Meet a 21 year-old woman who has such a severe facial deformity that she doesn’t even know if she has eyes, mouth or a nose.
Warning: this article contains images that some users may find upsetting!
Khadija Khatoon, from Kolkata in eastern India, was born with neurofibromatosis causing enormous hanging lumps all over her face and neck. Fearing for her life local doctors refused to operate the girl but now there’s a chance for Khadija to start a new life.
A young woman who has never been able to see the world, has never gone to school and has been rejected by her community will soon undergo a life-changing surgery. This became possible after Khadija was spotted by government officer Rupak Dutta and offered his help.
He shared her story on Facebook and launched a crowdfunder page to raise £10,000 (approximately N300,900) for Khadija’s possible treatment. Despite monstross condition Ms Khatoon remains positive and says she is happy and grateful for her life.
She said: “This is who I am and this is the life I live and I fill my days sitting and thinking, talking to my mother about life and going for walks near my home.
I don’t have any real friends but I have my family. My family is my only friend and I love them dearly. My parents are my world. I’m made this way and I accept it graciously. If this is how I’m meant to be then I live with it.”
Doctors believe that Khadija possibly has a tumour inside her disfigured face and will have to undergo a series of tests to make an accurate diagnosis and exclude cancer.
Neurofibromatosis occurs 1 in 3000 individuals, and is equal among men and women. It is among the most common inherited nervous system disorders. Such individuals have a 10 to 15 year reduction in life expectancy compared to the the average person.
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