Watch CBS News

L.I. Doctors Give 10-Year-Old Ecuadorean Boy A Reason To Smile

STONY BROOK, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A 10-year-old Ecuadorean boy born with a severely deformed lower lip is going home with a new smile.

Doctors at Stony Brook University Hospital said they've performed about 10 surgeries since January on Kevin Rosero.

The boy's lip ballooned over his chin, making it difficult to eat and impossible to smile.

L.I. Doctors Give 10-Year-Old Ecuadorean Boy A Reason To Smile

A Long Island charity called Blanca's House brought Kevin to New York where he stayed with a host family in Miller Place and attended elementary school while getting medical treatment.

Kevin Rosero Before
Kevin Rosero in January 2013 before his surgeries (credit: Handout)

The avid soccer fan received a special treat on Friday. The Stony Brook University soccer coach and team gave him an autographed ball and invited him to sit on the bench at Friday night's game against Rhode Island.

A beaming Kevin told WCBS 880's Sophia Hall that he feels handsome and then flashed a big smile.

"I feel happy," Kevin told Hall. "I feel really good."

His mother gave birth while he was in New York and Kevin will get to meet his baby brother when he returns to Ecuador next Tuesday, Hall reported.

You May Also Be Interested In These Stories:

(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.