A WOMAN who battled a severe facial disfigurement has written a book to share her story of overcoming her condition.

Shelley Hull, from Canvey, was born with Goldenhar Syndrome, which meant she had an extra ear, undeveloped jaw bones, a large ear, sight issues and was born deaf.

Echo:

Younger - Shelley, aged ten

Echo:

Difficult - Shelley aged 17

Within a few weeks of entering the world, doctors soon deemed her condition to be unique and she has since undergone more than 20 operations.

The 56-year-old said: “After some tests, they diagnosed me and because it was rare I had to receive specialist treatment, where they managed to restore my hearing. When I was nine months, I had my extra ear removed and the cyst which had grown over my pupil was cut out, but I was left half blind.

“My face was reconstructed and I’ve had more than 20 operations working on it. My upper jaw bones were moved, my lower jaw bones were moved, I had to have my lower teeth removed, some of my hip and rib cage bones were removed and put into my face and I’ve also had plastic surgery.”

Shelley grew up in a society where conversations about disability and disfigurement were often non-existent.

She added: “My school life was really tough. I was bullied from primary school, and when I went to secondary school, it only got worse. All the girls were experimenting with hair but I used my long hair to cover my face and my disfigurement.

“I had never seen anyone that looked like I did so I felt like a freak and dealt with bullying on a daily basis.

“Even now, my face isn’t perfect and I was told it never would be. I’m so extremely grateful for my surgeons, they helped me feel normal, along with my husband and my kids, who I’ve watched grow up, now aged 32, 30 and 28.”

Now, Shelley is a patron for the charity Goldenhar UK, which supports young people battling the syndrome, and will release her book, Shelley, which tells of her journey to overcome her condition and feeling comfortable in her own skin.

She added: “It was emotional to write and took three years to complete, but Hornet Books helped me share my story. Reading it now feels like I’m reading about someone else’s life. I hope to inspire anyone who has ever questioned their self-worth. Never be anything but yourself.” Shelley is out on May 23 in paperback £9.99 and e-book for £5.99.