Doctors Feared She Wouldn’t Survive 24 Hours — Three Years Later, Surgeons Rebuilt Little Zoey’s Face

When Tishana and Quantrel learned that their unborn daughter had a severe craniofacial condition, they received devastating news. Doctors initially warned that their baby might not survive beyond her first 24 hours.

But when Zoey Alford was born in April 2015, she began proving those expectations wrong.

Zoey had a rare condition called frontal encephalocele. Part of the tissue covering her brain, along with some brain tissue, protruded through an opening in her skull. Her forehead and nasal bridge had not formed normally, and she also had a midline cleft lip.

Her medical journey would eventually lead to a complex facial reconstruction at Boston Children’s Hospital.

A Baby Born With a Rare Facial Difference

Zoey’s condition affected the central structure of her face, leaving a gap where her nasal bridge should have developed.

Despite the frightening prognosis, she survived infancy and began reaching important developmental milestones.

She learned to walk, talk, sing and dance. Her family described her as an energetic little girl with a strong personality.

However, the opening in her skull meant she needed additional protection. When playing outside, Zoey wore a specially made mask to help protect the vulnerable area.

Her Parents Searched for a Surgical Solution

As Zoey grew older, her parents knew that she would need reconstructive surgery.

The family, who lived in Mississippi, began researching specialist centers and eventually contacted Boston Children’s Hospital.

There, Zoey was evaluated by plastic surgeon Dr. John Meara and neurosurgeon Dr. Mark Proctor.

The team carefully studied her anatomy and developed a plan to reconstruct her skull and facial structures.

A Ten-Hour Operation Changed Her Life

In 2018, when Zoey was three years old, she underwent a complex operation lasting approximately 10 hours.

Surgeons reconstructed her skull and forehead, created a nasal bridge and repaired her cleft lip and palate.

For the first time, Zoey had a reconstructed nose.

The operation also addressed the structural defect that had made her skull vulnerable.

After recovering, Zoey no longer needed the protective mask she had worn during outdoor play.

A Little Girl Ready to Enjoy Childhood

By the time Boston Children’s published her story in July 2019, Zoey was four years old and preparing to begin preschool.

She loved dressing herself, wearing tutus and spending time with her family.

Her mother described a cheerful child who enjoyed meeting people and making new friends.

Although Zoey would require further medical care, her first major reconstruction had already made a meaningful difference to her everyday life.

Another Milestone in Her Recovery

In a follow-up published in January 2023, Boston Children’s reported that Zoey had undergone another reconstructive procedure in late 2022.

This operation helped move her eyes closer together and further reshape her forehead.

By then, seven-year-old Zoey was enjoying school, friendships and everything unicorn-related.

Her story is not simply about a change in appearance. It is about a child who survived an extremely difficult diagnosis and gained greater protection, function and confidence through years of specialized medical care.

Sources: Boston Children’s Hospital — A Rare Diagnosis: Zoey’s New Smile (July 23, 2019); New Year, New Face, Same Spirit: Zoey’s Journey With Encephalocele and Cleft Lip Care (January 17, 2023).