[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 138 (Tuesday, September 29, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2395]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     CRANIOFACIAL ACCEPTANCE MONTH

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                             HON. MIKE ROSS

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 29, 2009

  Mr. ROSS. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to share my support and 
acknowledgement of September as Craniofacial Acceptance Month.
  Each year, approximately 100,000 children are born in the United 
States with some form of facial disfigurement. In many cases, 
reconstructive surgeons can correct these problems early--often while 
the children are still infants. In other cases, however, reconstruction 
is not as easy or even possible.
  The Children's Craniofacial Association (CCA) is an organization that 
supports these children and their families. Nationally and 
internationally, CCA addresses the medical, financial, psychosocial, 
emotional, and educational concerns relating to craniofacial 
conditions. CCA's mission is to empower and give hope to individuals 
and families affected by facial differences. I am honored to 
acknowledge that 2009 marks their 20th anniversary and am pleased to 
share my support and thanks for their designation of September as 
Craniofacial Acceptance Month.
  In 2001, my constituent Wendelyn Osborne brought the craniofacial 
disorders issue to my attention. At a young age, Wendelyn was diagnosed 
with Craniometaphyseal Dysplasia (CMD). CMD is a rare disorder that 
affects only 200 people worldwide. Specifically, CMD involves an 
overgrowth of bone which never deteriorates. In Ms. Osborne's case, 
this caused an abnormal appearance, bilateral facial paralysis and 
deafness. Other cases can include those characteristics, as well as 
blindness and joint pain. Wendelyn has undergone many extensive 
reconstructive surgeries to counteract the medical difficulties that 
comprise her disorder.
  Unfortunately, the majority of reconstructive surgeries, such as 
those Wendelyn has undergone, are not covered by insurance companies. 
Rather, many of them are treated as strictly cosmetic. As a result, 
individuals are forced to fight their insurance companies just to 
receive the life-saving surgeries they need. The fact that these 
surgeries have been grouped in the same ``cosmetic'' category as 
surgeries that simply make people look better or younger is a tragedy.
  It is my hope that further education and understanding of 
craniofacial disorders will allow our nation to move forward and update 
existing laws to better meet the medical needs of those needing 
reconstructive, not cosmetic, surgery. I urge my colleagues--especially 
in a year focused on health care reform--to join in this effort and 
help recognize these conditions through Craniofacial Acceptance Month 
so that all Americans can access the care they need.

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