Mum defies trolls as extremely rare condition leaves her looking like ‘rag doll’
A mum with an extremely rare condition opened up about the cruel comments she receives on a daily basis.
Lauren Behanna calls herself as a “rag doll” as her congenital myasthenic syndrome leaves her with a “elongated face”.
The 27-year-old mum is now pushing back against trolls and is determined to use social media to raise awareness.
READ MORE: ‘My parents abandoned me in hospital because they didn’t like my face – but I love it’
She said: “I was born with a muscle weakness condition like multiple sclerosis, but the weakness doesn’t happen gradually.
“I spent the first year of my life mainly in hospital as I would quit breathing a lot.
“Without my medication, I’m basically a rag doll – unable to move and barely able to breathe.
“I have to teach myself how to walk again each and every day.”
(Image: Jam Press/@itslaurenduh94)
Each morning, Lauren has to wait at least 30 minutes before she can get up out of bed.
She claims her elongated face makes her look different to most people but doesn’t want her condition to define her.
Instead she’s raising awareness for the deformity as doctors told her she wouldn’t survive past her first birthday.
For Lauren, she receives support from her daughter Abby, who doesn’t notices her “mum’s differences”.
(Image: Jam Press/@itslaurenduh94)
She added: “It’s absolutely amazing the quality of life I have, all thanks to medication.
“I’ve been on two types which work together since I was four years old and without them, I’m basically dead. Everyone does stare, but I don’t pay attention to them.
“I don’t recall much bullying as a child and it’s honestly more on TikTok as an adult – but I can handle it.
“Emotionally, it’s been hard as I often wonder ‘why me?’ but I allowed myself time to cry and let any feelings out.”
(Image: Jam Press/@itslaurenduh94)
She feels lucky to have a daughter who treats her like everybody else.
Lauren revealed: “I’ve never really noticed anything different and it’s more so about my muscle weakness than my face.
“I do mainly enjoy staying inside, so my social life isn’t much to brag about. Either way, I hope to live a long, healthy and happy life, where I continue to entertain and inspire people.
“I’m a pretty down-to-earth woman, who loves to make people smile. I’ve accepted the fact I’m different and I love being able to show others it’s okay to be different. It’s what makes us all unique.”
Many fans support the mum online too, telling her she’s “beautiful” and “pretty”.
And Lauren is often surprised by the love on TikTok as she downloaded the app after pure boredom.
She concluded: “I haven’t had anything really crazy happen yet, but I can’t even go to the store without someone recognising me – I love it. I love being able to meet the people that I always encourage those to come and say hi.
“I do use a wheelchair for long distance, so a lot of the time, when people do see me, I’m in my chair – but I am approachable, I promise.”
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