Cristina and Blaize, a young couple from Adelaide, Australia, were thrilled to become parents. In late 2021, they welcomed their baby girl, Ayla Summer—just in time to end the year on a high note. But moments after her birth, joy turned to concern when doctors noticed something unusual: Ayla’s mouth hadn’t developed normally.

Born with a rare condition called bilateral macrostomia, Ayla’s mouth hadn’t fused properly in the womb, giving her an unusually wide smile. It’s so rare that only about a dozen cases have ever been documented. Understandably, Cristina and Blaize were shocked and confused. “We’d never heard of it before. It was terrifying at first,” Cristina recalled.

Doctors initially struggled to diagnose Ayla, leaving the new parents in emotional limbo. Cristina, already overwhelmed from childbirth, feared she had done something wrong during pregnancy. But tests confirmed that the condition was no one’s fault—it was simply a rare genetic anomaly.

As Ayla grew, doctors explained that while her condition was mostly cosmetic, it could affect basic functions like feeding. Surgery would eventually be needed to correct it. Cristina admitted to worrying about the challenges ahead, but she and Blaize stayed focused on loving and supporting their daughter.

Determined to raise awareness and normalize Ayla’s condition, Cristina began sharing photos and videos of Ayla’s “permanent smile” on social media. The response was overwhelming. Messages of love poured in from around the world, and strangers reached out to offer encouragement and share similar experiences.

Now 2 years old, Ayla is thriving—and still smiling. “We’re so proud of her,” Cristina said. “We’ll keep sharing her story because it’s helping others feel less alone.”