Woman whose husband disowned her after a facial tumour left her disfigured undergoes life-saving surgery
Smaira Benhar received help after a pharmacist spotted her in the street and took photos
A MOROCCAN woman whose husband disowned her after a tumour left her face disfigured has undergone reconstruction surgery that she hopes will better her life.
“I was very damaged physically and psychologically,” Smaira Benhar, 39, told Central European News (CEN).
The mother-of-two had been abandoned by her husband, and faced rejection from others in her home city of Casablanca.
It all changed when she was approached by a pharmacist who asked to take her picture to send to a doctor, CEN reported.
“Later she said to me, ‘I am not promising you anything, but I am going to do my best to help you,’” Smaira said.
The story reached Dr Pedro Cavadas, a world-renowned surgeon in reconstructive surgery and implants at Mainses Hospital in Valencia, Spain.
He diagnosed Smaira with a genetic illness and determined the tumour to be benign.
Smaira spent 13 months in Valencia being treated by Cavadas, which was paid for by the Adra Foundation and the Cultural Islamic Centre.
He removed the tumour and fitted Smaira with an ocular prosthetic implant.
“Today I am very happy.
“I will never forget everything they have done for me,” Smaira said at a press conference with Cavadas.
The Adra Foundation is now assisting Smaira in finding a job and house.