When Ayla Summer Mucha was born in December 2021, her parents, Cristina Vercher and Blaize Mucha, were surprised to learn she had a rare condition called bilateral macrostomia. This condition, which affects the formation of the mouth, left Ayla with a wide, permanent smile. While it was initially a shock, Ayla’s joyful expression has since won over millions of hearts worldwide.
Bilateral macrostomia is a rare facial cleft where the corners of the mouth don’t fuse during pregnancy. Only 14 cases have been recorded in medical history, making it an extremely uncommon condition. For Cristina and Blaize, the diagnosis was unexpected, as no signs of the condition had appeared on prenatal ultrasounds.
“We were instantly worried,” Cristina shared. “She was so small, and the condition was obvious.” Doctors were also caught off guard, taking hours to explain the condition and offering limited support due to its rarity.
After genetic testing confirmed that the condition was not caused by anything the parents had done, Cristina and Blaize focused on learning more about it. They decided to share Ayla’s story on social media, where her smile quickly made her a sensation.
Ayla’s TikTok account gained 6.5 million followers, with fans praising her unique beauty. “She is so darn special. Be proud, mama,” one user wrote. While most comments were positive, some trolls targeted the family. Cristina responded with a message of kindness, reminding others that conditions like Ayla’s can happen to anyone.
Now two years old, Ayla has reportedly had surgery to correct her condition, with almost no visible scarring. She’s also welcomed a baby brother, Sonny, into the family. Ayla’s story is a powerful reminder to embrace differences and spread love in a world that often needs it most.
