Love for the world begins with herself: she has a tumor on her face since birth, but she has learned to accept her appearance

People with defects in appearance cause pity in society, and sometimes ridicule and disgust. It hurts more than the reflection in the mirror, but the inner strength of spirit and positive attitude help to overcome difficulties and boldly step towards a new day. An Australian woman who has been suffering from a huge tumor on her face since infancy has been struggling with complexes and depression for many years, but now she has learned to love herself and enjoy life.

Read in our material the story of an unusual girl who overcame her own fears and no longer pays attention to sidelong glances.A young Australian woman, whom people often called a "puffer fish" and thought that her cheek was swollen after removing a wisdom tooth, has learned to love her unusual appearance.

18-year-old Phoebe McIndoe from Perth, Australia, has a cystic hygroma, which caused the appearance of a cluster—like tumor in the throat and chin.The baby's neoplasm was found immediately after birth. She had a tracheotomy so that she could breathe normally.

Throughout her life, Phoebe has undergone 16 surgical operations to reduce the size of the tumor, and countless special lymph massages to stop its growth. One day she got an infection that had to be killed with a horse dose of antibiotics.As a child, an unusual girl was called a "puffer fish" and a "fat girl". Over time, people began to think that she had recently had a wisdom tooth removed. Until now, some people consider the girl "strange" and think that she has mental retardation, despite the fact that she works as a pharmacist.Despite all the bitter words and sidelong glances, Phoebe is grateful for all that she had to go through, because she became the way she is now.

The girl does not want to be pitied and treated in a special way. She considers herself like everyone else, just with a non-standard appearance. She is especially offended when others think that she is mentally retarded. Phoebe's work is quite complex and requires attention, mathematical calculations and a deep knowledge of chemistry.

Phoebe claims that she fully accepts and loves herself for who she is. She likes her uniqueness and enjoys life to the fullest. The girl says that the tumor is a part of her and without it she would not be herself.

Phoebe wants to support all those who are not like others because of defects in appearance. She dreams of the world becoming a place where everyone feels comfortable and where there are no stereotypes. Looking at her reflection in the mirror, the girl does not see a tumor, but sees herself — smart, adult and original.