{"id":42815,"date":"2016-07-09T00:14:45","date_gmt":"2016-07-09T00:14:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/healthmedicinet.com\/news\/woman-who-had-100-operations-to-reconstruct-her-face-becomes-a-model\/"},"modified":"2016-07-09T00:14:45","modified_gmt":"2016-07-09T00:14:45","slug":"woman-who-had-100-operations-to-reconstruct-her-face-becomes-a-model","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/healthmedicinet.com\/news\/woman-who-had-100-operations-to-reconstruct-her-face-becomes-a-model\/","title":{"rendered":"Woman who had 100 operations to reconstruct her face becomes a model"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">A woman who was born with a rare facial condition that saw her undergo more than 100 bouts of reconstructive surgery has realised her dream of becoming a model.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Alison Midstokke, 31, from New York has Treacher Collins syndrome \u2013 a condition that affects the development of bones in the face.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">The aspiring actor has spent months in hospital to reconstruct her face and correct her speech and hearing and now, the unique model is inspiring thousands with her stunning photo shoots.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\"><span class=\"mol-style-bold\">Scroll down for video\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>      <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-51a216b17cff53e5\" src=\"http:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2016\/07\/08\/11\/3611215700000578-3680606-image-a-1_1467973172731.jpg\" height=\"517\" width=\"634\" alt=\"Alison Midstokke, 31, from New York\u00a0who was born with a rare facial condition that saw her undergo more than 100 bouts of reconstructive surgery has realised her dream of becoming a model\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">Alison Midstokke, 31, from New York\u00a0who was born with a rare facial condition that saw her undergo more than 100 bouts of reconstructive surgery has realised her dream of becoming a model<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">\u2018When I was five years old I stared at myself in the mirror and asked my mother why I was so ugly,\u2019 she said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">\u2018She told me it was because I had Treacher Collins and my face hadn\u2019t developed properly.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"rotator-panels link-bogr1 linkro-ccox\">\n<li>\n<p>          <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2016\/07\/08\/00\/3595C0B100000578-0-image-m-93_1467932433065.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"62\" height=\"60\" \/><span>Ups and downs of Posh\u2019s, er, career\u2026 As told through the\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n<p>          <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2016\/07\/07\/14\/360A890800000578-0-image-m-8_1467897555048.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"62\" height=\"60\" \/><span>Transgender model Andreja Peji? reveals the reality of\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">\u2018After I had my surgeries \u2013 including a major reconstruction in 2010 \u2013 I felt so much more confident.\u00a0It changed my life.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">\u2018When I was eight, I would draw images of a woman with a deformed appearance who gradually turned into a beautiful woman with a lovely figure.<\/p>\n<p>      <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-9474c9ac85a35c87\" src=\"http:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2016\/07\/08\/11\/36113C6F00000578-3680606-image-a-2_1467973436313.jpg\" height=\"476\" width=\"634\" alt=\"Alison underwent one final reconstructive surgery in 2010, where doctors injected fat into her face to create fuller cheekbones and her modelling career took off\u00a0\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">Alison underwent one final reconstructive surgery in 2010, where doctors injected fat into her face to create fuller cheekbones and her modelling career took off\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>      <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-44228d7790c59fc6\" src=\"http:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2016\/07\/08\/11\/36113C3800000578-3680606-image-a-3_1467973582621.jpg\" height=\"423\" width=\"634\" alt=\"The aspiring actress said that her most recent surgery changed her life as it made her feel much more confident and enabled her to pursue her career goals\u00a0\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">The aspiring actress said that her most recent surgery changed her life as it made her feel much more confident and enabled her to pursue her career goals\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>      <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-4b1d46acdbf7624f\" src=\"http:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2016\/07\/08\/11\/36113C3E00000578-3680606-image-m-5_1467973642574.jpg\" height=\"441\" width=\"634\" alt=\"Alison's parents were told she might never be able to speak but she started communicating verbally with her family at the age of five and is now pursuing an acting career\u00a0\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">Alison\u2019s parents were told she might never be able to speak but she started communicating verbally with her family at the age of five and is now pursuing an acting career\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">\u2018It\u2019s a process that took years to achieve.\u2019<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Multi-talented Alison, who is also a clothes designer and artist, was adopted a few weeks after birth by her parents Denise and Rick.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Since she was a tiny baby, she had been in and out of hospital, undergoing operations to correct her cranial-facial abnormalities.