Mom Anna Ciesielska was shocked and heartbroken when her baby boy, Michal Winter, was born with a rare and painful skin disorder that causes his skin to become severely dry, tight, and scaly all over his body. Yet despite this, the 30-year-old mom says that her now-2-year-old is all smiles—and consistently cheerful, despite his condition.
Michal has a skin disorder called harlequin ichthyosis, which causes his skin to constantly harden and crack. He was born covered in dry painful scales that pulled his mouth open—a symptom that also inhibits nursing. He also lacked the protective barrier that healthy skin is able to serve as against infection.
