Removing the scars

NEW HAVEN, Conn. — A stabbing attack by a live-in boyfriend five years ago nearly killed Michelle Comeau and has left her feeling as if she’s the one being punished. Distorted nightmares of the attack haunt her sleep. She won’t wear V-neck sweaters on first dates because an 8-inch-long surgical scar runs from her chest to her collarbone. She still experiences a tingling sensation in the left pinky and ring fingers he almost cut off.

“No one will ever look at him and know he tried to kill someone,” Miss Comeau said. “Physically, I’m the one with the reminders.”

She has applied to a Connecticut plastic surgeon who is offering free services to help make those physical reminders disappear.

In increasing numbers, survivors of domestic abuse are taking a hard look at themselves and seizing on cosmetic-surgery programs across the country that offer them another chance to heal physically while they work on repairing the emotional damage.

Although Miss Comeau has applied to a doctor who is not involved in any of the national programs, he believes nonetheless that survivors of domestic violence deserve the same attention as the men and women profiled on reality-TV makeover shows.

Dr. Julian Henley, who has a practice in New Haven and New York City, has posted applications on his Web site (www.plasticsurgeon4u.com). About 10 women, including Miss Comeau, have submitted photographs and their stories. Only one will be chosen.

Miss Comeau’s three-year relationship with her boyfriend, Tjamel Hamlin, was on the verge of ending. The couple was in its New London apartmentthe morning of May 12, 1999, when she told him it was over. He exploded, stabbing her at least five times.

Doctorssay she lost one half of her blood.

Hamlin stabbed Miss Comeau twice in the chest, puncturing her left lung and hitting an artery near her heart. Doctors were forced to open up her chest to stop the bleeding, which left the 8-inch surgical scar. She also has a 3-inch scar across her right jawline.

“I still catch people sometimes who will look or stare,” she said softly. “Depending on the person or where I am, I will decide if I want to tell my story.”

Hamlin, who pleaded guilty to first-degree assault, was sentenced in August 2000 to a 14-year prison term suspended after eight years, said Kevin Kane, the New London county prosecutor. He is eligible for parole in February 2006.

A national program called Face to Face: the National Domestic Violence Project has helped 1,500 women since it was developed in 1994 by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. More than 300 surgeons are participants.

To be considered for surgery starts with a phone call to the program’s toll-free number. Survivors are screened to determine whether their injuries are a result of domestic violence and to ensure that they are out of the abusive relationship.

They are given the name of a local domestic violence shelter where they can meet with a counselor who, in turn, contacts the program to set up a consultation with a local member surgeon.

“I can honestly say that some of the most gratified patients are the ones with the most minor things. It’s not always something major,” said Dr. Keith LaFerrier, president of the academy. “We can give them the ability to look in the mirror and feel liberated.”

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