Social media influencer Gena Tew is receiving plaudits for talking about her "extreme bowel problems" that have left her wearing incontinence briefs.
The model has hundreds of thousands of followers online, and has often been honest about her health issues. Throughout her ongoing battle with AIDS, Tew has documented her recent surgery to restore her sight.
Tew also confirmed she isn't living in a hospice and was also forced to defend herself after followers made accusations that she'd slept with celebrities.
Tew received an outpouring of support from her followers after she revealed her AIDS diagnosis in March. Since then, the 27-year-old, who has over 520,000 followers on TikTok, has discussed her various health issues coinciding with her battle.
On Wednesday, the model posted a new video responding to a comment that asked: "Can you feel when you have to pee? What's the Pampers for? Are you paralyzed? [I know] that might be a dumb q but I don't know anything."
Responding via a video, Tew, still wearing an eye patch from her recent eye surgery, explained her current situation.
"I've been getting asked this question a lot," Tew tells her followers. "So when I was first going to the hospital in the beginning I had extreme bowel problems.
"With these problems it involved procedures. It involved, going in with full hands from male and female, and it kind of messed up the strength in my tail if you know what I'm saying?"
She continues: "I just have to rebuild the strength to hold myself."
"Until then, Pampers, Depends, whatever you want to call them. That's what I have to use."
According to Healthline.com, a common problem seen by sufferers of AIDS is diarrhea, which can be severe or mild. It can also cause a loosening of the stool. The National Library of Medicine also states that "fecal incontinence occurs frequently" amongst those with HIV.
Tew's comment section on TikTok was filled with supporting messages, including one content creator who Tew calls her "inspiration."
Ophelia, a.k.a. shoelover99, wrote: "And you will get there. Everyday you are healing little by little."
"I really admire your strength and courage to be so open about what you are dealing with!!" another commenter said.
A user remarked: "Thank u for sharing your story it is helpful u are the best."
Another commenter pointed out that Tew used the incorrect wording when referring to Pampers and Depends, telling her that they're called "briefs" to maintain a person's dignity. "I was trying to remember haha cause I just say diapers," Tew replies.
After posting her video message on Wednesday evening, Tew followed it up four hours later with another clip labeled "respectfully."
"I took my eye patch off so you can hear me clearly when I say this. Do not message me telling me what I can and cannot post, what I should and should not share, on my platforms about my life," Tew says to the camera. "This is my journey. I'm not telling you what to do. I'm not telling you to live like me. If you do not like it, you can go away. Have a blessed day."
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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Jamie Burton is a Newsweek Senior TV and Film Reporter (Interviews) based in London, U.K. His focus is reporting on ... Read more
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