Art Exhibition Highlights Acceptance for Individuals with Facial Prosthetics

A man who underwent the removal of his nose, an eye, and upper teeth has expressed that an art exhibition displaying his facial prosthetics reminds him he “still has a smile.” Robin Fahey’s likeness is one of 15 portraits unveiled at a Leeds hospital, featuring individuals with facial injuries who utilize prosthetics to replace features such as an eye or a nose. These patients, having received treatment for head and neck cancer, participated in a study that evaluated the comfort levels of prosthetics produced through various techniques. Mr. Fahey commented: “Although it’s not perfect, this is my face and I will embrace what I have and it’s up to others to embrace people like myself.” He further stated: “It’s fabulous because it’s showing that I have still got a smile. I couldn’t get smile before because I had nothing to smile about.”With the prosthetic, it’s back to where people can see the person you are instead of, for want of a better word, a freak, because that’s how you feel.” As part of the study, the patients’ portraits were painted to help illustrate the physical and psychological effects of their medical care. Following this initiative, managed by Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and the University of Leeds, the artworks are now exhibited in the Bexley Wing at St James’s University Hospital. Artist Alison Murdoch described the experience of painting Mr. Fahey’s portrait as “life-changing.” She recounted: “When he first walked in he was all wrapped up, virtually disguised with glasses, hat, mask,” adding, “He actually asked me if it was OK to take those items off, and that’s when it hit me what his reality was.” Rebecca Fogell, an NHS nurse with over two decades of experience, discovered a small growth near her eye in 2019, prompting her to undergo medical scans. Following the identification of a tumor that had infiltrated bone and nerves, surgeons excised her cheekbone and a section of her nose; her eye subsequently necessitated removal. Reflecting on her four-year “medical and emotional rollercoaster,” she stated: “It does make me feel like I have got my face back when I look in the mirror, but I know underneath that it isn’t really me anymore.”We want to work towards acceptance and in the real world we are not quite there yet.” The research contrasted traditional and contemporary digital approaches for creating prosthetics, determining that recent 3D scanning techniques offer a less intrusive method for capturing a patient’s facial structure. Artificial intelligence is subsequently employed to aid in the reconstruction of the facial feature, with the final design then produced using a 3D printer. Dr. Rachael Jablonski, the lead researcher for the study, reported: “We found that 90% of patients preferred digital over conventional processes due to the comfort, speed, hygiene, and perceived positive impact on outcomes associated with digital technology.“However, the patients were also keen to ensure they would not lose out on the skilled finishing touches from the conventional approach.” The exhibition, titled “I’m Still Me,” is scheduled to continue until January 31.