When Leslie Barrett was diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a disorder that paralyzed the left side of her face, she wasn’t expecting it to lead to one of her most prized creative inventions: a Halloween costume mimicking U.S. gymnast McKayla Maroney’s “not impressed” face after receiving a silver medal at the Olympics.

The costume, which she posted on the famous gymnast’s Facebook page, has helped her cope with the disorder. “This has hands down been the best costume I’ve ever had,” Barrett wrote on Facebook. “It was the first time in months I got to look like I was intentionally making a face and it has helped me deal with the slow recovery a little better.”

Bell’s palsy occurs when a facial nerve is swollen or compressed, causing temporary facial paralysis. Facial nerves, which travel through the Fallopian canal, direct muscles on the sides of the face, such as eye blinking, smiling, and frowning. When there is a disruption in the facial nerves, it can lead to temporary damage and paralysis. Bell’s palsy is the most common form of facial paralysis, and medical experts still aren’t sure exactly what causes it — though many believe it’s caused by a viral infection, such as viral meningitis or herpes simplex, which is the common cold sore virus. According to the National Institutes of Health, Bell’s palsy affects about 40,000 Americans per year, and is most common between the ages of 15 and 60.

Some cases of Bell’s palsy are mild, and subside in about two weeks. Others may need treatment, such as physical therapy or steroids. If the ability to blink is disrupted, it’s important to keep the eye moist and protected with eye drops or eye patches.

Barrett has had Bell’s palsy for about two months, and was struggling with a lengthy recovery when one of her friends mentioned that her face looked like Maroney’s photograph at the 2012 Summer Olympics, when the gymnast was unimpressed with her vault silver medal. Maroney, who had stumbled during her gymnastics routine, had hoped for a gold. She has inspired several Internet memes, such as the blog, McKayla is not impressed.