16-year-old Marlie Casseus has undergone four surgeries to remove an 18-pound tumor that covered almost her entire face and hampered her breathing. The entire process was chronicled on the Discovery Health Channel’s A New Face for Marlie.
Marlie suffers from McCune-Albright syndrome (polyostotic fibrous dysplasia), a genetic disorder of bones, skin pigmentation and hormonal problems, along with premature puberty. The growth completely disfigured her facial features, causing her to become reclusive to avoid scorn and repulsion in her native country of Haiti. Most people there believed Marlie’s disfigurement was the work of the devil.
With most of her mouth and nasal passages blocked, Marlie was only able to eat and breathe through one very narrow passage. The tumor began to close on her throat and made breathing difficult. It would have also eventually caused blindness.
All four surgeries were performed at the Holtz Children’s Hospital, at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center in Florida, and documented for the television program.
The International Kids Fund partnered with Good Samaritan for a Better Life to fund Marlie’s surgeries, which began when she arrived in Miami with a tracheotomy to insert a breathing tube.
After her surgeries, doctors indicated that Marlie might required further cosmetic surgeries at a later date, but said the growth would not return.
The first words Marlie uttered when the tracheotomy was removed were “thank you.”
View photos and video below.
Marlie is a beautiful and young girl no matter what any one says and she was always normal and she still is and god will always be on her side
Hello Marlie I pray that God continues to bless you and your family tremendously. You are beautiful and full of life and let no one tell you other wise. Continue to put God first and he will take care of you forever. You are an inspiration to all and I wish you many blessings.
I just stumble upon this amazing story of the bravest young girl I have ever heard of. I am truly encouraged by what God has done for Marlie and through this remarkable story I have truly learned that there is NOTHING IMPOSSIBLE for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ…Isaiah 53.5 tells us by Jesus’ stripe we are healed and have seen it through this wonderful, beautiful young girl…God bless you Marlie and may you be open to the journey the Lord has for you and know that this testimony is for the Glory of God, make good use of the life He has given you…Go about doing great things in the Mighty name of Jesus…peace and blessings
i saw the sad story marlie i am speaking from heart. evn with scars your veru pretty i just know theres hope for you even in many ways i know you dont look like this anymore but nobodys perfect but on the in side theres a light that shows hey mabye you are. bless you.
That is wonderful I’ve been caught up and this story and hoping theres no bad endin bless her
Marlie,
God is awesome! He touched your life for a reason. I was so touched by all you went through (and maybe are going through). Whether you realize it here and now or later. He made you the precious person you are through all you suffered. Thank God for his wisdom. I wish we were not a thousand miles away, and I could hug you and tell you how special you are and how your life has touched me.
marlie, you are an inspiration on humans who face things like you have, you are very beautiful and dont give up
Marlie, you have made me grateful for my life and all my blessings. I’m sure you affect others in the same way, and give them the strength to carry on. We’re praying for you.
Dear sweet child, this is the first time i seen this documentary and m heart was filled with pain ,but you have to be the bravert little girl ive ever seen in my life. i have a little girl about your age and if you were here i would want you two to be friends.you would recieve nothong but love and compassion here with us.i love you now .
marlie:you stong and beautiful inside and out i whish i was in hati to see you so much! ive i alwased wathched yor show (when its on) you make me cry tears of joy (sometimes saddness) marlie i am very proud of you you’ve coma a long way i hope you can read this when… you can marlie you are precouis and specail you make think abot that song call what makes you differnt makes you beautiful your are inspiring to all the other people born with mcune-albright syndrome and others who people who are going through sugrey too i hope after the earthquake in hati you are still happy:) i whish you the best and good luck in the future=) love with my soul and heart,trinity
Marlie, I am so glad that you are safe! I too searched for days after the earthquake. I hope you and your family are living in a safe area and have food and other neccessities.
I have watched Marlie’s procedure from the beginning and I am awed at the miraculous job this doctors done.
He is truly amazing! Marlie looks great, and with her further future surgeries ahead, she will be just as beautiful as the spirit within her. She should never worry about finding love. It will come to her.
Marlie: you have so many wonderful “friends” who are watching over you, even when they can’t be there. You are loved beyond belief and are a truly amazing child.
I wish you and your family much love and kindness in your lives. I will continue to pray for you and look forward to seeing your next step.
Thank you Marlie for being so brave and couregous and thank you for sharing your life with us.
I Love you!
I went to Discovery Health Channel’s website and there was a msg saying Marlie survived the earth quake.
I also am concerned about Marlie and her family does anyone know if they made it thro the disaster
C. Pinkney, you and I both share the same concerns.
Ironically, I thought about this little girl last week, following the events in Haiti.
