Patricia

“There’s so many aspects to being happy, gone from some dark, dark places to just be really happy.”

Patricia grew up feeling misunderstood and often judged, especially for her insatiable hunger, one of the earliest signs of her condition. For most of her life, she lived with symptoms no one could explain, struggling in silence with a condition she didn’t even know she had. It wasn’t until adulthood that she was finally diagnosed with lipodystrophy.
Today, Patricia is a fulfilled woman. She has a wonderful daughter, a loving partner, and a circle of close friends. She has found a way to manage her condition while building a life around what brings her joy: playing pickleball, practicing karate, walking her dog, and spending quality time with family and friends.

DIRECTOR

Gianpaolo Bigoli

PHOTOGRAPHER

Marco Gualazzini

DISEASE

Lipodystrophy

From the Director’s Perspective

Patricia welcomes us into her home, inviting us to share a day with her family by her side. The warmth of her gestures reveals nothing of the misunderstood suffering and endless waiting for a diagnosis that marked her life, especially her childhood.
She tells us her story with irony, shifting between tears and smiles. Today, the smiles prevail: that little girl has grown up and built a family that truly radiates joy.

Notes by

Gianpaolo Bigoli

Behind the Photographer’s Lens

From the moment she opens the door, arms wide open as if greeting old friends, Patricia makes us feel at home.
To portray her authentically, I needed to understand her condition: the pain she faces every day, the constant hunger, and the challenges of living the meanness of children who made her feel different.
Resilience is what Patricia has always mastered and made her who she is today: full of life, embraced by her family, of which she is both the driving force and the backbone.

Notes by

Marco Gualazzini