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 Wynter'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 Wynter's incredible journey with you.
Wynter, 9 years old was born with Treacher Collins Syndrome, and has many of the typical features, including drooping lower eyelids, weak chin and cheeks, and microtia with atresia. Wynter had been seeing a craniofacial team in Florida, but her mother had a gut instinct that they needed more help than the team could provide. Wynter’s mother asked about reconstructive surgery for her ears and eyes, and she was told there was nothing they could do. Frustrated, she decided to do her own research and found the Little Baby Face Foundation on the internet and discovered more through our Facebook account. She was determined, she said, to find somebody who would at least evaluate Wynter and discuss treatment options.
Wynter’s mother told us just how important this surgery is to Wynter. “Medically, I think it would help her hear better, and she suffers a lot with sinus issues.” She also hopes it will boost Wynter’s confidence, especially as she reaches adolescence when so many girls struggle with fitting in. Living through middle school and high school is tough enough, her mother reflected, and even tougher with facial birth deformities.
Luckily, Wynter is in excellent hands with our team of expert physicians who graciously volunteer their time, resources, and skills to provide treatment to children with facial birth defects through the Little Baby Face Foundation. At her first visit two years ago, Wynter was still too small in size for surgery (a common occurrence, especially in cases of microtia, which you can read more about here). We’ve been in regular contact with her family leading up to her most recent visit.
Wynter flew with her mother from Florida to New York City for the second time this past month, and we were happy to see how she has progressed over time. At Wynter’s examination with Dr Romo, he noted that her chin appears to have gotten stronger, though she still has the weak cheeks, microtia and atresia consistent with Treacher Collins. Her lower eyelids do not appear to be overly droopy, and Dr. Romo is hoping that augmenting her cheek will give enough support to the eyelids to avoid any surgery on her eyes. It is important that the eyes be able to close fully, as this avoids infections and severe eye dryness. We always try to plan for the least amount of intervention possible. If surgery can be avoided to raise Wynter’s lower eyelids, we would consider that a huge win.
While Wynter’s current hearing aid is working for her right now to the extent that she does not suffer with communication in school or at home. In fact, we’re told she verbalizes a lot at home with her two other siblings, however quiet and shy she is when she’s in the office with us. But Wynter has what is called maximum conductive hearing loss. She has bone in both the outer ear canal and middle ear canal, with both sides of the eardrum obstructed. Luckily, her inner ear works just fine. A bone-anchored hearing aid would be so much more effective for Wynter than her current solution, not only in terms of her hearing, but also in durability and longevity. A BAHA can transmit sound directly to the inner ear, bypassing any ear canal blockages, which makes it ideal for children who have hearing loss due to microtia and/or atresia, but who do still have hearing in their inner ear. !
Besides improving her hearing with a BAHA, Wynter’s treatment plan also involves reconstructive ear surgery to address the microtia. We will not be creating an ear canal, because the risk is far too high that it will develop layers of skin and scar tissue that cause it to become blocked all over again, therefore requiring another surgery. There is no medical need for an ear canal, since her BAHA will transmit sound directly to the inner ear, so this is a risk that is simply not worth taking.
The standard procedure for ear reconstruction at this point in time is taking cartilage from the child’s ribs to create the shape of an ear. However, we are right on the brink of accessing new medical technology that would make it possible to take cartilage from the ear, grow it, and 3D print it into the shape of a human ear. If we can eliminate a surgery that requires removing rib cartilage, which if done while the child is too small can leave their vital organs less protected as they grow, “we’d be a million miles down the road” in Dr. Romo’s words. For now, the company performing 3D printing from cartilage is only accepting patients with one-ear microtia, and Wynter has two (bilateral microtia). Dr. Romo is in the process of advocating for Wynter with the company, as this really is the best possible treatment plan for her. For now, we’ll have to wait on her ear reconstruction. Our fingers are crossed!
We’ll be sharing Wynter’s progress as her treatment continues here and on social media. We encourage you to follow along on Facebook and Instagram for instant updates.
Wynter’s mother told us just how important this surgery is to Wynter. “Medically, I think it would help her hear better, and she suffers a lot with sinus issues.” She also hopes it will boost Wynter’s confidence, especially as she reaches adolescence when so many girls struggle with fitting in. Living through middle school and high school is tough enough, her mother reflected, and even tougher with facial birth deformities.
Wynter flew with her mother from Florida to New York City for the second time this past month, and we were happy to see how she has progressed over time. At Wynter’s examination with Dr Romo, he noted that her chin appears to have gotten stronger, though she still has the weak cheeks, microtia and atresia consistent with Treacher Collins. Her lower eyelids do not appear to be overly droopy, and Dr. Romo is hoping that augmenting her cheek will give enough support to the eyelids to avoid any surgery on her eyes. It is important that the eyes be able to close fully, as this avoids infections and severe eye dryness. We always try to plan for the least amount of intervention possible. If surgery can be avoided to raise Wynter’s lower eyelids, we would consider that a huge win.
