3RD-GRADER'S SMILE WARMS UP CHRISTMAS : 8-YEAR-OLD'S GRIN `GREATEST' PRESENT OF ALL, MOM SAYS.Byline: Bhavna Mistry Daily News Staff Writer Last Christmas, 8-year-old Chelsey Thomas was praying for a miracle; this year she's giving her parents a gift that will last them a lifetime. For the first time as Chelsey opens her Christmas gifts, she will smile. ``It's the greatest gift a parent could ask for,'' said Lori Thomas, Chelsey's mother. ``If I don't get anything else, it'll be a great Christmas.'' Born with a rare disease called Moebius syndrome in which cranial nerves Cranial nerves The set of twelve nerves found on each side of the head and neck that control the sensory and muscle functions of a number of organs such as the eyes, nose, tongue face and throat. that transmit signals to facial muscles facial muscles, n See muscles, facial. are missing, Chelsey could show no facial expression facial expression, n the use of the facial muscles to communicate or to convey mood. . But with the help of plastic surgeons at Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente is an integrated managed care organization, based in Oakland, California, founded in 1945 by industrialist Henry J. Kaiser and physician Sidney R. Garfield. in Woodland Hills, and two surgeries in December 1995 and April, Chelsey has a new gift to offer the world. ``I'm finally able to smile,'' said Chelsey. ``People don't tease me anymore. They don't make fun of me now. I'm really happy.'' The first surgery removed muscle and nerve tissue nerve tissue n. A highly differentiated tissue composed of nerve cells, nerve fibers, dendrites, and neuroglia. from her leg and transplanted it to the left side of her face. The second surgery operated on the right side of her face and stretched the muscles in the corners of her mouth upward. Although Chelsey must consciously move her face muscles to form a smile, she's getting a lot of practice. For the past year, Chelsey has been treated like a celebrity: being picked up in limos, people recognizing her and asking for her autograph and everyone wanting to see her smile. She has received gifts and cards from around the world, including a birthday present from Tom Cruise. She's been on three television talk shows, visited New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of , ridden on the Goodyear blimp The Goodyear Blimp is the collective name for a fleet of blimps operated by Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company for advertising purposes and for use as a television camera platform for aerial views of sporting events. , had hundreds of photos taken of her and celebrated a birthday at Disneyland. Later this year she's going to appear on the People '96 edition of People Magazine and Reader's Digest Reader's Digest U.S.-based monthly magazine. Founded by DeWitt and Lila Wallace, it was first published in 1922 as a digest of articles of topical interest and entertainment value condensed from other periodicals. is working on a story about her. ``I like having my picture taken,'' Chelsey said. Locally, Chelsey will be honored Saturday when she serves as the grand marshal Grand Marshal is a ceremonial, military, or political office of very high rank. The term has its origins with the word "Marshal" with the first usage of the term "Grand Marshal" as a ceremonial title for certain religious orders. at the Palmdale Christmas Parade, whose theme is ``Miles of Holiday Smiles.'' The parade starts at 10 a.m. and runs from 11th Street East to 20th Street East along Palmdale Boulevard. The Summerwind Elementary School third-grader finds her celebrity status a warmup for one day when she wants to become an actress - or maybe a doctor. Currently she performs with an Antelope Valley children's theater group and will be appearing in a production in February. But she also has plans to become a doctor when she grows up. ``I want to be a pediatrician,'' Chelsey said. ``I like to work with kids.'' While Chelsey had no more operations scheduled, she does have to go in for checkups. She also wears braces, which will help complete her smile. ``We've been waiting years for this,'' said Chelsey's mom. ``But it's well worth it. She can smile now and she smiles all the time. It's a great gift.'' CAPTION(S): Photo Photo: (Color only in AV edition) Chelsey Thomas, 8, with her mom, Lori, will lead the Palmdale Christmas Parade. Jeff Goldwater/Daily News |
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