Finding Their Voices: The Reagans' Journey

When Silence Felt Like Forever

Both Bronwyn and Lemuel Reagan were born with Treacher Collins syndrome, a craniofacial condition that affected their hearing, facial structure, and would require years of specialized medical care unavailable anywhere in their home state.

Due to their shared condition, the siblings' hearing was severely impacted, creating a world where music didn't exist, where dance rhythms couldn't be felt, and where their parents' voices were muffled and distant.

"At birth, it was obvious that our children would need medical care not available in Idaho," Carol, their mother, would later reflect. With only one family income and two children requiring complex reconstructive surgeries, the path ahead seemed impossible to navigate alone.

The Lifeline

In those early days of the internet, Carol spent countless hours searching for hope, for community, for answers. That's when she discovered FACES—not just as a source of financial assistance, but as a lifeline to families who understood their journey.

"It was a wonderful, supportive community," Carol remembered. "It helped us not only with travel expenses, but there was a community of people who let us know we were not alone."

The application process was straightforward, but more importantly, it connected them with Ashley and later Kim Fox, staff members who would become like family over the years of treatment ahead.

The Journey to Seattle

What followed were years of trips to Seattle Children's Hospital, where some of the world's leading craniofacial specialists worked. Without FACES' support, these journeys would have been impossible. The organization didn't just cover airfare and hotel costs—they made it possible for both parents to be present for major decisions and all-day appointments that stretched from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Bronwyn and Lemuel both underwent cleft palate repairs, orthodontic work, and reconstructive surgery involving their cheekbones and fat grafting. Bronwyn had additional surgery to create a chin. But the most transformative treatment was yet to come.

The Sound of Music, The Rhythm of Life

Bone Anchored Hearing Aids or also known as BAHAS, changed everything. For the first time, Bronwyn and Lemuel could truly hear the world around them. What had been a muffled, distant existence suddenly burst into clarity.

"This little hearing aid opened up a beautiful world of sound," their mother marveled. "This treatment made a tremendous difference in their lives. It allowed them to engage in the world."

For Bronwyn, hearing clearly for the first time revealed a passion she never knew existed—music. The melodies that had been locked away behind her hearing loss now flowed freely, inspiring her to pursue vocal performance with a confidence that surprised everyone, including herself.

Lemuel discovered something equally transformative—the intricate rhythms of dance. What had once been impossible to follow now became his calling, leading him to pursue a Master's degree in Dance Therapy, where he could help others find healing through movement.

More Than Medical Care

During one particularly challenging period when teenage Bronwyn was facing reconstructive surgery, FACES sent something unexpected—a care package. Inside was a cozy blanket that would become her constant companion through recovery, college, and graduate school.

"As a teenager, it meant a lot to her," Carol recalled. "Folks who did not know her personally were giving love and support as she went through this surgery. To this day, she has her cozy blanket. It has traveled with her to college and graduate school. It is a comfort."

This gesture exemplified what made FACES different. "We were not a number," Carol explained. "There was an openness and personal interest in what we were doing and how both Lemuel and Bronwyn were doing."

Bold and Beautiful

Today, they both embody a confidence that might surprise those who don't understand their journey. Far from being shy about their differences, they've embraced theater, performance, and helping others. 

"Both Lemuel and Bronwyn have never been shy in who they are—if anything, they have been bold," their mother notes with pride. "They were involved in theater. Lemuel is pursuing his Master's in Dance Therapy, and Bronwyn has done vocal performances."

The Ripple Effect

The Reagan family's story illustrates the far-reaching impact of FACES support. What began as travel assistance became the foundation for two young people to discover their passions, pursue their dreams, and now give back to others facing similar challenges.

"Your children don't need to know all the challenges you face as a parent," Carol advises other families beginning this journey. "They just need to know they are loved."

Bronwyn and Lemuel, now adults, are available to mentor other families, continuing the cycle of support that FACES began in their lives more than two decades ago.

A Legacy of Sound and Movement

Without FACES, Bronwyn might never have heard the soaring melodies that now define her vocal performances. Lemuel might never have felt the rhythms that led him to dance therapy, where he helps others heal through movement.

"One small thing or act has great change and impact in many lives," Carol reflects. "We may never know or see what difference it makes in a family's life. It is faith in knowing it is good."

Today, when Bronwyn takes the stage to sing or when Lemuel leads a dance therapy session, they carry with them not just their own strength and talent, but the support of an entire community that believed in their potential when the path forward seemed impossible.

Their voices—both literal and metaphorical—ring clear and strong, a testament to what becomes possible when families don't have to face the challenges of craniofacial conditions alone.