Besides improving her hearing with a BAHA, Wynter’s treatment plan also involves reconstructive ear surgery to address the microtia. We will not be creating an ear canal, because the risk is far too high that it will develop layers of skin and scar tissue that cause it to become blocked all over again, therefore requiring another surgery. There is no medical need for an ear canal, since her BAHA will transmit sound directly to the inner ear, so this is a risk that is simply not worth taking.
The standard procedure for ear reconstruction at this point in time is taking cartilage from the child’s ribs to create the shape of an ear. However, we are right on the brink of accessing new medical technology that would make it possible to take cartilage from the ear, grow it, and 3D print it into the shape of a human ear. If we can eliminate a surgery that requires removing rib cartilage, which if done while the child is too small can leave their vital organs less protected as they grow, “we’d be a million miles down the road” in Dr. Romo’s words. For now, the company performing 3D printing from cartilage is only accepting patients with one-ear microtia, and Wynter has two (bilateral microtia). Dr. Romo is in the process of advocating for Wynter with the company, as this really is the best possible treatment plan for her. For now, we’ll have to wait on her ear reconstruction. Our fingers are crossed!
We’ll be sharing Wynter’s progress as her treatment continues here and on social media. We encourage you to follow along on Facebook and Instagram for instant updates.
Wynter, 9 years old was born with Treacher Collins Syndrome, and has many of the typical features, including drooping lower eyelids, weak chin and cheeks, and microtia with atresia. Wynter had been seeing a craniofacial team in Florida, but her mother had a gut instinct that they needed more help than the team could provide. Wynter’s mother asked about reconstructive surgery for her ears and eyes, and she was told there was nothing they could do. Frustrated, she decided to do her own research and found the Little Baby Face Foundation on the internet and discovered more through our Facebook account. She was determined, she said, to find somebody who would at least evaluate Wynter and discuss treatment options.
Wynter’s mother told us just how important this surgery is to Wynter. “Medically, I think it would help her hear better, and she suffers a lot with sinus issues.” She also hopes it will boost Wynter’s confidence, especially as she reaches adolescence when so many girls struggle with fitting in. Living through middle school and high school is tough enough, her mother reflected, and even tougher with facial birth deformities.
Luckily, Wynter is in excellent hands with our team of expert physicians who graciously volunteer their time, resources, and skills to provide treatment to children with facial birth defects through the Little Baby Face Foundation. At her first visit two years ago, Wynter was still too small in size for surgery (a common occurrence, especially in cases of microtia, which you can read more about here). We’ve been in regular contact with her family leading up to her most recent visit.
Wynter flew with her mother from Florida to New York City for the second time this past month, and we were happy to see how she has progressed over time. At Wynter’s examination with Dr Romo, he noted that her chin appears to have gotten stronger, though she still has the weak cheeks, microtia and atresia consistent with Treacher Collins. Her lower eyelids do not appear to be overly droopy, and Dr. Romo is hoping that augmenting her cheek will give enough support to the eyelids to avoid any surgery on her eyes. It is important that the eyes be able to close fully, as this avoids infections and severe eye dryness. We always try to plan for the least amount of intervention possible. If surgery can be avoided to raise Wynter’s lower eyelids, we would consider that a huge win.
While Wynter’s current hearing aid is working for her right now to the extent that she does not suffer with communication in school or at home. In fact, we’re told she verbalizes a lot at home with her two other siblings, however quiet and shy she is when she’s in the office with us. But Wynter has what is called maximum conductive hearing loss. She has bone in both the outer ear canal and middle ear canal, with both sides of the eardrum obstructed. Luckily, her inner ear works just fine. A bone-anchored hearing aid would be so much more effective for Wynter than her current solution, not only in terms of her hearing, but also in durability and longevity. A BAHA can transmit sound directly to the inner ear, bypassing any ear canal blockages, which makes it ideal for children who have hearing loss due to microtia and/or atresia, but who do still have hearing in their inner ear. !
Besides improving her hearing with a BAHA, Wynter’s treatment plan also involves reconstructive ear surgery to address the microtia. We will not be creating an ear canal, because the risk is far too high that it will develop layers of skin and scar tissue that cause it to become blocked all over again, therefore requiring another surgery. There is no medical need for an ear canal, since her BAHA will transmit sound directly to the inner ear, so this is a risk that is simply not worth taking.
