When Ayla Summer Mucha was born in December 2021, her parents, Cristina Vercher and Blaize Mucha, were stunned to discover she had a rare condition called bilateral macrostomia. This condition, which affects the formation of the mouth, gave Ayla a wide, permanent smile. While it was initially a shock, Ayla’s joyful expression has since inspired millions worldwide.
Bilateral macrostomia is a rare facial cleft where the corners of the mouth don’t fuse during pregnancy. Only 14 cases have been documented in medical history, making it an extremely uncommon condition. For Cristina and Blaize, the diagnosis was unexpected, as no abnormalities had been detected during prenatal scans.
“We were instantly worried,” Cristina recalled. “She was so tiny, and the condition was obvious.” Doctors were also unprepared, taking hours to provide answers and offering little support for such a rare condition.
After genetic testing confirmed that the condition was not caused by anything the parents had done, Cristina and Blaize embraced Ayla’s uniqueness. They decided to share her story on social media, where her smile quickly made her a viral sensation.
Ayla’s TikTok account gained 6.5 million followers, with fans praising her infectious smile. “She is beautiful and just perfect the way she is,” one user wrote. While most comments were supportive, some trolls targeted the family. Cristina responded with grace, urging kindness and acceptance.
Now two years old, Ayla has reportedly undergone surgery to correct her condition, with minimal scarring. She’s also become a big sister to baby brother Sonny. Ayla’s story is a beautiful reminder to celebrate our differences and spread love in a world that often needs it most.