I’m watching the Discovery Health Channel and I see that Marlie is now 17! I only saw the initial surgery that she received here in the U.S., so imagine how I felt upon seeing her at a current stage. She has changed so much, for the better.
I sincerely hope that she and her family are safe and sound. After all of the suffering that this little girl and her family have endured, I pray that they have not fallen victim as the so many others in Haiti.
I am concerned because of the condition of Haiti. Please somebody answer this message. Where is Marli, her two sisters, mom, dad and the two ladies that sought help for her in the US because of the tumor on her face? Please tell me are they ok?
Even though I saw the show on Discovery Health I feel a connection to this family like they are my family or close friends.
Marlee, I cry for you and I pray for your total recuperation…God works slowy sometime so we can see the changes that come to us later on….don’t lose patience , ok mija
So.. sad… ..so.. …sad.. .!! CRY!
You guys, did you see that show called “The Girl Who Was Born Without A Face?” That is also very sssssaaaadddd, when she was born, there were two EMPTY eye sockets, and a GAP where the mouth and nose was soppost to be! SOOOOOOO SSSSSSSSSAAAAAADDDDDDDDD!
OMG, that is the saddest person I have ever seen! I hope your face heals entirely! I’m. . . . going. . . . to. . . . cry!
Dear Marlie,
I admire your courage and your strength. You are amazing. GOD surely watched over you. I see a beautiful young lady with the whole world before her. In you, I see a hero that can conquer anything. May the Dear Lord continue to watch over you and keep you safe.
thank you sahnon for your comment back to donna it amazes me how can people can comment without thinking at all and dont realize how blessed we are in this country and other countries,i ve been to some of these places and know people from there it is what they say its like,and for the people that dont believe in some type of higher being or faith so be it keep it to your self and let us that do continue to keep our faith god bless marlie and her family im a full grown man and had many tears from watching this it also inspired me to keep my faith and stay strong in life.
In Response to Donna’s comments on September 13th.
Did you not see the beginning of the show? They live in one of the poorest areas of the Americas. They had gone to doctors, but not one of them knew what was wrong or how to treat her. Most people in Haiti live on one dollar a day, how are they supposed to afford treatment when they are sick, let alone treatment for this brave little girl?
Please don’t judge those less fortunate.
Thank you Marlie, for showing us all how to be brave and have faith in troubled times.
I will always pray for you and your family who have taught the world about trust and faith.
You are loved and admired in America and throuought the world.
Marlie, your are a very strong & beautiful girl. I want to wish you all the luck in the world. I saw this story last night. I am glad there are still people out there who help other people, you are a very special girl. Always remember you are a beautiful person.
Can someone please explain why this child’s mother/family WATCHED this child suffer for so long and did not seek help? The nurses who found her are the true angels.
How does a mother watch this happen to her child and hide her away?
sad sad sad tear tear tear cry cry cry. omg you are the real marlie cassuse!
very very very sad. hey you’re marlie casssus!
thank you! and for your comments about me! thanks for the donateion if you made one for me! you guys are the best! i am the real marlie by the way.
this is very sad tear tear i wach it a millon times i have a tender heart for people like that she is very brave
This young lady’s hope was sustained by her family’s faith and the doctors’ abilities. When facing a medical crisis like she has both faith and science tend to work hand in hand.
MARLIE:
WHAT MORE CAN I SAY THAT HASN’T BEEN SAID. THANKS TO EVERYBODY WHO CONTRIBUTED TO MAKE MARLIE’S SURGICAL PORCEDURES A SUCCESS. MORESO, THANKS TO DR. JESUS GOMEZ AND HIS TEAM. GOD IS REALLY WATCHING OVER MARLIE, AND THIS IS THE REASON HE SENT HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON IN THE PERSON OF DR. JESUS GOMEZ TO TAKE CHARGE OF MARLIE’S SITUATION. THIS EPISODE HELPS TO VALIDATE IN MY HEART THAT JESUS CHRIST IS ALIVE AND IS WITH US EVERYDAY. I AM ALSO PRAYING TO GOD ALMIGHTY TO BLESS US ALL WITH ABUNDANT RESOURCES TO ENABLE US TO CONTRIBUTE TOWARD SENSITIVE PROJECTS OF THIS NATURE WORLDWIDE.
THANKS TO YOU ALL AND GOD BLESS MARLIE.
MARLIE, YOU ARE A BEAUTIFUL BABE!
The two twins are amazing, thank god they found you. I’m so happy for you now.
I don’t see the point of arguing the absence of God on a site meant to give hope and well wishes to a young girl who believes. Why judge or criticize the faith of the sufferer? Or those who support & share the sufferer’s faith?
