{"id":17372,"date":"2022-11-23T11:10:36","date_gmt":"2022-11-23T16:10:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.myface.org\/?page_id=17372"},"modified":"2023-03-15T15:34:42","modified_gmt":"2023-03-15T19:34:42","slug":"alifetransformed","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.myface.org\/es\/alifetransformed\/","title":{"rendered":"A Life Transformed: Ava Beeler&#8217;s Story"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid bg-position-left-mobile\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-12\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"rs-p-wp-fix\"><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<sr7-module data-alias=\"home-slider-narrow-1\" data-id=\"15\" id=\"SR7_15_1\" class=\"rs-ov-hidden\" data-version=\"6.7.51\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<sr7-adjuster><\/sr7-adjuster>\n\t\t\t\t\t<sr7-content>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<sr7-slide id=\"SR7_15_1-117\" data-key=\"117\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<sr7-txt id=\"SR7_15_1-117-6\" class=\"sr7-layer\">A Life <br \/>\nTransformed: <br \/>\nAva Beeler's Story<\/sr7-txt>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<sr7-txt id=\"SR7_15_1-117-10\" class=\"sr7-layer\">As told by Stephanie Paul, <br \/>\nmyFace Executive Director<\/sr7-txt>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<sr7-txt id=\"SR7_15_1-117-11\" class=\"sr7-layer\">|<\/sr7-txt>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a id=\"SR7_15_1-117-12\" class=\"sr7-layer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.myface.org\/annualappeal2022\/\" target=\"_self\">DONATE TODAY TO TRANSFORM THE LIVES OF KIDS LIKE AVA.<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<sr7-txt id=\"SR7_15_1-117-22\" class=\"sr7-layer\"><\/sr7-txt>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/sr7-slide>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<sr7-slide id=\"SR7_15_1-124\" data-key=\"124\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/sr7-slide>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/sr7-content>\n\t\t\t\t\t<image_lists style=\"display:none\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img data-src=\"\/\/www.myface.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/online-groups-header.jpg\" width=\"0\" height=\"0\" data-dbsrc=\"Ly93d3cubXlmYWNlLm9yZy93cC1jb250ZW50L3VwbG9hZHMvMjAyMC8wNC9vbmxpbmUtZ3JvdXBzLWhlYWRlci5qcGc=\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img data-src=\"\/\/www.myface.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Annual-Appeal-Large.jpg\" data-libid=\"14829\" data-lib=\"medialibrary\" title=\"Annual Appeal Large\" width=\"0\" height=\"0\" data-dbsrc=\"Ly93d3cubXlmYWNlLm9yZy93cC1jb250ZW50L3VwbG9hZHMvMjAyMS8xMS9Bbm51YWwtQXBwZWFsLUxhcmdlLmpwZw==\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img data-src=\"\/\/www.myface.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/wonder-project-title-op1.png\" data-libid=\"12332\" data-lib=\"medialibrary\" title=\"wonder-project-title-op1\" width=\"0\" height=\"0\" data-dbsrc=\"Ly93d3cubXlmYWNlLm9yZy93cC1jb250ZW50L3VwbG9hZHMvMjAyMC8xMi93b25kZXItcHJvamVjdC10aXRsZS1vcDEucG5n\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img data-src=\"\/\/www.myface.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/wonder-project-new-header-bg.png\" data-libid=\"12334\" data-lib=\"medialibrary\" title=\"wonder-project-new-header-bg\" width=\"0\" height=\"0\" data-dbsrc=\"Ly93d3cubXlmYWNlLm9yZy93cC1jb250ZW50L3VwbG9hZHMvMjAyMC8xMi93b25kZXItcHJvamVjdC1uZXctaGVhZGVyLWJnLnBuZw==\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img data-src=\"\/\/www.myface.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/myface-welcomebaby-logos-web.png\" data-libid=\"12462\" data-lib=\"medialibrary\" title=\"myface-welcomebaby-logos-web\" width=\"0\" height=\"0\" data-dbsrc=\"Ly93d3cubXlmYWNlLm9yZy93cC1jb250ZW50L3VwbG9hZHMvMjAyMS8wMS9teWZhY2Utd2VsY29tZWJhYnktbG9nb3Mtd2ViLnBuZw==\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img data-src=\"\/\/www.myface.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/summer-sky.jpg\" data-libid=\"10398\" data-lib=\"medialibrary\" title=\"summer-sky\" width=\"0\" height=\"0\" data-dbsrc=\"Ly93d3cubXlmYWNlLm9yZy93cC1jb250ZW50L3VwbG9hZHMvMjAyMC8wNy9zdW1tZXItc2t5LmpwZw==\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img data-src=\"\/\/www.myface.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/aa2022-graphics-border1.png\" data-libid=\"17382\" data-lib=\"medialibrary\" title=\"aa2022-graphics-border1\" width=\"0\" height=\"0\" data-dbsrc=\"Ly93d3cubXlmYWNlLm9yZy93cC1jb250ZW50L3VwbG9hZHMvMjAyMi8xMS9hYTIwMjItZ3JhcGhpY3MtYm9yZGVyMS5wbmc=\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img data-src=\"\/\/www.myface.