Schoolgirl Nikki Christou was diagnosed with a potentially life-threatening condition which left her with a facial disfigurement at the age of just six.But where many people would have shut themselves away from the world, the YouTube star has shared her story with millions of people online. Nikki’s life changed forever when she and her parents noticed veins popping up on the right side of her face.The 12-year-old was diagnosed with arteriovenous malformation (AVM), where there are abnormal connections between arteries and veins.
The condition causes intense pain, in most cases is incurable and leads to potentially fatal nosebleeds.So far Nikki has undergone 28 operations and endured more than 300 hospital visits as doctors try to manage her condition.She says: “It was a shock because at that age I didn’t have a care in the world.“I felt quite lonely because after it was diagnosed my friends still didn’t have a care in the world while I had to give up a lot of clubs and activities. I didn’t go to school very often and I felt isolated.”Nikki would look in the mirror in despair and wish she could use face paint to hide the veins.
Then, one summer’s day two years after her diagnosis, she decided to set up a YouTube channel when she was stuck indoors while her friends met at a party.She posts videos talking about her condition, gives make-up tips and offers advice to people struggling to cope with chronic illnesses.To date, her channel has attracted four million views and she has 79,000 subscribers.Now Nikki has been recognised by The Daily Mirror’s Pride of Britain Awards, which, in partnership with TSB, honour Britain’s unsung heroes.
