Shotgun Survivor's Face Rebuilt After 40 Surgeries

Eight years after a shotgun blast destroyed much of her face, Amedy Dewey, now 26, underwent a life-changing surgery to rebuild her jaw, restore teeth, and give her a new left eye. This was one of nearly 40 operations she has endured since surviving a 2018 murder-suicide incident where her stepfather shot her and killed her mother before taking his own life.

The complex reconstruction at Northwell Health's Lenox Hill Hospital was performed by a team of surgeons who donated their time, with costs supported by the nonprofit NextGenFace. Dewey's injuries in the 2018 incident were extensive, shattering her eye socket, mouth, and damaging her vision, nose, and lip.

Survivors of gun violence often face years of surgeries, chronic pain, and significant mental health challenges like depression and PTSD. Dewey's journey has been marked by physical struggles, including difficulties with eating and the need for extensive repairs, as well as emotional tolls from strangers' reactions. Despite the trauma, Dewey has embraced her scars and advocates for gun violence and mental health awareness.

Her recent three-part surgical process involved using bone from her leg to rebuild her upper jaw, followed by prosthetic teeth and implants for a custom orbital prosthesis. This has allowed her to look in the mirror with a smile, reflecting her ongoing journey of healing and self-acceptance.