Josephine's parents rushed her to a local hospital. 

When Emmanuel was 2 years old, the left side of his face began to swell. 

Mariama was delighted that her second baby was a son. 

When Mariama was 15, her sister died giving birth. 

Sadio told his son, "You are strong."

Babies born with defects in West Africa start life as victims of superstition that abnormalities are signs of a curse. 

Adenidji was a dedicated Muslim who arrived at the Mercy Ships patient screening. 

Odette Wilson was a mother of four children living in the port city of Lome, Togo. 

"If you want me to come back to church, God, find some way to make my face normal." That was Bagnangui's prayer. 

In West Africa, a child with bowed legs is considered cursed by evil spirits.