Despite the challenges she faces, Ayla has managed to bring joy to millions of strangers online. Ayla was born in December 2021 and only 14 cases of the condition have been reported worldwide so far.
Her parents, Cristina Vercher, 21, and Blaize Mucha, 20, are currently in talks with doctors about the possibility of surgery to correct her wide smile. They are concerned that her condition may affect her ability to latch on or suckle.
In an effort to raise awareness and gather more information, Ayla’s parents set up a TikTok account to share her experiences. They hope to connect with other people who have been through similar situations.
Cristina expressed her initial concerns as a mother and the doubts that afflicted her. However, several doctors assured her and her husband that this condition was out of her control and not her fault. The discovery of Ayla’s condition came as a shock to both parents, as they had never met anyone with a macrostomia before.
Details of Ayla’s surgery have yet to be determined, but her parents have been informed that the procedure will involve skin closure with minimal scarring. They are concerned about the challenges they will face as a couple after the surgery.
Patients with Ayla’s condition are advised to undergo surgery for functional reasons as they age. The medical team at Flinder’s Medical Center in Adelaide, South Australia, were initially baffled by Ayla’s case, as they had never seen it before and it had not been detected during antenatal examinations.
The family shares their journey and Ayla’s adventures on social media. One particular video of Cristina dressing her daughter received more than 46 million views and garnered a huge amount of support from users.
While social media can be a divided space, Cristina and Blaize have received an equal amount of love and support along with negative comments. They are grateful for the positive response and have also connected with other mothers facing similar experiences. They remain determined to share their favorite experiences and memories as they take pride in their daughter.
