He was born with a severe cleft lip, which left him with a facial disfigurement.
LIttle Zak Coates endured cruel taunts from bullies who branded him a ‘monster’, while strangers would stop and stare in the street.
But throughout his life, the now nine-year-old has had just one response to those taunts and stares – he turns and flashes a smile.
His mother Joanne, originally from Manchester, was distraught when her son was born with the severe disfigurement that ravaged the entire right side of his face and mouth.
The 50-year-old, who now lives in Cyprus with her children, was told her son would need numerous operations in order to lead a normal life.
Zak Coates was born with a severe cleft lip, and no eye lid, which left him blind in his right eye
Now nine years old, the youngster has one answer to strangers who stop and stare and children who direct their cruel taunts at him – he turns and smiles back, before asking if they want to ask about his condition
Now at the age of nine, he is able to eat, drink and play like other children his age.
And when strangers stop and stare, he flashes a smile back and asks anyone who show’s an interest if they’d like to know more about his condition.
‘I had no idea how severe Zak’s facial disfigurement would be until he was born,’ Ms Lynthgoe said.
‘I was told at a 22-week scan that he would have a cleft lip but I never imagined it would be so serious.
‘I’m so proud of how far Zak has come, he is such a huge inspiration and is full of confidence.
‘He is now blind in his right eye after being born with no bottom eye lid, and we weren’t transferred back to the UK until he was two-weeks-old and sadly it had deteriorated beyond repair by that point.
‘But he doesn’t let it hold him back and approaches any sort of criticism so well.
‘One little girl once called him a monster and he just start acting like one to scare her more.
‘He often gets points and stares but it doesn’t bother him, he’ll just walk over and say, “I have a cleft lip and I’m blind in one eye, why are you looking at me?”
‘It’s fantastic that he’s accepted his differences so well and doesn’t allow spiteful comments get to him, I know he’ll go on to lead a normal and happy life.’
Ms Lynthgoe, who also has a daughter, India, 15, has spent a nervous 28 hours waiting for Zak to undergo nine separate operations.
His first four surgeries were before he was 18 months old after being diagnosed with the rarest form of cleft lip and pallet – Tessier Type 4.
Ms Lynthgoe added: ‘Zak absolutely loves hospitals which makes things a lot easier, I’ve spent so many hours worrying over him but now it’s second nature when he goes down to theatre.
‘He has about nine operations left and they will stop once he is 18 unless he needs anything cosmetically improved afterwards.
‘Looking back at photographs from when Zak was a baby is amazing, I’m so proud of him and he is turning into such a handsome boy.
‘I’m so thankful to all the medical staff who used bone grafts to help create a symmetrical face shape.’
Zak’s mother Joanne was told at a 22-week scan that her son would have a cleft lip. She said: ‘But I never imagined it would be so serious. I’m so proud of how far Zak has come, he is such a huge inspiration and is full of confidence’
Ms Lynthgoe has waited nervously for more than 28 hours while Zak has faced nine different operations
Zak had his last operation in June. His mother said: ‘He doesn’t let anything faze him. I hope others who read his story can gain strength from his confidence and don’t allow any cruel comments to hold them back’
Zak, who attends a private British school in Cyprus, has just started back after a long three months off for summer.
His mother added: ‘Zak had his last operation in June, he needed some bone grafted into his gum, but like always, he was up and active just one hour later.
‘He doesn’t let anything faze him, me and my daughter, India, have always been so protective of him and hate it when people stare.
‘But Zak is more than capable of sticking up for himself, he has some great friends at school and with his open attitude towards his facial disfigurement, I know he’ll achieve his dream of becoming an historian.
‘I hope others who read his story can gain strength from his confidence and don’t allow any cruel comments to hold them back.’
Dr James Partridge, chief executive of Changing Faces said: ‘Changing Faces works with hundreds of children, young people and their families every year, and Zak’s story is a wonderful example of how children can learn not just to accept but to embrace their visible difference.
‘His humour, confidence and huge smile really shine through and he’s a credit to himself and to Joanne. He clearly has a bright future ahead of him.’
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