Obagi Skin Care Is Coming To Our Practice (Coming Soon)

Healing the Children:

Surgeon and foster parents offer miracle.

The following article is printed in the Newsletter FRIDAY, a publication by the Bon Secours Healthcare System, July 24, 1998

Life for Suriel Vascuez, 5, hasn't been easy -- or fun. When a kerosene lamp fell on him more than two years ago, about 25 percent of his body was burned. His entire left side, including his ear, cheek, chin, neck, shoulder, wrist, arm, hip, thigh, and knee, were scarred. Because his mother carried him so much, his skin healed in a contracted position, and he could hardly walk. He couldn't lift his head or smile, and he wore a lot of big clothes and hats to hide his scars.

But that's all behind him now. Suriel, who was flown here from Dominica with 30 other children, recently received the first of three plastic surgeries performed by Albert Pierce, M.D., at Bon Secours Hospital. Dr. Pierce is a volunteer with "Healing the Children," an organization that teams up volunteer health care professionals to perform surgeries on children with cleft palates and burn injuries.

During the first surgery, Dr. Pierce released the contracture and added new skin to Suriel's lower lip, chin, neck, chest, and armpit.

"Suriel never liked to look in the mirror. So at first, he wasn't too eager to see himself after the surgery," Dr. Pierce said. "After a glance, he saw his face was changed. It looked normal, and he could smile. He also could look straight up and bend his head back."

Suriel is recovering at the home of Jan and Dave Meinhard, a WXYZ TV news photographer. Dave accompanied Dr. Pierce on a trip to Columbia last September to tape footage for a story about Healing the Children. When Dave came home and told his wife and three children about his experience, they were so touched, they decided to open their home to children who are flown to the U.S. for surgeries.

"Not everyone can perform surgeries, but we can take these children into our homes during their stay," he said. "If people try to do a little something now and then, the world can be a better place."

Not only has Suriel been blessed by this experience, so has the Meinhard family.

"We have learned to be very thankful for what we have," said Jan. "We have received much more than we have given."

Dave said he also was grateful for the generosity that was extended to Suriel by Bon Secours employees.

"Tracy Ross, from Housekeeping, bought him toys," he said. "And Cheryl Davis, from Pediatrics, actually went out and purchased for Suriel the Spanish language version of the movie 'Beauty and the Beast.'"

Suriel is recovering well after his first surgery. His second surgery is scheduled for August. Then, following his third surgery, he will return home to his mother, father, and two brothers. Suriel will be able to play like other boys and girls and won't have to hide his face or body any more -- a miracle for him.


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