My Rare Facial Deformity Nearly Ruined My Life | BORN DIFFERENT

  • 6 years ago
AN INSPIRING young woman has taken it upon herself to become an advocate for the condition. Cynthia Murphy was born with the rare craniofacial disorder, Treacher Collins Syndrome - a genetic disorder characterised by the deformity of the eyes, ears, cheekbones and chin, affecting only one in 50,000 people. With no cure for the condition, patients often undergo various surgeries to try and reduce the severity of their facial deformities. The 32-year-old, from Green Valley Lake, California, experienced an onslaught of bullying throughout her childhood – getting beaten up after school and being labelled as ‘ugly', the abuse plagued her for years into her adult life. But now, after more than 16 plastic surgeries and one major jaw reconstruction, Cynthia has found strength through advocating for her condition and helping others with craniofacial deformities in their quest to find happiness.