Just like her mother, Libby Huffer, 45, suffers from neurofibromatosis type 1, a genetic disorder that causes non-cancerous growths wherever nerves are present.
Unfortunately, this condition has left her with over 6,000 tumors on her body, leading to relentless bullying. Libby has endured cruel names over the years, with people branding her “a toad” and “lizard breath.”
Struggling to cope with her condition and appearance, Libby decided to start a fundraiser in 2016 to pay for electrodessication—a pioneering surgery to remove the tumors and prevent their return. Fortunately, she raised the necessary funds and underwent the much-anticipated surgery in June the following year. This surgery helped remove around 1,000 tumors from her face and other parts of her body. While the surgery was successful, it left her with numerous scars that required CO2 laser treatment.
“There’s still a long way to go to heal the emotional damage I’ve undergone over the years, but I know that will only improve over time,” she said. “The more surgeries I have, the more confident I will become, and that will help to erase some of my painful childhood memories.”
“Now I don’t have as many large tumors on my face, and I feel like I’ve gained more confidence since the surgery. I don’t think people are staring at me as much now. I’ll still get kids looking at me occasionally, but there’s definitely been a big difference.”
Reflecting on the pain and bullying she has endured, Libby shared, “I have been bullied and victimized my whole life because of the bumps all over my skin. They cover me from head to toe. In school, kids would pick on me all the time, calling me lizard breath and toad.”
“But I am a human being too. All I want is to be adored and cared for like anyone else. Instead of making comments, I wish people would talk to me rather than stare like I’m a circus freak. It just makes me feel really uncomfortable.”
The life-changing surgery cost her $23,500 and allowed her to live without the stares and taunts from people for the first time in three decades.
