Cold Weather, Facial Hardware & Pain Awareness -

Cold weather and changing barometric pressure can significantly impact people like my son, who have facial hardware from surgeries or injuries. Temperature drops can increase nerve sensitivity, tighten scar tissue, and trigger facial or jaw pain.

This pain isn’t always easy to describe. When communication is limited or sensory processing is different, discomfort may show up as distress, repeated phrases, agitation, or sudden emotional changes. These responses are not behavioral choices—they are the body’s way of communicating pain.

Wind exposure, cold air, and pressure changes are common triggers. Simple supports like face protection from the cold, gentle warmth, and increased patience can help reduce discomfort during winter months. It will be ideal when we remove ourselves from the cold and go SSW during this uncomfortable time.

Understanding invisible pain helps caregivers, educators, and communities respond with empathy instead of confusion. Awareness matters.

This photo was taken when my son had his first mandibular distraction surgery - a procedure that was imperative for his breathing.

Ten years later, he underwent the same surgery again for the same reason. The difference now is that the hardware is internal, placed inside his jaw, rather than external.

This procedure helps extend his jaw, which in turn opens his airway and improves his ability to breathe - something that children with Goldenhar syndrome often struggle with due to underdeveloped airways.

If you've experienced something similar with your child, especially around surgeries or pain awareness, I'd love to hear your story.

-Penny | Jay’s House of Blues