plasticd1

Hey thanks so much. You know I do..

In the hospital where I work I get to see them every few years. I LOVE it. Its like having your own family. I liken it to being like a gardener. You tend to you plant and give it really good soil and spend your time giving it the best u can ( like the operation) and then you just watch them grow!

In the developing countries I go to I try and get back as much as I can. I remember in Cambodia one particular lady walked back to see us from her village with her girl we had operated on the year before and she was so happy because her village had told her to leave the child to die. And now they were so amazed and she was soo happy

With regards to Talita.. we recently saw her and fixed her palate. We will do a little update soon :)

You know I spent one year travelling abroad when I was a junior doctor and spent time with an amazing surgeon who worked on the Mercy ships. And he really had a big effect on me,

It amazed me what effect the face has. And why we judge each other by the way we look. When I was a kid I got teased for being chinese and it really used to make me feel different as I could not do anything about it ( not that I wanted to!) So these kids have people judge them for something they can do nothing about. And if we can help them then thats amazing!

Thanks Morning star. I loved it. You know not all kids are like Talita. They usually understandably are upset after their operation and most just want their mum/dad. She was special and we captured a miraculous moment. I still get teary when I see it.

Thanks gormia. In alot of instances it the parents who we need to explain things to prior to any surgery which we do with the help of the local teams.

However if the child is old enough to understand then we have a child life specialist who comes on all our missions to help explain to the child what is being done and how he or she will feel after the operation.

shucks :)

do i know u?