Today a special 9-year old Congolese boy has something to smile about.

Nearly three years ago, Dunia Sibomana was playing with his brother and cousin near Virunga National Park when they were attacked by a group of chimpanzees. Dunia was left severely disfigured; his upper and lower lips were torn off, he lost a finger and part of an ear, and had extensive damage along the right side of his cheek.

His appearance left him as a social outsider in his village — his friends distanced themselves from him, children at school teased him, and adults ignored him.

Dunia Sibomana was severely mauled by chimpanzees near the Virunga National Park in the Congo. Reconstructive surgeries through Stony Brook Children’s Hospital have given him the chance to talk, swallow and smile again.

Rangers from the park connected Dunia with Stony Brook Children’s Hospital through renowned anthropologist Richard Leakey, PhD, Professor and Chair of the Turkana Basin Institute at Stony Brook University.

Dr. Leakey’s friend, Dr. Alexander Dagum, Chief of Plastic Surgery at Stony Brook conferred with Dr. Leon Klempner, associate professor of dentistry at the Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine and the founder of the non-profit organization Smile Rescue Fund for Kids.

Over the past year, thanks to the efforts of these doctors, the Smile Rescue Fund, and many others, including an incredible host family, Dunia has been able to undergo several rare facial reconstruction procedures at Stony Brook Children’s while living in the area. While he is beginning to regain function and is recovering well, Dunia still requires additional surgeries and will continue to live in the U.S. for the time being.

Learn more about the Smile Rescue Fund for Kids: http://smilerescuefund.org/about-us/

Every teen looks forward to prom night. However, for those kids who are struggling with chronic or terminal illnesses, attending prom may not seem possible.

But thanks to many volunteers and dedicated hospital staffers, the first Stony Brook Children’s Hospital Prom this past June gave 28 of our pediatric patients the opportunity to act like every other teen. They were able to party with their peers, and enjoy great food, lively dance music and plenty of photo ops. And, for one night, forget about their medical challenges.

The night kicked off with hair, makeup and wardrobe preparations. Special occasion wear was donated for anyone who needed it. Attendees then walked down a red carpet to a beautifully decorated tent, festooned with sparkly lights, colorful star-shaped balloons and confetti, and goodies specially prepared for the occasion.

The event was such a success that prom plans are already in the works for 2017.

Watch our shining stars enjoying their special evening: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcOh0uTmnQo&feature=youtu.be

For three days in August, 20 middle school students and their chaperones from the Patchogue/Medford area visited Stony Brook to explore a few STEM labs.

Through a partnership with the Long Island Latino Teachers Association (LILTA), the students were brought to campus for interactive lab experiments in several different areas. One of the days was spent at the Innovation Lab, where the students performed an “appliance autopsy.”

Students explored the inner workings of some everyday appliances.

The students were given a small appliance, goggles, hammers, screwdrivers and pliers and  worked in teams to take apart the appliance, getting a look inside the machines to learn how they work. Some of the appliances that were donated by faculty and staff for the lab were a microwave, toasters, blenders, a fan, and a coffee maker.

Stony Brook student volunteers from the Innovation Lab assisted the group in performing the ‘autopsies.’ The Innovation Lab is a campus resource for planning, creation and innovation.

After their lab projects were complete,  the students enjoyed campus tours, exploring a different part each day, and had lunch in the Student Activities Center.

Learn more about the Innovation Lab: http://www.stonybrook.edu/innovation/