.”
“To be that sad and sick with the most blessings/privilege opportunity/love around me was quite possibly the most confusing thing ever.
The runway star reassured her followers that she was “OK and you do not have to worry”, and said that despite her struggles, she “wouldn’t change anything for the world”.
Hadid added: “If I had to go through all of this again, to get here, to this exact moment I’m in right now, with all of you, finally healthy, I would do it all again. It made me who I am today.
She also “promised” fans who were also struggling that things “will get better” and urged them to “stay strong”.
Hadid continued: “Take a step away, stay strong, have faith in your path, walk your truth and the clouds will start to clear up.
“I have so much gratitude for and perspective on life, this 100+ days of Lyme, chronic disease, [co-infection] treatment, almost 15 years of invisible suffering, was all worth it if I’m able to, God-willing, have a lifetime of spreading love from a full cup and being able to truly be myself, for the first time ever.”
The American model explained she had chosen photos that were “the most positive” throughout her health journey in a bid to show how it has been “the most enlightening experience of my life filled with new friends, new visions and a new brain”.
Hadid also thanked her mother, Yolanda Hadid, who was also diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2012 alongside younger brother Anwar, for “keeping all of my medical records, sticking by me, never leaving my side, supporting, but most of all, believing me through all of this”.
Rounding off the post, she also showed her gratitude to the brands and companies she has worked with, her agents for “protecting me”, and her medical team, adding: “I love you SO much!!!”
Hadid concluded that she would be “back when I’m ready”, adding: “I miss you all so much. I love you all so much.”
