After being ridiculed all her life because of a genetic condition, Lungelwa Faltein was over the moon when the Smile Foundation and plastic surgeon Dr Chris van der Walt agreed to help both her children and spare them the same trauma because of their appearance.
Faltein, 44, who, like her children, suffers from Treacher Collins syndrome – an inherited condition in which some bones and tissues in the face are not developed – said that when she was a child her mother had told her the family could not afford to seek medical help for her.
But as a mother, she has tried her best to get medical assistance for her daughters and even resigned from her job to look after the youngest one.
The characteristics of Treacher Collins syndrome include downward-slanting eyes, a very small jaw and chin and underdeveloped facial – usually cheek – bones.
Faltein’s daughters – Anelisa, 8, and Zinthle, 15 – are among 27 patients receiving surgeries as part of the Smile Foundation’s Smile Week in Port Elizabeth. Van der Walt, the plastic surgeon taking care of the Faltein girls, said Annelisa had undergone a procedure called fat grafting, whereby fat was removed from her flanks and abdomen, processed, and injected into specific areas of her face.She would need more surgeries but would have to be a bit older before they could do bone operations. He said they had done an eye adjustment for Zinthle.
Anelisa will spend up to three days in hospital.
“When she was born, I immediately noticed she had a flat face,” Faltein said.
“But I did not hesitate for one moment. I just accepted her for who she is.
“The doctors said I would have to find someone to care for her, but I resigned from my job as a cleaner in Lorraine to look after her.”
Faltein said she had realised that she and her daughters all had the same problem.
“I asked my mom why they had never sought help for me, but she said the family’s circumstances didn’t allow for her to seek medical help for me.”
She said she had sought help for Annelisa by approaching the department of plastic and reconstructive surgery at the Port Elizabeth Provincial Hospital and Van der Walt.
Van der Walt said: “One day, when Anelisa came to see me, Zinthle asked why she couldn’t be helped as well. I said we could help her too.”
Faltein said both girls had been teased mercilessly about their appearance.
“I am very excited that they are getting the help that they need,” she said.
“Both my girls received their surgeries on Monday.
“I was a bit worried about Anelisa because she was quiet. She is never quiet.
“She was scared. When she was a baby, she had to get oxygen and I was worried now because she doesn’t like it if they put masks on her face.”
Faltein said she knew that this was just the first in a series of surgeries.
“I am still very excited to see what she looks like now.”
Smile Foundation CEO Hedley Lewis said Smile Week was also a celebration of the passion and commitment of every mother, nurse, doctor and other medical workers.
He said he was particularly excited that Van der Walt and his colleagues were teaching young doctors during Smile Week as well.
“I also want to pay tribute to the role that the Airports Company of South Africa plays in organising this week.”
He said the role of the Smile Foundation was to augment the work that Van der Walt and his colleagues were doing in the public sector.
Van der Walt specifically thanked health MEC Helen Sauls-August for supporting the project. “We see more and more people getting involved each year,” he said.
“That is the important thing for me. It is not difficult to do some good.”
Sauls-August’s spokesperson, Lwandile Sicwetsha, said Smile Week was an important life-changing programme.
Smile Foundation operations executive director Moira Gerszt said: “We are grateful to once again partner with the Port Elizabeth International Airport and be in a position to support these children in need.”
Acsa corporate affairs senior manager Senzeni Ndebele said: “It is a privilege to continue supporting the Smile Foundation and children in need in the Eastern Cape in this meaningful way.”