October 16, 2006
ARCHIVE ARTICLE: UCF Student Honored with 2006 "Patients of Courage" Award for Selflessness, Triumph over Congenital Syndrome
Ashley McGrath recognized by American Society of Plastic Surgeons
Melbourne, FL – Palm Bay resident Ashley McGrath, born with a rare genetic disorder, was honored with the Patients of Courage: Triumph Over Adversity award during the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) Plastic Surgery 2006 conference in San Francisco on Saturday, October 7. The ASPS recognized McGrath as an inspirational role model for other reconstructive plastic surgery patients.
The ASPS Patients of Courage: Triumph Over Adversity program honors reconstructive plastic surgery patients who have conquered their mental and physical challenges to restore a sense of normalcy in their lives.
Brevard Plastic Surgery & Skin Treatment Center Plastic Surgeon Roxanne J. Guy, MD, FACS nominated McGrath for her bravery and perseverance in overcoming extreme odds. McGrath was born with Campomelic Syndrome – a condition that often leads to death in infancy or extremely low IQ for those who survive into their teens. She surprised her family and doctors by learning to communicate through sign language by age four, but was unable to speak due to a severe cleft palate. Despite doctors’ concerns, McGrath’s family insisted on correcting the physical deformity, so they teamed with plastic surgeon Dr. Roxanne Guy to correct her palate, which gave her the opportunity to speak.
“It was a triumphant moment when Ashley greeted me with ‘Hello Dr. Guy’,” comments ASPS President-elect, Roxanne Guy, and M.D. “The sky was the limit once she was able to fully express herself.”
By fourth grade, McGrath began entering and winning speech competitions, ultimately winning the Future Business Leaders of America state speech competition in high school. McGrath tutors fellow students, volunteers at church, raises money for charity including the March of Dimes, and recently received the President’s Cup – the top student honor at Brevard Community College. With her Bright Futures Scholarship, she now studies sociology at the University of Central Florida working to begin a career in social work.
The culmination of years of hard work came recently when McGrath spoke at her college commencement as a 4.0 student and recipient of her college’s top award, the Brevard Community College President’s Cup. She plans to continue her education at the University of Central Florida where she will pursue a degree in sociology.
“Ashley has paved an amazing path for herself, and shown extreme courage,” says Dr. Guy. “She is such an amazing inspiration and was the perfect candidate for the award from the ASPS.”
McGrath has been an active volunteer for the March of Dimes and American Cancer Society, as well as logging over 350 volunteer hours in her community. She is active in Brevard County’s Public Libraries Literacy Program and tutors peers in Math.
