Elgin's story
Hello my name is Elgin Zerick Haynie and I want to thank you for logging on Help As One’S website. It is my hope and dream that my personal story will inspire you to join me and many others from around the world in addressing issues of human suffering. I was born and diagnosed with a condition known as Hemifacial (Craniofacial) Microsomia. At birth, the bone in my face was not fully developed, I was deaf in my right ear, and I had extra skin hanging from my face. Before the age of 10 I had well over 20 reconstructive surgeries and suffered major dental problems. My childhood was filled with speech therapy classes, special education programs, and psychotherapy; services my parents could not afford. Everywhere I went I was reminded of my deformities, people whispered, or pointed in my direction laughing rudely, adults would grab their kids as if I was contagious, most of my early schooling was home teaching because of my classmates constant teasing. My every day thoughts were how could I reverse my being born this way or take my life and still be able to enter heaven.At 10 years of age I transferred to a new middle school where I experienced my first sign of hope. The school nurse informed my father of a program called Crippled Children. This program helped children born with deformities whose families could not afford the medical expenses it would take to provide treatment. Crippled Children sent me to the UCLA Hospital Craniofacial Medical Clinic for Children where I met Dr. Henry Kawamoto. Dr. Kawamoto is a world-renowned physician in the field of craniofacial plastic surgery. To date, I could not tell you the cost of all the medical procedures. However, I can tell you about the hope that was provided in my life through such programs such as Crippled Children, and the many wonderful people who shared their love and took the time to support me. They are the very reason for my existence, inspiration and my commitment to provide hope to other humans that are suffering in this world.
Help As One’s vision is to be a universal mirror that responds to each individual person as we come before it; reflecting our true self-concerning loving and caring about each other. The program’s focus is to empower each individual to take a RIGHT NOW approach to the issue of human suffering. Help As One understands that life is not a dress rehearsal; it’s one time opportunity. Let us not defer or neglect to do good or show kindness to anyone; for we shall not pass this way again. Challenges and hardships are no stranger to me, but passion and purpose have been long time allies. My goal as Help As One’S producer is to act as a myphibulator to jump-start the failing heartbeat of our world before it’s too late. I invite you to join me on this journey.
