A WOMAN has revealed that her parents took her to get a nose job when she was just six-years-old, so that she would “look better”, and not have to face bullies.
Known only as @corndogcalamari online, she took to TikTok to share her story, but it’s not what you think.
The woman had a huge tumour on her nose when she was a child[/caption]
She had a nose job at just six years old[/caption]
“My parents gave me a nose job when I was six years old, and it’s because they thought I would look better, would get made fun of less, and would stop having nose bleeds all of the time”, she said.
Sharing a snap of herself before the operation, the woman revealed that she used to have a large benign tumour on her nose, called a haemangioma.
The tumour wasn’t life threatening, but it did cause some side effects, such as nose bleeds.
“I used to be extremely insecure about my nose and I never shared pictures of myself as a child, because I was embarrassed about how I looked”, she said.
However, as she got older, she decided that it was important to share the story of what the tumour was likely caused by.
During the Vietnam War, which took place between 1955, and 1975, the US released a toxic chemical herbicide called Agent Orange.
The chemical was used to to defoliate forests (which were used as camouflage of Vietnamese soldiers) and destroy crops (to starve troops), however, it also created severe long term health problems for those who were exposed to it.
Many mothers who were exposed to the chemical gave birth to children with severe birth defects, and exposure also causes cancer, diabetes, Parkinson’s and a variety of other conditions.
As well as Vietnamese soldiers, many US veterans also suffered health affects from the chemical, with the toxin affecting multiple generations of families.
The TikToker, who is Vietnamese American, revealed that her parents were in Vietnam during the war, and were exposed to Agent Orange.
“While I can’t say that my nose tumour is because of Agent Orange and my parents’ exposure to it, what I do want to say is that those who were exposed then, generations to follow are still feeling the effects”, she said.
“This war that I never fought still lives within me”.
The TikTok has likely struck a chord with many people, as it has gone viral, racking up a whopping two million views on the video sharing platform.
TikTok users raced to the video’s comments section to share their thoughts and support.
What is Agent Orange?
The Vietnam War began in November 1955 – and it dragged on for years.
One of the main reasons the United States joined the conflict was to prevent the spread of communism.
In the early 1960s, North Vietnamese soldiers had adopted a guerrilla warfare approach and were using the jungles and farmlands as cover.
The US came up with a plan.
They would spray a highly potent herbicide across vegetation in the to help with the war effort – and wipe out hideouts.
A chemical concoction – first used by the Brits in the Malayan Emergency – was made up and ordered to be sprayed across the country.
In 1962, the first flights were carried out in South Vietnam – with the US military “mapping targets” for the operations.
And it led to decades of torture.
The Red Cross say up to a million people have been left with a range of health problems linked to Agent Orange.
Newborn babies have been born with extra fingers and toes, faced severe facial disfigurements and suffered from mental disabilities.
Some have missing limbs, painful hernias and cleft palates which have severely hampered and shortened their lives.
And many children have been orphaned after being abandoned by their parents.
Several deadly types of cancer have also been associated with Agent Orange.
One person said: “My grandpa (who was a Vietnam veteran) passed away due to cancer caused by Agent Orange.
“I feel like it isn’t discussed as much as it used to be so thank you for sharing your story.”
A second person said: “Ay uncle was born deaf and blind because of Agent Orange.”
A third person said: “I was also born with a haemangioma on my nose too.
“The area of Scotland I’m from was affected by the fallout from Chernobyl.”