Juliana Wetmore

(http://www.yancey-gamecock.com)

Juliana Wetmore was born with Treacher Collins syndrome in March of 2003. Her case is one of the most extreme in the world. Treacher Collins syndrome has many symptoms including downward slanting eyes, small lower jaw, hearing loss, and deformed ears. For surviving such a severe case of such a tragic disease, Juliana is my hero.

Juliana never knew anything was wrong with her. When she went out, little kids would look away and think she was weird. Juliana doesn’t let it bother her; she assumes they are upset about something else. Communication was a problem for Juliana. She couldn’t hear well until she was fitted with a special hearing aid, which gave her almost normal hearing. She can’t talk, so she speaks in sign language. Juliana goes to regular public school; and is in the hearing-impaired class.

Juliana has had the courage to go through with over 29 surgeries in the first 6 years of her life. These operations ranged from simple procedures to major surgeries. She had her first surgery at only 5 days old. This procedure involved the insertion of a tracheotomy tube in her neck to allow her to breathe better.

Since she was born, Juliana has been in two documentaries about Treacher Collins, Born without a Face and Building Juliana’s Face. For living so bravely and selflessly with Treacher Collins Syndrome, Juliana Wetmore is my hero.