Mikayla Salmons, This Is What A Brave Woman Looks Like

Meet a Tattoo Collector Whose Story Will Soon Inspire Millions

Editor’s note: We introduced you to Mikayla Salmons in May. Then, she was struggling with Cystic Fibrosis but was able to do a photo shoot with her breathing tubes. We got word last night that she was put on life support and is undergoing a double-lung transplant. While we support Mikayla by keeping her in our thoughts, her family also needs our thoughts and monetary support. If you have it in your heart and your wallet please donate to help the family with medical expenses by following this link.

Mikayla Salmons is a tattoo collector whose story stands out from the crowd. Diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at just two months old, this 18-year-old has lived a very different life than her peers. Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder that affects the cells that produce mucus, sweat, and digestive fluids. CF causes persistent lung infections and limits the ability to breathe over time. In the United States, 30,000 people are living with CF and more than 75% of people with CF are diagnosed under the age of 2. There are currently therapies and treatments for people who suffer from CF, however, as of 2017, there is no life-long cure available.

For Salmons, CF is a part of her daily life and one of the ways she copes with this disorder is by collecting tattoos. For two years, Mikayla has collected tattoos and has found that body art is a means of expressing her experiences, her journey, and her individuality.

Photos via Sara Kopp of SJ Photography