Dear Abby: Rare Disorder Leaves Me Unable to Smile. How Do I Tell Picture-Takers to ...

Medical treatment makes it impossible to smile

DEAR ABBY: I have hemifacial spasm (HFS), a relatively rare disorder characterized by random and uncontrollable spasms on one side of the face. HFS can sometimes be alleviated through surgery and/or treated with Botox injections. HFS makes social contact challenging…

Dear Abby: Rare disorder leaves me unable to smile. How do I tell picture-takers to ...

DEAR ABBY: I have hemifacial spasm (HFS), a relatively rare disorder characterized by random and uncontrollable spasms on one side of the face. HFS can sometimes be alleviated through surgery and/or treated with Botox injections. HFS makes social contact challenging when the face contorts for no apparent reason, sometimes with accompanying speech slurring. In my case, surgery was unsuccessful, and my only option is Botox, which leaves one eye wi…