Spring breaks should be a joyful occasion. The weather is nice and gives students a chance to relax and have a little fun before the final weeks of school.
But for 16-year-old Chrissy Steltz, the spring break ended in a bloodbath.
When she decided to throw a party at her house in March 1999, Chrissy never could have guessed the devastating consequences her decision would have.
That evening, she literally lost half of her face.
This is Chrissy Steltz at 16 years old. The picture was taken before an accident that would cost her half of her face.
It all started with Chrissy throwing a party for her friends to celebrate spring break together.
Alcohol was flowing, laughter was abundant. However, the atmosphere soon took a dark turn.
“We’re doing what teenagers shouldn’t be doing, you know, drinking. And I went in the back room and offered them orange juice, and I saw one of my friends with a hunting rifle,” Chrissy recalls.
Chrissy urged her friend to put the weapon down, warning that someone could get hurt.
But tragically, the gun went off, and Chrissy was shot in the face, changing her life forever.
She was rushed to the hospital where surgeons fought to save her life. Although they managed to keep her alive, the damage was extensive, with her eyes and nose unable to be saved.
“The blast itself removed the contents of her left eye socket, removed her nose and the supporting midfacial structures, and damaged her right eye to the point that she lost vision,” one of the operating surgeons, Eric Dierks, explained.
The road to recovery
Chrissy remained in a coma, with her loved ones praying for her recovery. After six weeks, she woke up, ready to embark on a challenging journey to healing and acceptance.
Coming to terms with her injuries was the first step for Chrissy, as she grappled with the reality of her situation.
“The first thing I remember is waking up in a hospital and asking if we were there yet,” Chrissy recounted.
“In my mind, I was mentally traveling with my family to the beach. I thought I’d fallen asleep in the backseat of the car.”
Having her friend Will explain the tragic event to her was a harsh awakening, as she realized the extent of her injuries and their permanent effects.
Upon leaving the hospital, Chrissy began adapting to her new life as a blind person, learning essential skills like braille and mobility with a cane.
Refusing to be defined by her tragedy, Chrissy returned to her high school, attended prom, and excelled academically, proving her resilience.
A second chance
While her relationship with Will ended, Chrissy found love again with Geoffrey Dilger, whom she met at a gathering for the blind, sharing a bond over their similar experiences with vision loss.
Their relationship blossomed, leading to marriage and the joy of parenthood, with the couple now raising a child together.
Despite enduring numerous challenges, Chrissy’s positive outlook has been a guiding light, fueling her remarkable journey of growth and resilience.
One desire remained unfulfilled for Chrissy: the hope of having a face that her son could see, enabling him to witness her true appearance.
A new face
In 2010, after years of wearing a mask, Chrissy underwent a transformative surgery to receive a prosthetic face crafted by a skilled surgical team.
The team meticulously matched her new eyes and nose to her original features using photographs from her youth.
With the prosthetic face, not only could Chrissy’s son finally see her, but she could also regain a sense of normalcy and reduce societal discomfort.
The surgical procedure involved removing damaged tissue, creating space for breathing, and integrating dental implants. Skin grafts from Chrissy’s leg, along with the use of screws and metal plates, allowed for the prosthesis to be easily attached and removed.
Complete with makeup made of silicone, including eyeliner and mascara, the new face brought a sense of wholeness to Chrissy.
While the procedure and prosthesis cost $20,000, Chrissy’s insurance did not cover it. In a heartwarming gesture, the medical team volunteered their time and services for free.
Chrissy’s new self
Anticipation ran high among Chrissy’s circle as they eagerly awaited the unveiling of her new face, marking a significant milestone in her journey.
For little Geoffrey, seeing his mother’s restored appearance was met with acceptance and normalcy.
Embracing her new appearance, Chrissy ventured out with confidence, though she couldn’t help but notice the curious glances of others.
“There were times when I for sure could feel people’s eyes burning on me,” she shared with Inside Edition.
Not only could Chrissy sense when she was being observed, but she also retained the ability to visualize in her dreams.
Seeing things in her dreams
Despite her physical challenges, Chrissy revealed that her dreams remained vivid, allowing her to visualize familiar scenes and loved ones.
“When I go to bed every night … my dreams are completely perceivable. I still see the sky. I still see … you know, the ocean …” she expressed.
In her dream world, Chrissy could even envision her unmasked self and her son’s endearing features.
While many express sympathy for her situation, Chrissy’s perspective on life is one of gratitude and resilience.
“If anybody finds out how I went blind, 99 percent of the time the first comment is: ‘I’m sorry.’ And my response to that is: I’m not. I have lived,” she confidently shared with Oregon Live.
