Get Your Tissue Box Out
Plastic surgery isn’t just for bored, rich housewives looking for attention. Although, thanks to them we now have TV shows like Botched, which are hilarious.
In the case of Gabriel Cooper however, who was born without a jaw, plastic surgery could mean he has the chance to finally look like his identical twin brother, Haidin.
Gabriel, 19, was born with Pierre Robin Syndrome, which means his jaw did not fully form and lead to a facial disfigurement. Now, he has the chance to go under the knife and have plastic surgery with the charity The Baby Face Foundation in New York this May.
During her pregnancy, Gabriel’s mother Ramona had the option to terminate him in the womb. After two months of debating, she decided to keep him.
“It wasn’t that I had a problem with him being disabled but I feared that one twin could grow to despise the other,” she said. “The boys have had their problems but I’ve never regretted keeping Gabriel – he is a wonderful son.”
Ramona said growing up, the two brothers fought so much that they eventually had to seek counseling.
After years of therapy, Haidin finally admitted that he felt guilty and blamed himself for Gabriel’s condition, fearing he had kicked his brother in the jaw while they were in the womb.
After this heartbreaking realization helped the brothers to bond, Gabriel said, “Even though we look different on the outside, we are still twins on the inside.”
*wipes away tears*
Despite facing much discrimination growing up, Gabriel turned his anger and frustration into something positive.
“Facially I am different but if you ask him to do something then I can do it too,” he said about his brother Haidin. “I think that’s what motivated me to become better at school and sports. People shouldn’t judge me because of my facial difference and I hope I’ve showed them that.”
You’re damn right they shouldn’t. And just for the record, you don’t need that surgery, Gabriel. You don’t need to change a single thing about yourself.
