My Butterfly Skin Rips With The Softest Touch | BORN DIFFERENT
41,743
Published 2024-05-25
If you would like to support medical research into Claudia's condition, please donate to Debra Ireland: www.debra.ie/donate
TALENTED 20-year-old makeup artist, Claudia, was born with a rare skin condition called epidermolysis bullosa - also known as EB. The condition causes a lack of collagen, which in turn means her skin is extremely fragile and blisters into wounds that can cover "up to 80% of [her] body." Nurses come in daily to painstakingly remove all Claudia's bandages, clean her wounds and then re-dress them again - a process that can take up to four hours. As well as regular pain medications, these maintenance measures allow Claudia to go about the rest of her day - but EB is progressive and there is no cure, so her condition has deteriorated over time. Her fingers and toes have gradually "fused together" over the years and she has been left with only four fingers remaining on one hand. Claudia's parents, Elizabeth and Gary, provided all of her care growing up and had to develop best practices to protect her skin "on instinct." They have witnessed the gradual progression of her condition and felt helpless at times - but more so due to the social isolation their daughter experienced as a teenager: "We watched her, for six years, suffer the loneliness. You can't fix that as a parent, you can't make friends for your child." But Claudia found an outlet for herself during her tough high school years when she was inspired by watching makeup artists online. At the age of 13, she picked up a makeup brush for the first time and has never looked back - in the years since, she has developed into a "pure artist" and has recorded makeup content from her dressing table at home, which she posts to her rapidly growing fanbase on social media. This, as well as several media appearances in support of Debra Ireland - a charity funding research into potential treatments and cures for EB - has thrust Claudia into the spotlight and she has exciting options open to her as she embarks on the next stage of her career. Her parents couldn't be prouder: "You'd have to live with Claudia to be aware of the challenges that have been put in her way and she has overcome every single one of them... She is still here, still fighting physically and mentally." And Claudia's resilience is stronger than ever as she looks ahead to the future: "My achievements have definitely boosted my self-confidence - realising that you can do great things, no matter what the circumstances are. You have this disability, but you have defied the odds in many ways."
Follow Claudia:
www.instagram.com/claudia.elizabeth.scanlon
www.tiktok.com/@claudiascanlon
Videographer: Meghan McArdle
Producers: Courtney Buabeng, Tom Buckman, Kim Nguyen
Editor: Helen McKee
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All Comments (21)
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They just came out with a new treatment for this. I saw it on Special Books Special Kids, there is a young guy he has interviewed several times that has this and this last interview they discussed the new treatment. It's not a cure and apparently you can't treat the whole body at once but he and his mother said it was helping with his worst wounds. Their plan is to treat the worst places first and then hopefully move on to less severe patches. He is located in the US so I'm not sure if it's available worldwide yet but hopefully she is aware of it and able to get it soon. And, hopefully this is just the beginning. Hopefully they're able to continue improving the treatment and get even better results in the near future if they aren't able to find a full on cure.
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I’m an aging man with aches and pains. But when I watch this brave young woman with such challenges, I am grateful for every mobile day. She is amazingly strong and resilient.
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When people say, "I wish I could take your pain away", it lets me know that they recognize my suffering, but are powerless against it as well.
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This is going to sound wild but the precision eyeliner without even having fingers that is talent don’t even joke that’s insane
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Oh my God, this young woman is an inspiration. ❤ Shame on the people who didn't want to be her friend. To have her friendship would be a privilege ❤
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What a sweet person. Bless you girl. God bless your journey.
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She is AMAZING at what she does!! Better than me at makeup for sure!! You go girl !!
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The human spirit is strong! Well done for not giving up. And for inspiring others.❤
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Congratulations on your amazing talent, courage, bravery and confidence. You're an inspiration to everyone. Never stop being your beautiful self ❤
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People don't wana be her friend 😢 that's so sad , shes such a wonderful person and very Strong
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She is so pretty. This life can be so brutal, it’s nice to see her have a positive mindset!
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She’s very good at doing her makeup!
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While might not know about your condition you are an inspiration to many people who have or will be diagnosed with this condition keep on keeping on
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She is so sweet and amazing and love her strong sprit and wonderful personality 😊❤
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What a beautiful, brave and wonderful young lady ❤
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She reminds me of Alice in wonderland with her straight blonde hair and delicate features . Yes she's a makeup artist but her results wouldn't look as stunning if she didn't have the raw material to begin with .Just like Alice going through all sorts of metamorphosis , there are things about her body that she can't control but to me that just makes her inspirational as well as lovely !
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Her condition looks so paninful. Why is nature is so cruel? 😔
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I admire your fortitude and plowing thru adversity. And this new social media talent you have is super, certainly showing a lot of people, teens what you & they are capable of with your makeup videos. Many teens need these tutorials, I know I didn't have a clue about make up when I was your age ! Your skills are showing Claudia !!! Best to you !
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Have spoken to Claudia a few times, and she's always such a lovely and kind person. I hope she achieves all of her dreams ❤
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She’s so beautiful
