I recently traveled to Quito, Ecuador and Bogota, Colombia to host the 2nd Annual Ecuador Microtia Atresia Conference (ECMAC) and my 1st Colombia Microtia Atresia Conference (COLMAC). I am extremely grateful to Javier and Nathalie Carrion, for coordinating ECMAC, as well as to Miguel and Erika Pava, for coordinating COLMAC. I have a very special place in my heart for all of the families that I met and am overwhelmed with emotion of the outpouring support and kindness towards me and more importantly, towards each other.
“No renowned ear reconstructive surgeon has come to Ecuador in the last 20 years. When I had originally invited Dr. Lewin to come to Ecuador, she was so preoccupied about showing a technique that could be out of reach financially for these families; her biggest concern was instilling more pain than relief.
But as an Ecuadorian, I knew that there is almost no information about this congenital condition and we wanted to host conferences to bring awareness of all surgical options and information. We also educated families about prosthetics, a valid and economical local option, that is free through the Ecuador and Colombia social security systems. Most of these families were unaware of this option.
During her trip, Dr. Lewin (through her foundation, Earicles ~ Miracles for Ears) offered to provide two microtia patients free ear reconstructive surgeries in hopes that their extensive psychological pain would be minimized. These two patients had both had failed attempts at ear reconstruction and a Medpor salvage surgery through Earicles represented their only hope to ever have ears.
Dr. Lewin leaves us with many tears of joy, showing me and my family that we still have great, altruistic people in this world.
Special thanks to the Lewin family, especially to Kaci and Geoff (Dr. Lewin’s children) who borrowed us their mom for a few days!
I would encourage everyone to attend an Earicles Microtia Atresia Conference so they can learn more about this birth defect, understand their options, and witness firsthand the magic of Dr. Lewin.
Hasta Pronto, Dr. Lewin.
Sincerely,
Javier Carrion
Earicles Representative for Latin America”
To learn more about the Earicles Microtia Atresia Conferences, please go to: www.microtiaearsurgery.com/mac