People who don’t believe in God suffer and die just like ones who do, so if you’re basing your (lack of) faith/belief in the presence of God on personal happiness and lack of suffering, there is a larger picture being missed here, I think.
If someone chooses faith to sustain themselves through human suffering, instead of drugs, alcohol, violence or bitterness, what is the harm in that? And why feel you the need to judge and criticize on such an inappropriate forum?
It’s easy to blame God (or the lack of) for people’s suffering, but what about the pain you as humans cause when you make such selfish, callous remarks where they clearly have no propriety? You as humans hurt people everyday with your words and actions, and you can’t blame the God you don’t believe in for that. Why not just be happy for her, and the faith that brought her through, even if you don’t share in that faith? The world is bigger than you, people.
I saw this on discovery health last night, and I said “surely there must be more” so I went looking.
WOW ! That last pcture of her in the blue shirt is really impressive ! If by the end of the second surgery she was dancing, I can’t imagine how happy she must be now !
We gotta give full props to Dr. Jesus Gomez and his team. And of course, the charity and those who donated.
And as for the people complaining about the overuse of “God ” The doctor’ s name was ‘JESUS’ and the girl was really suffering .. so of course they’re gonna say its a miracle. Give them a break guys !
Let’s not make this about ourselves and our personal gripes. Its about the Haitian girl.
My family watched this amazing special about Marlie tonight on the discovery channel. Marlie you are truly amazing and we should all be so thankful for all we have. You and your family are an inspiration to all who watched this program.
I wish you happiness in your life. I would love to follow your future paths. Good luck and I’m sure God will watch over you and protect you with any future surgeries.
hey marlie,
i think you are abrave STRONG girl and you diserve the best i wish you well..!!!!!!!!!!!!
m
ma
mar
marl
marli
marlie
So was God the reason she was saved by HUMAN doctors?? or was he the reason why she became like that in the first place??
Why would he make her go through that in the first place?
Or was it just dumb luck it was her that it happened to and thanks to science and technology, shwas able to look normal again.
Get a clue!
My husband and I watched this story last night and we were moved to tears. Marlie is a beautiful young lady with great strength, spirit and the unconditional love and support of her family, friends and the rest of the world! I wish I could meet Marlie. I will continue to pray for Marlie, her family and the team of doctors who have cared for her. Marlie, may God continue to bless you and may you have a wonderful, full and happy life! The sky is the limit for what you can do. God bless!
This story about Marlie has touched me truly. I watched the story as I cried in my living room last. Without God this would have never come to pass. Marlie, you are truly a brave blessing from God. Just to see her put up a good fight help me to realize that there are other things bigger than me and my situations. I am blessed and so are you Marlie. Marlie, your story has helped me to fight and to never give up. You really are blessed to have your family, your physician and your friends. Thank you Marlie, you are a miracle from God.
This story about Marlie really touched my soul. She is a strong little girl, just to go down the road she went. I am a grown woman and I don’t think I could have endured so much pain, and suffering. This is a story I will never forget, I know God is a Good God. I am going to keep up with This story of try to find out how she is doing and if she had other surgeries. Marlie if you ever read this I admire you so much and I hope my children grow up to be as strong as you.
I saw this story tonight on Discovery Health, and I am amazed to see the strength and the courage of Marlie. I really admire it and May God Bless her. I have learned that we should be thankful to God…may be more than thankful beause ultimately health is wealth. May God, gives same courage, strength and patience to everyone, and yes ofcourse, amazing science which plays the major part..Thanks to our technology and special thanks to physicians who give new lives to ppl.
I saw this story late last night on an Australian show called Amazing Medical Stories, and I cried so hard and felt so much sorrow and I had to keep watching to see her get the operations and I begged that she would work out.
When she had her first operation and she saw herself in the mirror for the first time, and tears rolled down each side of her face, I lost it. Someone so young going through these things breaks my heart….
But my spirits lifted to see her smiling in the end…
What’s with all this talk about God? Clearly this is thanks to science. God is NOT real. Why would an omnipotent being create such a deadly decease that goes as far as disfiguring you?
Was this his intention?
Thank science we can play this so called “God” and make things right.
I cried through the whole program. Watching what this child went through and what her parents and family had to go throughand yet they held their faith in God. It wasa moving story full of hope.
Luke 1:37
For with GOD… nothing is impossible
Her life story has truly touched the hearts of my two children and they are always asking about her progress. My kids have learned to be tolerant of people’s differences and have become an advocate when it comes to how we treat people.
