Connecticut-based model Hannah Ringeisen had a rough go of it at an early age.
“At age 7, I had heart surgery to cure a condition called ASD (Atrial Septal Defect),” she explained in an email. “Having ASD meant I was born with a hole in my heart along with other issues. I’ve never had perfect health, I’ve never felt like a normal kid.”
Hannah, a recent winner at Victoria Elizabeth’s Magnifique Showcase continued, “After having mono in fourth grade, I found out I had lifelong conditions, including POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), MCAS (Mast Cell Activation Syndrome), hyper mobility, and other health issues.”
Hannah explained, “Growing up with health issues is never easy. I remember crying in my kitchen after getting diagnosed with POTS. Part of me was relieved to find out why I was so sick, but I was disheartened to find out there is no cure for what I have. I don’t go out like most teenagers do. I know my life on social media is different because on social media I’m doing stuff like NYFW, but my body pays the price after these events. When I’m not in front of the camera I’m mostly at home, school or the doctors.”
Hannah said, “Modeling makes me feel I have a purpose, something to be proud of. I’ve always been known as a sick kid, but now I’m known as a teen model.”
The young model said, “Being known as a sick kid can be pretty lonely, you fall out of friend groups and start to isolate yourself. I became a model to show others with disabilities they aren’t alone,being disabled does not mean you can’t accomplish your dreams.
“I’ve always been told not to call what I have a disability, does it disable me? Yes it does, but it also empowers me,” said Hannah. “I have to work ten times harder than my peers. I got no credit my freshman year due to my health issues as a result of that I juggle online and in person classes while trying to make money for my future.”
The model explained, “Being me is not easy but I know there’s others who struggle like I do. The main reason I model is to bring awareness to what others and I go through, the everyday hell of wondering how you will make it through the day. I want to show everyone who labeled me as the sick kid how much a ‘sick’ kid can do, I want to empower others like me to follow their dreams no matter the obstacles in their path to victory.”
Management – Westhaven Management and Manikin
PHOTOS by BRENDAN RIDEOUT (@cinelyfe)
