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I could go on and on, but I feel that I need to inform everyone of this disability. I am not asking for money and I am not expecting you to walk in a race or run a marathon. However, some day you may run into someone who is or has suffered a bout of Facial Palsy or more commonly known as Bell's Palsy. It can wreak havoc on 1 in every 5000 people, and typically it resolves itself in weeks to a couple months, much to the sighs of relief of it's victims. Little can be done for the sufferer. They are given an antibiotic (as it is thought that Bell's COULD BE caused by an infection or brought on by) and a high dose of steroids and told to wait for your sinking face to normalize. Others will try some alternative treatments that may or may not help.
My nightmare began one Sunday morning during a visit to my in laws. I was newly married and very excited about our start together. I awoke and dressed for church. As the morning wore on I noticed my face on the left side felt as if I had had dental work done and felt numb and swollen. As the day continued into afternoon my face began to droop. At first glance, it appeared as if I was having a stroke, but after a urgent care and ER visit it was diagnosed as Bell's. I was told that in a couple weeks I would be back to normal.
My eye did not shut, my mouth drooped and could not be coaxed up to smile in line with its sister side and my whole left side of the face felt numb and fatigued. After CT scans, MRIs, steroids and antibiotics doctors were surprised when I had not recovered fully. Finally, one nuerologist delivered the destructive blow. He deemed me one of the few who do not fully recover from their episode.
I began to sink in more areas than my face, I missed my smile and the ability to sleep with a totally closed left eye. Depression set in as I felt like the ugliest person in the world. People with Bell's are not vain! You see, most people, pick themselves apart about their various physical traits but most people like their smile. I liked my smile and it was never coming back!
As time has worn on, I've learned to deal with this. In fact, most of the time I do not even give it a second thought, but it creeps in every so often. When I'm taking a picture I get panicky and self conscious. You get in an all out anxiety attack when special occasions such as weddings or event with the children need to be lovingly documented. I will always miss this smile:
....but.....I've moved on! There are many more deadly and disfiguring things that could have happened to me. I say that not to minimalize the trauma that Bell's Palsy can cause, as it can cause severe trauma to a person. I have just learned to keep it in perspective and to appreciate my health and work to improve it so that I deal with less physical trauma in years to come.
So, you have heard some basics about Bell's Palsy....and now you know. My job here is complete for today's entry. 
