Brave Stefan through first op

From the Echo, first published Tuesday 21st Oct 2003.

LITTLE Stefan Savic was today sitting up and playing with his toys after the first in a series of operations to repair his disfigured face.

Four-year-old Stefan, from Bosnia, who has captured the hearts of Dorset Echo readers, underwent mouth surgery in the lead up to a major operation to remove a large growth from between his eyes.

After the operation at Great Ormond Street Hospital which left him with only seven of his teeth Stefan enjoyed a feast of jelly and ice cream.

Staff Sgt Wayne Ingram, 33, from Weymouth who met Stefan in Bosnia and started fundraising for his £24,000 operation said he was relieved that the operation went so well. He said: "Stefan is now resting in his hotel with his family and I am just happy that he is alright, he is an amazing little boy.

"He was up and playing with toys hours after his operation and his family had a job to try and get him to rest." Stefan's operation took place yesterday morning and doctors at the hospital released him last night.

Stefan arrived at Heathrow with mum Slavenka and aunt Dzejna Milakovid a week ago and the family are staying at a hotel in Kings Cross, London.

Echo readers have now raised more than £15,000 for the little boy with events still being held and money still pouring in.

The main operation is scheduled for next Monday and Stefan's dad, Milos and sister Nada, seven, are flying in from Bosnia on Sunday to be at his bedside.

Sgt Ingram said: "I'm looking forward to next Monday so he can have the operation and I'm also not looking forward to it because it's a very long operation. "The family are very nervous as to be expected but at the end of the day their son is going to have a long and life changing operation."

Stefan was born with a facial deformity and his dream of looking like any other boy is now coming true thanks to the generosity of the people of Dorset and funds raised in Bosnia by Sgt Ingram.

Stefan and his family are due to visit Weymouth while he is recovering from his major operation.

Archive Home