Teen with facial deformity finds reason to smile

Instead of tears, Breanna Mendoza has a big smile on her face. After she told her local TV station her story, the response has been overwhelming.

"I've gotten so many friend requests," Breanna said. "I've gotten so many people texting me, saying 'we're very proud of you, you're so amazing, you're beautiful, we love you.'"

Breanna was born with Goldenhar syndrome which caused her facial deformity. Her parents say she has been bullied since she was in elementary school. Now in eighth grade, just when Breanna thought the taunting had gone away, it got much worse.

"When I was finally feeling happy for once, they knocked me back down," Breanna said.

She stopped attending school six weeks ago because classmates were threatening to hurt her. Social media was once used to intimidate her, but now friends and strangers are using it to send her love and support from all over the country.

"Even my friends that I know that have moved away, they have even texted me," Breanna said. "They were like: 'dude, your video has gone viral.'"

And a big surprise was still in store for Breanna. The phone rang around 1p.m. It was the Children's Craniofacial Association offering to pay for Breanna and her parents to attend their Annual Family Retreat in Newport Beach, California.

Watch the video above to see Breanna's reaction when she received the phone call.

"We wanted to invite your family as our guests to come and be with us that weekend as our guests, " the association's executive director, Charlene Smith, said over the phone. "There are going to be seven other families that have kids with Goldenhar there."

"I'm finally going to be able to meet other kids like me," Breanna said.

Her parents said they were thrilled their daughter would be able to participate in an event they have long wanted her to be a part of.

"The reason we have never been able to go is it is expensive," Wendy Mendoza, Breanna's mom said. "So the fact that they're willing to cover the costs so she gets to experience that, is an amazing feeling."

"Going from being the one being bullied to the one standing up to the bullies is a big step and I'm super happy that I did it," Breanna said. "And hopefully it will help other kids be able to step up too and realize that they're not alone and that they have people there for them no matter what."

Here at the USA TODAY network, not only do we want to provide you with the current events of the day, but also a little dose of inspiration while you're getting your news fix. Inspiration Nation is our way of providing you with that jolt of good news to bring a smile to your day.