Talented Patient Credits Nurses for Life-Transforming Care – and Her New Career Goal

GianLuca's Story

When he was 18 months old, GianLuca was spending time with his grandfather, who had just made a cup of tea. GianLuca saw the tea, thought it was water, and reached for it. The hot liquid spilled all over his head, face and shoulders.

Chin Asymmetry

Chin asymmetry is a chin too large or too small in proportion to the rest of the face. It can occur by itself, or when the upper and lower jaws or teeth are not aligned. Shriners Children’s plastic surgeons perform chin and jaw surgeries.

Cleft Nose

Cleft Nose is a difference in the nose's appearance and structure due to a craniofacial difference like cleft lip and palate. Plastic surgeons can repair the nose to help a child breathe and speak normally.

Plagiocephaly

Plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome) is a lasting flat spot on an infant's head where bones may not be correctly fusing together. Shriners Children's can diagnose and treat with cranial molding helmets, bands, or surgery.

Facial Deformity

A facial deformity occurs when the face or bones in the head develop differently, as with cleft lip and palate, or can happen with trauma, such as the loss of an ear from a burn. Shriners Children's can treat with reconstructive surgery.

Hyponasality

Hyponasality is nasal-sounding speech that can be associated with cleft palate. Shriners Children's measures airflow through the nose and observes how the palate moves. Treated by speech pathologists, ENT and plastic surgeons.

Osteogenesis Imperfecta or Brittle Bone Disease

Commonly referred to as brittle bone disease, osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a rare, permanent genetic disorder that prevents the building of strong bones.

Jaw Deformities

Jaw deformities are an upper and/or lower jaw that is too big, too small, crooked or the wrong shape. It can affect eating, teeth development and speech. Shriners Children’s provides jaw surgery.

Prominent Ears

Protruding ears occur when the folds of ear cartilage develop differently, causing the ear to stick out from the head. Shriners Children's offers non-surgical ear molding in infants and reconstructive surgery for older children.