<\/p>\n<p>  <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-8bbfa89037d337a7\" src=\"http:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2016\/07\/08\/11\/36113BD200000578-3680606-image-a-12_1467973783219.jpg\" height=\"463\" width=\"306\" alt=\"The New Yorker admits that shes had difficulties with accepting herself in the past\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-3ac0dafda8882cd9\" src=\"http:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2016\/07\/08\/11\/36113BE000000578-3680606-image-m-11_1467973775812.jpg\" height=\"463\" width=\"306\" alt=\"At 17 Alison dropped out of school because of anxieties over her appearance\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">The New Yorker admits that shes had difficulties with accepting herself in the past. At 17 she dropped out of school because of anxieties over her appearance\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>      <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-31154324c7a3dea3\" src=\"http:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2016\/07\/08\/11\/36113BBF00000578-3680606-image-m-21_1467974482241.jpg\" height=\"1110\" width=\"634\" alt=\"Alison, pictured in December 2014, has no plans to have further surgery after enduring more than 100 operations\u00a0\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">Alison, pictured in December 2014, has no plans to have further surgery after enduring more than 100 operations\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>  <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-4b41c701560a96e9\" src=\"http:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2016\/07\/08\/11\/3611217E00000578-3680606-image-a-19_1467974435168.jpg\" height=\"963\" width=\"306\" alt=\"Alison has lost count of exactly how many procedures she has had but thinks it is more than 100\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-83ac61cfd9e24e45\" src=\"http:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2016\/07\/08\/11\/3611306300000578-3680606-Alison_has_lost_count_of_exactly_how_many_procedures_she_has_had-m-18_1467974425171.jpg\" height=\"963\" width=\"306\" alt=\"Alison has lost count of exactly how many procedures she has had but thinks it is more than 100.\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">Alison has lost count of exactly how many procedures she has had but thinks it is more than 100. The striking model has photographers clamouring to work with her because of her unique look<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">She has lost count of exactly how many procedures she has had but thinks it is more than 100.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Her extensive surgeries meant she was frequently away from school.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">She was also born hearing impaired and doctors believed she would never be able to speak.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">\n<p>      <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-1447bb4957c3dae2\" src=\"http:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2016\/07\/08\/11\/36113BC600000578-3680606-image-a-22_1467974646871.jpg\" height=\"820\" width=\"634\" alt=\"Playing at the beach, North Idaho, Sandpoint as a child. Alison admitted that she was treated differently, even by her own friends, as she grew up\u00a0\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">Playing at the beach, North Idaho, Sandpoint as a child. Alison admitted that she was treated differently, even by her own friends, as she grew up\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>      <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-c930073900bd94c9\" src=\"http:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2016\/07\/08\/11\/36113C0700000578-3680606-image-m-25_1467974787934.jpg\" height=\"315\" width=\"306\" alt=\"Alison was adopted\u00a0a few weeks after birth by her parents Denise and Rick\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">Alison was adopted\u00a0a few weeks after birth by her parents Denise and Rick<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">But, at the age of five she began to communicate verbally with her family.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">\u2018I spent so much time at the hospital and being with the doctors that I felt like was raised by them,\u2019 she said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">\u2018Going back to school to face everyone takes a toll on you.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">\u2018I had friends and I was a likeable, outgoing, playful kid. I was always happy and didn\u2019t mind being alone.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">\u2018But growing up, I was treated differently even by my own friends. I have been excluded from individuals or groups.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">\u2018I was never invited to that many birthday parties but I always had a few close friends.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">\u2018My school was very supportive though. I had one big surgery when I was nine and my classmates wrote get well cards and sent flowers.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">\u2018For the most part, the children I grew up with were supportive about my changes but I was really scared about the judgement I would get.