When Ayla Summer Mucha was born, she surprised her new parents with a huge, heartwarming smile on her tiny face.
Initially, mom and dad were taken aback by the newborn’s permanent smile, caused by a very rare condition. However, they quickly fell in love with Ayla, who is now a social media darling with fans worldwide admiring her adorable, radiant smile.
After nine months of eager anticipation, Australia’s Cristina Vercher and her husband Blaize Mucha were overjoyed to welcome their baby girl on December 30, 2021. But during the C-section birth, doctors delivered some startling news to the new parents.
Ayla Summer Mucha had developed bilateral macrostomia, which means her mouth hadn’t formed correctly during pregnancy.
This rare deformity, classified as a facial cleft, occurs when the corners of the mouth don’t fuse together properly. According to the National Library of Medicine, only 14 cases have been documented in medical literature.
All Around Shock
Ayla’s unusually large mouth was a complete surprise to her parents, whose ultrasound scans had not indicated any abnormalities. The new mom, now 23, describes how she and Blaize, 22, were immediately worried upon seeing Ayla for the first time because the condition was obvious, especially since Ayla was so small.
“Blaize and I had never heard of this condition, nor have we ever met anyone with macrostomia,” said Cristina from Adelaide. “So it was a huge shock.”
Doctors were equally unprepared to handle a newborn with bilateral macrostomia. Cristina shared, “This made the experience even more concerning, as it took several hours for a doctor to give us an answer. The hospital had little knowledge or support for such a rare condition.”
Initially, Cristina harbored fears that she had somehow caused her daughter’s condition during pregnancy. She confessed, “All I could dwell on as a mother was where I might have made a mistake.” Nonetheless, after days of genetic testing and scans, the doctors reassured them that Ayla’s condition was entirely beyond their control and that they bore no blame.
The Muchas focused their attention on helping Ayla live with her condition, which impacted functions like latching and suckling. Parents are often advised to have surgery performed on their little ones in these cases.
The Happy Family
The young couple embarked on a journey to learn more about the condition and decided to share Ayla’s story on social media. Ayla’s distinctive smile attracted 6.5 million TikTok users, gaining them overwhelming support.
“I just read that there are only 14 documented cases. She is so special. Be proud, mama,” one user commented.
Another admirer added, “She is beautiful and perfect just the way she is. She made me smile too.”
Even when faced with negative comments, Ayla’s loyal followers quickly defended her. “Your daughter is absolutely beautiful; ignore the bitter people,” one user advised. Another remarked, “You’re a strong woman with a beautiful daughter. I’m sorry to see mean-spirited comments.”
Responding to the hateful comments, Cristina urged kindness and acceptance of all people, adding, “You would hope others showed the same respect to you or your children if similar circumstances occurred. Social media is a divided place, but you can’t control others’ personalities.”
Buoyed by positive comments and support, Cristina and Blaize continue to share their experiences and cherish their memories as a proud family.
Although it hasn’t been confirmed, it appears Ayla, who recently celebrated her 2nd birthday, successfully underwent surgery to correct her enlarged mouth. There’s almost no scarring from the procedure. In November 2023, she even became a big sister to baby brother Sonny.
We’re delighted that the Muchas overcame online negativity and continue to share their journey with beautiful Ayla.
What are your thoughts on this lovely family? Please share your opinions with us, and spread this heartwarming story to see what others think!