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/aa2022-graphics-stephanie-ava-meet.png\" data-libid=\"17385\" data-lib=\"medialibrary\" title=\"aa2022-graphics-stephanie-ava-meet\" width=\"0\" height=\"0\" data-dbsrc=\"Ly93d3cubXlmYWNlLm9yZy93cC1jb250ZW50L3VwbG9hZHMvMjAyMi8xMS9hYTIwMjItZ3JhcGhpY3Mtc3RlcGhhbmllLWF2YS1tZWV0LnBuZw==\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img data-src=\"\/\/www.myface.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/celebrates-banner.jpg\" data-libid=\"15417\" data-lib=\"medialibrary\" title=\"celebrates-banner\" width=\"0\" height=\"0\" data-dbsrc=\"Ly93d3cubXlmYWNlLm9yZy93cC1jb250ZW50L3VwbG9hZHMvMjAyMi8wMy9jZWxlYnJhdGVzLWJhbm5lci5qcGc=\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/image_lists>\n\t\t\t\t<\/sr7-module>\n\t\t\t\t<script>\n\t\t\t\t\twindow.SR7 ??={};SR7.PMH ??={}; SR7.PMH[\"SR7_15_1\"] = {cn:100,state:false,fn: function() { if (window._tpt!==undefined && window._tpt.prepareModuleHeight !== undefined) {  _tpt.prepareModuleHeight({id:\"SR7_15_1\",el:[500,500,508,560,450],type:'standard',shdw:'0',gh:[500,500,508,560,450],gw:[1140,1140,1024,778,480],vpt:['-100px&#039;,&#039;-100px&#039;,&#039;-100px&#039;,&#039;-100px&#039;,&#039;-100px'],size:{fullWidth:true, fullHeight:false},mh:'0',onh:0,onw:0,bg:{color:'{\"type\":\"solid\",\"orig\":\"#E9E9E9\",\"string\":\"rgba(233, 233, 233, 1)\"}'},plType:'4',plColor:'#FFFFFF'});   SR7.PMH[\"SR7_15_1\"].state=true;} else if(SR7.PMH[\"SR7_15_1\"].cn-->0)\tsetTimeout( SR7.PMH[\"SR7_15_1\"].fn,19);}};SR7.PMH[\"SR7_15_1\" ].fn();\n\t\t\t\t<\/script>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_row-o-equal-height vc_row-flex\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-10 vc_col-lg-offset-1 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-sm-offset-1\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<h5><\/h5>\n<h5><\/h5>\n<h5><span style=\"color: #eb2b94;\"><a style=\"color: #eb2b94;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.myface.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/myFace-Annual-Appeal-2022.pdf\">To download a PDF version of Ava&#8217;s story, click here.<\/a><\/span><\/h5>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"sd-large-text\" style=\"color: #000000;\">Recently, I had the pleasure of sitting down to speak with Ava Beeler, a vivacious and outgoing 19-year-old, to learn more about her journey and why myFace is so important to her. A sophomore at Manchester Community College in Connecticut, Ava loves to cook, bake, and spend time with her family. She\u2019s majoring in Human Services and hopes to one day be a therapist for young teens. On paper, Ava seems like a typical young woman her age, however, she is anything but typical.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"sd-large-text\" style=\"color: #000000;\">In fact, she\u2019s quite extraordinary.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"sd-large-text\" style=\"color: #000000;\">Ava was born with Pfeiffer Syndrome, a condition where her brain and skull were fused at birth, resulting in a cloverleaf skull, outward and prominent eyes, and hearing impairments. She also had a tracheostomy tube implanted at birth to help her breathe, which she had until she was 10 years old. Given her remarkable zest for life and infectious positive attitude, you would never guess that she has faced more adversity than most &#8211; including undergoing more than 30 surgeries in her young life.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"sd-large-text\" style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Imagine that. 30+ surgeries before you\u2019re 20? I can\u2019t.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"sd-large-text\" style=\"color: #000000;\">Ava feels fortunate though, and always credits myFace for playing such an integral role in her life. Ava\u2019s journey with myFace has encompassed everything from staying at the <strong><em>myFace Family Apartments<\/em><\/strong> during her numerous visits to the <em><strong>myFace Center for Craniofacial Care<\/strong><\/em>, and participating in our <em><strong>Support Groups<\/strong><\/em>. She shares her enthusiasm about myFace by helping to raise awareness for the craniofacial community by being a repeat guest on our <em><strong>myFace, myStory Podcast<\/strong><\/em>, and participating in community events like <strong><em>Races for Faces<\/em><\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p><span class=\"sd-large-text\" style=\"color: #000000;\">Ava\u2019s journey with myFace began with her first skull surgery at the myFace Center for Craniofacial Care at NYU Langone Health when she was 2 years old. Like most children with Pfeiffer Syndrome, Ava underwent a handful of surgeries between birth and the age of 10, including multiple skull surgeries, a midface advancement (Le Fort II surgery), and getting her tracheostomy tube removed, among other procedures. Ava shared with a chuckle,<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em><strong>\u201cI don\u2019t really remember a lot of the surgeries before the age of 10, which might be a good thing.