A woman and her son have spoken out online about their extremely rare genetic trait, which affects about six in every 10,000 people in the United States.
Elizabeth Tyler, 40, and her six-year-old son Liam, from the Midwest, were born with a condition known as heterochromia—meaning they have multicolored and different colored irises.
The Instagram clip (@_elizabethevan_) of them explaining the condition quickly went viral, racking up 994,000 views at the time of writing.
Mom-of-five Tyler told Newsweek: “I shared the video because I want Liam and other kids to know that what makes them different is what makes them shine. Growing up with it myself, I didn’t always feel that way.
“Now I want to make sure my son grows up feeling proud of who he is and confident in his uniqueness—inside and out.”
In the clip, Liam explains that they have sectoral heterochromia, which, according to the All Things Vision website, appears as two-colored eyes forming a “slice” or “wedge” pattern in the iris. Also called partial heterochromia, it is the most varied form of the condition. The secondary color might show as a thin slice in one eye or cover up to two-thirds of the iris in another. It can occur in one or both eyes.
When his mom asked whether he’d had a positive experience at school, Liam’s answer broke her heart. He shared that some children had called him a monster and said he looked crazy.
Tyler told Newsweek: “No parent ever wants to hear their child say something like that. But it also hit me on a personal level because I’ve been there. I remember being called names growing up and feeling different in a way that didn’t always feel safe or celebrated.
So when Liam said those words, it resonated deeply. I knew exactly what that sting felt like.”
Heterochromia runs in the family, affecting three of Tyler’s siblings and her father, so it was somewhat normal in her household growing up.
“Liam was around two years old when he started pointing to his eye,” she explained. “By then, I had already been talking to him about heterochromia, so when he noticed it, he felt proud.”
Although schoolchildren aren’t always kind, the family can count on support from social media users, who have inundated the post with encouraging comments.
As of now, the June 6 post has received over 77,000 likes and many compliments.
“Not only is he unique, he is BEAUTIFUL,” one user wrote.
Another added: “Honestly, I’m jealous… unless it hurts.”
A third commented: “You’re both gorgeous and have the most beautiful eyes!!!!!”
The post Mom Shares Family’s Super Rare Genetic Trait—and the Internet Is ‘Jealous’ appeared first on Newsweek.
