We really love getting updates and photos of all the children we’ve helped at the Little Baby Face Foundation, and we hope you love reading their updates as much as we do! Today, we’re sharing Dylan's incredible journey with you.
We really love getting updates and photos of all the children we’ve helped at the Little Baby Face Foundation, and we hope you love reading their updates as much as we do! Today, we’re sharing Dylan's incredible journey with you.
Dylan from Virginia Beach arrived at our offices for the first time in 2023. Dylan, born with Goldenhar Syndrome and hemifacial microsomia with microtia, is so inspiring because he researched and sought out help on his own.
“I was going through a lot at the time—depression—and it had a lot to do with my facial deformity, and I really wanted to get that checked out, but I really didn’t want to go to my parents for it at first,” Dylan explained to us at his first visit. He found articles about the Little Baby Face Foundation and applied by himself online. When we called to say he was accepted for treatment, it was the first his family had heard of it. Dylan’s family was supportive of him getting the help he needed. Debbie, his “Nana,” attended his first appointment with him in New York City, and his mother, Nikki, was present for his treatments.
The first step in Dylan’s treatment plan was a complex double jaw surgery performed by Dr. Yusupov to even out his jaw. It was quite a painful recovery for Dylan, especially in the first two weeks, but he was determined and brave. He told us the worst part was not being able to eat solid food for the four weeks. But, he said, it was well worth it. He already felt more confident at this point in his treatment, including going outside and socializing, which had been difficult for him previously.
The next step in Dylan’s treatment journey is to address his microtic ear, which cannot hear. Dylan underwent surgery (not with the Little Baby Face Foundation) when he was much younger for microtia, taking rib cartilage to create the structure of his ear. Dr. Romo assessed Dylan’s ear when he first visited in 2023, and then again in 2024 after his double jaw surgery. Dr. Romo decided the best strategy for Dylan was what he jokingly refers to as K.I.S.S., meaning “keep it simple sweetheart.” In other words, we don’t want to put Dylan through any treatments that will cause unnecessary pain or stress or that do not have high benefits with low risk. Dr. Romo said the microtic ear, while smaller than his other ear, is beautiful the way it is. The best path forward would be to push the larger ear back towards the head and bring the microtic ear slightly forward to downplay the difference in proportions between ears. This is a significantly easier treatment than expanding the microtic ear or recreating a new ear entirely.
Along with the bilateral auricular reconstruction, Dr. Romo also performed a small procedure on the tip of Dylan’s nose to help with his breathing and facial symmetry.
Dylan recently made the trip back to New York to check up on his healing and attend the Little Baby Face Foundation’s fall fête with his mother, where he delivered a lovely and articulate speech. He made sure to thank everyone from Little Baby Face Foundation staff members to the two skilled physicians, Dr. Romo and Dr. Yusupov, for their care and making him feel truly heard and valued on top of his life-changing treatment. Much of Dylan’s surgery has been funded through a generous gift from the Zyman Family Foundation, so Dylan also thanked them and other donors for their incredible generosity and support. He was able to connect with another one of our patients, Bjorn, during the event, both of them looking very handsome dressed up for the occasion.
We are honored to have made a difference in Dylan’s life. In the past year, we have seen his confidence grow exponentially from his first visit. His speech has notably improved, and it’s clear that he now feels comfortable in his own skin. We wish him the very best of luck at college this year.
“I was going through a lot at the time—depression—and it had a lot to do with my facial deformity, and I really wanted to get that checked out, but I really didn’t want to go to my parents for it at first,” Dylan explained to us at his first visit. He found articles about the Little Baby Face Foundation and applied by himself online. When we called to say he was accepted for treatment, it was the first his family had heard of it. Dylan’s family was supportive of him getting the help he needed. Debbie, his “Nana,” attended his first appointment with him in New York City, and his mother, Nikki, was present for his treatments.
The first step in Dylan’s treatment plan was a complex double jaw surgery performed by Dr. Yusupov to even out his jaw. It was quite a painful recovery for Dylan, especially in the first two weeks, but he was determined and brave. He told us the worst part was not being able to eat solid food for the four weeks. But, he said, it was well worth it. He already felt more confident at this point in his treatment, including going outside and socializing, which had been difficult for him previously.
Along with the bilateral auricular reconstruction, Dr. Romo also performed a small procedure on the tip of Dylan’s nose to help with his breathing and facial symmetry.
Dylan recently made the trip back to New York to check up on his healing and attend the Little Baby Face Foundation’s fall fête with his mother, where he delivered a lovely and articulate speech. He made sure to thank everyone from Little Baby Face Foundation staff members to the two skilled physicians, Dr. Romo and Dr. Yusupov, for their care and making him feel truly heard and valued on top of his life-changing treatment. Much of Dylan’s surgery has been funded through a generous gift from the Zyman Family Foundation, so Dylan also thanked them and other donors for their incredible generosity and support. He was able to connect with another one of our patients, Bjorn, during the event, both of them looking very handsome dressed up for the occasion.
