By David Rogers. February 15, 2012. BOONE -- Orthodontics may be about wires, brackets, rubber bands and anchors, but for two High Country doctors a chance encouter at an orthodontics industry event was a source of inspiration and perhaps a renewal in faith about the human condition. At first glance, you see three smiling faces in this picture. Take a closer look and you see that something is missing.

Few people face adversity in their lives quite like Bethany Hamilton, of Kauai, Hawaii.  She started surfing at a young age and, at just eight years old, entered her first surf competition. It was on the island of Oahu, and she won both the short and long board divisions in that very first outing.

Tragically, at age 13 and while surfing recreationally off of Kauai's North Shore, on Cctober 31, 2003, Hamilton had the worst kind of Halloween.  She was attacked by a 14-foot tiger shark, leaving her with a severed left arm.  Even after losing 60% of her blood, she made it through several surgeries without infection.

Just one month after losing her arm to the shark, she returned to the water to pursue her goal of becoming a professional surfer. In January 2004, she returned to surf competition, placing 5th in the Open Women's division. By 2005, she had won her first national title: 1st place in the Explorer Women's division of the 2005 National Scholastic Surfing Association (NSSA) National Championships. In 2007, Hamilton turned pro, participating in numerous Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) events. She placed 2nd at the ASP 2009 World Junior Championships.

In an autobiography, Soul Surfer, in 2004, Hamilton shared her young life's story of adversity and overcoming great personal challenges. A major motion picture, Soul Surfer, based on the book, was released in August 2011.

Dr. Michael Mayhew and partner Dr. Nicole Scheffler had a chance to meet Hamilton backstage recently, at the 11th Annual Damon Forum, January 18-21, in Phoenix, Arizona. Both Mayhew and Scheffler had been invited to lecture at the forum, with over a thousand orthodontists from around the USA in attendance.

"We met Bethany backstage," Mayhew told Blowing Rock News in a Wednesday interview. "It was prior to her speaking in a keynote address to some 1,200 people attending the Forum, which is sponsored by Ormco Corporation, a major orthodontics supply company."

"She was a very down to earth individual," noted Mayhew. "And she seemed somewhat in awe of  all the publicity that has come her way.  The connection to orthodontics is that she had a severe jaw and tooth alignment discrepancy and sought the help of an orthodontist in Southern California that was known for managing that type of alignment problem. Although she may have been a candidate for surgery, the doctor that treated her utilized the same type of technology we use here in Boone, the Damon System, and she was able to avoid surgery while still fashioning the smile and bite that she had hoped to achieve."

Scheffler added, "When she was on stage, Bethany spoke to the audience about her experiences with the shark attack, the challenges of recovery, and the excitement of the movie and travelling around the world for special appearances. It was truly a moving experience for all of the doctors attending."

Hamilton reminded the orthodontists attending about the importance of their work, relating that after the shark attack she struggled through many trials and tribulations, all of which took their toll on her confidence and self-esteem. After being treated (with the Damon braces), "I couldn't be happier. The results of having braces not only improved my smile, they boosted my self-confidence."

"Those around Bethany," Mayhew related, "have credited her strong water sense and belief in God for helping her get through this traumatic ordeal with a very special and positive attitude. Having met her, my faith in the human spirit and our individual abilities to overcome personal tragedy have been reinforced.

"This young woman is definitely a surfer," Mayhew concluded. "I loved the way she said she was 'stoked' about her new smile.  In meeting her, it is easy to see why Ormco wanted to put her out in front of people to talk about not only the Damon System, but equally important, about her life. She is truly an inspiration to young and old alike, and a role model for young people to follow and admire in how she perservered through adversity. There is a lesson in her story for all of us."

Mayhew reminded Blowing Rock News that Ormco is supporting the nationwide Smile for a Lifetime program. "Ormco celebrates every person who 'likes' the Damon Facebook page with a donation to Smile for a Lifetime.  In addition, our office is sponsoring a contest to win autographed memorabilia from our visit with Bethany Hamilton, including the "Soul Surfer" movie and books.  To be eligible, people just have to go to our Facebook page (Click HERE) and click on our picture with Bethany in the upper left hand corner."

Dr. Mayhew's and Dr Scheffler's Adult & Child Orthodontics, 373 Boone Heights Rd., Boone, NC 28607, has been offering orthodontic patient services in the High Country for 30 years.

 

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