Rachel Buyle is 36 years old and has skin so fragile that heat, a brush, or a minor bump can leave her with a painful wound.
She was born with dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, a rare genetic disease that has forced her to live with bandages and special care since she was a baby. She has described her skin as being as fragile as a butterfly’s wings.
That constant cycle of wounds, scars, and new wounds has a known complication: skin cancer. Rachel underwent several operations on her left hand, but the problem kept coming back.
In October 2024, her assistance dog, Jetson, alerted her to something unusual on her wrist. Her doctor confirmed what she feared: the cancer had returned for the sixth time. Another surgery was possible, but Rachel had already made her decision. In June 2025, her left arm was amputated just below the elbow to prevent the disease from spreading.
Today, she still spends up to 18 hours a week bandaging her skin. How many of us would have that kind of strength?
