WHEN mum-of-four, Vikki McAllister, looks at her daughter, April, she sees beauty and bravery. Living with a rare facial difference, April is often subjected to cruel taunts and stares from strangers while she’s out. 7 Vikki and April McAllister have been subjected to cruel remarks because of the nine-year-old's rare facial condition Credit: HotSpot Media 7 Vikki first noticed something her daughter's condition when she realised she had two different coloured eyes Credit: HotSpot Media But the smiley nine-year-old doesn’t let this get her down or stop her from living her life to the full.
Now, her mum is speaking out to raise awareness of Fibrous Dysplasia – a condition where abnormal fibrous tissue replaces healthy bone in areas of the body. Vikki, 38, from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, says: “Over the years, I've found it really hard to cope with the stares and comments that me and April receive. “But April takes it in her stride, and she is as confident as ever.
“By sharing her story, I hope that people will educate themselves and their children on how to treat people who have facial differences with kindness." In 2016, when April was one, Vikki noticed that April had one blue and one brown eye. Concerned, Vikki took her to the doctors, who referred her to the genetic team at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle.
At first, they diagnosed April with Waardenburg Syndrome, a group of genetic conditions involving the colour of hair, eyes and skin. Most read in Fabulous.
