Everyday in my email in-box are pitches about beauty, health and fitness.  Pitch after pitch about the latest advancements in new ways to make us look younger, feel better, be our healthiest and most fit!  Ever!

But once in a while, I get a story that cuts to core and reminds me what this is really all about.  As social animals we are deeply connected to our appearance and about how we appear to others.  Not just for mating and procreating and furthering the species.  How we look tells the story about who we are.  Our face tells our story, in an instant.  Consciously or not, we always working to make sure we tell only the story we want people to see.  Or to at least, believe they are seeing.  Whether it's the real story or not.

For some, they will never get the chance to have any control over that.

My heart sunk and broke when I watched this trailer for FACING TRAUMA, an upcoming special on Discovery Fit & Health (Feb 20th – watch!!) about NYC Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon Dr. Andrew Jacono who dedicates much of his time to rebuilding the faces and lives of victims of domestic violence. 

 :: warning, warning, warning, this is heartbreaking ::

FACING TRAUMA – TRAILER from Park Slope Productions on Vimeo.

I'll be tuning in and I hope you will too. 

Some plastic surgeons have the ability to rebuild lives as well as faces.  One of them is Dr. Andrew Jacono, a world-class facial reconstruction surgeon who has made it his mission to serve the victims of devastating acts of domestic violence.  The upcoming one-hour special, FACING TRAUMA, follows Jacono as he helps put back together the lives of two women and one young girl who were tragically scarred by violent pasts.  FACING TRAUMA premieres Sunday, February 20, at 10 PM (ET/PT) on the all-new Discovery Fit & Health.

Every face tells a story, and FACING TRAUMA shares three unforgettable tales of survival and renewal.  Viewers will be unable to forget the harrowing stories of victims left disfigured from attacks by the men in their lives.  Having survived traumatic, near-death experiences, these three are left with physical and emotional scars that make it impossible to lead a normal life – unless Jacono can provide them with hope and a new beginning.

"FACING TRAUMA represents a significant landmark for the new Discovery Fit & Health, as it is the network's first original special," said Laura Michalchyshyn, President and General Manager of Discovery Fit & Health.  "It's a riveting profile of three courageous women and one amazing doctor who uses his talent to restore lives.  This type of storytelling featuring unforgettable characters, ripping real-life drama and emotional redemption will be a hallmark of Discovery Fit & Health."

FACING TRAUMA tells the story of Kristie who eleven years ago at the age of 14 came home from school and found her older sister murdered.  Kristie was then brutally attacked by her sister's murderer and left for dead.  Kristie survived the attack but suffered terrible scars along her neck, which have been a daily reminder of that horrific day.  Taya is a five-year old adorable little girl who was born with a severely damaged right eye and oral muscle damage in her face as a result of a horrific attack on her mother while she was pregnant.  The third story follows the repair of horrendous scars on the face, neck and arms of Ilianexy, who was savagely attacked with a knife by her boyfriend. 

Part case study, part survival journey, FACING TRAUMA chronicles the stories of Kristie, Taya and Ilianexy before and after their surgery by Jacono hearing their fears and struggles and understanding their challenges of moving on and starting over. From the initial consultation to the final reveal, the special follows Jacono and his team as they work to heal both the physical and emotional scars of domestic violence.

FACING TRAUMA is produced for Discovery Fit & Health by Park Slope Productions.  Paul Reitano and Terrence Sacchi are executive producers for Park Slope Productions.  Executive producers for Discovery Fit & Health are Lynn Sadofsky and Lynne Kirby.