ROYAL OAK, Mich. -- The West Michigan girl attacked by a raccoon as a baby is back at Beaumont. When you see her, you can't help but feel like your watching a medical miracle evolve.
Charlotte Ponce smiled as she talked about her newly painted pink bedroom. The 10-year-old is slowly beginning to enjoy changes in her life, and she's about to undergo a big one at Beaumont Hospital.
"They're going to take a flap of skin (from her forehead)... and pull it down (over her nose), take some of her rib to make cartilage," said Sharon Ponce, Charlotte's mom.
In August, the Ponce family made the trip from Western Michigan to Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak where a team of plastic surgeons did the first in what will be a series of surgeries to rebuild her nose and then her ear. This second surgery is especially difficult.
"He said this will probably be the hardest one for her as far as her physical appearance," Charlotte's mom explained.
As a baby, Charlotte was attacked by a pet raccoon. More recently, she has become painfully aware of the damage done.
"She hasn't been able to sleep, and I think it's anxiety," her mom said.
Going through the surgeries and healing make it impossible for Charlotte to go to school. She is home schooled instead and as a result has very few friends. Her life has been filled with emotional and physical pain, but the hope is the best is yet to come.
"I think she likes what she sees. I think she's ready for it to be over," Charlotte's mom remarked.
In about a month, Charlotte goes in for a follow up surgery on her nose, then in the spring doctors will start working on rebuilding her ear.
Get well notes for Charlotte can be sent to P.O. Box 397, Fruitport, MI 49415.
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.
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
Monday, April 1 2013 8:14 AM EDT2013-04-01 12:14:05 GMT
Next week the American Heart Association celebrates National Walking Day. This means bring your sneakers to work on April 3 and plan to walk for 10, 20 or 30 minutes.
Next week the American Heart Association celebrates National Walking Day. This means bring your sneakers to work on April 3 and plan to walk for 10, 20 or 30 minutes.
Friday, March 29 2013 7:28 AM EDT2013-03-29 11:28:22 GMT
A consumer group says most kids' meals at restaurants are too high in fat, sugar and salt. The report says 97 percent of meals failed to meet recommended nutritional criteria.
A consumer group says most kids' meals at restaurants are too high in fat, sugar and salt. The report from the Center for Science in the Pubic Interest says 97 percent of meals failed to meet recommended nutritional criteria for 4 to 8 year olds.
Sunday, May 19 2013 10:03 PM EDT2013-05-20 02:03:31 GMT
A trip to Subway turned into a nightmare for an elderly Berkley couple Friday afternoon in Commerce Township. Oakland County Sheriffs say a man left his 74 year-old wife in the car, while he ran inside
A trip to Subway turned into a nightmare for an elderly Berkley couple Friday afternoon in Commerce Township. Oakland County Sheriffs say a man left his 74 year-old wife in the car, while he ran inside
Sunday, May 19 2013 9:08 PM EDT2013-05-20 01:08:52 GMT
It's National Boating Safety Week - a good time to learn about new boating safety regulations. Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham talked with Fox 2 about what boaters need to know.
It's National Boating Safety Week - a good time to learn about new boating safety regulations. Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham talked with Fox 2 about what boaters need to know.
Sunday, May 19 2013 8:54 PM EDT2013-05-20 00:54:31 GMT
Four people were shot and injured Sunday outside a house on Lakepoint in Detroit. The shooter, in a gold truck, is still on the loose.
Four people were shot and injured Sunday outside a house on Lakepoint in Detroit. We're told a group of 10 people were drinking and partying outside the house when a gold truck rolled down the street and started firing.
Sunday, May 19 2013 1:52 PM EDT2013-05-19 17:52:35 GMT
Authorities have identified a 20-year-old man they've arrested in the firebombing of the suburban Detroit home of an heir to the Art Van Furniture business.
Authorities have identified a 20-year-old man they've arrested in the firebombing of the suburban Detroit home of an heir to the Art Van Furniture business.
Let It Rip Weekend: Doggy Insurance, Pit Bull Bans & $15 Minimum Wage
Sunday, May 19 2013 10:33 AM EDT2013-05-19 14:33:58 GMT
This time we're talking about a new requirement in Royal Oak that has some dog owners taking out $1 million insurance policies on their pooches. Plus, Waterford Township is considering repealing their
Should owners of dangerous dogs have to take out $1 million insurance policies? Are pit bull bans a good idea? Plus, should the minimum wage be raised to $15 an hour?
Sunday, May 19 2013 12:01 AM EDT2013-05-19 04:01:16 GMT
It was supposed to be their big night, but prom turned into a big headache for teens from a local high school. Police showed up to crack down on an unauthorized limo service.
It was supposed to be their big night, but prom turned into a big headache for teens from a local high school. Police showed up to crack down on an unauthorized limo service.
Friday, May 17 2013 11:55 PM EDT2013-05-18 03:55:04 GMT
"We intend to build cars in North America for [the] North American market, build cars in Europe for the European market and build them in Asia for the Asian market," said Don Graunstadt.
"We intend to build cars in North America for [the] North American market, build cars in Europe for the European market and build them in Asia for the Asian market," said the CEO of North American Operations for the electric car company.
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