Monday, August 20 2012 9:42 PM EDT2012-08-21 01:42:14 GMT
Ten-year-old Charlotte Ponce was attacked by a raccoon shortly after birth leaving her with a disfigured ear, nose and mouth. Wednesday, surgeons at Beaumont Hospital began the process of erasing the damage.
Ten-year-old Charlotte Ponce was attacked by a raccoon shortly after birth leaving her with a disfigured ear, nose and mouth. Wednesday, surgeons at Beaumont Hospital began the process of erasing the damage.
ROYAL OAK, Mich. (WJBK) -
One week after an intense surgery and ten-year-old Charlotte Ponce is ready to go home. Her newly built nose is actually protected by skin from her forearm. It might be hard to look at now, but it is actually a remarkable first step.
As an infant, the healthy baby girl was mauled by a pet raccoon, and more recently she has become painfully aware of the right side of her face.
"This last year of school has been harder for her, I think. She's noticing more that she's different," said Sharon Ponce.
Adopted by her great aunt and uncle, Charlotte is now undergoing extensive reconstructive surgery at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak. First her nose, then her lip and ear will follow. It's not easy, but the Ponces believe this is the right thing to do.
"She just wanted to be like everybody else," Sharon Ponce explained. "She tells me it doesn't bother her, but I know it does."
Charlotte will return to Beaumont in six to eight weeks for the next step in this process of building a new nose.
------
You can send well wishes to Charlotte at the following address:
Tuesday, December 4 2012 4:11 PM EST2012-12-04 21:11:01 GMT
You have one heart attack and then take medication to prevent another one, but there's new research that says what you eat is a very powerful tool in preventing another heart attack.
You have one heart attack and then take medication to prevent another one, but there's new research that says what you eat is a very powerful tool in preventing another heart attack.
Friday, May 24 2013 9:01 AM EDT2013-05-24 13:01:13 GMT
Just because it's not going to feel hot outside this Memorial Day weekend, doesn't mean you can skip the sunscreen. Find out which one is best for you.
Just because it's not going to feel hot outside this Memorial Day weekend, doesn't mean you can skip the sunscreen. Find out which one is best for you.
Tuesday, May 7 2013 10:17 AM EDT2013-05-07 14:17:04 GMT
Making healthy choices at the grocery store can be difficult. With deceiving labels, and buzz words like 'organic,' 'all-natural' and 'heart-healthy,' it's tough to decide what to buy.
Making healthy choices at the grocery store can be difficult. With deceiving labels, and buzz words like 'organic,' 'all-natural' and 'heart-healthy,' it's tough to decide what to buy.
Friday, May 3 2013 5:27 PM EDT2013-05-03 21:27:05 GMT
She is the Flat Rock girl that has gained national attention for her battle with a rare, fatal disease. Now little Lindsay Ratcliffe has been given new hair and new hope.
She is the Flat Rock girl that has gained national attention for her battle with a rare, fatal disease. Now little Lindsay Ratcliffe has been given new hair and new hope.
Tuesday, April 23 2013 12:55 PM EDT2013-04-23 16:55:57 GMT
Living with autism is a challenge that as many as one in fifty families face everyday. One family says intensive therapy has not just helped their daughter, but changed their lives.
Living with autism is a challenge that as many as one in fifty families face everyday. One family says intensive therapy has not just helped their daughter, but changed their lives.
Wednesday, April 17 2013 8:10 AM EDT2013-04-17 12:10:45 GMT
An FBI-trained forensic artist worked with Dove to conduct social experiment to illustrate the ongoing struggle women have with recognizing their own beauty.
An FBI-trained forensic artist worked with Dove to conduct social experiment to illustrate the ongoing struggle women have with recognizing their own beauty.
Monday, April 15 2013 8:14 PM EDT2013-04-16 00:14:46 GMT
For some people, sugar is like a drug and kicking the sweet habit is hard. Desserts like cakes, cookies and ice cream can be irresistible because of the effect sugar has on the brain. "Sugar is a particularly
For some people, sugar is like a drug and kicking the sweet habit is hard. Desserts like cakes, cookies and ice cream can be irresistible because of the effect sugar has on the brain. "Sugar is a particularly
Tuesday, June 18 2013 11:38 PM EDT2013-06-19 03:38:44 GMT
After initially defying federal regulators, Chrysler abruptly agreed Tuesday to recall some older-model Jeeps with fuel tanks that could rupture and cause fires in rear-end collisions.
After initially defying federal regulators, Chrysler abruptly agreed Tuesday to recall some older-model Jeeps with fuel tanks that could rupture and cause fires in rear-end collisions.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 11:29 PM EDT2013-06-19 03:29:11 GMT
An angry pastor is trying to keep his cool. He is mad at whoever tore apart his air conditioning unit to steal the copper, but he also says the entire community shares the blame.
An angry pastor is trying to keep his cool. He is mad at whoever tore apart his air conditioning unit to steal the copper, but he also says the entire community shares the blame.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 9:46 PM EDT2013-06-19 01:46:58 GMT
Nearly a hundred years ago, two girls from Detroit put a message in a bottle and threw it into the waters of the St. Clair River. Now that message is back on dry land after being found by a diver in 30 feet of water.
Nearly a hundred years ago, two girls from Detroit put a message in a bottle and threw it into the waters of the St. Clair River. Now that message is back on dry land after being found by a diver in 30 feet of water.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 7:26 PM EDT2013-06-18 23:26:33 GMT
The latest dig in the search for former Teamsters' boss Jimmy Hoffa will resume on Wednesday in an Oakland Township field. So far, crews have found two concrete slabs and animal bones.
The latest dig in the search for former Teamsters' boss Jimmy Hoffa will resume on Wednesday in an Oakland Township field. So far, crews have found two concrete slabs and animal bones.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 4:54 PM EDT2013-06-18 20:54:19 GMT
Who will open for Bon Jovi at Ford Field on July 18? Your vote will decide. 20 bands left in the Fox Rocks contest. Voting period: Now through July 10. Time to 'Fox Rocks' the vote.
Who will open for Bon Jovi at Ford Field on July 18? Your vote will decide. 20 bands left in the Fox Rocks contest. Voting period: Now through July 10. Time to 'Fox Rocks' the vote.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 12:20 PM EDT2013-06-18 16:20:44 GMT
Detroit Metropolitan Airport officials evacuated a section of the McNamara Terminal Tuesday morning after a canine picked up the scent of explosives on the apron, where planes load.
Detroit Metropolitan Airport officials evacuated a section of the McNamara Terminal Tuesday morning after a canine picked up the scent of explosives on the apron, where planes load.
WJBK-TV | Fox 2 16550 West Nine Mile Rd. Southfield, MI 48075
Main Station: (248) 557-2000 Newsroom: (248) 552-5103
Charlotte Ponce (Credit: WJBK | myFOXDetroit.com)
