Published Date: February 12, 2010
Cambodian Nourn Chourn, 23, lost his lower jaw when he was hit by a stray bullet at the age of 12. In 2008, he underwent plastic surgery at St. Luke’s International Hospital in Tokyo before briefly returning to Cambodia. (UCA News)
Now he has returned, spending a great deal of his time in Japan since September of last year at Tsukiji Church, a Catholic parish near the hospital, making crafts using beads and knitted material.
Before the surgery, Chourn had great difficulty eating. Food fell from his mouth and he was unable to control his drooling. Though he lived in a household of nine, he had to eat alone.
Last year, he underwent a 21-hour operation in which bone from his leg, skin from his abdomen, and a tendon from his hand were all transplanted to his face. Last December, his right hand was secured to his jaw as part of an effort to restore his lips.
Upon the success of the operation, Chourn said, “Because of the hard work of so many people, I can look forward to eating with everyone.”
He added in a softer voice, “I hope kids will stop running from me now.”
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