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Richard's Dream Surgery

Hello my name is Richard.  I was born with a rare disease called Jackson Weiss Syndrome.  It's a deformity that affects the face and head. 
Since early childhood I have undergone nearly 20 reconstructive plastic surgeries to correct this problem.  All were mostly done in my early childhood years.  My last surgery done in college.  It is not a condition that can be treated with one pill or one surgery.
Socially, growing up was never easy.  I had friends but, as you can imagine, society doesn't always treat kids or adults with abnormalities fairly.  I was often pre-judged as intellectually slow or disabled.  I was teased or stared at.  Virtually every day I had to prove people wrong.  I still face these pre-judgements as an adult.
Today I am a 43 year old award winning television multimedia journalist.  I do standup comedy and Improv on the side.  I've always been strong and unafraid to stand and be counted.  A lot of the credit goes to my parents.
Nearly 20 years ago after my last surgery my surgeon said there was nothing more he could do for me at that time.  I always kept hope medicine and procedures would get more advanced as the years went by.  After all, my medical journey began in the early '70s.  So I saw a lot of advancement up to that point.
Now It has really advanced.  I found Dr. Stephen Beals, a craniofacial surgeon in Phoenix, who can help me realize my dream of  correcting my  asymmetrical appearance.  The surgery could also fix my severe dry eye condition.  I have short eye lids due to the syndrome.
Unfortunately, my insurance will not pay for this.  I am asking for help to pay for this surgery and realize my life long dream.
Thank you for your help.  Should I exceed the monetary goal for the surgery, I will pay it forward to the Barrow Cleft and Craniofacial Center in Phoenix that helps others with conditions similar to mine.

http://www.thebarrow.org/Neurological_Services/Cleft_and_Craniofacial_Center/index.htm

 http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/jackson-weiss-syndrome
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Donations 

  • William Prange
    • $100 
    • 9 yrs
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Organizer

Richard Prange
Organizer
Gilbert, AZ

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