MOEBIUS SYNDROME IN THE NEWS

Our UK version--today we find that an actor named Samuel Phoenix from the UK, who has Moebius Syndrome, will be starring in a theater production of a screenplay titled "Lilith"--which Mr. Phoenix wrote himself!  It will be his first professional performance.  Congratulations to Mr. Phoenix--and you can read more about it here:

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A STUDENT with a rare disorder affecting his face has landed his first acting role in a professional performance.
Samuel Phoenix has had to undergo face construction surgery three times because of his Moebius syndrome but that has not stopped him from following his dream of becoming an actor and his first starring role will be in a professional performance of a play he wrote himself.
After impressing Kidderminster College tutors while studying and artist in residence Robyn Taylor-Cohen, who runs Calanit Theatre, with his script for Lilith, a script about a serial killer, the 31-year-old said this marked a great milestone in his life and proved people should not stop reaching no matter the odds stacked against them.
He said: "When I was younger, hospital was my second home as I needed so many procedures to manage my conditions. I was also constantly bullied at school because of my looks and have suffered from depression since I was 16.
"I found acting and writing was my way of finding light when I was suffering my worst bouts of depression. I refused to let my conditions beat me, even on the darkest days.
"I want people, especially anyone with muscular dystrophy or Meobius, to be inspired my story and realise they can also achieve their dreams despite all the odds."
Samuel suffers from Moebius syndrome, an extremely rare neurological disorder that affects cranial nerves, leaving those with the condition unable to move their faces, and he also has muscular dystrophy which affects his ability to walk.
"After the high profile actors playing people with disabilities received at the Oscars this year, I would love to be the first actor with a disability to win one in his own right," he added.

But despite the treatment he has had to undergo almost all his life, Samuel managed to write Lilith in just two months and has been working with Robyn to adapt his work for her stage by rewriting it to be played by women.
Lilith and Samuel will make their debuts on the stage later this year.

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