A FACIAL Reanimation Week, sponsored by the Smile Foundation, was recently held in Johannesburg, where four children received free facial nerve transplants.
Prof George Psaras, who flew in from Cyprus, performed the ten hour long procedure.
Having had the privilege of witnessing this amazing procedure, inspired Paarlite Kay von Willingh, mother of a son that had Moebius Syndrome, to continuously identify and refer children with the syndrome and other facial deformities, like cleft-lip, cleft-palate procedures or facial burns to the Smile Foundation.
As a Moebius mother, she shared the story of her late son Wesley with a host of plastic surgeons, registrars and parents. The aim was to inform them about Moebius Syndrome, to encourage them to allow their children the opportunity of facial reanimation and to assure them that Moebius Syndrome as a singular anomaly is not life threatening.
According to von Willingh, often children and adults living with Moebius Syndrome are believed to be intellectually challenged because of their mask-like faces, and can be ousted from society.
“At an International Conference in 2008, I stood in awe as I met adults living with this condition that have not only reached their dream to smile, but also fulfilled their wish to have a professional career.”
The core function of the Moebius Syndrome Foundation hinges around awareness campaigns and information-sharing so that those living with this condition can be allowed quality of life by being accepted despite the outward manifestations of this syndrome.
The Smile Foundation recently introduced a Smile Week at Tygerberg Hospital, where at least 20 children received free facial procedures. A further Smile Week will be hosted later this year.
* Symptoms around Moebius Syndrome may include lack of facial expression; inability to smile, problems such as feeding, swallowing and choking; keeping head back to swallow; upper body weakness; absence of lateral eye movement; short or deformed tongue; limited movement of tongue; dental problems; articulation or speech disorders; club feet; hand or feet deformities.
Send an e-mail to Moira Gerszt of The Smile Foundation at moira@smilefoundationsa.org or visit www.smilefoundationsa.org or www.moebiussyndrome.co.za.
Von Willingh, together with Dr Fadiel Allie en Maxine Oppelt (all from Paarl) are currently founding and registering Moebius Syndrome Foundation Africa. They require the help of a volunteer lawyer and registered auditors. Anyone who can help, can contact von Willingh on 072-226-3679.
