People p. 71: 'A new face for Chrissy' | People

MILWAUKIE, Ore. - It is a new day for a Milwaukie woman who lost most of her face in a shot-gun accident when she was just 16.   

Eleven years ago Chrissy Steltz's life changed forever: "I knew I could sit back and have a pity party," she said. "Or I could figure out what to do and go about doing it."

Indeed, Chrissy's new platform - that of gun safety - is featured along with her new face in the Aug. 9, 2010, edition of "People" magazine. That magazine is arriving in subscriber mailboxes now.

It took science and the generosity of doctors, including a year-long, multi-surgery marathon, to complete her prosthetic. However, after 11 years without a face, the 27 year old Chrissy now has one.

She and her friends were drinking and messing around with a stolen gun when her face was shot off by a drunk party goer. Ever since, Chrissy has worn a sleep shade to cover the gaping hole where her eyes, nose and cheeks used to be.

Prosecutors didn't charge her over this because they said she had suffered enough. In the meantime, the then-16 year old went to senior prom, graduated on time and took home straight As.

"It's part of who I am," Chrissy told reporter Ashleigh Banfield.

She even took classes for the blind, where she met Geeoffrey Dilger, who also is blind. They have been together ever since, and now have a year-old boy together.

To make the prosthetic, flesh-tone silicone was poured into a plaster mold then painted to reflect the natural flaws of human skin. Chrissy favorite makeup was applied and sealed into the prosthesis. The piece is fitted over her skull and attached to eight magnetic implants drilled into her bones. (The People article has photos of the process.)

"When I walked out of the room and everyone saw me for the first time, I was so excited that I couldn't stop smiling," Chrissy said, "...Because I felt like everyone was seeing me again."

Still blinded by the accident, Chrissy can't see her new look through her prosthetic eyes. However, thanks to the innovation of a Eugene dentist, a Portland surgeon and a Florida specialist, Chrissy Steltz now can leave her sleep mask at home.

Related resources:

• Follow the story of Chrissy's new face on KATU.com
• One more face transplant in the news