A young woman who was born without the natural ability to blink has courageously shared the relentless bullying she endured for years due to her rare genetic condition. Sabrina Burlando, a 19-year-old from Surprise, Arizona, entered the world without the essential muscle that enables eyelid closure, a hereditary disorder diagnosed as congenital ptosis that she inherited from her father.
Surgical Intervention and Early Struggles
While medical professionals restored her blinking function through surgery at the tender age of three, they achieved this by utilising her eyebrow muscle instead. Despite the procedure allowing her eyes to operate normally, they retained an appearance that was smaller than average, setting the stage for years of uncomfortable scrutiny and cruel remarks.
Burlando disclosed in an exclusive conversation with the Daily Mail that her awareness of being different began in kindergarten. "I first realised I was different from others in kindergarten. That's the first time I remember getting made fun of for my eyes," she recounted. "None of my classmates understood why my eyes are smaller, and they picked on me for it."
Escalating Challenges in Adolescence
The situation intensified dramatically during her teenage years. When she secured her first job in high school, the bullying persisted even in her workplace. "My manager and co-worker made inappropriate comments about my eyes behind my back," she revealed. This continuous harassment severely undermined her self-esteem, leaving her perpetually feeling inadequate and isolated.
"I felt so unusual and alone," Burlando confessed. "I began to feel scared at the thought of meeting new people. I had a fear that when strangers looked at me, all they saw was my eyes, and nothing else about me as a person." The pervasive influence of social media beauty standards further exacerbated her insecurities, making her yearn for conventional prettiness rather than embracing her uniqueness.
A Transformative Journey to Self-Acceptance
Over time, Burlando embarked on a profound personal journey, learning not merely to accept her differences but to celebrate them wholeheartedly. "The thing that helped me most with my confidence and sense of self was realising that there is so much more to a person than the way they look," she shared. "I realised that the only opinion that mattered regarding the way that I look was my own."
She articulated a powerful perspective: "I can't control the way that I look, but I can control the type of person I am. And to me, that is far more important." While confidence remains an ongoing challenge, she now recognises that her condition has fundamentally shaped her identity, teaching her kindness in ways she might never have comprehended otherwise.
Building Community Through Social Media
Motivated by a desire to connect with others who might share her experience, Burlando recently began posting about congenital ptosis on TikTok. Her videos have since gone viral, reaching millions of viewers. "I also have never seen any videos online talking about it. I wanted to openly share my experience so that others could feel less alone," she explained.
The response has been overwhelmingly positive and empowering. Burlando has received countless direct messages and comments from individuals who either have ptosis or have felt excluded for other reasons. "I was so excited when I realised that so many people resonated with my videos," she expressed. "It is the coolest experience to be able to connect with so many people that I would never have reached without posting that video."
Rare Condition and Lasting Impact
According to data from the National Library of Medicine, congenital ptosis is exceptionally rare, with only 107 children diagnosed between January 1965 and December 2004. Burlando's story highlights not only the medical aspects of the condition but also the significant social and emotional hurdles faced by those with visible differences.
In reflecting on her journey, Burlando hopes her experience inspires others to embrace their own uniqueness and practice kindness towards everyone, regardless of appearance. Her transformation from a bullied child to a confident advocate demonstrates the profound power of self-acceptance and community support in overcoming adversity.
