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Little Girl’s Rare Genetic Disorder Gives Her Big And Beautiful Doll-Like Eyes

By Timothy Roberts

One of the first things that we notice about people are their eyes. We are often taken by the beauty behind the eyes and in some cases, it can be strikingly beautiful. That is the case with Mehlani, a two-year-old girl who has a rare genetic condition that causes her to have big, beautiful eyes. The condition is known as Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome and according to the US Library of medicine, it can cause abnormalities in facial features, including broad nasal bridge, flattened mid face and prominent forehead. For the most part, however, it is an eye disorder and those who have it may have widely spaced eyes with off-center pupils.

As a parent, we probably worry about our children frequently and what is going to happen when they must care for themselves. When our children are not like ‘normal children’, we may worry about them even more. Mehlani is currently receiving a lot of positive attention when she is out in public but what if she starts getting negative attention from bullies or trolls? Karina, her mother, posted a picture of her daughter on Twitter and shared her fears.

“Everytime were out & a stranger compliments on how big & beautiful her eyes are, I have a mental debate on whether or not I should mention her defect. I decide no, smile & say thank you. I’m always left with a weird feeling. I just pray she’ll always know how beautiful she is.”

“I get so nervous thinking about her starting school. What if other kids are mean about her eyes & she gets made fun of? What if she starts to hate her unique gorgeous eyes? It makes me want to cry thinking about it because she’s so strong & sweet & been through so much already”

Let’s face it, the Internet can be cruel but it can also be a good sounding board when we need positive feedback. Many people were very supportive when this tweet went viral. It included messages, such as the one from @CotyClack that said, “Looks like cute kid syndrome to me. Doing great mom!

Another twitter user wrote, “She’s gorgeous. She’s a strong little gal and she’s lucky to have you as her mommy. Just perfect.” And one mother shared photos of her own child, who suffers from a similar condition, and also had to undergo surgery at a young age.

Karina was touched by the messages and shared more pictures of Mehlani. She had to undergo surgery during the first five months but it wasn’t to correct her eyes, it was because the drainage canal was malformed. Karina said that “it was making the pressure in her eyes really high, & causing damage to her optic nerves so she got artificial drainage canals put in to help keep the pressure down & the surgery has been successful so far! Her vision is ok right now but We still don’t know what her vision will be like in the future just taking it day by day & taking her to her routine check ups!”

Mehlani has been a very strong little girl throughout the entire ordeal. If she went through the first five months, there is no doubt she can handle anything life throws her way. Karina thanked Twitter for supporting her and posted a video of her daughter thanking them also.

“Im seriously overwhelmed with all of the love my princess is getting,” Karina tweeted. “you guys are literally making me tear up! … I’ll just remind her — I already do — how beautiful she is. I’ll just tell her God made her that way for a reason. Everybody has something that makes them different.”

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