Myy name is Erin and I really need your help.  I realize you don't know me, but hopefully you will read my story below and want to help me regardless.  It's a simple request, really, and it won't take but a minute of your time; I promise, but it will mean the world to me if you can help me. W

I was featured on the front page of The Washington Post on June 7, 1992. The article was written by Sue Ann Pressley and was titled, "Erin's Struggle for a Normal Life."

.... "What is it like to be in a world where physical beauty is overvalued, to be 6 years old and born without cheekbones or eye sockets or outer ears, to be in and out the hospital for 22 painful operations?" ....

I am 23 now and we still live in a world where beauty is overvalued. I have undergone more than 50 operations to date. Despite all I have been through, I have found my best friend, my soul mate, the person I want to spend the rest of my life with.

I am engaged to a great guy, Kevin, and I recently entered us in this great Crate & Barrel Ultimate Wedding Contest(http://www.ultimateweddingcontest.com/entries/27814).  Kevin and I want so much to have a "Country Chic Maryland" themed wedding, but in order to win any prize in this contest, you need to end up in the top 50 entries for your story to get read by the judges!  That's the key;  having enough votes to land in the top 50, and that’s the dilemma because the voting requirements make it hard to get many votes.

The voting requirements state that family, friends, etc., can only vote for us one time per email address.  Even with my family and all my friends, how will we ever get enough votes for the judges to read our story?  Now I realize that I must reach out and ask for help from strangers; people that I don't even know and have never met.  This is difficult because it means I must share things about myself that I don't normally share with just anyone.  Please read on, and you will understand more…..

Let’s face it – the first thing that often brings two people together is physical attraction.  I grew up reading beautiful fairytale love stories in books and magazines and watching them play out on television and in movies – just like every other young girl.  Young girls dream about growing up and finding that special someone and having a big beautiful wedding one day.  But, I didn't get to dream those dreams. I went through most of my life feeling like I would never fall in love. The reason is because I look different.  No matter how much I tried (and still try) to be like everyone else -- I know I am not.

I was born with Treacher Collins syndrome (TCS), a rare genetic disorder that occurs approximately 1 in 50,000 births.  TCS is characterized by facial deformities which cause underdeveloped (or missing) ears, misshapen eyes and cheekbones, that in turn cause a host of medical issues which include deafness, eating, swallowing, and breathing issues; just to name a few.  Those who are born affected more severely often have a tracheostomy placed at birth (operative procedure that creates a surgical airway in the trachea and worn throughout childhood) so they are able to breathe.  Otherwise they would die.  As a result, I have faced a lifetime of doctor’s appointments, surgeries, and unfortunately a world of cruel judgmental people.  I have undergone over 50 surgeries to remove my trachea and close its opening, correct scoliosis, and to reconstruct my eyes, ears, chin and cheeks, and much more. I have had surgeries as long as 14 1/2 hours long with hospital stays for as long as 4 weeks.

At only four months of age, I aspirated (inhaled fluid into my lungs) and went into full respiratory and cardiac arrest at home.  My family was told that I probably would not live through the night and if I did – there would be neurological damage.  However, I am here today and living life to the fullest.  I'm proud to say I am a 2009 graduate of Towson University (http://www.towson.edu/development/foundation_scholars/schol_lunch08/ErinWilliams.asp) and recipient of awards such as Baltimore County’s Young Woman of the Year 2004, Ben Carson scholarship, and most recently the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Patients of Courage Award (http://www.plasticsurgery.org/Patients_and_Consumers/Patient_Stories/Patients_of_Courage_The_Honorees/Erin_Williams_Video.html).

My mom, Connie Williams, wanted to share some of her thoughts as the mother of a child with a facial deformity ...

