Just a little gratitude

We have mailed out over 100 thank you cards. My hand aches a bit :) It's a great problem to have.
I insisted that the least I could do was to hand write messages to all our contributors.
In Corbin news, he passed his hearing test on the "good" ear about two weeks ago at the audiology visit to UNC. For the first time ever, the audiologist was able to test the microtic side using a little device connected to a head band that rested on his skull. Corbin did amazingly well for such a complicated hearing test. The audiologist put static in his good ear and isolated the side affected by Microtia. It was fascinating to see that there were certain sounds that Corbin could actually hear (albeit on a loud scale). He was instructed to push a big red button when he heard the bird chirping. I was sitting on the other side of the sound booth watching, and let's just say I was weepy. We know from previous cat scans that he doesn't have fully grown ear bones nor does he have an ear canal, and he never will. But to know that with a bone-anchored hearing aid in his future and his new cosmetic ear he will actually hear a range of sounds makes me so happy. When we fly out to L.A. for the big day in July I will make every effort to update this blog so that all of Corbin's supporters can follow along. Thanks to everybody who has contributed, prayed, or just simply visited this site!!!! It means the world to us.

This is my special "peanut" ear. I was born with Microtia-Anotia on the left side and mild Hemifacial Microsomia (asymmetry). Microtia occurs in about 1 of every 8,000 births. Because of its rarity, there are few doctors who are familiar with the congenital ear deformity.  Even my own pediatrician has never had a Microtia patient in all of his practicing years. I truly am one-of-a-kind! My family is working very hard to make a reconstructive surgery possible this summer. My date is July 13th, 2011. The surgeon we have chosen is world-renowned Dr. Reinisch, the pioneer of MEDPOR reconstruction for the outer ear.  It offers a synthetic framework (like an implant) but is covered with the body's own tissue and is fed by my blood supply. It will be hard for the average eye to notice that it isn't a "real" ear when it's all finished and healed. I'm excited, but my family needs help financially making the dream come true. Our insurance company has already sent us one denial and we're now in the appeal process, but historically plastic surgeries outside of the network have not been approved. Any donations you are willing to make toward my ear savings fund will be GREATLY appreciated. 

Please know that you will be giving me a gift, and it won't be tax deductible.  I deserve the right to two ears and my parents love me enough to humbly ask for support from family,friends, and strangers. Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day!

To make a contribution to Corbin's fund, make checks payable to:  

Matt and Heather Weeks

                       6 Minikahada Trail  Pinehurst, NC 28374

Or you can click on the donate button on either side of the page.