Baby Brody, born with a rare condition that split his face in two, is set for a $15,000 surgery in Dallas to begin life-changing reconstruction.
Nearly one year after his birth, 11-month-old Brody Shain is preparing for a surgery that doctors hope will bring together the two halves of his face. Brody was born with a severe bilateral cleft lip and palate, as well as encephalocele, which caused his brain tissue to grow through the roof of his mouth.
The rare condition affects about one in 100,000 births and requires him to be fed through a tube. Pediatric plastic surgeon Dr. Jeffrey Fearon will perform the first of several operations at Medical City Children’s Hospital in Dallas, with an out-of-pocket cost of $15,000. A GoFundMe has been launched to support the family, who say the surgery is a crucial step toward helping Brody breathe, eat and grow without constant barriers.