Meet Champion, Grace

Grace was adopted from China at five and a half with hemifacial microsomia, a condition that left her without a left ear and lower jaw. At Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), she began her journey in the Adoption Clinic and has since undergone six major surgeries. Three rebuilt her lower jaw using a rib graft, while another created a new ear from her own skin, perfectly matched in color. When Grace asked if “fake ears can be pierced,” her surgeon pierced both ears on the spot. She now uses a Cochlear Osia hearing aid, which provides clearer sound than traditional devices. Grace’s care includes a full craniofacial team of ENT, orthodontics, audiology, speech therapy, psychology, ophthalmology, and genetics, who meet annually to create a unified plan. Now fluent in English and thriving academically, Grace loves music, the Eagles, and CHOP fundraising events. Confident, sassy, and resilient, she’s embracing middle school with pride.