Woman bullied over facial deformity embraces looks

A woman who grew up tormented by bullies and was beaten up over her facial deformity says she has finally learned to embrace her looks.

Cynthia Murphy, who was born with a rare craniofacial disorder, has had over 16 surgeries to transform her appearance.

She describes how she was labelled as ‘ugly’ and says the abuse plagued her for years into her adult life.

The 32-year-old, from Green Valley Lake, California, has Treacher Collins Syndrome (TCS), which causes deformity of the eyes, ears, cheekbones and chin and affects only one in 50,000 people.

But there is one person who doesn’t see her disabilities – her husband of 11 years, Thane Murphy, who she met when she was just 19 years old.

She says because of him she no longer feels like ‘someone who could never find love’ as to him she is the ‘most beautiful woman in the world.’

 

Cynthia Murphy, from California, was born with a rare craniofacial disorder

She was labelled as 'ugly' and says the abuse plagued her for years into her adult life – and had more than 16 surgeries to transform herself 

She was labelled as ‘ugly’ and says the abuse plagued her for years into her adult life – and had more than 16 surgeries to transform herself 

One person who doesn't see her disabilities is her husband of 11 years, Thane Murphy

One person who doesn’t see her disabilities is her husband of 11 years, Thane Murphy

‘I just felt helpless’

With no cure for the condition, patients often undergo various surgeries to try and reduce the severity of their facial deformities. Miss Murphy’s operations include a major jaw reconstruction.

She has now found strength through raising awareness of her condition and helping others with craniofacial deformities in their quest to find happiness.

She told said: ‘It wasn’t until I started advocating for craniofacial deformities when I was 30, that I fully accepted myself.

Miss Murphy was beaten up over her facial deformity but says she has finally learned to embrace her looks

Miss Murphy was beaten up over her facial deformity but says she has finally learned to embrace her looks

The 32-year-old's numerous operations include a major jaw reconstruction

The 32-year-old’s numerous operations include a major jaw reconstruction

WHAT IS TREACHER COLLINS SYNDROME? 

Treacher Collins Syndrome (TCS) affects the development of bones and other tissues in a sufferer’s face.

It affects around one in 50,000 people to some extent but is not always noticeable.

TCS is caused by an inherited genetic mutation.  

Although symptoms vary in severity, most sufferers have underdeveloped cheek bones, and a small jaw and chin.

Some also have a cleft palate.

In severe cases, a sufferer’s airways may be restricted, affecting their breathing.

TCS does not usually affect a patient’s intelligence.

Treatment may include facial reconstruction and managing a patient’s airways.

Source: US National Library of Medicine 

‘I had a very difficult childhood growing up. I was very judged and very mistreated by people who didn’t know me.

‘It hurt. It hurt a lot to be labeled as someone who was ugly, deformed and stupid. I lived a very troubled life and I just felt helpless.

‘I have now had 16 plus plastic surgeries on my face – it’s been a long process that started when I was 12 years old.

‘I still don’t know how I got through it.’ 

‘I didn’t look at her as having any kind of disability’

Mr Murphy said he doesn’t see his wife’s disabilities – only her personality.

The 39-year-old said: ‘What is Cynthia like as a person? It’s so hard to explain somebody so nice, honestly.

‘I didn’t know anything about Treacher Collins until I met Cynthia. I didn’t look at her as having any kind of disability.

‘I just see the most beautiful woman in the world.’

The couple have successfully set up their own lifestyle app, called Assuaged, to advise those who are struggling on how to treat their body.

Miss Murphy met her husband-to-be when she was just 19 years old

Miss Murphy met her husband-to-be when she was just 19 years old

‘And I hope that we change people’s lives,’ he added. ‘That would be wonderful. If you can change one person’s life – that’s all our goal is.’

Miss Murphy has established a strong online community where she regularly posts informative and inspirational videos, articles and blogs to her followers.

Her social media pages, such as Cynthia Murphy – Craniofacial Awareness Advocate, has helped in her mission to spread positivity and allow people to receive the help and advice she never had when growing up.

Mr Murphy said of his wife: 'I didn't look at her as having any kind of disability'

Mr Murphy said of his wife: ‘I didn’t look at her as having any kind of disability’

She said: ‘I had to get through everything on my own. So social media is huge.

‘It’s huge for helping the craniofacial community. It’s all about sharing the resources out there. That’s primarily what I’ve been doing for the last two years.

‘I’m very proud of the community we’ve built on Facebook especially. We’ve built a secure environment for several groups – and I run a few of them myself.

‘The reactions to my videos and to my blogs are always very positive. It’s important to be supportive of one and other.

‘My husband is also a fantastic advocate and supports me from home.’

Inspiring others

Miss Murphy is now hoping for more members of the craniofacial community to speak out and embrace their differences – especially off the back of the success of ‘Wonder’, the brand new film about a little boy with Treacher Collins Syndrome who tries his best to fit in.

She says she is 'very proud' of the community she's built on Facebook 

She says she is ‘very proud’ of the community she’s built on Facebook 

Miss Murphy says it's important to be positive and be supportive of one and other

Miss Murphy says it’s important to be positive and be supportive of one and other

‘I think many more are getting involved with media because of the movie,’ she said.

‘It’s beautiful to finally see many in our community surface from the shadows of silence.

‘I hope my advocacy is helping people in the same way. I hope they get the resources they need and we can continue to work together.’ 



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