New Children's Book Helps Kids Deal With Pain And Isolation Of Plastic Surgery

[BurtWorm]

Is this a good thing?




April 16, 2003 | Issue 39•14


MIAMI—As a pediatric plastic surgeon, Dr. Jessica Krieg changes little faces and lives for the better. Yet for all the good she does, she is all too aware that rhinoplasty and liposuction can be difficult, scary experiences for a child. With her new book, Norah's New Nose, she hopes to change all that.

"These children, on the threshold of becoming something—and someone—beautiful, are often scared and unsure of what's about to be done to them," Krieg said. "In Norah's New Nose, I try to show them there's nothing to fear, and that when it's over, there's no need for shame."

As the book opens, Norah, a little girl who inherited her father's "generous" nose, is peering out her bedroom window at the moon.

"'Good night!' Miss Moon said to Norah," the book reads. "But although the beautiful Miss Moon said good night to Norah, she said it the same way Mommy says good night to homely Miss Crabgrass or creepy old Mr. Kratch. Norah became very sad."

Norah's mother explains to her that something is preventing Miss Moon from seeing what a pretty little girl she is—something "right in front of her face."

"It isn't Miss Moon's fault she can't see your inner beauty," Mommy gently tells Norah. "Miss Moon may be very special, but she isn't all-powerful."

Using an enchanted mirror, Mommy shows Norah the difference between her own perfect nose and her daughter's "big, broad, bulky bird beak." Norah starts to cry, but Mommy assures her that doctors at the hospital can solve her problem, just like they solved Mommy's.

"I wanted to show these kids that the changes they go through in the plastic-surgery ward are normal and natural," Krieg said. "It's not like getting your tonsils out. It's something to make you even better instead of just barely good enough."

...




;-)

[bleedingheart]

1. children are never too young to get slapped in their big honker with reality

;-)

[SmokingJacket]

2. The crazy thing is...

it's only slightly implausible.

[TechBear_Seattle]

5. I thought it was for kids facing surgery because of disfigurement

There are (sadly) a lot of children who do get plastic surgery because of birth defects, burns, accidents, etc. I can see how a book for them would be a positive thing. But damn....

[BurtWorm]

7. True, but those kids probably need more support for dealing with the disfigurement

than any plastic surgery might cause.

[TechBear_Seattle]

3. Wow

You really should make it more obvious you are quoting from The Onion. Or are you usually such a mean, sadistic person? :spank:

[BurtWorm]

4. Just havin' a little fun.

:patriot:

[gatorboy]

6. I was going to say that for children treated for reconstructive surgery this could be a good thing.

But since this is all just a joke.....Nevermind! :)