Nadia Ilse, 14, received free plastic surgery from the Little Baby Face Foundation and Dr. Thomas Romo, III

Nadia Ilse before and after facial plastic surgery for her ears, nose and chin.

Nadia Ilse is the 14-year old recipient of free plastic and reconstructive surgery from the Little Baby Face Foundation (LBFF). Nadia was born with hemifacial microsomia, a condition that creates asymmetry in the face due to abnormal growth in bones, muscles and nerves. It is progressive and worsens with age. Nadia also had a deviated septum, and ears that stuck way out and were also missing the normal folds within the lobe. She was bullied so much in school she often cried herself to sleep and even considered suicide.

“Kids used to ask me what was wrong with my nose,” said Nadia. “That hurt my feelings a lot. They made fun of my ears and called me names like, ‘Dumbo.’ My chin was off and not symmetrical. When I smiled it looked weird. I always thought I had a horrible smile. Kids were so mean that there were lots of times I faked headaches so I didn’t have to go to school.”

She was afraid to burden her single mother, Lynda, who already had her hands full. She was laid off from work and unable to find a new job she was also tending to Nadia’s younger brother with special needs (Cerebral Palsy, developmental delays and pulmonary valve stenosis.) When the emotional pain became absolutely overwhelming, Nadia begged her mother for help. Sadly they did not have money for surgery. Lynda went online, found LBFF and filled out the application on the website. They were both thrilled when Nadia was chosen from thousands of applications.

Nadia Ilse was born with hemifacial microsomia, a condition that affects bone, muscle, fat and nerves of the face.

Dr. Thomas Romo, III, the founder and president of LBFF, provided all of the surgeries for free. Dr. Romo is the Director of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at North Shore–LIJ Lenox Hill Hospital and The Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital in New York City.

The foundation paid for Nadia and her mother to travel to New York City and arranged for their free stay at Ronald McDonald House. LBFF also provided money for food and medically related expenses.

If Nadia had gone to a private plastic surgeon her surgeries would have cost $40,000. Because they were provided pro bono by Dr. Romo they cost nothing.

After her LBFF-provided surgery, Nadia was a guest on a handful of TV shows including ABC’s Good Morning AmericaCNN, and Nightline. Videos went viral and viewers posted comments all across the web. Most were supportive and enthusiastic but a few criticized Nadia and her mother for not being “tough enough” to stand up to bullies.

I asked Nadia and her mother, Lynda, if Nadia would be willing to discuss her experiences. They both graciously agreed.

Dorri Olds: What was it like returning to school after you’d been on TV and talked about being bullied?

Nadia Ilse: Wow. That was like, um, nerve wracking.

Do you remember how you were feeling?

I was excited, but also nervous people would criticize me. One person did but overall it went a lot better than I thought it would. A lot of people made me feel better about myself. They said, “We’re glad you’re happy now and that you feel better about yourself.”

What about the kids that had bullied you?

Of the people that had been mean to me before, most ignored me or paid no attention at all. Some of the kids who had been bullies were a lot nicer. The yearbook committee said they wanted to interview me for the yearbook. That’s very exciting.

Were your teachers aware that you were being bullied at school?

No, I hadn’t told any of them. I was afraid to make it worse.

Did your Mom know how tough it had gotten for you in school?

I didn’t really tell her either because I didn’t want to worry her. Sometimes I would cry myself to sleep but I tried to be quiet or put my face in a pillow so she wouldn’t hear.

Nadia Ilse

Are you close with your Mom?

Yes, my mom and I have always been so close. We couldn’t be any closer. I love her a lot. She is great.

Did she help you with the negative comments that a lot of people were posting online?

My mom told me not to look at the criticism so I stayed away from any negative comments. I didn’t want anything to get in the way of how good I was feeling.

What are some of the changes you’ve experienced now?

I’m opening up more. I went to my first dance and went with friends. I wasn’t too shy to dance. I’d never gone to a dance before. I would’ve stood in a corner.

Did your brother say anything about the surgery?

He says I look different and tells me I look pretty. I’m really happy that I got it done. I had a deviated septum. Now I can breathe so much better. Everything that Dr. Romo did was medically necessary.

He told you that you had a condition called hemifacial microsomia. Did you know what that was?

No. But I know now that is why my jaw and chin were crooked. He was really nice to tell me that after he fixed my ears it might draw attention to my chin and he explained to me about my deviated septum.

Did you feel well cared for during your stay in New York City?

I’m so glad he took good care of me. Dr. Romo, Diane Romo and Michele Orzo were all so amazing. They were really friendly and made my mom and I feel like we were honored guests, like we were part of their family.

What was it like when you saw your face the first time after the surgery?

It was swollen. They told me ahead of time that it would be swollen so I wasn’t scared at all.

Has it been fun to see articles written about you and see yourself on TV?

Yeah! A talent agency called us. Mom said yes about modeling! It’s so exciting.

Nadia Ilse enjoying her new life. “I can breathe so much better. Dr. Romo fixed my deviated septum!”