Dylan from Virginia Beach arrived at our offices for the first time in 2023. Dylan, born with Goldenhar Syndrome and hemifacial microsomia with microtia, is so inspiring because he researched and sought out help on his own.
“I was going through a lot at the time—depression—and it had a lot to do with my facial deformity, and I really wanted to get that checked out, but I really didn’t want to go to my parents for it at first,” Dylan explained to us at his first visit. He found articles about the Little Baby Face Foundation and applied by himself online. When we called to say he was accepted for treatment, it was the first his family had heard of it. Dylan’s family was supportive of him getting the help he needed. Debbie, his “Nana,” attended his first appointment with him in New York City, and his mother, Nikki, was present for his treatments.
The first step in Dylan’s treatment plan was a complex double jaw surgery performed by Dr. Yusupov to even out his jaw. It was quite a painful recovery for Dylan, especially in the first two weeks, but he was determined and brave. He told us the worst part was not being able to eat solid food for the four weeks. But, he said, it was well worth it. He already felt more confident at this point in his treatment, including going outside and socializing, which had been difficult for him previously.
The next step in Dylan’s treatment journey is to address his microtic ear, which cannot hear. Dylan underwent surgery (not with the Little Baby Face Foundation) when he was much younger for microtia, taking rib cartilage to create the structure of his ear. Dr. Romo assessed Dylan’s ear when he first visited in 2023, and then again in 2024 after his double jaw surgery. Dr. Romo decided the best strategy for Dylan was what he jokingly refers to as K.I.S.S., meaning “keep it simple sweetheart.” In other words, we don’t want to put Dylan through any treatments that will cause unnecessary pain or stress or that do not have high benefits with low risk. Dr. Romo said the microtic ear, while smaller than his other ear, is beautiful the way it is. The best path forward would be to push the larger ear back towards the head and bring the microtic ear slightly forward to downplay the difference in proportions between ears. This is a significantly easier treatment than expanding the microtic ear or recreating a new ear entirely.
Along with the bilateral auricular reconstruction, Dr. Romo also performed a small procedure on the tip of Dylan’s nose to help with his breathing and facial symmetry.
Dylan recently made the trip back to New York to check up on his healing and attend the Little Baby Face Foundation’s fall fête with his mother, where he delivered a lovely and articulate speech. He made sure to thank everyone from Little Baby Face Foundation staff members to the two skilled physicians, Dr. Romo and Dr. Yusupov, for their care and making him feel truly heard and valued on top of his life-changing treatment. Much of Dylan’s surgery has been funded through a generous gift from the Zyman Family Foundation, so Dylan also thanked them and other donors for their incredible generosity and support. He was able to connect with another one of our patients, Bjorn, during the event, both of them looking very handsome dressed up for the occasion.
We are honored to have made a difference in Dylan’s life. In the past year, we have seen his confidence grow exponentially from his first visit. His speech has notably improved, and it’s clear that he now feels comfortable in his own skin. We wish him the very best of luck at college this year.
“I was going through a lot at the time—depression—and it had a lot to do with my facial deformity, and I really wanted to get that checked out, but I really didn’t want to go to my parents for it at first,” Dylan explained to us at his first visit. He found articles about the Little Baby Face Foundation and applied by himself online. When we called to say he was accepted for treatment, it was the first his family had heard of it. Dylan’s family was supportive of him getting the help he needed. Debbie, his “Nana,” attended his first appointment with him in New York City, and his mother, Nikki, was present for his treatments.
The first step in Dylan’s treatment plan was a complex double jaw surgery performed by Dr. Yusupov to even out his jaw. It was quite a painful recovery for Dylan, especially in the first two weeks, but he was determined and brave. He told us the worst part was not being able to eat solid food for the four weeks. But, he said, it was well worth it. He already felt more confident at this point in his treatment, including going outside and socializing, which had been difficult for him previously.
Along with the bilateral auricular reconstruction, Dr. Romo also performed a small procedure on the tip of Dylan’s nose to help with his breathing and facial symmetry.
Dylan recently made the trip back to New York to check up on his healing and attend the Little Baby Face Foundation’s fall fête with his mother, where he delivered a lovely and articulate speech. He made sure to thank everyone from Little Baby Face Foundation staff members to the two skilled physicians, Dr. Romo and Dr. Yusupov, for their care and making him feel truly heard and valued on top of his life-changing treatment. Much of Dylan’s surgery has been funded through a generous gift from the Zyman Family Foundation, so Dylan also thanked them and other donors for their incredible generosity and support. He was able to connect with another one of our patients, Bjorn, during the event, both of them looking very handsome dressed up for the occasion.
