Girl Bullied For Droopy Face Caused By Tumor Has Life-Changing Surgery

#1 Something Strange

Sarah Atwell, 17, is from Nova Scotia, Canada. When she was still a baby, only 8 months old, her parents noticed that something was changing in her face. They took her to her pediatrician right away.

#2 Neurofibromatosis

She was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis. It's a genetic condition that caused a big tumor to consume half of her face. The tumor grew as she grew, causing loss of hearing, poor vision, and trouble chewing food.

#3 What Is It

Neurofibromatosis is the name for a number of genetic conditions that cause swellings or lumps. Although many people who have the condition inherit it from one of their parents, up to 50 percent develop it randomly from a gene mutation before they are born. Despite their alarming appearance, the growths and swellings - called neurofibromas and caused by a growth of cells - are not cancerous or contagious. The most famous person with the condition was Joseph Carey Merrick, who was known as The Elephant Man.

#4 Surgeries

Sarah underwent numerous surgeries but they didn't make a big difference. As a result of the tumor, she has been discriminated and bullied. School was a living Hell for her, as she was made fun of on a daily basis because of her face. She said, "school sucks!"

#5 The Taunts Became Unbearable

After she began being called vulgar names and not just names about her face, Sarah had enough of the bullying. When she couldn't take it anymore, she made a video while her parents were out. The message in it was very simple, and straight to the point. The posted it online.

#6 The Video

She addressed how people didn't understand that what she has is a tumor. She also mentioned all the names people call her as if she could do anything about it. And her wish - that people could just understand her and how she feels.

#7 Very Few Friends

She mentioned how, in spite of many operations, there was hardly any difference. And she wrote that she had very few friends. Her closest friend was her mother Tara.

#8 Series Of Surgeries

Sarah underwent a four-hour procedure that will change her life. Doctors mapped out the skin they would remove from her face but also warned her of the possible difficulties with the removal of her tumor and reconstruction.

#9 Her Case Is Extreme

The plastic surgeon admitted that Sarah's tumor was an extreme case. 'When she first came to see me, the lesion really occupied the whole of her right face; it was growing all around her eye,' he said.

#10 The Partial Results

The results were pretty good but the next surgery will focus on the tumor around her eye. The doctor said that she has some sight in her eye but he hopes to be able to restore more vision after reconstructing the skin and shape of the eye socket.

#11 She Is Very Happy

While the most significant surgical procedure has now taken place, the work to Sarah's face is not yet over. Nor can surgeons promise that the tumor won't grow back. Still, she is pretty happy so far, saying she said "It's pretty awesome. I am pretty sure most of it is gone except a little bit around the eyes."

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