Photos: 12-year-old boy suffers from genetic skin condition that has left his face disfigured
12-year-old Ethan D'Amata from Texas has been suffering from a skin disorder, neurofibromatosis type one-or NF-1-since birth. D'Amato has learned to live with his condition because a life-changing surgery is risky and could potentially damage his nerves.
The little boy was offered surgery to remove his tumours but was told it could damage his nerves-meaning he could lose the ability to laugh or smile. He decided a life with tumours is better than a life without smiling. "I just can't take the risk of not being able to laugh or smile"
"I get a lot of people staring at me and just looking at my face. That can get really annoying. I wish they wouldn't do it. They frown at me and once a child pointed at me and called me a thing"
"I 'm not a thing. I'm a human being"