Photographs by William Taufic.
Last year Greenwich resident Lisa Lori and her son went on a medical mission to Panama with Operation Smile, a charity that offers free reconstructive surgery to children with clefts. “It was very emotional,” says Lisa. “It’s hard for anyone to see how people in the developing world live.” Her son Zachary was only twelve. “He bonded with one baby and mother, in particular,” continues Lisa. “He held the baby as they went into surgery. When the mom started crying, he went over and rubbed her back.”
That moment was so poignant because Zack is usually the one going into surgery. He and his two younger brothers were born with facial paralysis; they had no use of facial muscles, which meant an inability to smile as well as difficulties hearing and swallowing. The cause of the extremely rare condition is unknown and doctors offered no solutions.
“My husband wouldn’t give up,” says Lisa. “He found Dr. Ronald Zucker in Toronto. He had pioneered a muscle transplant surgery for children, to enable them to smile, close their mouths, eat better and speak better.” Each of the Lori boys has undergone several surgeries.
“The change was so remarkable that we had to do something to celebrate Dr. Zucker,” says Lisa. He was a medical volunteer for Operation Smile, so Lisa, who owned a successful PR firm, held a fundraiser for Operation Smile at her home in 2010. Her longtime friend Kathy Van Zeeland attended. Moved by the event, the handbag designer asked how she could help.
By 2011, the talented duo had created a trio of teddy bears, named Zachary, Luke and Griffin (after the Lori boys), intended to comfort children receiving cleft surgery through Operation Smile. “When children in the Western world go into surgery, they can take a blanket or stuffed animal,” explains Lisa. “Kids in the developing world often don’t even have toys.” Those who donate $240 to provide a surgery to a child receive a commemorative bear and the child receives one as well.
“Community service is not about checking a box. It’s a way of life,” says Lisa, who recently closed her PR firm to focus on family, writing and charity work. The Loris have raised more than $500,000 for Operation Smile through the bears, events, and the boys’ fundraising efforts.
“Lisa is an incredible woman, who has helped so many children,” comments Kristie Porcaro, senior VP of development at Operation Smile. “I’ve been on missions with the bears. I’ve seen the smiles they put on kids’ faces.”