Heroes With a Thousand Faces: Real Stories of People with Facial Deformities and Their Quest for Acceptance
by Laura Greenwald
Imagine if we had to wear our imperfections like labels on our faces every day, all the time – in photos, at formal events, interviewing for a job, and meeting someone for the first time. What if there was no way to hide our imperfections? No doubt we would struggle with feelings of self-consciousness and wonder how we were being judged by others.
In her book Heroes with a Thousand Faces, writer Laura Greenwald introduces us to people who were born with severe facial deformities or whose faces have been changed forever because of injury or disease. Their stories are at once heartbreaking and hopeful. They teach us all the meaning of patience and perseverance.
One young woman, Melissa, has undergone forty-two surgeries in 19 years, hoping to correct issues affecting her face since birth. After surgeries, she would refuse to inspect her appearance for days. "She wouldn't look in the mirror," say family members, "because she wouldn't know who was going to be there." Today, Melissa advocates for education and understanding for people with facial deformities.
From a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at how prosthetic noses, acrylic eyes, and other replacement parts are made, to the headline-grabbing debates about facial transplantation, Laura Greenwald challenges readers to look beyond physical appearances and to see the heroes within.
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This information is provided by the Cleveland Clinic and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. This document was last reviewed on: 9/1/2007…#13768
