Melissa was born with orbital dystopia and hypertelorbitism, craniofacial anomalies that caused Melissa’s eyes to be widely spread apart and asymmetrical, a broad nasal root, and other facial deformities. Melissa’s family made only $5,000 annually and they had no medical insurance – although Melissa had had a few surgeries when she was an infant, she had nowhere to turn to finish her reconstructive surgery.
Luckily, Melissa’s Aunt heard about Fresh Start through a school nurse and Melissa was referred to our program. At the November 2010 Surgery Weekend Melissa received her first reconstructive surgery from Fresh Start, and in November 2011, Melissa received extensive reconstructive surgery and neurosurgical procedures by volunteer plastic surgeons Dr. Cohen and Dr. Meltzer. Melissa received her 3rd reconstructive surgery during the July 2012 Surgery Weekend where she received nasal reconstruction and ptosis and ectropion repair (eye surgeries) by volunteers Dr. Kikkawa and Dr. Cohen.
To date, Melissa has received over $82,000 in donated medical care including her 3 reconstructive surgeries, multiple eye exams, and other appointments and consultations. Melissa has been progressing well despite the fact that at only 16 she has already undergone three major surgeries. We are all excited for what the future holds for Melissa!
