An 11-year-old girl has undergone an incredible transformation with thanks to surgeons in Melbourne.

Zoe Allen was born with part of her face missing and surgeons at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne have carefully hand crafted a complete one just for her.  This brave 11-year-old now has dreams of becoming a doctor to help others like her.

“They pulled the tendon out of my wrist and made it into an eyelid,” Zoe said in a recent interview with Channel 7 news.

 

Zoe was missing part of her face when she was born after developing severe clefting while in the womb.  After seven major operations, the bone, muscle and skin have all been completely restructured.

“We walked through the recovery area at the theatres, and we walked straight past Zoe. We didn’t recognise her!” Zoe’s dad Neil Allen said, while trying to fight back tears.  

Jodie Allen, Zoe’s mum told Channel Seven, “Zoe’s biggest thing with this operation was getting her bottom eyelid. As she said to me when she was able to see, first thing she said was I look like you now mum.”

 

Unfortunately, Zoe’s time at the Royal Children’s Hospital will be ongoing.  Surgeons expect will need to keep operating on her face until she stops growing at around 18 years old.

Zoe’s courage and bravery has encouraged her sister, Britney, to be inspired to help the hospital that has helped Zoe.  Britney is planning to run 200km in April to raise $200,000 for the hospital.

Image source: Seven News