WHAT A FEW PEOPLE OUT THERE THINK OF US
I guess you could say that the following link might be a bit hard to take; it might even make you somewhat angry.  But still, it's important for us to have all the information that we can; it's important for us to know what some folks think when they see or think about someone with Moebius Syndrome.  And at times it's not something good.  For example, if you go here, to an online magazine put out by an outfit called United Academicis.org, you see this:
"The world is full of of embarrassing conditions you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy. Every week, Carian discusses one. This week: Moebius Syndrome."

Now, the short article that follows is pretty much fair and accurate, and is certainly not mean or vicious.  But is that really what some people think when they see us?  That our condition is "embarrassing" and something "you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy"?  If so, that's pretty sad.  I don't go out every day feeling embarrassed.  I hope you don't either.  There is prejudice out there.  We have to know that.  But we can't let it stop us.

AND ON THE OTHER HAND...THERE'S GOOD NEWS
Because others out there are much more understanding and accepting.  Another site, humintell.com, tells the story of Moebius hero Matilyn Branch, whom you've all probably heard of by now.  Note especially what Matilyn's first grade teacher had to say:
"Facial expressions are fundamental pieces of communication that we encounter and process, often times, unconsciously everyday.
Many people take them for granted and don’t realize how much facial expressions help us to analyze the situations and people around us.  What if you were unable to express your emotions through your facial expressions? Life would be very different.
Matilyn Branch is a 6-year-old who can’t smile reports Lubbock Online Journal. She and her family have learned to adjust to the very different kind of communication that comes without facial expressions. Matilyn has Moebius Syndrome, a neurological disorder, which afflicts the muscles of the face often times making even blinking difficult.
Moebius Syndrome is a paralysis or extreme weakness of facial muscles. This means that Matilyn cannot smile or even move her eyes from side to side. Her first grade teacher says that does not stop her from excelling in school.
“This school year I have learned as much from Matilyn as she has learned from me,” said Braquet. “Matilyn is a very sweet girl and an amazing student.”
Her parents also comment,
“We want people to know that if they see us in public, or anyone else who is different, to not be scared,” said Harvey. “Be respectful and … come and talk to us.”

Gee...somehow that teacher didn't find Matilyn to be "embarrassing."
We just need to keep raising awareness; there remains a job to do there.  But we make progress every day, as this story shows.


“I think you should take your job seriously, but not yourself- that is the best combination. ”--Dame Judy Dench (born 1934)

"We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as unsolvable problems." -John W. Gardner