\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/span>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_inner vc_row-fluid vc_row-o-content-middle vc_row-flex\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-4\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left wpb_content_element wpb_animate_when_almost_visible wpb_fadeInUp fadeInUp\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"413\" height=\"638\" src=\"https:\/\/www.myface.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/aa2022-graphics-ava-craniofacial-distractor.png\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-large\" alt=\"\" title=\"aa2022-graphics-ava-craniofacial-distractor\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.myface.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/aa2022-graphics-ava-craniofacial-distractor.png 413w, https:\/\/www.myface.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/aa2022-graphics-ava-craniofacial-distractor-194x300.png 194w, https:\/\/www.myface.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/aa2022-graphics-ava-craniofacial-distractor-8x12.png 8w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 413px) 100vw, 413px\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-8\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p><span class=\"sd-large-text\" style=\"color: #000000;\">Instead, what she remembers most from those early years is being upset whenever she had to miss school for long periods of time due to procedures and recoveries. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"sd-large-text\" style=\"color: #000000;\">While talking about the difficulties of her childhood, I was struck by Ava\u2019s sense of humor, lightheartedness, and unyielding optimism. Ava credits her parents, Laura and Malcolm, for fostering such a supportive and empowering environment. Her facial difference and medical issues were never the focal point of her upbringing or their conversations.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em><strong>\u201cMy parents never told me that they felt bad for me for having a trach or for undergoing so many surgeries\u2026 they would tell me instead that I was the bravest kid in the world, and that they were proud of me. So I never felt different, or like a victim, and I never felt that having Pfeiffer Syndrome was a bad thing.\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/span>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_inner vc_row-fluid vc_row-o-content-middle vc_row-flex\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-8\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p><span class=\"sd-large-text\" style=\"color: #000000;\">Ava and her parents\u2019 \u201cmatter-of-fact\u201d attitude towards her surgeries, trach, and other medical issues was the reason why Ava was never embarrassed by being the only student at school with a nurse.<strong><em> \u201cWhen my nurse needed to suction my trach or take me to the restroom, it was just what needed to be done, and not a big deal.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"sd-large-text\" style=\"color: #000000;\">Ava\u2019s nurse also encouraged her to socialize with other kids at school instead of sitting next to her, making Ava feel like an independent, normal student. She added, <strong><em>\u201csometimes kids at school or people in town might have questions about my trach, for example, but I would answer simply that it helps me breathe. And that was that!\u201d <\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"sd-large-text\" style=\"color: #000000;\">Like most people with Pfeiffer Syndrome, when Ava turned 16, she had to undergo additional surgeries, as her face and jaw were fully developed. Unfortunately though, for Ava, this busy period of painful treatment and long recoveries also coincided with the height of the pandemic, which came with its own struggles and isolation.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-4\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_center wpb_content_element wpb_animate_when_almost_visible wpb_fadeInUp fadeInUp\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"vc_single_image-img \" src=\"https:\/\/www.myface.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/aa2022-graphics-ava-parents-400x500.png\" width=\"400\" height=\"500\" alt=\"aa2022-graphics-ava-parents\" title=\"aa2022-graphics-ava-parents\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p><span class=\"sd-large-text\" style=\"color: #000000;\">For the first time during our conversation, Ava didn\u2019t smile much while speaking about this time in her life, sharing, <\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em><strong>\u201cI know that I\u2019m bubbly and happy, but I\u2019ve been through depression and PTSD from operations. Those feelings are real, and I know a lot of people in the craniofacial community have them. Over the years, through therapy, I\u2019ve learned to accept that it\u2019s okay to have a hard day, it\u2019s okay that surgeries are hard. I\u2019ve learned that it\u2019s okay to accept all my feelings, whatever they may be. They pass, and when they pass, you come out stronger.