San Fernando Valley : Surgery Set for Girl With Rare Disorder
Two days before Thanksgiving, 7-year-old Chelsey Thomas of Palmdale was scheduled to undergo surgery that, if successful, would have eventually allowed her to smile her first smile.
She was born with a rare condition known as Moebius syndrome, which causes partial paralysis of the facial muscles. Surgery was postponed at the last minute because a fever blister posed a risk, but now it has been rescheduled for Dec. 15 at Kaiser Permanente’s Woodland Hills Medical Center.
“She should be up and about before Christmas, which we’re very happy about,” said Chelsey’s mother, Lori Thomas.
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