In a photo that has to be seen to be believed, surgeons in Fuzhou, China, a 22-year-old man has grown a nose on his forehead following a traffic accident that damaged the one on his face.
According to an article in TIME, following the accident Xiaolian suffered injuries to his nose, which led to an infection and deformity.
Incredibly, using cartilage from Xiaolian’s ribs, doctors were able to implant a new nose under the tissue on his forehead. Later this month, when it finishes 'growing', the nose will be transplanted to replace the damaged nose.
Though incredible, it's not the first time such surgery has been performed. Earlier this year, British doctors at the University College of London were able to 'grow' an identical nose on a 56-year-old man's arm after skin cancer destroyed his original nose. It's not clear whether the replacement nose, which took three months to grown, is functional enough to detect smells.
Still, pioneering doctors hope this procedure will eventually be available for victim of car accidents and wounded soldiers.
Are you amazed or just generally grossed out by medical advancements?
A small mercy to emanate from the ongoing terrorist activity in Kenya. A four-year-old boy apparently said one of the hostages, “You’re a bad man” as he and his family were released from the Westgate mall in Nairobi.
According to an article in the National Post, Elliott Prior challenged the terrorist, who claimed he was "not a monster" before giving the British boy a Mars bar and allowing his family to leave where innocents have been held hostage since the weekend.
Elliott was taking cover under a meat counter with his mother and six-year-old sister, Amelie, when the terrorists announced that children could leave. Elliott's mother then bravely made herself visible, and then like this brave woman her son directly confronted the assailant.
The gunman defended the Muslim faith even as he told her she should become a convert to Islam. He allegedly also asked, "Do you forgive us? Do you forgive us?”
The Priors then made a lucky escape from a siege that had, by its fourth day, claimed 62 lives, according to the Kenyan Red Cross, though more casualties may remain in the building.
Shedding blood in the name of any god is, unequivocally, a godless act. Our heartfelt prayers are with everyone affected by this attack.
In a case of a bad apple spoiling the bunch, Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park has revoked its special pass allowing visitors with special needs to bypass long lines at park attractions.
According to an article in CBS, the Guest Assistance Card (GAC) program is being discontinued after it was revealed that disabled 'guides' were being hired by families so they could skip lineups.
Unfortunately this news comes as a real blow to families with special needs children, as the replacement system being rolled out from 9th October will make it much more difficult for families to enjoy previous privileges.
Under the new Disabled Assistance System (DAS), guests will be required to obtain the pass via Guest Relations offices in order to reserve a single ride during a particular time slot. The DAS will also require disabled guests to have their photos taken.
While it's great that Disney is taking measures to stamp out abuse, many parents are concerned that the new measures will effectively discourage special needs children and their families from visiting the park.
“I cannot fathom Andrew having to wait longer than what’s already necessary with the Guest Assistance Card at either of the Disney parks,” wrote special needs blogger, Jo Ashline. “And the sensory overload while he’s in these lines or going from kiosk to kiosk.”
Disney executives have been asked to reconsider the proposed policy change in a petition that has already received more than 20,000 signatures.
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