Dylan from Virginia Beach arrived at our offices for the first time in 2023. Dylan, born with Goldenhar Syndrome and hemifacial microsomia with microtia, is so inspiring because he researched and sought out help on his own.
“I was going through a lot at the time—depression—and it had a lot to do with my facial deformity, and I really wanted to get that checked out, but I really didn’t want to go to my parents for it at first,” Dylan explained to us at his first visit. He found articles about the Little Baby Face Foundation and applied by himself online. When we called to say he was accepted for treatment, it was the first his family had heard of it. Dylan’s family was supportive of him getting the help he needed. Debbie, his “Nana,” attended his first appointment with him in New York City, and his mother, Nikki, was present for his treatments.
The first step in Dylan’s treatment plan was a complex double jaw surgery performed by Dr. Yusupov to even out his jaw. It was quite a painful recovery for Dylan, especially in the first two weeks, but he was determined and brave. He told us the worst part was not being able to eat solid food for the four weeks. But, he said, it was well worth it. He already felt more confident at this point in his treatment, including going outside and socializing, which had been difficult for him previously.
The next step in Dylan’s treatment journey is to address his microtic ear, which cannot hear. Dylan underwent surgery (not with the Little Baby Face Foundation) when he was much younger for microtia, taking rib cartilage to create the structure of his ear. Dr. Romo assessed Dylan’s ear when he first visited in 2023, and then again in 2024 after his double jaw surgery. Dr. Romo decided the best strategy for Dylan was what he jokingly refers to as K.I.S.S., meaning “keep it simple sweetheart.” In other words, we don’t want to put Dylan through any treatments that will cause unnecessary pain or stress or that do not have high benefits with low risk. Dr. Romo said the microtic ear, while smaller than his other ear, is beautiful the way it is. The best path forward would be to push the larger ear back towards the head and bring the microtic ear slightly forward to downplay the difference in proportions between ears. This is a significantly easier treatment than expanding the microtic ear or recreating a new ear entirely.
Along with the bilateral auricular reconstruction, Dr. Romo also performed a small procedure on the tip of Dylan’s nose to help with his breathing and facial symmetry.
Dylan recently made the trip back to New York to check up on his healing and attend the Little Baby Face Foundation’s fall fête with his mother, where he delivered a lovely and articulate speech. He made sure to thank everyone from Little Baby Face Foundation staff members to the two skilled physicians, Dr. Romo and Dr. Yusupov, for their care and making him feel truly heard and valued on top of his life-changing treatment. Much of Dylan’s surgery has been funded through a generous gift from the Zyman Family Foundation, so Dylan also thanked them and other donors for their incredible generosity and support. He was able to connect with another one of our patients, Bjorn, during the event, both of them looking very handsome dressed up for the occasion.
We are honored to have made a difference in Dylan’s life. In the past year, we have seen his confidence grow exponentially from his first visit. His speech has notably improved, and it’s clear that he now feels comfortable in his own skin. We wish him the very best of luck at college this year.
“I was going through a lot at the time—depression—and it had a lot to do with my facial deformity, and I really wanted to get that checked out, but I really didn’t want to go to my parents for it at first,” Dylan explained to us at his first visit. He found articles about the Little Baby Face Foundation and applied by himself online. When we called to say he was accepted for treatment, it was the first his family had heard of it. Dylan’s family was supportive of him getting the help he needed. Debbie, his “Nana,” attended his first appointment with him in New York City, and his mother, Nikki, was present for his treatments.
The first step in Dylan’s treatment plan was a complex double jaw surgery performed by Dr. Yusupov to even out his jaw. It was quite a painful recovery for Dylan, especially in the first two weeks, but he was determined and brave. He told us the worst part was not being able to eat solid food for the four weeks. But, he said, it was well worth it. He already felt more confident at this point in his treatment, including going outside and socializing, which had been difficult for him previously.
Along with the bilateral auricular reconstruction, Dr. Romo also performed a small procedure on the tip of Dylan’s nose to help with his breathing and facial symmetry.
Dylan recently made the trip back to New York to check up on his healing and attend the Little Baby Face Foundation’s fall fête with his mother, where he delivered a lovely and articulate speech. He made sure to thank everyone from Little Baby Face Foundation staff members to the two skilled physicians, Dr. Romo and Dr. Yusupov, for their care and making him feel truly heard and valued on top of his life-changing treatment. Much of Dylan’s surgery has been funded through a generous gift from the Zyman Family Foundation, so Dylan also thanked them and other donors for their incredible generosity and support. He was able to connect with another one of our patients, Bjorn, during the event, both of them looking very handsome dressed up for the occasion.
If your child was born with hemifacial microsomia and you’re looking for help, please contact us using the form below.
If your child was born with hemifacial microsomia and you’re looking for help, please contact us using the form below.