I LOVE the SKIN I’m in

Janu Dhayanathan, 38, Sydney, NSW

Staring into the mirror, I couldn’t help feeling despair at the lumps that had cropped up on my face.

I look so ugly, I thought.

I’d been diagnosed with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) aged nine, after a scattering of brown spots appeared on my stomach.

It’s a genetic disorder where multiple benign tumours made up of nerves and skin – neurofibromas – develop in and on the body.

There’s currently no cure and it’s progressive.

Growing up, I’d been used to a few bumps.