Boy Rejects Tumour Surgery To Save His Smile

A BRAVE child with a disfigured face refused surgery because it could have cost him his smile. Ethan D’Amato suffers from Neurofibromatosis type one – or NF-1 - meaning he was born with severe facial tumours. The courageous 11-year-old has been offered surgery to remove his tumours but was told that could potentially damage his nerves – meaning he could have lost the ability to laugh and smile. Ethan, who lives in Dallas, Texas, turned down the offer and decided a life with tumours is better than a life without smiling. In an attempt to help people understand his condition Ethan and his family designed leaflets that they hand out to people who are curious about his appearance. For more information, please visit https://www.facebook.com/ethan.damato.neurofibromatosis
Videographer / Director: Jason Janik
Producer: Nick Johnson, Dan Howlett
Editor: Kyle Waters