A FACE FOR PICASSO Coming of Age with Crouzon Syndrome

Ariel Henley narrates her story of growing up with Crouzon syndrome, a type of facial disfigurement. She and her identical twin, Zan, both afflicted, survived face-altering surgeries as doctors broke facial bones to make room for the growing organs in their skulls. Henley's dispassionate voice is riveting as she recounts the traumas of the multiple surgeries that made the twins look less like themselves and each other. They received little emotional support to deal with issues of identity and bullying. Henley's unemotional tone as she details the surgeries' consequences, as well as bullying by classmates, teachers, and society at large, will awaken the listener's awareness and acceptance of differences. Marketed to young adults, this is a book that adults would also be wise to visit. N.E.M. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine [Published: MARCH 2023]