NEWS
SCHEDULE
The international TV station, Telemundo, has translated our story into Spanish and aired it because the producers thought it was so powerful
By Jeannie Blaylock First Coast News
JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Juliana's story is flying around the world. Since we first introduced you to Juliana the story has blossomed into an international web item in countries from Sweden to Japan to England.
The international TV station, Telemundo, has translated our story into Spanish and aired it because the producers thought it was so powerful.
The Navy Times, a Gannett newspaper which goes around the world, is in Jacksonville doing the story now, as well.
Reporters from Europe are calling Juliana's family and a London newspaper is flying to Jacksonville next week. The Discovery Channel is also looking into the story.
Our data shows literally hundreds of thousands of people have linked to our website, firstcoastnews.com, to follow Juliana's story.
Exciting things are happening for Juliana now. People are e-mailing Jeannie Blaylock, the reporter who first put Juliana on TV. Many are wanting to donate money. Some are putting together fundraisers to help the family. For example, this Saturday is a silent auction at Mandarin Community Center in Jacksonville. Some of our viewers have items up for bid from furniture to artwork to crafts. All are welcome to come help raise money for Juliana.
Juliana has a rare birth defect called Treacher Collins syndrome. She was born missing almost 40 percent of the bones in her face. It was a total shock to her parents, Thom and Tami Wetmore. An ultra sound showed something was wrong, probably around her upper lip area. But that was just the tip of the iceberg.
Juliana's Mom almost bled to death during delivery. So the nurse called Thom over and asked if he were ready to see his new baby daughter. Thom was not prepared for what he saw. (Who would be?) His new, precious baby girl didn't have a face. Instead she had areas of skin around a limited skull and somewhat of a mouth. She had no sockets supporting her eyes, and so her eyeballs stuck out like big balls. They were covered in skin.
Thom took a photo to show his wife so she wouldn't be totally shocked, as he was. Then the nurse brought in Juliana. The couple said they squeezed her hand and Juliana squeezed back. "She's a fighter," Thom says. That was 2 years ago.
Since then Juliana has had 14 operations to graft bones into her face. Doctors are opening up her nasal passages and pointing them down so she can breathe. Currently, she breathes through a tube in her neck, but someday the hope is she can breathe and talk on her own.
Thom and Tami are teaching Juliana sign language. She can sign "Christmas tree" and "all gone" and "thank you," for example. Thom says, "I'm grateful she's intelligent." She likes to reach out for hugs. In fact, she'll hug you the second you walk into a room.
The family says Juliana has increased their faith in God and gotten them back in church. Thom says Juliana has "a lot to show the world." The couple says they have faith God has given them a gift in their daughter and she's just beginning to help change how people view disabilities.
Thom says, "My goal is we want Juliana to go to college." The couple is saving money now for Juliana's college funds. The navy is paying their medical bills, although funding for food, hotel, and living expenses aren't covered. (The family travels to Children's Hospital in Miami for Juliana's operations.) So they're welcoming any donations people want to give.
If you are interested in helping the Wetmore family, a savings account is set up for donations at the Vystar Credit Union in Middleburg, Florida.
Donations can be made at ANY Vystar Credit Union to Juliana Wetmore at member number 2102465.
Donations can be accepted by mail or by wire transfer.
The mailing address is: Vystar Credit Union PO Box 45085 Jacksonville, FL 32232
The wire routing number is: 263079276
And this Sunday everyone is invited to a special event for Juliana:
"A Concert for Juliana" Sunday December 19, 2004 6:30pm Orange Park United Methodist Church 152 Stowe Avenue Orange Park, Florida 32073
Performances by: Jacksonville Masterworks Chorale Douglas Anderson School of the Arts Orange Park TLC Choir.
This is a free Concert, but donations are encouraged. 100% goes to support Juliana Wetmore.
Related articles: - School Kids Raise $3500 For Juliana in Just 3 Days - Local Family Has Daughter Born Without a Face
|
Edited by:
|
 Created: 12/16/2004 3:47:36 PM Updated: 12/17/2004 4:18:34 PM Suggest News Tips & Story Leads Submit Video & Pictures |
Jeannie Blaylock