\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/span>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_inner vc_row-fluid vc_row-o-content-middle vc_row-flex\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-3\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left wpb_content_element wpb_animate_when_almost_visible wpb_fadeInUp fadeInUp\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"488\" height=\"713\" src=\"https:\/\/www.myface.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/aa2022-graphics-ava-child.png\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"\" title=\"aa2022-graphics-ava-child\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.myface.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/aa2022-graphics-ava-child.png 488w, https:\/\/www.myface.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/aa2022-graphics-ava-child-205x300.png 205w, https:\/\/www.myface.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/aa2022-graphics-ava-child-8x12.png 8w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 488px) 100vw, 488px\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-9\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p><span class=\"sd-large-text\" style=\"color: #000000;\">I asked Ava if she was able to share these feelings with her friends, and she explained that it is difficult to talk to the public about craniofacial surgeries because, while a lot of her surgeries are considered \u201cplastic surgery,\u201d they are much more involved than just being cosmetic procedures. They are done for medical reasons, to help with daily &#8211; yet critical &#8211; functions, such as breathing, chewing, and swallowing. It was during this time as a teenager that Ava joined myFace\u2019s Adolescent Support Group. For the first time, she had a community of other kids like her who had struggled with the same things she had and could truly understand how she felt.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"sd-large-text\" style=\"color: #000000;\">Not only did she connect with the kids in this group, but the young adult facilitator, Eric Riklin, is also a myFace community member born with Crouzon Syndrome. Ava\u2019s participation in this group sparked her interest in becoming a therapist herself someday. <em><strong>\u201cEric was a source of inspiration for me and such a powerful mentor.\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p><span class=\"sd-large-text\" style=\"color: #000000;\">Last year, Ava had her final major procedure &#8211; orthognathic surgery, also known as jaw surgery or Le Fort III surgery. <em><strong>\u201cThe last operation was the worst. My face was so swollen, and after it healed, I looked so different\u2026 But I realized that I just had to sit and deal with my emotions and not push them away. I was in a sad place for a while\u2026 I had to get to know myself again.\u201d<\/strong><\/em> I am so glad that Ava was able to turn to myFace\u2019s Adult Support Group, where she could continue to make connections with even more of the myFace community, who can help her as she transitions into adulthood.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_row-o-equal-height vc_row-flex\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-10 vc_col-lg-offset-1 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-sm-offset-1\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><div class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_inner vc_row-fluid vc_custom_1637014099117 vc_row-has-fill vc_row-o-equal-height vc_row-o-content-middle vc_row-flex\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-2 vc_col-lg-offset-0 vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs vc_col-has-fill\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner vc_custom_1605300133977\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><div class=\"sd-icon-box sd-icon-box-left \" style=\"padding-left: 100px;\">\r\n\t<i class=\"fa fa-quote-left\" style=\"font-size: 100px;color: #ffffff;\"><\/i>\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-7 vc_col-lg-offset-1 vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em><strong>\u201cI love myFace. I meet people that are younger than me and older than me\u2026 But we still share so much. Above all, there is always much love and respect.