Eivind Ertesvag 
At just 12 years old, Melvin Kristensson has already endured more than most adults face in a lifetime. He has undergone 17 surgeries — and right now, he is living with a visible steel frame attached to his face so he can breathe more easily.
It’s painful. It’s exhausting. And it attracts stares.
Now his mother, Malin Kristensson, is sharing a clear and deeply moving message to the world.
Born with a rare condition
Melvin was born with Apert syndrome, an extremely rare congenital condition that causes the bones of the skull — as well as fingers and toes — to fuse too early. In Sweden, only about one child is born with this diagnosis each year.
The consequences are extensive. Children with Apert syndrome often undergo numerous surgeries, starting in early childhood and continuing well into adulthood.
For Melvin, that journey has already meant 17 operations.
Steel in his face – and severe pain
Melvin’s most recent surgery was performed to improve his ability to breathe. As part of the treatment, doctors fitted a steel frame with screws to his face, gradually adjusting it to move the bone structure.
– For the first 30 days, we turned the screws one millimeter a day, Malin explains.
– He’s been in so much pain. He’s still in pain now, but not as much as before.
As a parent, watching your child suffer is unbearable.
– He’s received as much pain relief as possible and still been in pain. That makes you feel completely helpless. All you can do is hold him, squeeze his hand, and stay by his side.
When the stares become too heavy
The pain isn’t the only thing weighing on Melvin. The steel frame makes him stand out — and people notice.
– This summer, he became really sad. He said, “They’re staring and laughing,” Malin recalls.
The family tries to explain that most people stare because they don’t understand, not because they want to be cruel. Still, it leaves its mark on a 12-year-old who just wants to feel like everyone else.
“I wish people would ask”
This is where Malin’s message comes in — and it’s heartbreakingly simple:
– I wish people would come up and ask. If someone says, “My child is wondering why he has that frame,” then we can explain it. And after that, it’s usually no big deal. The kids just say, “Oh, okay.”
She adds:
– We always tell children that he functions just like them. He goes to a regular school, has friends, and does the same things they do. You can function perfectly well even if you look different.
Spreading awareness – and hope – on Instagram
To take control of the narrative, Malin and Melvin started an Instagram account in the summer of 2025. There, they share everyday moments, surgery updates, and the things Melvin loves — like bowling, fishing, and riding motocross.
The response has been overwhelming. The account already has thousands of followers.
– There’s so much love. People write things like “You’re a warrior” and “We admire you.” It makes him happy, Malin says.
And maybe that’s Melvin’s greatest lesson to all of us: behind the steel, scars, and surgeries, there is a completely ordinary child — with extraordinary strength.
