2. Presentation given by Vanessa Carter
www.vanessacarter.co.za

4. Not all facial differences can be rectified with surgery and neglected patients
Often spend their lives in social isolation. Facial differences have not been
clearly defined for disability rights in South Africa and globally.

5. I disfigured my face when I was 25 years old, from a car accident. I spent the next
10 years rectifying facial damage because I couldn't find online resources like doctors websites as well
as education about the surgery I needed. This is a global problem in healthcare.

6. After 9 years of failed surgery, MRSA and three death
scares, I decided that enough was enough. I compiled
an overview of my medical history and emailed it
overseas to the best surgeons in the world asking for
advice.

8. Once my surgery was complete, I began to advocate globally about
all the issues I had experienced.

9. Keeping up with emerging technology locally was possible if an
ecosystem was developed correctly. This could help many patients who are
socially unacceptable.

10. We must change our mindset if we want a
globally competitive South African economy
We underestimate people who society perceive as “less”
(Less; young, skinny, beautiful, confident, sophisticated, successful, wealthy, abled, qualified...)
We don't address disfigurement
enough because of stigma (“Many think disfigurement is too weird and it's ignored”)
We “stereotype diversity”
True diversity is fully inclusive.
We need to look #BeyondTheLabel


12. #GlobalGoals #Globalization #ClimateChange
#DiversityInclusion #GlobalHealth #DigitalEconomy
The next generation of the internet is coming (web 3.0)
Digital transformation means anyone can contribute from
anywhere towards the local economy and accelerate growth.
World Economic
Forum
Emerging Tech
Like 3D printing?
Mobile Apps
Smart Cities
Human Rights
Genomics Data
Design Thinking
Advances Innovation
ReImagine
2020

13. #health2020 is connected www.hcsmSA.org
Many issues in healthcare can be resolved by listening to the patient experience.
Many economic opportunities can be identified by sharing patient stories.

14. In ending, we need to adjust our mindset and look deeper into the meaning of an “underdog”,
Adversity is changing our world.