Dear Marlie,
The Lord said everything I creats is Good and and so are you Marlie. I was watching the story on Discovery channel and i thought of of some people that are going under cosmetic surgery just because they don’t like the way their bodies are growing old… I hope they could see Marlie’s story… A young girl with so much hope and so much faith, that knew the Lord had created her in His image. Marlie don’t give up hope Our Lord is good He knows what you are going thru and he loves you just the way you are and you are are not a mistake, you were created for a purpose… Keep up your faith. God bless you and your family as well as the twin sisters keep glorify His name.
Robin, it’s a shame you can’t just celebrate Marlie’s joy instead of using this space to debate your issues with religion. Marliehas faith and as this is her story. Those who share her belief and wish to thank God should not be chastised or confronted. If you choose not to believe, don’t, and praise the science that helped her. But don’t denigrate those who support her. That said, Marlie you are a beautiful girl with an even more beautiful spirit – I am so happy for you!
I hope you will be perfectly fine soon Marlie. I have been praying for you and I know that the Lord is watching over you . He does not like to see his children suffer , that is why he has sent help for you. Keep believing and never give up and stay sweet.
I LOVE YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was lucky enough to be able to spend all afternoon yesterday doing arts and crafts with Marlie. She is such a beautiful, brilliant young woman. In just a few hours of one-on-one quality time, I know that she has a huge heart, far bigger than any other part of her body could ever be. My heart is with her always.
you are truly beautiful and i am so happy for you.
when i saw this story on TLC channel
i cried my eyes out. you are truly blessed
and everyone is cheering for you
god bless.
MARLIE:
THANKS GOD!!!! YOU HAVE A NEW CHANCE IN LIVE… THIS IS TO KNOW THE ONE WHO GAVE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY LIVE. HIS NAME IS JEHOVA. PRAY TO HIM AND ASK HIM THE WAY TO SERVE HIM, HE WILL SHOW IT TO YOU. I HOPE YOU CONTINUE YOUR RECOVERY… LOVE FROM ALL PUERTO RICAN PEOPLE AND THE BEST WISHES FOR YOU…
Marlie, You are truely are an inspiration to me!! I just want to give you the biggest hug!! You are so beautiful and I love your dancing. You have made an impact on the world!
Marlie, I hope that God continues to bless you. I saw your story on TLC last night and I was so inspired by you and your family. Good luck with everything. We are praying for you.
Marlie,
I saw a show on TV last night on TLC. You have come so far and look so beautiful! Your strength and determination is amazing! I Thank God for what he has done!
God Bless you and your Family!
Science??? her faith in God was what truely held this girl together, the many prayers her mother and friends did, Marlie mayGod keep blessing you and your family. you are in our prayers
I FORGOT TO CONGRATULATE THE EXTRAORDINARY WORK THE DOCTORS DID!!, THE LORD PUT INTO THEM TWO PRECIOUS HANDS IN EACH DOCTOR FOR MARELY TO GET THIS SURGERY SO COMPLICATED AND DELICATED GOD BLESS THESE DOCTORS AND THEIR GOOD HEART IN THEM, TREMENDO EQUIPO!!
HELEN FROM PUERTO RICO :)
MARLEY YOU ARE THE MOST PRECIOUS A SPECIAL GIRL IVE EVER SEEN, YOU ARE A MIRACLE OF OUR GOOD LORD, GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS AND TAKE CARE OF YOU, AND GOD BLESS YOUR HOME FAMILY, AND ALSO THE TWO TWIN NURSES, GOD BLESS THEM FOR YOUR CHARITY WORK!
HELEN FROM PUERTO RICO!!! :)
God bless you Marlie. I truly believe that this was a miracle from God. You have come so far!!!
“This is truely the proof that Jesus and the Lord work in all of us.”
What is the proof? The terrible disease that she had in the first place? A strange thing to say.
At least science was able to help the dear girl and correct God’s oopsy. But wait, God is omnipotent and perfect – he doesn’t make mistakes. Hmmm.
I’m watching the end of it now. Amazing. She seems so much happier. She is truely beautiful.
where can i buy a video of the show on tlc of a new face for marlie it was very good and like to get a dvd anthony cinotti
I saw this story earlier on the TLC channel.
This girl is absolutely amazing.
This is truely the proof that Jesus and the Lord work in all of us.
I saw this story on Discovery channel tonight and cried. Marlie has gotten another chance at life. Its amazing how strong she is, mentally and physically. I admire her. Having to endure something as tragic as that surgery some just cannot understand. Having gone through a brain tumor myself, I know what it feels like to look different. People stare. They still do. The ones that look are the ones that have not spoken to the higher ground. They dont know what its like to heal from a near death experience that you had no control over. Its just your body. Her body gained the will to live. It should be cherished and loved. Live today like its your last because tomorrow is never promised.
One Love. aMp
I hope you are perfect soon Marlie!
God bless you!
Love, Andie