Column: Helping others understand and accept 

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Huria
Huria

By Holly Demaree

On Jan. 21, 2007, 7-year-old Lydia Huria was born in Toledo, Ohio. Doctors told her parents, Jill Lloyd and Rajiv Huria, she may have a craniofacial condition, which is a general term used to describe a condition that affects the way in which a skull and face grow. It can be present at birth or may develop later in life. Each year more than 100,000 children in the United States are born with or develop a craniofacial condition.

During the first few months of life Lydia endured x-rays, cat scans and genetic testing. Many of the test results were non-diagnostic.

“We were then referred to C.S. Motts Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor, Mich. where they did a 3D cat scan at three months,” said Jill Lloyd. “The results were clear even to me that her coronal sutures were not open and not allowing for proper growth.”

Coronal sutures is a seam that extends across the skull where the frontal bone and the parietal bones meet. At 18 months, Lydia Huria had a six-hour surgery on her skull.

“A neurosurgeon team came in and took her skull apart and then a craniofacial plastic surgeon team came in and put it back together,” said Jill Lloyd. “It is (the reconstruction) held together by plates. Her eyes swelled shut for 5 days and she was in the ICU for two days. She wouldn’t eat the whole time. Finally her eyes opened on the fifth day and she was sent home.”

Lydia had few complications but did have to go back for a procedure due to seeping plates. But that was the last major procedure she has had so far. Two years ago the family moved to Fishers when Rajiv Huria accepted a civil engineering job in Indianapolis. Since then Lydia has had her follow up appointments at Riley Hospital for Children.

Despite all of the trials and challenges Lydia has faced, she is a smart, happy girl who enjoys school and many hobbies.

“My favorite animal is a Blue Jay or Indigo Bunting, said Lydia. “I think they are cool because of all the bright colors. Some birds can repeat what you say, like the parrots. I like those guys.”

Jill and Lydia’s goal is to spread the word about craniofacial conditions.

The family belongs to a national nonprofit organization called Children’s Craniofacial Association. CCA is a nonprofit charity that provides services to help families with children who have craniofacial conditions.

CCA has designated September Craniofacial Acceptance month. Jill is hoping to start an annual picnic to help others understand craniofacial conditions and support other families.


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