Exclusive
SIZING UP
One side of my body is half the size of the other – I got my first boob job at 15 after years of being bullied
Caron was the victim of cruel taunts as a teen
A WOMAN has revealed how a rare syndrome meant that one side of her body hasn’t developed.
Caron Mills, 24, has had eight breast surgeries, and four surgeries on her hand, to try to correct disabilities caused by Poland Syndrome.
6
6
But Caron says she has come to terms with her hand and will no longer try to change it.
Caron, from Devon, says: “Growing up, I was bullied and teased. But having Poland Syndrome gave me a totally new outlook on life.
“I know how it feels to be an outsider and I want to make sure nobody else feels alone as I did.”
NO SUPPORT
Caron’s condition was diagnosed after birth, when doctors noticed her hand, arm and chest were all smaller on the right side.
Read More on Poland Syndrome
Caron says: “The doctors had never heard of it, they had to research my condition before coming up with the diagnosis.
“Because so little was known about it, there was no advice or support.
“The only other person we knew with Poland Syndrome was Jeremy Beadle off the TV.
“My parents were understandably cautious about me learning to swim or ride a bike because they were so worried about me having an accident, and there was no guidance for them.
Most read in Fabulous
“My arm was fragile, and I broke it three times and fractured it loads.
People troll me for asking strangers to pay for my boob job but if you saw the state of them you’d understand
“I had special cutlery and pens and I learned to write with my left hand.”
CRUEL TAUNTS
At high school, when her right breast failed to develop, Caron was the target of bullying.
She says: “My right side was an A and my left side was a D cup so it was very obvious, through my school shirt.
6
6
“Some of the boys were very cruel and made jokes. I’ve bumped into those same people since leaving school and I don’t hold a grudge.
“I wouldn’t want anyone to feel like I did back then.
“I just wanted to fit in, like any teenager. If I went swimming, or to the beach, I’d cover up completely, and wear a long-sleeved T-shirt to hide my breast and my hand. I stuffed socks into my bras.
“I was conscious of my differences all the time and I worried I’d never find a boyfriend or fall in love.”
PAINFUL SURGERIES
Aged 15, Caron had her first breast implant which ruptured after four months. Aged 16, she had a second implant which lasted two years.
Aged 19, she had several reconstructive ops which were not successful. She has also had surgery on her breast muscle and nerves.
Last summer, aged 23, she had more implants which so far have been successful, and gave her a C cup on both sides.
She says: “The operations have caused me a lot of pain, time off school and college, but now I feel really pleased with the way my chest looks.
“I feel feminine and attractive and, most importantly, I feel happy in my own skin.”
She is content to embrace the differences with her small hand and believes Poland Syndrome has given her a unique look on life.
What are the signs and symptoms of Poland Syndrome?
POLAND symptom can range in severity and can become obvious at birth or not noticed until puberty.
Signs of Poland syndrome include:
- Missing or underdeveloped chest and shoulder muscles
- Abnormal ribs that sometimes can lead to breathing problems
- Breast or nipple abnormalities
- Missing or abnormally placed underarm hair
- Hand abnormalities such as short or fused fingers
- Shortened forearm bones
- Heart, lung, or kidney problems
Source: Kids Health
She says: “I ‘ve become very interested in medicine and I want to help others who are affected.
“I met people with the syndrome for the first time last month and it was amazing. We took part in a fashion show to raise awareness.
“My hand very much makes me who I am and it’s a reminder of my journey.”
FINDING LOVE
Caron, who studied public health at university, met her boyfriend, Bradley, 25, two years ago.
Caron says: “I used to think I’d never find a boyfriend.
“Even when Bradley and I met, it took me months to pluck up the courage to relax with him and show my body to someone else.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
“He has been so patient and understanding. I hope my story can give hope to anyone else living with differences – it might take time, but happiness is out there for us all.”
Caron now works as an ambassador for PIP-UK, a Poland Syndrome support group.
6
6