The story of Eden
When I was a baby, I was diagnosed with CMTC. The marbled markings run across my chest, down both arms, the back of my legs and some on the side of my face. I grappled with the challenge of accepting my body as a young child. New social situations were particularly tough at times, and meeting people often brought upon uncomfortable questions. Many would often wonder if I had burnt myself, and some wouldn’t sit next to me. As confusing as this was, I quickly learned that children are inquisitive. I adapted to becoming okay with answering their curiosity.
My parents always ensured positive reinforcement around my markings as a young child; which was monumental in shifting the way I saw myself in my developmental years. They would tell me it looked like angel kisses. Their words of encouragement and rephrasing negativity helped me to avoid seeing my uniqueness as a negative thing. I used to admire peers who had a conventional skin appearance. I even booked a specialist session to acquire skin makeup that would cover my markings. I would often put it on at home and see what I would look like if I removed it. However, it makes me rather sad that I once wished to remove something a part of me that was already so perfect. It didn’t feel good, or feel right having to hide my authentic self. As I grew older, I came to appreciate the gift of being unique, realizing that my condition had only strengthened my sense of identity. I understood that my skin was one of the least significant parts of who I am. What truly shaped me was developing a strong sense of self in other areas of my life. My self-worth no longer depended on my appearance. Instead, my focus shifted to pursuing my dream of creating films that entertain, inspire, and bring people together. To hear more about the CMTC condition and how I am using my passion for telling stories to spread awareness for rare diseases, check out the link below!
https://www.cmtc.nl/en/blog/2024/11/14/help-our-eden/