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Foundation Helps Restore Boy’s Confidence
Today, eight-year old Grayson Conley is extremely outgoing, but that wasn’t always the case. Grayson was born with only one ear, a condition known as Microtia. As a result of this condition, Grayson was a shy young man at school, feeling self conscious about his appearance and what other children may think or say. Now, however; Grayson not only has a new ear, he has a new personality to go along with it.
The OLBH Foundation Board of Directors had the pleasure of meeting Grayson, his mother Kellye and his third grade teacher, Mrs. Rockwell from Summit Elementary School. They attended the Oct. 7 board of directors meeting to personally thank the board and the Foundation for its financial help with the travel expenses that have occurred during their journeys to California where Grayson has underwent two of his five ear surgeries.
Mrs. Rockwell has witnessed firsthand how this transformation of an ear has also transformed a timid little boy into an outgoing, brave young man who looks forward to school every day and has a host of new friends with whom to share his story.
The first surgery consisted of cutting cartilage from Grayson’s rib cage and sculpting it to match his right ear. A slit was then cut and the newly formed cartilage was placed under his skin. The second surgery consisted of an earlobe transposition. Grayson goes for his third surgery in November which will be skin grafting to separate the ear from the head. His fourth surgery will pin back his right ear and make it smaller to match the new ear and to take a piece from his right ear and add it to his left ear. The final surgery will prepare the opening for the inner ear where it will be almost undetectable that Grayson was ever born without an ear. For more information on Grayson’s surgeries, visit www.earsurgery.com.
Stories like Grayson’s are perfect examples of why the OLBH Foundation continues to raise money and uphold its commitment to the mission of OLBH that allow the hospital to provide the highest quality of healthcare to all who need it, regardless of their ability to pay.
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