Georgette Couvall – Illinois
Note from Dr. Salyer:
One patient who is particularly close to my heart has become a passionate advocate for patients around the world with craniofacial differences, and she is an inspiringly enthusiastic cheerleader for the work of the WCF. Her name is Georgette Couvall, and her sparkling spirit has triumphed – even after 13 surgeries throughout her life. She is an inspiration to me and to the patients she counsels.
Georgette Couvall: Seeing Myself as Normal
“I was born on October 16th, 1975, and the first words out of the doctor’s mouth were, ‘It’s a girl, but I’ve never seen anything like her.’”
“From that day forward, my parents searched tirelessly for help. Then, one day, my mom happened to see Dr. Kenneth Salyer on television speaking about his work. When I was three years old, I met Dr. Salyer. Even though all the surgeries were difficult for me as a child, the smallest things were what upset me the most – things like the masks, IV’s, shots and blood tests. But as I got older, each surgery became easier to handle. I’ve had approximately thirteen surgeries, and after each one I’ve looked better. It has all been worth it.”
“School was still difficult along the way. Kids are so cruel – it’s true. Now I understand that people are just afraid of what is different. Those hurtful, thoughtless comments sting so much, but what was even harder was that I felt like I was the only person in the world with this kind of medical problem. Now that I’m all done with my surgeries, I’m very happy with the outcome.”
“I am so grateful I found Dr. Salyer. I’ll never forget when he came in to see me just before a surgery. He’d always say, ‘Don’t worry, Georgette, you are going to be fine.’ I appreciated that so much.”
“He really does things from his heart. I always knew when I saw him open the door and smile right at me that everything was going to be all right. I truly love him like he is part of my own family.”
“I’ve graduated from college with a BA in liberal arts, and I am now involved in several craniofacial organizations. Personally, I have dedicated my life to helping other craniofacial patients and their families.”
“No words can adequately thank my parents and Dr. Salyer. My parents were there with me from the very beginning. Dr. Salyer has given me not just normal face — but a normal life. Thanks to my mom, my dad and Dr. Salyer, my story is a medical miracle.”
Dr. Salyer: Georgette’s Journey
Georgette’s course of treatment has been arduous and complicated; however, she remains positive and remarkably full of joy. The surgical series began when she was only three years old. I peeled her face down like a mask to correct the underlying bone without leaving any noticeable scars. When I perform this kind of procedure, I am usually able to use the patient’s own bone, which may include a rib, a hip or the skull. In Georgette’s case, my first challenge was to build her an eye socket that would hold a prosthetic eye. I created an eye orbit by cutting out a piece of her skull. I split it in two pieces, replaced one piece to heal normally, and then I crafted the new orbit form the remaining piece to match the eye socket on the other side of her face. Next, I sculpted a nose for Georgette, using skin from her leg, bone from her rib and cartilage from ear.
“Gradually, Georgette has begun to look better to Georgette,” observes her father Jim Couvall. “And that’s the most important thing,”
At thirty, Georgette has surpassed mere recovery. She has embraced the challenges of craniofacial patients with great passion and vigor. In fact, she has positioned herself as an international hub for craniofacial information, treatment and support. She has become a fervent advocate for patients and their families. For example, when you “google” Georgette Couvall, you discover a full dossier of articles, message boards, press releases, chat rooms and Web sites on and for craniofacial patients.
She and her parents chaired an event in Chicago in June of 2007 at the Chicago Metropolitan Club for the World Craniofacial Foundation. She also serves as a personal resource for patients through many organizations, including the World Craniofacial Foundation, Cleft Advocate, Smiles, Craniology, Craniosynostosis & Positional Plagiocephaly Support, Apert.org (Teeter’s Page) and the Pierre Robin Network. She works as an Office Assistant for a medical company but would like to become a writer. Georgette is energized by her expanding ability to make a difference in the lives of so many who are struggling with craniofacial differences.