\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_row-o-equal-height vc_row-flex\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-10 vc_col-lg-offset-1 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-sm-offset-1\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><div class=\"vc_empty_space\"   style=\"height: 20px\"><span class=\"vc_empty_space_inner\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p><span class=\"sd-large-text\" style=\"color: #000000;\">Watching Ava blossom and use her voice to support and empower others at our 10th Anniversary Races for Faces this past September &#8211; was an inspirational moment that moved the crowd to tears. She proclaimed, <em><strong>\u201cEach and every person with a facial difference is special and worth celebrating!\u201d<\/strong> <\/em>And then, in typical Ava fashion, she led a dance party from the stage!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_inner vc_row-fluid vc_row-o-content-middle vc_row-flex\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-6\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<blockquote><p>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em><strong>\u201cPlenty of times I\u2019ve wondered why I was born this way. But I don\u2019t think of it negatively. I think I was born this way to raise awareness &#8211; I may look different, but that\u2019s okay, I\u2019m just like everyone else. I love to share my story and help younger kids going through the same things\u2026 to give messages of hope and joy.\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/span>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-6\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_center wpb_content_element wpb_animate_when_almost_visible wpb_fadeInUp fadeInUp\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"563\" height=\"563\" src=\"https:\/\/www.myface.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/aa2022-graphics-ava-races-for-faces.png\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-large\" alt=\"\" title=\"aa2022-graphics-ava-races-for-faces\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.myface.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/aa2022-graphics-ava-races-for-faces.png 563w, https:\/\/www.myface.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/aa2022-graphics-ava-races-for-faces-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.myface.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/aa2022-graphics-ava-races-for-faces-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.myface.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/aa2022-graphics-ava-races-for-faces-12x12.png 12w, https:\/\/www.myface.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/aa2022-graphics-ava-races-for-faces-189x189.png 189w, https:\/\/www.myface.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/aa2022-graphics-ava-races-for-faces-85x85.png 85w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 563px) 100vw, 563px\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p><span class=\"sd-large-text\" style=\"color: #000000;\">Towards the end of our time together, Ava asked me why I think so many people with facial differences struggle. I answered that perhaps it is because they didn\u2019t have the same emotional support growing up as she did, or the same type of community. With wisdom beyond her years and her trademark compassion, she declared:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_row-o-equal-height vc_row-flex\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-10 vc_col-lg-offset-1 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-sm-offset-1\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><div class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_inner vc_row-fluid vc_custom_1637014099117 vc_row-has-fill vc_row-o-equal-height vc_row-o-content-middle vc_row-flex\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-2 vc_col-lg-offset-0 vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs vc_col-has-fill\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner vc_custom_1605300133977\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><div class=\"sd-icon-box sd-icon-box-left \" style=\"padding-left: 100px;\">\r\n\t<i class=\"fa fa-quote-left\" style=\"font-size: 100px;color: #ffffff;\"><\/i>\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-7 vc_col-lg-offset-1 vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<h3><em>\u201cThe mission of myFace is so important. Reaching kids all across the country with differences &#8211; especially those who aren\u2019t in a positive environment and who don\u2019t have access to support from a comprehensive care team. I see that as THE important mission for myFace. I know firsthand the difference that it can make.