Have you ever counted or noticed how many times you've smiled in a day, or better yet, on a day when you didn't have to work, worry about school, or stress over something going on in your life? If you're like me, then the answer is clearly no because we probably wouldn't have enough time, patience, or care to do so in the first place. One thing I do know, however, is that i'm constantly smiling and laughing whenever I see my friends and family, which I'm sure, is something you guys do as well. Having the ability to smile allows us to express the type of emotion we're feeling and is probably one of the easiest and quickest way to tell someone "hi" without actually saying it.
Imagine for a moment though, not being able to smile. Would the inability to perform this simple task make meeting new people and/or living life difficult in any way? I found myself asking this kind of question and pondering through the different possible answers shortly after learning about Moebius Syndrome, which is described as an extremely rare condition that affects the muscles that control facial expression and eye movements. The signs and symptoms for this syndrome are present at birth and not only does it prevent individuals from smiling, like I've mentioned before, but also from frowning and raising their eyebrows. Trouble with vision, speech, and the ability to eat food are other common difficulties, all of which, may be aided by various forms of therapy. There is no available cure for Moebius syndrome at the moment, but there is a lengthy operation known as "smile surgery" or functional muscle transfer that will ultimately allow for people [with Moebius] to smile. Something I found particularly interesting while investigating this condition is the fact that although these individuals may not be able to smile back at someone who has smiled at them, they are still able to feel the different types of emotion, just like you and I.
The inspiring video I've included is of a boy who was born with Moebius Syndrome. It not only shows his positive and "funny" outlook on life, despite the certain challenges he may encounter on a day-to-day basis, but also the many activities he is fully capable of doing.
This video just goes to show that we should never let our disabilities, weaknesses, or insecurities define who we are and what we can't accomplish.
