The healing power of love - Oraine and Danielle’s inspirational journey

For almost three years, Oraine Simpson battled with a mass the size of a baseball on his chin. The lump caused great discomfort and unwelcoming stares when he ventured into public. Thanks to surgical intervention, Oraine can now breathe a sigh of relief as the mass, which doctors determined was Brown's tumour, was removed during a procedure late last month.

"I'm feeling much better in regards to self-confidence with the tumour removed. I can go places without wearing a mask," the 26-year-old.

Oraine's journey with Brown's tumor began in 2016, but it wasn't until 2021 that the abnormal growth became more pronounced. Throughout these years, it severely impacted his quality of life, making everyday tasks a challenge. Yet, amid the trials and tribulations, one person stood by his side--his love, Danielle.

Oraine and Danielle crossed paths in July 2019 while working at a call centre. Little did they know that their love story would become an inspiring testament to love's resilience. They exchanged their vows in an intimate ceremony, choosing to postpone their honeymoon until after Oraine's surgery.

At the onset of their relationship, Danielle was aware of Oraine's need for dialysis a couple of days a week. However, the tumor had not yet shown its ugly head. Oraine reflects, "Everything came afterwards and she just adjusted in a way that I don't think many persons would," he said of his wife.

"We have been through it all. Every year since 2019 I've done a major surgery. In times like these, she is my everything, the one who takes care of me and my every need. She is very strong and resilient," he added.

Currently enrolled in a practical nursing course, Danielle is eagerly waiting the day when she and her husband will go on their honeymoon.

"The tumor didn't change anything for me, we actually got married with the tumor on his face. I am very excited for our honeymoon, even though at the time that was not the focus because it was an intimate ceremony. Now we can actually go on honeymoon and I am looking forward to go out more on dates, and maybe after school, and I've furthered my education, then we can have kids," she said.

Oraine, who is also battling with renal failure, has been upbeat since his operation. After all, his decision to undergo surgery was influenced by his desire to lead and enjoy a normal life.

"I wanted to be able to feel normal or close to normal because I wasn't born this way or grew up like this. It was affecting my speech, it affected how I ate as I couldn't chew. I would bite into it and it would bleed. Most importantly, my self-confidence was low as I was stuck in a mask years after coronavirus. I'm young with a whole life ahead with a beautiful wife," the Beckford Kraal, Clarendon, native said.

The surgery was conducted on August 3 at the University Hospital of the West Indies at a cost of more than $2 million. Oraine was able to pay for the operation after raising funds via social media application, TikTok, as well as crowd-funding website GoFundMe. Almost a month in recovery, Simpson is looking to achieve his childhood dream of being an entrepreneur. He remains positive through the fight, leaning on the support from his wife, Danielle, and his mother, Odette.

"For my wife, it was hard to process for her, but she's the type a woman that loves me unconditionally and not ashamed or afraid in any circumstance. When she saw me after the procedure, plus the fact that nothing went wrong, that it was successful and I could eat and talk, I didn't lose any teeth or remove my mandible, she was elated and grateful. She said finally she can go on her honeymoon that we put off because of the facial deformity," Simpson said.