TORONTO – A Canadian woman who was left disfigured in an acid attack last summer will receive laser treatments on her scars thanks to U.S. talk show host Anderson Cooper.
Tanya St-Arnauld of Longueuil, Que. broke down in tears upon hearing the news during Wednesday’s episode of Anderson Live in New York City.
“Are you serious? Oh my God,” said St-Arnauld. “Thank you so much.”
Dr. Jill Waibel, a dermatologist at the Miami Dermatology & Laser Institute, promised to fly St-Arnauld to Florida for laser treatments that will significantly reduce the appearance of her scars.
Wiping away tears, St-Arnauld called Waibel the “miracle” for which her mother had prayed.
St-Arnauld, 29, was doused with a corrosive acid last August on the steps of her apartment building following an argument with her boyfriend. She suffered serious burns to her head, arms and upper body and was put in a medically-induced coma. She has since undergone several painful skin grafts and medical procedures.
Nikolas Stefanatos, 27, of Brossard, Que., was charged with aggravated assault, assaulting causing bodily harm and assault with a weapon.
St-Arnauld told Cooper she doesn’t care how much time her ex-boyfriend spends behind bars if convicted.
“What would make it equal? Nothing. No jail time, 30 years, three years – so long as he feels the pain that he gave me and everybody around me,” she said. “My family, his family… he took away everything. I’m hoping he will feel how I feel. He took away my life.”
St-Arnauld used her appearance on the syndicated daytime show to warn women to look for warning signs in their relationships.
“It’s impossible that it just happens overnight,” she said. “As I look back now, the control issues. Not wanting to give me my phone, taking away my keys – all those little signs. Your head tells you. You have to listen to yourself and listen to your gut.”
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