The standard procedure for ear reconstruction at this point in time is taking cartilage from the child’s ribs to create the shape of an ear. However, we are right on the brink of accessing new medical technology that would make it possible to take cartilage from the ear, grow it, and 3D print it into the shape of a human ear. If we can eliminate a surgery that requires removing rib cartilage, which if done while the child is too small can leave their vital organs less protected as they grow, “we’d be a million miles down the road” in Dr. Romo’s words. For now, the company performing 3D printing from cartilage is only accepting patients with one-ear microtia, and Wynter has two (bilateral microtia). Dr. Romo is in the process of advocating for Wynter with the company, as this really is the best possible treatment plan for her. For now, we’ll have to wait on her ear reconstruction. Our fingers are crossed!
We’ll be sharing Wynter’s progress as her treatment continues here and on social media. We encourage you to follow along on Facebook and Instagram for instant updates.
Wynter’s mother told us just how important this surgery is to Wynter. “Medically, I think it would help her hear better, and she suffers a lot with sinus issues.” She also hopes it will boost Wynter’s confidence, especially as she reaches adolescence when so many girls struggle with fitting in. Living through middle school and high school is tough enough, her mother reflected, and even tougher with facial birth deformities.
Wynter flew with her mother from Florida to New York City for the second time this past month, and we were happy to see how she has progressed over time. At Wynter’s examination with Dr Romo, he noted that her chin appears to have gotten stronger, though she still has the weak cheeks, microtia and atresia consistent with Treacher Collins. Her lower eyelids do not appear to be overly droopy, and Dr. Romo is hoping that augmenting her cheek will give enough support to the eyelids to avoid any surgery on her eyes. It is important that the eyes be able to close fully, as this avoids infections and severe eye dryness. We always try to plan for the least amount of intervention possible. If surgery can be avoided to raise Wynter’s lower eyelids, we would consider that a huge win.
Besides improving her hearing with a BAHA, Wynter’s treatment plan also involves reconstructive ear surgery to address the microtia. We will not be creating an ear canal, because the risk is far too high that it will develop layers of skin and scar tissue that cause it to become blocked all over again, therefore requiring another surgery. There is no medical need for an ear canal, since her BAHA will transmit sound directly to the inner ear, so this is a risk that is simply not worth taking.
The standard procedure for ear reconstruction at this point in time is taking cartilage from the child’s ribs to create the shape of an ear. However, we are right on the brink of accessing new medical technology that would make it possible to take cartilage from the ear, grow it, and 3D print it into the shape of a human ear. If we can eliminate a surgery that requires removing rib cartilage, which if done while the child is too small can leave their vital organs less protected as they grow, “we’d be a million miles down the road” in Dr. Romo’s words. For now, the company performing 3D printing from cartilage is only accepting patients with one-ear microtia, and Wynter has two (bilateral microtia). Dr. Romo is in the process of advocating for Wynter with the company, as this really is the best possible treatment plan for her. For now, we’ll have to wait on her ear reconstruction. Our fingers are crossed!
We’ll be sharing Wynter’s progress as her treatment continues here and on social media. We encourage you to follow along on Facebook and Instagram for instant updates.
Wynter, 9 years old was born with Treacher Collins Syndrome, and has many of the typical features, including drooping lower eyelids, weak chin and cheeks, and microtia with atresia. Wynter had been seeing a craniofacial team in Florida, but her mother had a gut instinct that they needed more help than the team could provide. Wynter’s mother asked about reconstructive surgery for her ears and eyes, and she was told there was nothing they could do. Frustrated, she decided to do her own research and found the Little Baby Face Foundation on the internet and discovered more through our Facebook account. She was determined, she said, to find somebody who would at least evaluate Wynter and discuss treatment options.
Wynter’s mother told us just how important this surgery is to Wynter. “Medically, I think it would help her hear better, and she suffers a lot with sinus issues.” She also hopes it will boost Wynter’s confidence, especially as she reaches adolescence when so many girls struggle with fitting in. Living through middle school and high school is tough enough, her mother reflected, and even tougher with facial birth deformities.
Luckily, Wynter is in excellent hands with our team of expert physicians who graciously volunteer their time, resources, and skills to provide treatment to children with facial birth defects through the Little Baby Face Foundation. At her first visit two years ago, Wynter was still too small in size for surgery (a common occurrence, especially in cases of microtia, which you can read more about here). We’ve been in regular contact with her family leading up to her most recent visit.
Wynter flew with her mother from Florida to New York City for the second time this past month, and we were happy to see how she has progressed over time. At Wynter’s examination with Dr Romo, he noted that her chin appears to have gotten stronger, though she still has the weak cheeks, microtia and atresia consistent with Treacher Collins. Her lower eyelids do not appear to be overly droopy, and Dr. Romo is hoping that augmenting her cheek will give enough support to the eyelids to avoid any surgery on her eyes. It is important that the eyes be able to close fully, as this avoids infections and severe eye dryness. We always try to plan for the least amount of intervention possible. If surgery can be avoided to raise Wynter’s lower eyelids, we would consider that a huge win.
