Erica Crabtree Mossholder - Spring 2010

Hi! My name is Erica Crabtree Mossholder, and I serve on the board of CCA as the secretary. I heard about CCA a few years ago from a good friend, Tony Davis, who is also on the board. I would have loved to be a part of CCA as a kid, and I am so excited to get involved with them as a “grown-up.”

I have several types of tumors — osteomas, neuromas and other growths that are all on the right side of my face and head. My mom noticed these when I was about 2 years old and starting to brush my teeth on my own. I would pull out “bumps” from my jaw and lip and tongue and tell her they were in the way. As with all of my tumors, we would have them removed and more would grow back.

In second grade, we found a bony projection in my ear canal. To date, it’s only been removed twice because it grows back so fast — both times within a month, larger than when it was removed. Since then, I have had several other growths, but nothing too serious. I have been tested for many syndromes, but I have never been formally diagnosed. Our family vacations were always to towns with great medical centers. I did not mind the doctor visits along the way, because we visited Michigan, Ohio, Georgia, Vanderbilt and so many other fun places. Despite my mom’s diligence, the doctors would just say, “It’s the Erica Crabtree syndrome.”

After about seven unsuccessful surgeries to remove the growths (some minor, some more involved), most of the doctors assumed that when I finished growing, my bones and soft tissues would settle down and stop over-growing. However, they are seemingly doing the opposite! The biggest issue I have right now is my jaw bone is growing rapidly and I am slowly losing range of motion in my jaw (the ability to open my mouth). I always laugh when I go to the doctor or dentist because they exclaim, “How do you eat?!” I simply reply, “Does it look like I’ve missed many meals?” Laughing helps me take things in stride, and my husband is always making jokes with the doctors I visit.

For me, the most important thing about being a part of CCA is knowing, no matter what you look like, that you belong. Growing up, I looked different from everyone else. Many surgeries later, most people do not comment on the “bump” in my lip or my chin. In fact, even I barely notice it anymore! But when I was growing up, it was a different story. Every day it seemed like someone would ask what was wrong with me or call me names like “Big Chin.” I think the hardest part of my life was when I started wearing make-up. I wanted to wear it, because all my friends were swapping colors and trading tips, but when I looked in the mirror, I thought, “What’s the point?”

Thankfully, I am at a great place in my life now. It took me until college to finally love myself, but when I moved away and went to such a big place, I noticed that everyone had something they were uncomfortable with. A lot of people looked differently, but they were succeeding in academics, art, sports and student life. I felt as if I was just another face in the crowd and what I did made me stand out, not what I looked like. It was amazing to realize that there were so many different kinds of people in the world, and for the first time in my life I was meeting dozens of new people every week and very few of them ever mentioned my looks — unless it was a compliment!

Now, I am all “grown up.” I am married to a wonderful man who is kind, compassionate and just as quirky as I am. I love being a part of CCA, too. We are excited that we will be attending the retreat this year in Boston. I cannot wait to meet you all there!

If you would like to share your story with CCA, please send an email to Annie Reeves at areeves@ccakids.com. If your story is chosen, with your permission, we will edit and publish it in the CCA newsletter, on the Web site or use it for public awareness programs. Not all stories will be selected.

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