Name: Andressa
Age: 7
Country: Salvador, Brazil
Brief story: Andressa suffers from fibrous dysplasia. This disease results in abnormal bony growth in her face and other parts of her body. Unfortunately Andressa cannot eat solid foods or speak normally.  Her growth is in the lowest percentile for her age group. The disease is advancing rapidly and an urgent surgery will be needed to improve her condition and to slow down the progression of the disease.
Diagnosis: Fibrous Dysplasia
Procedures needed: Multi stage reconstruction of mandible and maxilla.

 

Name: Elena
Age: 21
Country:Republic of Moldova (Eastern European country)
Brief story:Elena was born with an oculofacial deformity.  She has had more than six surgeries in her native country. Unfortunately she was told "there was nothing more they could do for her".  She has traveled to United States to pursue her dream of "looking more normal" and "not being stared at".  Because of her disease she cannot close her eyelids fully and has problems with constant irritation of the eye.  A reconstructive eyelid surgery will be able to make her dreams come true and improve her quality of life.
Diagnosis:Congenital malformation of eyelid and maxilla
Procedures needed:Reconstruction of right upper and lower eyelids.