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November 2007 eNewsletter- A patient's life-changing experience
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Fresh Start sponsors Michelle to attend Angel Faces Retreat
 
Michelle receiving makeup tips Michelle and another camper open gifts |
You might remember Michelle as the featured patient in our printed newsletter last June. She is a 14-year-old from Tijuana, Mexico, that has been a Fresh Start patient since she was a toddler. When she was little, Michelle developed a benign upper lip tumor that distorted her mouth and made it difficult to eat and speak. Over 10 years, Fresh Start has given Michelle 11 surgeries and laser treatments, braces and dental treatments, and permanent tattooing to add pigment to her lip.
In August, Fresh Start sponsored Michelle to attend an Angel Faces retreat for teenage girls with facial differences. At the retreat, young women learn life skills, explore methods for coping and enjoy the healing affects of pampering their bodies.
Michelle had a wonderful experience and, afterwards, wrote us the letter below:
Dear Fresh Start, |
Well, camp was like, "WOW”. At the beginning I was very shy and kind of sad. But then I started to really enjoy everything:
*Massages&Facials: They we're great and very relaxing.
*Makeup: They told me how to put makeup, including what to put on my lip. And, they gave us a huge bag of MaryKay with sunscreens, lotions, lip glosses and eyeshadows.
*One day, a woman that makes shirts came. She got every girl a sponsor so that everyone could receive a shirt. My sponsor bought me a card and wrote me in Spanish, so that was very special.
But what I most liked was the meetings. Lesia and Diane shared with us their stories, and it made me realize that my lip compared with all they've been through is nothing. Also hearing the experiences of the other girls gave me strength.
At one meeting they helped us to create responses when someone asked us what we had, etc. and that was very helpful because I froze every time someone asked me something or stared at me. And, well, everyone was very nice and kind with me.
It was a great experience. But I wouldn't have had these beautiful memories if it wasn't for Fresh Start, thanks. I don't know what to say, except that I am sooo grateful and what I lived at that camp will be with me forever; and now every time I feel sad because of a stare or a question, I will remember Angel Faces and I know that will put a smile on my face. And I totally recommend this retreat.
Thanks again everyone at Fresh Start.
-Michelle |
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