His Facial Scars Pulled So Tight That His Eyes Stayed Open While He Slept — A Little Boy’s Long Journey to Rebuild His Face

Edwin was still a baby when he suffered severe burns to his face in his home country of Honduras.

The injuries left lasting scars that would affect much more than his appearance. As he grew, the damaged tissue began tightening around his face, making ordinary movements increasingly difficult.

His lower eyelids were pulled downward so severely that his eyes remained open while he slept.

For his mother, Karla, finding specialists who could help her son became the beginning of a long journey across international borders.

A Childhood Marked by Severe Facial Burns

Edwin first became a patient at Shriners Children’s in 2017, undergoing surgery at the organization’s Ohio location.

In 2018, his treatment was transferred to Shriners Children’s Boston.

Since then, Edwin and Karla have traveled from Honduras to Boston every year for specialized reconstructive care.

Although the hospital has not publicly detailed the circumstances of his original accident, it confirmed that Edwin sustained the facial burns during infancy.

His Scars Prevented His Eyes From Closing Normally

Edwin’s reconstructive treatment is led by Dr. Daniel Driscoll, a surgeon specializing in facial burn reconstruction.

One of the greatest challenges has been scar contracture, a process in which damaged skin tightens and restricts movement.

As Edwin grew, the scars did not expand in the same way as healthy skin.

The resulting tension pulled his lower eyelids downward, preventing his eyes from closing completely during sleep.

He also experienced discomfort when opening his mouth and difficulty moving his neck freely.

His medical team needed to address these functional problems while planning for his continued growth.

Reconstructing His Face and Ears

Dr. Driscoll developed a treatment approach involving reconstructive procedures and laser therapy.

The goal was to provide additional skin where necessary, release restrictive scar tissue and improve Edwin’s ability to close his eyes, open his mouth and move his neck.

His ears also required attention.

Over time, the tightening scars had changed the position and shape of both ears. Dr. Driscoll performed procedures to reposition them and reconstruct affected areas.

Because Edwin lives in Honduras, the hospital team carefully evaluates his needs during each visit and develops plans for subsequent treatment.

A Mother Finds Support Far From Home

For Karla, the medical journey has involved emotional challenges as well as difficult travel arrangements.

She has acknowledged that both she and Edwin sometimes feel anxious before returning to Boston, especially when a complicated operation is scheduled.

However, the relationships they have developed with medical staff and other families have helped them feel less alone.

Through the hospital community, Karla has met caregivers whose children have faced similar experiences.

Those connections have also helped her and Edwin become more comfortable during their visits to Boston.

Now 11, Edwin Loves Playing Soccer

When Shriners Children’s published his story in June 2026, Edwin was 11 years old.

Outside the hospital, he particularly enjoyed sports, including practicing and playing soccer.

He also participated in Team Brave, a program developed with the Boston Firefighters Burn Foundation to help young burn survivors reconnect with their communities through shared experiences.

Karla described her son as affectionate and compassionate, saying that people are drawn to the way he treats others.

His treatment journey is ongoing, and his surgeons continue to assess his needs as he grows.

For Karla, the support surrounding her son has transformed a difficult medical experience into a community of families who encourage one another.

Edwin’s story is a reminder that reconstructive burn care is not only about changing how scars look. It can also help children regain essential movements and participate more comfortably in everyday life.

Source: Shriners Children’s Boston, June 10, 2026 — Edwin’s Story: Finding a Community of Care at Shriners Children’s Boston.