A Slovakian lawyer born with just half a face is the ‘happiest person in the world’ as she nears the end of her life-changing surgery.
Ivanka Danisová, 30, from Bratislava, is finally able to hear and chew on the right-hand side of her face after undergoing four pioneering operations in the US.
She was born with Goldenhar syndrome, which caused underdeveloped cranial bones on the right side of her face – and doctors feared it would kill her.
But the latest procedure, which lasted 13 hours and was carried out by a world-renowned specialist in Chicago, offers her hope of living a normal and fuller life.
Professor Russell Reid and colleagues have rebuilt the right side of her face and she has been given craniofacial bones for the first time in her life.
Cruel children tormented Ms Danisová growing up because of her rare birth defect, and she spent most of her life covering up the defect with her long hair.
She made headlines last summer after it was revealed she had already underwent two marathon procedures, lasting 20 and 11 hours, to begin the reconstruction of her bones.
Ivanka Danisová, 30, from Bratislava, is finally able to hear and chew on the right-hand side of her face after undergoing four pioneering operations in the US (pictured before treatment)
‘I am the happiest person in the world because I have successfully undergone another crucial craniofacial surgery in my life,’ she said.
‘It is something you can´t describe with words as it is the most beautiful feeling in the world now that my hope to live life like a healthy person is a reality.
‘This moment was a crucial milestone in the next stage of my life, it’s not and it never is easy for people with craniofacial diagnoses but to anyone struggling, you should never give up hope.
‘In my heart I will still be like a craniofacial child, because we look at life from a completely different perspective – in my soul and in my heart, I am the same Ivanka despite looking different.’
Opening the door for a better future
Ms Danisová added: ‘It is really unbelievable how we, craniofacial children, must always fight for the hope to live a full life.
‘My craniofacial fight has not only opened the door to a better future but it has mainly brought me the feeling of having all important craniofacial bones for the first time in my life.
She was born with Goldenhar syndrome, which caused underdeveloped cranial bones on the right side of her face – and doctors feared it would kill her (pictured after her last surgery)
But the latest procedure, which lasted 13 hours and was carried out by a world-renowned specialist in Chicago, offers her hope of living a normal life (pictured after the surgery)
‘Of having a temporomandibular joint for the first time in my life, as well as mandibular and cheek bones.
‘Now I can hear with my right ear and eat on the right side for the first time in my life.’
How was the surgery carried out?
Surgeons at the University of Chicago Medicine created bone to construct the hinge joint that connects the temporal and jaw bones together.
The team, led by Professor Russell Reid, also bulked out tissue to give her a more naturally shaped face.
It is hoped the surgery can be completed this summer for Ms Danisová, a junior lawyer who trained in the UK.
Specialists will enlarge her eye orbit because she never developed an orbital bone, alongside more soft tissue on the right side of her face to allow her a better life.
Ms Danisová was the first European to undergo the life changing treatment for her condition in the US.
Professor Russell Reid and colleagues have rebuilt the right side of her face and she has been given craniofacial bones for the first time in her life
Cruel children tormented Ms Danisová growing up because of her rare birth defect, and she spent most of her life covering up the defect with her long hair (pictured before treatment)
She said: ‘The focus was on soft tissues, it was a continuation of a demanding surgery of craniofacial skull, it proceeded down to the supraperiosteal plane to solve soft tissues and facial paralysis.
‘Then surgeons solved my right temporal area and cheek area – areas where I have not developed soft tissues for better moving and function.’
Bullied by strangers
Prior to surgery, she had hidden her face behind her hair, often bullied by strangers and struggled to contend with the stigma associated to being different.
Last year she shot to fame with her ‘Rainbow for Ivanka’ campaign that encourages people with craniofacial differences to hide half of their faces – raising awareness.
She credits her twin sisters with instilling confidence into her, after her parents and grandfather died at an early age.
Ms Danisová said: ‘We do the selfie because the biggest dream of each rainbow children one time to uncover your hand on one half of face.
‘I refuse to accept that this condition should still be a “taboo” in Slovakia, and that these children are viewed as unacceptable for this society.
‘I am the happiest person in the world because I have successfully undergone another crucial craniofacial surgery in my life,’ she said
Last year she shot to fame with her ‘Rainbow for Ivanka’ campaign that encourages people with craniofacial differences to hide half of their faces – raising awareness
Professor Russell Reid (pictured), from the University of Chicago Medicine, was behind the procedure to reconstruct her face (Ms Danisová is pictured with her sister Monika)
‘Many people that met me have told me that I am a messenger of positive energy and that I give away smiles.’
Goldenhar syndrome, affects one out of 25,000 babies at birth, it alters one side or both sides of the face, with abnormalities appearing mostly around the ears, eyes and spine in varying degrees.
The condition also affects some internal organs leading to severe heart, kidney, lungs and oncological diseases.
Battling leukaemia
Ms Danisová who also has battled leukaemia three times and had four major heart surgeries, continues her fundraising efforts to cover the costs of her medical treatment.
She said: ‘Each day for me is very difficult with my rapid arrhythmia, pains with leukaemia, and this craniofacial fight but I believe that I can win. I am thankful for every day.
‘I will be grateful for any financial support via gofundme so that I won’t have to bear the entire financial burden alone.
‘I will happy if you can help me share my story to support me – postcraniofacial reconvalescention, supportive treatment during chemotherapy of leukemia, my last craniofacial fight.
‘It is not and it never will be easy – to be born as a child with a craniofacial diagnosis but as long as there is hope, you should never give up.’
You can donate by visiting: www.gofundme.com/IvkaDanisova
The Slovakian, who was told she would die young, has become the first European to undergo life-changing treatment for the disorder in the US (believed to be pictured before the procedure)
She spent most of her life covering up the defect with her long hair – as well as battling cruel comments from strangers
Ms Danisová credits her other two triplets Janka and Monika (pictured together) for becoming the person she is today