A FACE FOR PICASSO by Ariel Henley

 

Ariel Henley and her twin sister Zan were born with Crouzon syndrome. This condition causes the facial bones to fuse too soon. Life saving surgeries must be performed on very young children to assure adequate space for the growing brains and to preserve the airways for these children. Later more surgeries are needed as the children grow and also as a measure to achieve more normal facial features. Ariel has written a memoir of what life was like for her and her sister as they faced medical procedures, criticism about their appearance, and discrimination because of perceived notions based simply on their looks.

A FACE FOR PICASSO discusses not only the physical issues, but also the emotional toll Crouzon syndrome takes on those diagnosed with the condition. Since it is so rare, finding surgeons willing to take the risks necessary to augment the facial structure of patients is challenging. Also, dealing with the cruel stares and comments directed at young children undergoing the painful surgeries causes psychological stress that lasts a lifetime. 

Ariel tells her story frankly. She describes the feeling of having people stare and judge because her eyes slant downward and are symmetrical when all she wanted was to make friends and live like any other child. She recounts the willingness to undergo countless surgeries even knowing the resulting pain of recovery and the reshaping of her face to an extent that she didn't even recognize herself. She describes incisions across her skull from ear to ear so doctors could peel her skin down her forehead to insert plates and screws to realign her face bones. Ariel reveals the shock and amazement that her long awaited front tooth was coming in, but it came in through her nose.

Throughout this painful yet breathtaking story, Ariel relates historical comments on the definition of beauty and delves into the artist Picasso, his art and his abuse of the women who inspired it. Ariel and Zan's courage as they faced the trials of their condition are sure to inspire teen and adult readers.