Charlotte Rose Ponce is a ten year old girl from West Michigan. Like most girls her age, she enjoys having tea parties, playing dress up and with dolls. And, like most girls her age, she’s becoming self-conscious about her appearance. Charlotte doesn’t have typical concerns about her appearance.
As an infant, Charlotte was attacked by a pet raccoon in her crib. She barely survived the attack, and spent months in the hospital before release. The animal had eaten away her nose, right ear, part of her lips and cheekbones. Fortunately, her bright blue eyes remained untouched. She and her brother, Marshall, were removed from the home and put into foster care with her great aunt and uncle while the parents were investigated. Nearly three years later, the state formally removed parental rights and Tim and Sharon Ponce, the children’s great aunt and uncle, adopted the children.
Charlotte has already gone through half a dozen painful reconstructive surgeries. Skin grafts from her forehead helped to replace some of the scar tissue between her eye and nose. A very painful surgery in which posts were drilled into her skull to mount prosthetic ear and nose pieces was unsuccessful. Her facial tissue became inflamed and would try to heal over them. Eventually, one of the posts intended to hold the prosthetic nose in place was dislodged and pushed out by tissues trying to heal themselves. Her prosthetic ear posts are perpetually infected. Earlier this year, they were capped in hopes that this would help them heal. One of the post continues to be an irritant.
A couple of months ago, Sharon Ponce learned of a surgeon in Eastern Michigan who specialized in reconstructive surgeries. When she contacted him, she found he had recently performed a successful nose reconstruction for a Honduran boy. Charlotte has been there for consultation twice and her first surgery is scheduled in August 2012. The surgeon will complete the first phase of her nose reconstruction and will restore her upper lip. The surgery will be her longest ever, lasting 6-8 hours, and will require a week stay in the local hospital.
I live in the Grand Rapids area and remember hearing about Charlotte back when she was first injured. I’m so happy to see her growing up to be a normal little 10 year old girl. I can’t offer any help financially, but I will be praying for her recovery and that she realizes that no matter what her outside looks like, what’s important is the beauty inside (I’m sure she knows this better than most of us!) I will share Charlotte’s story with my friends and family.
Alaine, thank you for the prayers and kind words. Charlotte truly is a beautiful little girl, very strong and determined. We’ll keep everyone posted on the progress as she goes through the upcoming surgeries.
she is very lucky little girl to be alvive after a terriable attack
Yes, she is! And we are very thankful for that. By the grace of God, we know that her bright blue eyes were left unscathed in the attack, too.
I am so excited to be able to follow her transformation. I will keep her good health in my prayers.
Thank you for the prayers, Jenny!
You’ve been nominated for the One Lovely Blog Award! I hope it helps spread the word about this blog and Charlotte’s cause. Please check it out:
http://ohshecooks.com/2012/08/01/one-lovely-blog-award/
Thank you so much! I actually already checked out your blog when you first followed it. I’m always looking for great recipes. Not disciplined enough to be vegan, but I do enjoy vegan recipes a couple nights per week. /// Amber
It’s not for everyone, but I hope you find something for your occasional vegan meals
I don’t know if you clicked on the link, but the “award” is more like a networking thing. After I posted mine today, I got more hits than I’ve had since I started my blog almost 2 months ago. Although I have a feeling you’re going to get a lot more attention once that interview is in the Press. Good luck!
I would like to see if I could get a mini freezer donated and fill it with popsicles for her when she gets home. Would you be opposed if I could pull it off? Let me know. You can email me.
Kim
Hi Kim, what a creative and sweet idea. You may absolutely see if you can arrange this. If it doesn’t work out, it still would be a great idea to stock up the family freezer with some popsicles for her to enjoy when she is home.
Awesome! I just didn’t want to get something that the family didn’t have room for or didn’t want. I will work on this….no guarantees, but my friends all know that I don’t give up easily when it’s something I believe in :0) I think I read that Charlotte’s favorite popsicle it the “Rocket, Red, White and Blue ones right?”
Kim
I would love to sent her a card! I hope everything goes well
Absolutely, you can send one to PO Box 397, Fruitport, MI 49415. She may have to be at the hospital up to 10 days now, but we’ll be holding all her mail for when she returns.
praying for this amazing little girl! she is blessed to have such loving parents!
Thank you! She is very blessed to also have so many people across the country praying for her.
In awe of this beautiful young lady and her wonderful family. Sending strength during her recovery. Cheers to you, Miss Charlotte! You are an inspiration.
What an amazing young girl!!!
Such an amazing story and I am so happy to know she had such wonderful people in her life to take care of her. My prayers are with you all!
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I just wanted to tell you that you are an amazing young lady! I know you were to little to remember but you used to come to my house to visit and after your accident we (me and my husband) came to the hospital everyday and sat with you for hours until they wouldnt let us in anymore…I have always wondered about how you were doing and am glad that I have found you again! Im glad that you are doing so well and would like to say…Im really glad that I got to meet such an amazing person!
Hi charlotte. We miss you, cant wait till you get home. We love you and miss you very much. I think boss misses you to. See you tomorrow. Love the allen family. Hi charlotte it is aleanna your best friend i miss you so much i cant wait till you get home it feels like for ever i cant stand not seeing you love you so much love aleanna love you so much
Wishing you and your family all the best. Our prayers will go out to you as we wish your speedy recovery… Stay strong…
Charlotte,
I have a daughter, Rachel, who is 10 years old and another, Lauren, who is 8. They both want to pray for you as you go through these surgeries and recoveries. God must have a very special plan for you. Hope you are able to run around again very soon!
Thank you Ann, Rachel and Lauren for your thoughts and prayers.
Charlotte,
You truly are amazing! I’m 30 years old and I wish I had even an ounce of your bravery! You really are a beautiful girl! I’m praying for a speedy recovery.
Miss Charlotte , you will heal, you will look the way you want to, and lead the life you want to. It will take a little more time. You will be an inspiration to others with your story that you will tell to many. You are beautiful now! And you are loved, by those that know you, and us that don’t. Keep that smile going. I’m praying for you.
Krissy in Livonia, MI