Support children with facial differences in Taiwan

Hsiao-Hui was born with a visible black mark on her face – a condition that doctors finally diagnosed as congenital melanocytic nevi after numerous visits to dermatologists, plastic surgeons, etc. As Hsiao-Hui grew, the melanocytic nevi became thicker and more obvious. Apart from worrying that the melanocytic nevi could affect Hsiao-Hu’s eyesight or other physical functions, her mother also worried about how the visible mark would affect Hsiao-Hui’s social interactions with others. Every six months, mother and daughter visited the doctor to track any potential changes.

For a long time after Hsiao-Hui was born, her mother didn’t dare to take her out, for fear of questions or stares from strangers. To make matters worse, Hsiao-Hui’s father and his family unjustly blamed the mother for their daughter’s condition. No longer able to bear the pressure and incomprehension of her husband and his family, Hsiao-Hui’s mother decided to leave and live by herself with Hsiao-Hui and her little sister Hsiao-En. Hsiao-Hui's mother said that when she took Hsiao-Hui to the park, she would hear strangers’ criticism and see them pointing at her daughter. Hsiao-Hui also began to feel inferior and uneasy. But considering the cost of an operation and postoperative care, as well as Hsiao-Hui's own fear, the plan to seek medical treatment was postponed...

One day, while looking online for information about melanocytic nevi, Hsiao-Hui’s mother came upon an online parent support group. After joining the group and sharing experience with its members, Hsiao-Hui also learned about Sunshine Foundation and was introduced to one of its social workers. The first time Sunshine’s social worker met Hsiao-Hui was when she was about to be transferred to a new school. A few months after Hsiao-Hui started school, her mother observed that when Hsiao-Hui interacted with her peers at school, most of the students did not dare to approach Hsiao-Hui because they did not understand melanoma. Hsiao-Hui’s mother discussed a strategy with the social worker to organize school re-entry and adaptation interventions. With the support of teachers, educational activities were organized to help classmates understand Hsiao-Hui’s condition and facilitate her integration in school.

In recent years, Hsiao-Hui has continued to do regular check-ups, and her condition is considered stable. However, in the middle of 2021, she started to feel pain and swelling. The doctor said this was a symptom of keratosis. Because Sunshine's medical financial aid could help relieve Hsiao-Hui's mother's financial pressure, she decided to let her daughter undergo surgery, and Hsiao-Hui also mustered up the courage to accept this challenge. After the operation, although the melanocytic nevi is still visible, in order to help Hsiao-Hui improve her self-confidence, the social worker recommended Hsiao-Hui to participate in the filming of promotion video for Sunshine, and Hsiao-Hui agreed without hesitation. After the filming, Hsiao-Hui said: "I am very happy to have this special experience. I have never thought about it. I will share it with more classmates." Hsiao-Hui 's mother also said: "I hope I can use this opportunity tolet more people know that there are such lovely little angels in the society."