For 22 years, Harrison “Gray” Canales has ignored medical challenges and is planning a bright future with a brand new nose. It’s definitely a big accomplishment.
Gray Canales is one of two sons of John and Mary Jo Canales of Flower Mound, Texas.
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Unexpected news from ultrasound
John and Mary Jo found out they were pregnant with their first child in 2001, and everything seemed to be going well until the day of their ultrasound at 20 weeks.mary jo said people“The technicians took longer and longer, and then they sent for the doctor. At that point, we knew something was going on.” Still, they weren’t prepared for the news the doctor gave them. did not.
Doctors told the couple that their noses were not visible in the images. They did not expect the baby to breathe on his own and feared he would not survive. Additional tests confirmed that baby Canales did indeed have no nose, problems with his legs and feet, and was likely to be born with some degree of brain damage.
Gray Canales Medical Challenges
For John and Mary Jo, a pastor and church secretary respectively, terminating the pregnancy was not an option.mary jo told the people“We thought, “This baby is still our gift and our joy. You never turn down a gift.” But I kept crying, wondering if I would ever see my son again. I didn’t understand.”
Born five weeks early via emergency C-section, Gray faced numerous medical challenges. As expected, Gray was born with no nose and no eyelids. Gray’s little feet are bent more than 90 degrees, his toes are missing, and he was born with his right frontal lobe missing.
This limited his left side mobility. However, the baby was able to breathe on his own and he was even discharged from the NICU after just one week.
Caring for Gray after he returned home required a great deal of time and energy. The couple moved their son’s legs, cleaned his nose, dressed him and kept his eyes moist until he was given surgical eyelids at six months old.
Nearly 30 surgeries
Gray Canales is now 22 years old and has undergone nearly 30 surgeries. His nose reconstruction alone involved 11 people. Despite all this, Gray is a healthy and happy young man. He enjoys playing baseball, listening to music, and helping out at church.
His parents homeschooled Gray, and he grew up with the same friends he made during his childhood. His close-knit church community provided him with stability and an abundance of love.gray share“I watch movies and play video games with my friends. No one has ever treated me any differently.”
John and Mary Jo are like other parents
Although John and Mary Jo have worked tirelessly to provide their son with the best possible “normal” education, they do not claim to be special.John said“They say, ‘God gives special needs children to special parents,’ but we were just dealing with day-to-day events like any other parent.”
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Similarly, Gray’s parents instilled in their son determination and resilience. “We taught him not to feel sorry for himself,” Pastor Canales said, because many others face obstacles as well. We said to him, “God made you this way.” That’s all. ‘”
total nose reconstruction
Gray Canales has two more surgeries left. He underwent full nose reconstruction surgery, which is a very rare and complicated process. During the process, Mr. Gray had rib cartilage and thigh skin grafted, and a skin expander was inserted into his forehead to create extra skin for reconstructive surgery.
Dr. James Thornton“Very few people have had to have a full nasal reconstruction, just to create a foundation,” said Gray, a reconstructive surgeon at UT Southwestern Medical Center. [required] Skin tissue was transplanted from his arm in an 11-hour surgery. Very difficult. “
Soon, the difficult process of creating Gray’s nose will be completely completed. Gray wants to have a nose like his paternal grandfather’s. He is an artist from New York. “I can’t wait for my life to no longer be interrupted by surgery. I can finally start making plans for the future,” said Gray.
His plans include getting job training at the Texas Labor Commission. Gray wants to help people with disabilities cope with everyday challenges.
John and Mary Jo have “done through their savings” over the years to pay for Gray’s medical bills, but have no regrets. If you would like to donate to Grey’s Nose Reconstruction Fund, please check below. His GoFundMe.
“Blessed are those who endure trials, for they will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12
This article was first published GodTube.com. Used with permission.
Image credits: YouTube/American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
Hally is a freelance writer, blogger, and mental health advocate. Harry, a former school counselor, works for a nonprofit that distributes tax dollars to mental health and preventive education providers that serve the county’s children and families. She contributes to devotional groups and her two essay groups, and shares resources and wisdom on parenting teens, mental health, faith, adoption, and more at her http://www.hallyjwells. com, where we strive to “Dig Deep and Reach High.” . ” She and her husband have three adult children of her own and a ferocious beagle of her own. Harry loves traveling, his book club sisters, personality tests, and good iced tea.
