“Angels are all around in New York and I want to thank them all. I'm so very grateful and words cannot express the visions I saw at Lenox Hill Hospital and the Ronald McDonald House when I was there for Alexis' surgery. The atmosphere, medical care and kind hugs were most greatly appreciated. When you are on the other side of the medical care (not wearing the beautiful hospital gowns) you tend to experience more anxiety waiting for the "word" from the surgeon.

Not only did I meet a surgeon, but a wonderful man who's smile hits you like a sunny field of daisies on a warm summer day! Confident but concise on exactly what has taken place and "laying down the law" being the patient's advocate.

The staff at the hospital were a "Godsend" taking every precaution necessary as needed and at the same time mentoring the family on "do's and don'ts" of care for the wounds and what to expect.

Working in the medical field and in a hospital setting I can only say that Lenox Hill has the "right stuff"—an extended family who I will never forget. The Ronald McDonald House is a very special place and the children are so resilient and caring for all their other friends staying there.

Kudos to all involved from a very grateful Grandma! I saw a picture of Alexis taken at Dr. Romo's office yesterday and when I spoke with my son he said Alexis was holding back tears of joy. I spoke with her after that and she had a "spark" in her voice I have never heard before. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Debra Dumler (Grandma Bubbles)—not my stage name, I always have blown bubbles for Alexis since she was two months old and still do when she comes over. We laugh and have girlie parties!”

—Debra Dumler



Facial Deformities

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microtia

Microtia means a small, abnormally shaped or absent external ear. It can occur on one side of the head (unilateral) or on both sides (bilateral). Microtia occurs once in every 4,500 births in the general population; bilateral microtia occurs once in every 18,000 birth. The causes of microtia are difficult to define. Some theories point toward a decrease in blood supply to the developing ear in utero. Others involve certain medications taken by the mother during pregnancy, such as Accutane, Thalidomide, and retinoic acid. Environmental factors have also been considered.

 

Hearing Restoration

Children born with ear deformities often suffer hearing loss due to the absence of their ear canals and/or middle ear structures. Children born with both ears deformed need immediate attention and hearing rehabilitation in order to avoid the devastating effects of early deafness on their growth and development. Combining external ear reconstruction with functional restoration of hearing provides affected children with a significant cosmetic improvement and recovery of useful hearing, enabling them to mingle with their peers, participate in activities, learn and compete in the classroom, and eventually in the workplace.


Cleft Lip / Cleft Palate

Cleft lip (CL) can be an isolated event or can be found in conjunction with a cleft palate (CP). In general, the condition refers to a separation of the parts or segments of the lip or roof of the mouth, which are usually joined together during the early weeks of development of an unborn child. Cleft palate is an opening in the roof of the mouth. It occurs when the two sides of the palate do not fuse as the unborn baby develops. Cleft deformities often occur without any previous family history. Among the factors that are known to increase the risk of a child’s developing CLP are smoking or drinking by the mother during pregnancy. Repair of these problems is not only important medically, but also cosmetically and emotionally, since the child’s speech and physical appearance is impaired, which can prevent acceptance by peers.

 

Facial Palsy

A child with facial palsy cannot smile or laugh, or express any facial movement. The act of facial motion starts in the brain and travels through the facial nerves to the muscles in the face. The coordinated activity of this nerve and these muscles cause motions such as smiling, blinking, frowning, and a full range of normal facial motions. Facial paralysis can be caused in children by the failure of the brainstem nuclei to develop (a condition known as Moebius Syndrome), a trauma to the nucleus of the facial nerve, and tumors or trauma to the facial nerve. A variety of medical techniques, coupled with cosmetically placed incisions, can truly restore a smile to a child’s face. To achieve facial balance and reanimation, surgeons are employing eyelid weights, local muscle slings, nerve grafts and microvascular muscle transplants.

 

Hemifacial Microsomia

Hemifacial microsomia (HFM) is a condition that affects bone, muscle, fat and nerves of the face. The deformities in HFM are on a spectrum from a mild presentation with slight asymmetry to severe absence of facial structures. This condition is progressive and becomes more apparent as the individual matures. HFM is the second most common facial deformity. It occurs in approximately 1 in every 5,600 births. The cause is unknown and there is no gender predilection.