On waiting list for a symmetrical face
An Invercargill woman who has been bullied and stared at all her life is waiting for a face reconstruction at Dunedin Hospital.
Christine Brown, 54, said Southern District Health Board surgeon Matthew Leaper told her she would be placed on the waiting list and would receive the surgery in three parts.
The three operations would involve taking bone from her leg and skull to build a cheekbone; her ear will be ‘‘hooked up’’ to the correct height; her ear canal shortened to improve her hearing; flabby skin will be removed from her face; and her eye would be operated on.
She was feeling nervous about the surgery, but hopeful the operations would make her face look ‘‘more symmetrical’’.
Brown was born with neurofibromatosis, which causes multiple tumours to grow on nerves in her body, including her face. When aged 7, a massive tumour dragging her face down was operated on for the first time, with multiple operations during the years.
‘‘I have had 17 surgeries on my face since the age of 8,’’ she said.
They had been unsuccessful in aligning her face correctly, but upcoming surgery would involve putting a cheek bone into her face to give it structure, she said.
She has decided to get the surgery done for herself.
‘‘When I was young my parents agreed to surgery to try and make me look normal. As I got older I got it done to try and fit in.
‘‘Then I did it for my kids because they were bullied because of how I looked.
‘‘Now I am doing it for me. It can’t make it any worse than it is.
‘‘Even if they can only lift the ear up and it sits there permanently so my glasses sit on my face, I will be more than happy.’’
Married to Lee Brown for 32 years, the couple have three children and raise two of their grandchildren. Brown said she had been bullied as a schoolgirl and had endured stares and remarks throughout her adult years, but had learnt to ignore it.
Her husband said regardless of the outcome, it would not change the way he felt about her. ‘‘I love my wife the way she is. ‘‘We have been together for 32 years. To me it’s what’s in the heart.’’
The family has gone to the Givealittle website, seeking donations to help her through the surgery.