For most parents, a baby’s first smile is a milestone etched in memory. For Victoria LaBrie, that moment never came in the traditional sense. After giving birth to her daughter, Hazel, in December 2024, Victoria knew instantly that something was different. While other newborns slept with their eyes gently closed, Hazel’s eyes remained wide open. This was the first sign of a rare and challenging journey that would redefine their family’s understanding of strength and love.
The concerns began even before Hazel was born. At a 20-week ultrasound, doctors noticed potential issues and presented Victoria with grim possibilities, even offering her grief packets. It was a terrifying time, but further testing ruled out the initial, more severe diagnosis. During those prenatal scans, Hazel’s wide-open eyes were noted as a curious and even “cute” anomaly, a small silver lining in a cloud of uncertainty. It wasn’t until Hazel was placed in her arms that Victoria’s intuition confirmed something was wrong.
After two weeks of intensive testing, including MRIs and EMGs, the family received a diagnosis: Moebius syndrome. This incredibly rare neurological disorder, affecting an estimated 2 to 20 in every million births, causes facial paralysis. For Hazel, this means she is unable to smile, frown, or, most critically, blink her eyes. The condition is caused by the underdevelopment of the cranial nerves and has no cure. To complicate matters, Hazel also lives with hydrocephalus, a condition involving fluid buildup in the brain that has required multiple surgeries.
Despite the immense challenges, Victoria has become a powerful advocate for her daughter and a source of support for others. She shares their life openly on social media, where Hazel’s story has touched millions. Victoria notes that her daughter is “lifting hearts,” with many followers commenting that they now feel a newfound gratitude for the simple, unconscious act of blinking. Through this visibility, Victoria hopes to spread awareness so that other families facing a Moebius syndrome diagnosis will feel less alone.
Victoria’s home is filled with love and unique needs. She is a mother to five children, including autistic twins and a son who is an autistic savant. To help manage the demands of caring for her family, a GoFundMe page has been established to assist them in finding a suitable home. Victoria LaBrie’s story is not one of tragedy, but of profound resilience, showing the world that communication and love extend far beyond a smile.