"Erin’s birth was one of the happiest yet most difficult times for our family.  We were determined to stay positive and keep life as normal as possible for Erin and her sister but it was very hard to watch Erin spend so much time in the hospital – sick and in pain, surgery after surgery.  I would have given anything to be able to change places with her.  After Erin aspirated and we were told that she might not live, Erin proved to be a fighter and had a will to live, and to live life to the fullest!  Every challenge brought out the best in her – every time she heard the words “you can’t” or “never will,” that girl was determined to prove you wrong!  Over the years, like any mother, I wondered so many times if there would be that special person out there for Erin – she deserved nothing but the best – someone as special as her.  She found that special someone in Kevin.  They are the perfect match and their love is the fairy tale ending that needs the perfect fairy tale wedding to be complete!"

So you see... despite all I have been through, it has made me stronger and given me character.  I have had a wonderful life thus far.  I have been blessed with a loving family, supportive friends, and a community of people who can sympathize with what I have been through and want so much to see me the happiest.

After years of being a timid and insecure girl, I never thought I’d fall in love and find someone who would love me for my heart.  After all, society has taught me that facial deformities are not something that people readily accept.  Just when I almost lost all hope, I met Kevin and we began to date.  Yes, my dream came true when an old middle school classmate, Kevin, walked into my life in October 2005.

That same month, Kevin tragically lost his father at only 47 years old from a long battle with cancer. His father suffered from mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure. Previous to his dad's passing, Kevin had to take on responsibilities that no child should have to do at such a young age.  Kevin and his older brother had to help with medical care daily, sadly, as they watched their father’s health deteriorate.

Kevin and I bonded and our friendship grew into love.  He is such a courageous and compassionate person and I love him with all of my heart.  He is my best friend.  We’ve been through a lot together and our struggles have brought us closer together.  I am so thankful to have found someone who loves me simply for who I am.   Kevin's proposal to me was THE best moment of my life -- he proposed to me at the Grand Canyon in June 2009.  Therefore, it is only fitting to say our love is grand!

I am currently a first-year special education teacher in Baltimore County (I teach 2nd and 3rd graders at Jacksonville Elementary who have autism and other learning disabilities).  Kevin graduated from the University of Baltimore in 2008 and is currently in the Baltimore City Police Academy. In today's economy, we are struggling to pay student loans and save up for a house like many young couples our age. However, we face other financial struggles in the future as well. Insurance companies are making it harder and harder for me to get the reconstructive surgeries I need to live a life without health complications. They consider most of my surgeries cosmetic; therefore, forcing us to pay for any future surgeries that may be medically necessary. Also, I have a 50% chance of passing down my syndrome to my children. Kevin and I have discussed the possibility of in vitro fertilization. However, the majority of insurance policies do not cover in vitro fertilization. Experts say it costs about $12,000 per cycle which most likely will have to come out of our pockets. With all we’ve been through (and will have to overcome in the future), we couldn’t have survived without the love of our family/friends, and want to share our special day with them. Being stretched so thin these past few years, we would love to hand off the arranging of the details to someone else and just show up to say, I do!

Earlier, I mentioned that we need people to vote for us in order to be in the top 50.  This is where you come in.  The contest ends March 31, and again, voting is limited to one vote per email address, so we need to reach everyone possible.  Our contest entry page also lets you share it on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and more.

Just take a look at what we could win if we land in the top 50 entries … this is a girl's dream.... this girl's dream!  Please help us win.

Grand Prize: Ultimate Wedding planned and designed by Jo Gartin, valued at $100,000

Second Prize:  $7,500 Crate & Barrel Shop Card

Third Prize: $2,500 Crate & Barrel Shop Card

Honorable Mentions (15): $1,000 Crate & Barrel Shop Card

Highest Vote-Getter (1): $500 Crate & Barrel Shop Card

The link to our Crate & Barrel Ultimate Wedding contest entry is:

http://www.ultimateweddingcontest.com/entries/27814

It would mean so much if you could share our story with your friends, family, and community  and have them vote as well.  We thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Sincerely,

Erin Williams and Kevin Richmond