'People say I look like a cartoon but I learned to love my facial difference'

28 November 2023 , 12:14

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Jasmine Reid was born with a birth defect known as cystic hygroma or lymphatic malformation which is a collection of fluid-filled sacs (Image: Jam Press/@lipstickonjass)

A brave mum who was cruelly told she looks like a cartoon character because of her facial difference has hit back at vile bullies who torment her.

Jasmine Reid has undergone 25 surgeries due to her condition known as cystic hygroma or lymphatic malformation, which is a collection of fluid-filled sacs. The 29-year-old, of North Carolina, will continue to develop life-threatening cysts on her face and neck for the rest of her life.

Due to her appearance, Jasmine is regularly told she is ugly and has had to deal with trolling, bullying and evil comments from strangers throughout her life. "I've been told I am ugly, no one would ever want me and I look like a cartoon character," she said. "[As a child], I was bullied out of high school and had to go to an alternative school.

"As an adult, my social and dating life is so hard, [because] people either treat me like trash or look upon me with pity. [And] I've had trouble making real friends. I can't work like other people either - even just the air can cause my face to swell."

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Jasmine has undergone 25 surgeries due to her condition (Jam Press/@lipstickonjass)

Jasmine, who is mum to 10-year-old son, Jadyn, says her appearance now has an impact on Jadyn at his school. "[Becoming a mum with a facial difference], was hard and challenging, because at first when I gave birth people didn't believe he was mine. [Growing up], Jadyn got teased for the way I looked and I always get nothing but stares," the single mum said.

"I try to limit myself as much as possible far as making a big appearance at school because the kids see him and pick on me. My biggest [physical] struggle is pain daily; all day, every day.

The single mum will continue to develop life-threatening cysts on her face and neck for the rest of her life (Jam Press/@lipstickonjass)

Jasmine has had to deal with trolling, bullying and evil comments from strangers throughout her life (Jam Press/@lipstickonjass)

"When it's cold, raining or stormy, the air gets into my hemangioma (vascular birthmark), my tongue swells up. My face is also very heavy, like a sack of rocks I have to carry around, and I have mental disabilities too.

"I never knew other people had cystic hygroma. [But] once I found a few, it made me feel whole. Seeing women and men like myself just made me want to do better."

Jasmine uses dance to build her confidence and cope with the difficulties she's faced. She added: "My mum always kept me in something; whether it was gymnastics, praise dancing, tap, or ballet, I was always dancing.

Jasmine is mum to 10-year-old son, Jadyn (Jam Press/@lipstickonjass)

Jasmine claims her son Jadyn is bullied at school because of the way she looks (Jam Press/@lipstickonjass)

"Dancing makes me even more confident. I dance to feel and I dance to ignore my problems. I dance over my pain."

In a bid to raise awareness about cystic hygroma, Jasmine uses her Instagram @'lipstickonjass to share her experiences. "I wish more people knew how hard my everyday life is," the mum said.

"Some days I can't even speak correctly due to my swollen tongue. I want to inspire and help others like myself and show people I'm more than just a girl with big cheeks.

"I'm beautiful. I love my appearance and who I am. I wish I could tell people like me that it's our time to shine. We're not hiding anymore. It's time to embrace our uniqueness.

Jasmine has found dating hard because of her appearance (Jam Press/@lipstickonjass)

Jasmine uses dancing to build up her confidence (Jam Press/@lipstickonjass)

"You're beautiful. Stop dimming the light you have. Being different doesn't give people the right to bully you."

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Jasmine also has a message for the people who judge and bully her because of her appearance. She added: "Stop fearing what you don't understand and let me educate you.

"I will never forget the things people have done and said to me. I don't feed into the negative energy anymore because I know who I am and how far I've come. I may not be beautiful to you but I am drop-dead gorgeous to me and that's what matters. You lose."

Molly Pennington