On May 18, 2018, Jordan Imperial visited Dr. Frederick Leh’s clinic for a post-surgery check-up.. 【Photo by Grace Limbher Daigdigan】
Story Highlights
For 21 years, Jordan Imperial carried a jelly-like lump on his nose which invited bullying. Because of a good-hearted boss, he was able to go through surgery to have the cyst removed last May 11, 2018.
For the 21-year-old Jordan Imperial, socializing has been tough. Because of the jelly-like lump on his nose, some people called him names, others feared him. The lump started as a small scar when he was born. It grew bigger as he grew older, almost blocking his vision at some point.
His condition led him to drop out of school during his freshman year in high school. This was to prevent him from getting into fights, defending himself against bullies. Besides, he could hardly afford an education anyway.
He is practically an orphan. His parents separated when he was young and left him and his siblings to fend for themselves.
They stayed with different relatives and took on odd jobs. Once Jordan worked in a poultry farm to earn money to cover their daily expenditures. Later he was forced to leave the province for higher pay as a construction worker in Marikina City.
“When I saw Jordan here in the work place, he was aloof because of his lump. I understood his insecurities so I contacted one of my friends at Tzu Chi to seek assistance,” Alexander Ang, owner of the construction firm, shares.
After being referred to the Buddhist organization, Jordan was immediately advised to undergo a CT scan to see how much damage the lump has caused. Findings revealed that it was a nasal cyst. Luckily, it was benign but because it was left untreated for a long time, it has caused the bone on his nose to decay.
On the day of the surgery, Tzu Chi International Medical Association surgeon, Dr. Frederick Leh took a piece of bone from Jordan’s collar to use as substitute for his decayed nose bridge so that his face wouldn’t end up flat. Then the stretched portion of the skin caused by the jelly-like lump was removed to complete the whole reconstruction.
Weeks after the surgery, the once aloof Jordan was all smiles as he visited his doctor for a check-up.
“Having that lump on my face was very difficult. It made me stick out and feel different. I didn’t like people looking at me because of it.,” Jordan shares.
“Now, I feel more confident about myself because there’s nothing to be ashamed of,” he adds.
On May 25, while he was still on leave and recovering, Jordan visited his work place to personally thank Alexander alongside with Tzu Chi volunteers.
Seeing Jordan without the lump on his nose, Alexander was flushed with happiness. He felt proud, being able to fulfill his mother’s advice before passing away last December 2017. She was a Tzu Chi commissioner.
“My mother used to remind me to always be of help to others. However, it was already too late when I realized the value of her words. Now, I’m doing everything that I could to make up,” cries Alexander, who pledged to become a Tzu Chi volunteer and dedicate time to the foundation.
Help Tzu Chi help others like Jordan! Visit http://tzuchi.org.ph/#donate-modal for more information.
