Bella Hadid shares concerning images from a hospital bed, with sister Gigi Hadid encouraging her to remain strong
In a heartfelt Instagram post on Wednesday, supermodel Bella Hadid shared a glimpse into her 15-year battle with Lyme disease.
The photos, which show Bella hooked up to an IV in a hospital bed, as well as moments of levity such as a fuzzy Pikachu onesie and a late-night pizza dinner, have resonated with many.
"The little me that suffered would be so proud of grown me for not giving up on myself," Bella captioned the post.
Bella's mother, Yolanda Hadid, revealed in 2015 that both Bella and her brother, Anwar, were diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2012. Yolanda, a Lyme disease advocate, promised during her speech at the Global Lyme Alliance Gala that she would not allow her children to live a life of pain and suffering due to the disease.
Yolanda, along with friends like Tallulah Willis and fellow Lyme disease survivor Shania Twain, offered words of support. Shania, who confessed to her Lyme disease diagnosis in her 2022 Netflix documentary, "Not Just a Girl," shared her own experiences and sent encouragement.
Gigi Hadid, Bella's sister, was among the first to comment, offering her love and support. Justin Timberlake, who also announced his diagnosis with Lyme disease in July, also expressed his solidarity.
In one snapshot, Bella could be seen covering her mouth in distress, while in another, she appeared flushed while covering her forehead with a wrap. Despite the challenges, Bella's post was filled with moments of resilience and strength.
Bella's openness about her health struggle comes as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by those with Lyme disease. Both Bella and Shania, who was diagnosed in 2003, continue to raise awareness about the disease and its impact on millions of people worldwide.
