Stefan Savic was born in Bosnia 14 years ago with a horrible facial deformity. But, thanks to a UN Peacekeeper who was stationed in his town, he now has a new face and a bright future.
14-year-old
Stefan Savic was born in Bosnia with a horrible facial deformity.
Thanks to a UN Peacekeeper, he now has a new face and a bright future.
He needs one more surgery before he’s done. Photo: Courtesy Wayne Ingram
via FacingtheWorld.Net
“I was on a routine patrol in Bosnia when I was introduced to his father and went to meet Stefan. The condition had been left untreated and had grown between Stefan’s eyes, crushing his skull, forcing his eyes apart to the point he couldn’t see what was ahead of him. But aside from the facial deformities he was just a normal, playful little boy. He was confident and cheeky, climbing all over me as we played football in the yard. He was too young then to be self-aware. But his facial cleft was blocking his airways and without medical attention, could kill him. I had two young sons myself at the time and there was no way I could stand back and do nothing. I knew in an instant I had to do everything I could to help.” (source)Ingram was true to his word. Through a fund-raising drive that encompassed both Bosnia and the United Kingdom, he was able to raise £85,000 — $143,879 –and Stefan was brought to London in 2003 for his first operation. It took 12 hours to build a nose and close the rift in his face, bringing his eyes closer together. Another surgery was scheduled for 10 years down the road.
Flash forward a decade and Ingram, who had remained in touch with Stefan and his family, got busy raising funds again. With the help of generous donors, one of which called herself “the kind granny,” Ingram raised another $34,000. The surgeon waived his fees (as he had a decade ago) and Stefan came to London for his second surgery. This time, Stefan’s nose was reconstructed. Not only did this make his face more aesthetically pleasing but, most importantly, it let Stefan breathe easier. Stefan will need more surgery and orthodontics, but he is well on his way to having no effects left from his deformity.
Ingram was inspired to become a paramedic because of Stefan. He is moved by the boy’s quiet dignity and by the way he has borne both the deformity and the surgeries to correct it. For his part, Stefan called this series of operations “the best thing that ever happened to me.” Wayne Ingram feels the same: both lives have been changed for the better because of a promise kept.
You can help with the funding of surgeries for Stefan and other children like him. Facing The World provides these kind of surgeries to children in developing countries who are born with Tessier and related cleft syndromes. Visit their web page at facingtheworld.net.
h/t http://aattp.org/
