Our Work Patient Stories Carmen's Story
Carmen's Story
Thirty-Nine year old Carmen Rivas touched the heart of every member of our team. Carmen had spent her entire life hiding because of her cleft lip.
She rarely left her house, and if she did, she was always hiding behind a scarf. She has never worked. She had not looked in a mirror for over twenty years. Carmen’s father would not allow her to have surgery.
After Carmen’s father died, Carmen learned that Faces of Tomorrow would be coming to Quito, Ecuador.
Wearing her scarf, a scared and shy Carmen made the journey to Quito.
Carmen’s surgery was a success. For the first time in her life she plans to get a job and be a part of the society she was hidden from for thirty nine years.
Faces of Tomorrow In the Press
Accomplishment: A volunteer medical team led by Rubinstein is one of 15 national recipients of Kaiser Permanente's 2011 David Lawrence Community Service Award.
Details: Rubinstein, chief for pediatric otolaryngology-head and neck surgery at Kaiser Permanente Roseville Medical Center, is the founder of Faces of Tomorrow, a Davis-based nonprofit organization that provides free surgeries to children and adults with facial deformities inEcuador and the Philippines.
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Patient Stories
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Marvin Contiri
Read More: Marvin Contiri
17 year old Marvin Contiri came to our screening clinic in 2011 to have his bilateral cleft lip and cleft palate repaired and unfortunately we had to turn him away. He learned about the mission late and by the time he arrived our schedule was jam packed and we could not take any more patients. He returned in 2012 and this was his year. -
Aireen - A Promise Kept
Read More: Aireen - A Promise Kept
During our 2011 mission to the Philippines we met 19 year old Irene. Irene has a severe cleft lip and palate. She also suffers from various neurological deficits leaving her severely delayed. She came to us with many family members as supporters. Our doctors examined her and as a team decided it would not be safe to operate on her because of unknown health risks. -
Kyle Patrick - Captain America
Read More: Kyle Patrick - Captain America
11 year old Patrick "Captain America" touched the heart of every member of our team. He arrived at our clinic wearing a Captain America t-shirt and to our surprise speaking freely in English to our team. It was really special being able to communicate with him directly.
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