Anne-Laure

Right atrial epithesis, retention via gold bar and jumpers

“I was born with a small ear and mild facial paralysis which has faded over the years. The doctors weren't very optimistic, but thanks to the constant stimulation from my parents, I made a lot of progress. I had epileptic seizures in my early childhood that ended when I was 5 years old. Today I am 32 years old.

At school, I didn't have any friends, I was very shy and the kids said I had a broken ear, and I was often punished for no reason. They put me in a specialized class.

When I was 10 my ENT doctor, Dr. Siegel told us about epitheses. I met Prof. Stierlé who explained the two reconstruction methods to me. I chose the epithesis. Doctor Hémar operated on me and I had my first epithesis for Christmas! What a wonderful gift! I was able to relive it, it gave me confidence, I felt like everyone else, I could wear the glasses without elastic and put on earrings. I went to the pool with the epithesis, with a swimming cap the first few years and then with nothing, I was careful jumping in the water.

Also, I have been playing tennis since I was 5, I hid my little ear with my shoulder length hair, but as soon as I got my epithesis I was able to feel like everyone else. I started competing at the age of 13, was ranked 15/3 in 2010. Tennis is still my passion today. I was also vice-champion of pétanque du Bas-Rhin in 2004, and did gymnastics.

Thanks to my epithesis, other people's gaze is now normal, I have become more independent, I got my driver's license and I work. The epithesis has become part of my identity, I only take it off to sleep and take a shower. ”