Most of us have something we are dissatisfied with, ashamed of or would rather others didn’t see.
But for Libby Huffer, from Indiana, the reaction from others to her physical appearance forced her to go into hiding.
When she was in her teens, which is a hard time for almost everyone, she learned that she suffered from neurofibromatosis: a genetic disease that causes non-cancerous tumors to grow on the body.
Posted by Libby Huffer on Sunday, November 29, 2015
The small tumors covered Libby from head to toe, and also caused her constant pain. She was also bullied for her appearance throughout her youth and was called a “freak” and “frog.”
When Libby became pregnant with her daughter, the symptoms got worse due to her pregnancy hormones. Eventually she had over 6,000 tumors that covered her body, and the pain was almost unbearable.
"Hi, I'm Libby and I have NF1"** Raising Awareness **"If we're not seen, we can't be heard." ♡~ Please help me to reach as many people affected by NF as possible by sharing my post. ~ ☆☆ Thank you!!
Posted by Libby Huffer on Sunday, February 14, 2016
To relieve the symptoms, the 45-year-old mom of one, had to use 13 different medications. Just hugging her daughter caused her incredible pain.
Libby’s condition meant that she was stared at wherever she went. She couldn’t even go to the store without someone pointing at her or asking what she had on her face.
Her self-esteem was so bad that she almost stopped going out at all.
Hooray Hooray I meet with my NF SPECIALIST today!
Posted by Libby Huffer on Tuesday, October 6, 2015
Over the years, Libby underwent ten operations to remove the tumors. But nothing worked and they came back as fast as they disappeared.
So last year Libby made a brave decision. She decided to stop hiding and raise awareness and help raise the funds for electrodessication – a pioneering surgery to remove the tumors which helps prevent them growing back.
Posted by Libby Huffer on Sunday, March 20, 2016
“I don’t think people are staring at me as much now, I’ll still get kids looking at me occasionally but there’s definitely been a big difference,” she told British newspaper The Sun
“Now I don’t have as many large tumors on my face and I feel like I’ve gained more confidence since the surgery.”
Take a look at the video below to see the amazing transformation Libby has undergone. Now she no longer needs to be afraid to go out:
If you also think Libby was brave to show herself to as many people as possible and help raise awareness, share this amazing transformation with your friends on Facebook!
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