'Body Parts': Allison Vest helps Ari Stojsik regain her confidence with prosthetic ear
People often take seemingly normal appearances for granted. Functionality aside, it is only until they lose or are missing a body part that they realize the importance of having it. While this often affects people's self-confidence, one woman is working to change that -- Allison Vest. Enter 'Body Parts', TLC's newest reality show, where Allison helps people by crafting prosthetics for them. As per the synopsis of the series, "Anaplastologist Allison Vest creates amazing, lifelike prosthetics for patients who have missing or deformed body parts. Taking on unique and extreme cases, Allison melds medicine and artistry to help her patients both functionally and psychologically."
Be it noses, limbs, or nipples, Allison has dedicated her career to improving lives. Episode 1 of 'Body Parts' saw her help Ari Stojsik by creating a unique prosthetic to combat life-long insecurity.
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Twenty-year-old Ari Stojsik was born with microtia, a congenital disability where a baby's external ear does not develop. Ari explained that she did not have an ear canal or an exterior when it came to her right ear, meaning that she was deaf on that side. She never felt like she was much different until she began going to school when other kids made her acutely aware of her ear or lack of it. She often had to sit next to teachers to hear them better, and all of this accumulated in her attaching all the bad things about herself to her right ear.
She even underwent 18 surgeries to rectify it, where surgeons tried to create an ear canal using her tissue. However, Ari's body didn't take to it, and none of these surgeries were successful. Ari's mother Donna felt intense guilt regarding her daughter's situation. She opened up about how she felt she should have or could have done something to prevent this when Ari was in her womb, despite doctors reminding her that it was beyond her control.
Having had surgeries right since she was 11, Ari was curious to know what a prosthetic would be like instead and hoped that it would be the solution to her problems. Allison took a cast of both her ears and began crafting her prosthetics. When it was finally the delivery day, Allison explained to Ari how to attach the prosthetic and informed her that while it was durable, there were thin edges that would help it blend better.
Ari was shocked to see the outcome and got emotional over the same. Donna, who was waiting outside, got emotional on learning that Ari was crying, seeing that her daughter rarely cried. Happy tears continued to flow as Donna finally laid eyes on her daughter, claiming that Allison was their "hero".
Catch Season 1 of 'Body Parts' on TLC on Wednesdays at 10 pm ET/PT.