\u2019<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">\n<p>      <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-ebe3af11926576c4\" src=\"http:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2016\/07\/08\/11\/36113C1300000578-3680606-image-a-26_1467975059947.jpg\" height=\"476\" width=\"634\" alt=\"Alison with her mum Denise who adopted her when she was a few weeks old\u00a0\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">Alison with her mum Denise who adopted her when she was a few weeks old\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>      <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-29a19f0d5223d0f\" src=\"http:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2016\/07\/08\/11\/36113C5300000578-3680606-Rick_Guidotti_Alison_s_father_cuddles_up_to_his_daughter_for_a_l-m-28_1467975107507.jpg\" height=\"658\" width=\"634\" alt=\"Rick Guidotti, Alison's father, cuddles up to his daughter for a loving family snap\u00a0\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">Rick Guidotti, Alison\u2019s father, cuddles up to his daughter for a loving family snap\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>      <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-e654474630bb9109\" src=\"http:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2016\/07\/08\/11\/3611218600000578-3680606-image-a-29_1467975183794.jpg\" height=\"845\" width=\"634\" alt=\"The confident 31-year-old says she feels much happier now that she's become who she's supposed to be\u00a0\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">The confident 31-year-old says she feels much happier now that she\u2019s become who she\u2019s supposed to be\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>      <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-5470b1cb6bca2768\" src=\"http:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2016\/07\/08\/11\/36113C2900000578-3680606-image-a-30_1467975241414.jpg\" height=\"799\" width=\"634\" alt=\"The multi-talented model is also a fashion designer and artist\u00a0\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">The multi-talented model is also a fashion designer and artist\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">As surgeons corrected Miss Midstokke\u2019s abnormalities, her anxiety about her appearance grew.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">After a particularly drastic surgery at seventeen, she dropped out of school in fear of the reaction her classmates would have.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wocc\">                                <span>TREACHER COLLINS SYNDROME<\/span>                            <\/h3>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\"><span>Treacher Collins is a condition that\u00a0affects the development of bones and other tissues of the face.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\"><span>Syndrome is named after\u00a0named after Edward Treacher Collins, a London ophthalmologist who first described the disorder in the medical literature in 1900<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\"><span>The signs and symptoms of this disorder vary greatly, ranging from almost unnoticeable to severe.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\"><span>Most affected individuals have underdeveloped facial bones, particularly the cheek bones, and a very small jaw and chin.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\"><span>Some people with this condition are also born with an opening in the roof of the mouth called a cleft palate.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\"><span>In severe cases, sufferers develop serious, life-threatening respiratory complications.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">She continued: \u2018I couldn\u2019t bear the thought of going back to school with a major transformation.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">\u2018I cared too much about what people thought at the time and I was having issues accepting myself.\u2019<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Although she vowed never to change her appearance again, she underwent one final reconstructive surgery in 2010, where doctors injected fat into her face to create fuller cheekbones.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Then, she had a chin implant and her nose straightened to enable her to breathe easily.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">When she was fifteen she started modelling for artists and photographers and realised she was hooked.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">But after her surgery in 2010 her hobby turned into a career and she had photographers clamouring to work with her.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">She said: \u2018This is the surgery that changed my life and I felt so much more confident.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">\u2018I felt I was able to pursue my dream of becoming a model and actress.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">\u2018I\u2019m so much happier now that I\u2019ve become who I\u2019m supposed to be.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">\u2018I\u2019ve had a few bad experiences living in the city especially in New York City.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">\u2018People tend to say what they want to say but I realised that is just city life and there are always going to be negative people everywhere you go.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">\u2018Once I knew who I was as a person, nothing got to me.\u2019<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A woman who was born with a rare facial condition that saw her undergo more than 100 bouts of reconstructive surgery has realised her dream of becoming a model. Alison Midstokke, 31, from New York has Treacher Collins syndrome \u2013 a condition that affects the development of bones in the face. The aspiring actor has [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-42815","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/healthmedicinet.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42815","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/healthmedicinet.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/healthmedicinet.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthmedicinet.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthmedicinet.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=42815"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/healthmedicinet.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42815\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/healthmedicinet.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=42815"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthmedicinet.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=42815"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthmedicinet.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=42815"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}