\u201d<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_row-o-equal-height vc_row-flex\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-10 vc_col-lg-offset-1 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-sm-offset-1\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><div class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_inner vc_row-fluid vc_row-o-content-middle vc_row-flex\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-6\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p><span class=\"sd-large-text\" style=\"color: #000000;\">Ava hopes that in five years she will be working with myFace as a therapist and be a part of that same support system that she relies on. <strong>Ava &#8211; I would love that!<\/strong> The entire team at myFace is so excited to see how you continue to spread joy and compassion, and how you use your voice to advocate for our myFace family and the larger craniofacial community for years to come.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"sd-large-text\" style=\"color: #000000;\">There are thousands more individuals across the country like Ava that still need our help. By making a donation to myFace today, you can help ensure that other kids like Ava have the same access to the critical resources, care and support they need &#8211; and deserve.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>And that they never feel alone.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-6\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_center wpb_content_element wpb_animate_when_almost_visible wpb_fadeInUp fadeInUp\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"450\" height=\"638\" src=\"https:\/\/www.myface.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/aa2022-graphics-ava-adult.png\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-large\" alt=\"\" title=\"aa2022-graphics-ava-adult\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.myface.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/aa2022-graphics-ava-adult.png 450w, https:\/\/www.myface.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/aa2022-graphics-ava-adult-212x300.png 212w, https:\/\/www.myface.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/aa2022-graphics-ava-adult-8x12.png 8w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"vc_btn3-container vc_btn3-center vc_custom_1670363309329 vc_do_btn\" ><a class=\"vc_general vc_btn3 vc_btn3-size-lg vc_btn3-shape-round vc_btn3-style-classic vc_btn3-color-turquoise\" href=\"https:\/\/www.myface.org\/annualappeal2022\" title=\"Give today so that we can transform the lives of more kids like Ava!\">DONATE TODAY TO ENSURE EVERY CHILD RECEIVES THE SAME TRANSFORMATIVE CARE AS AVA!<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- Row Backgrounds --><div class=\"upb_color\" data-bg-override=\"0\" data-bg-color=\"#ffffff\" data-fadeout=\"\" data-fadeout-percentage=\"30\" data-parallax-content=\"\" data-parallax-content-sense=\"30\" data-row-effect-mobile-disable=\"true\" data-img-parallax-mobile-disable=\"true\" data-rtl=\"false\"  data-custom-vc-row=\"\"  data-vc=\"8.0\"  data-is_old_vc=\"\"  data-theme-support=\"enable\"   data-overlay=\"false\" data-overlay-color=\"\" data-overlay-pattern=\"\" data-overlay-pattern-opacity=\"\" data-overlay-pattern-size=\"\"    ><\/div><div class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-10 vc_col-lg-offset-1 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-sm-offset-1\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_center wpb_content_element\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.myface.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/aa2022-graphics-ava-timeline.png\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"\" title=\"aa2022-graphics-ava-timeline\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.myface.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/aa2022-graphics-ava-timeline.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.myface.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/aa2022-graphics-ava-timeline-300x113.png 300w, https:\/\/www.myface.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/aa2022-graphics-ava-timeline-1024x384.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.myface.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/aa2022-graphics-ava-timeline-768x288.png 768w, https:\/\/www.myface.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/aa2022-graphics-ava-timeline-18x7.png 18w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><a class=\"sd-more sd-all-trans\" href=\"https:\/\/www.myface.org\/es\/alifetransformed\/#more-17372\">Leer m\u00e1s<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":17385,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"full-width-page.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-17372","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>A Life Transformed: Ava Beeler&#039;s Story - myFace<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Ava Beeler, born with Pfeiffer Syndrome, has been with myFace since she was 2 years old. 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