After having nearly all of his jaw shattered and more than 30 surgeries, former Sailor Dustin “Doc” Kirby had to live in pain for an additional 9 years, that is until he was given a reason to smile again. This Christmas marks 10 years since America Hero was shot in the face in the Iraq War. It also marks the first Christmas since then that he can smile without pain and with a full set of teeth, thanks to the surgeons at Lenox Hill Hospital.
To help him celebrate this new chapter in his life, the hospital flew him, his girlfriend and four beautiful daughters to New York City, thanks to a donor, for the holiday. From reuniting with the doctor who has made his life pain free to making memories with his family in New York City this Christmas will truly be a very special one for the Kirby family. Despite all the pain Christmas past has left Dustin with, he says “This will be the best Christmas I’ll have since that day.”.