While Wynter’s current hearing aid is working for her right now to the extent that she does not suffer with communication in school or at home. In fact, we’re told she verbalizes a lot at home with her two other siblings, however quiet and shy she is when she’s in the office with us. But Wynter has what is called maximum conductive hearing loss. She has bone in both the outer ear canal and middle ear canal, with both sides of the eardrum obstructed. Luckily, her inner ear works just fine. A bone-anchored hearing aid would be so much more effective for Wynter than her current solution, not only in terms of her hearing, but also in durability and longevity. A BAHA can transmit sound directly to the inner ear, bypassing any ear canal blockages, which makes it ideal for children who have hearing loss due to microtia and/or atresia, but who do still have hearing in their inner ear. !
Besides improving her hearing with a BAHA, Wynter’s treatment plan also involves reconstructive ear surgery to address the microtia. We will not be creating an ear canal, because the risk is far too high that it will develop layers of skin and scar tissue that cause it to become blocked all over again, therefore requiring another surgery. There is no medical need for an ear canal, since her BAHA will transmit sound directly to the inner ear, so this is a risk that is simply not worth taking.
The standard procedure for ear reconstruction at this point in time is taking cartilage from the child’s ribs to create the shape of an ear. However, we are right on the brink of accessing new medical technology that would make it possible to take cartilage from the ear, grow it, and 3D print it into the shape of a human ear. If we can eliminate a surgery that requires removing rib cartilage, which if done while the child is too small can leave their vital organs less protected as they grow, “we’d be a million miles down the road” in Dr. Romo’s words. For now, the company performing 3D printing from cartilage is only accepting patients with one-ear microtia, and Wynter has two (bilateral microtia). Dr. Romo is in the process of advocating for Wynter with the company, as this really is the best possible treatment plan for her. For now, we’ll have to wait on her ear reconstruction. Our fingers are crossed!
We’ll be sharing Wynter’s progress as her treatment continues here and on social media. We encourage you to follow along on Facebook and Instagram for instant updates.
Wynter’s mother told us just how important this surgery is to Wynter. “Medically, I think it would help her hear better, and she suffers a lot with sinus issues.” She also hopes it will boost Wynter’s confidence, especially as she reaches adolescence when so many girls struggle with fitting in. Living through middle school and high school is tough enough, her mother reflected, and even tougher with facial birth deformities.
Wynter flew with her mother from Florida to New York City for the second time this past month, and we were happy to see how she has progressed over time. At Wynter’s examination with Dr Romo, he noted that her chin appears to have gotten stronger, though she still has the weak cheeks, microtia and atresia consistent with Treacher Collins. Her lower eyelids do not appear to be overly droopy, and Dr. Romo is hoping that augmenting her cheek will give enough support to the eyelids to avoid any surgery on her eyes. It is important that the eyes be able to close fully, as this avoids infections and severe eye dryness. We always try to plan for the least amount of intervention possible. If surgery can be avoided to raise Wynter’s lower eyelids, we would consider that a huge win.
Besides improving her hearing with a BAHA, Wynter’s treatment plan also involves reconstructive ear surgery to address the microtia. We will not be creating an ear canal, because the risk is far too high that it will develop layers of skin and scar tissue that cause it to become blocked all over again, therefore requiring another surgery. There is no medical need for an ear canal, since her BAHA will transmit sound directly to the inner ear, so this is a risk that is simply not worth taking.
The standard procedure for ear reconstruction at this point in time is taking cartilage from the child’s ribs to create the shape of an ear. However, we are right on the brink of accessing new medical technology that would make it possible to take cartilage from the ear, grow it, and 3D print it into the shape of a human ear. If we can eliminate a surgery that requires removing rib cartilage, which if done while the child is too small can leave their vital organs less protected as they grow, “we’d be a million miles down the road” in Dr. Romo’s words. For now, the company performing 3D printing from cartilage is only accepting patients with one-ear microtia, and Wynter has two (bilateral microtia). Dr. Romo is in the process of advocating for Wynter with the company, as this really is the best possible treatment plan for her. For now, we’ll have to wait on her ear reconstruction. Our fingers are crossed!
We’ll be sharing Wynter’s progress as her treatment continues here and on social media. We encourage you to follow along on Facebook and Instagram for instant updates.
If your child was born with Treacher Collins Syndrome and you’re looking for help, please contact us using the form below.
If your child was born with Treacher Collins Syndrome and you’re looking for help, please contact us using the form below.