It's been a long and arduous journey for a young Donegal man who came to New York a year and a half ago to fulfill his childhood dream.

Ever since he can remember Alan Doherty wanted a chin. He was born without one, but knew deep in his heart the day would come when his face would be the same as everyone else's.

Having a lot of faith and even more courage, Doherty, now 18, asked Bill Broderick, Executive Director of the Physically Challenged Irish and American Youth Team (PCIAYT), a charity that helps physically challenged children through competitive sporting activities, educational development and cultural exchange programs, early last year if he could get him a new face. (Doherty was participating PCIAYT's 2007 games in New York.)

Slightly taken aback but impressed with the young Irishman's courage, Broderick said he would do his best to fulfill Doherty's request.

Not only did he do his best, within a matter of weeks, Broderick had set up a meeting between world-renowned plastic surgeon Dr. Elliott Rose of Mount Sinai Hospital and the young Donegal teenager.

Doherty was shocked but elated. His prayers had finally been answered. He was getting a new face.

Eventually people would stop staring at him in supermarkets and on the street. Doherty, then 17, was ready for whatever was ahead of him.

He was born without a chin. Doctors call it Otofacial Syndrome. He cannot speak, cry or laugh, and he feeds through a tube in this stomach.

However, Doherty uses a voice-generated computer, which he carries around his neck, to converse with others.

It's through his bright blue eyes that he laughs. He is rarely sad.

Doherty, who was told by doctors in Ireland for years that he was looking for the impossible by wanting a chin, arrived in New York in April 2007 with the lower half of his face missing. He will return to Ireland in a few weeks with a complete face.

A year and one chin later; Doherty sat down with the Irish Voice to tell his story.

"It really has been a very enjoyable and of course emotional journey," he said. "I'm looking forward to going back to my normal life back in Ireland in the coming weeks."

Doherty lives in Letterkenny with his parents and his two siblings. He has missed a year of school, and will rejoin his classmates at Errigel College in mid-November.

Spending last Christmas in New York was tough on him. "I did miss Christmas in Ireland but I didn't complain. I really didn't mind because it would mean by next Christmas I would have a complete face to bring home," he said.

Throughout the numerous operations, Doherty never once let his pain or agitation get to him. "Why would I?" he asked. "It is what I wanted and it was worth it all."

Doherty has become a celebrity in Ireland. Apart from appearing in countless newspapers and radio shows, Doherty and his parents, Bernie and Dan, made a special appearance on Ireland's longest running talk show, the "Late Late Show."

"That was a great interview," Doherty said looking back to last January's show. "It was a great opportunity to get my story out there and for others going through difficult times to know there is always help. You just have to ask."

While Doherty said most of the operations were "not that bad" he added, "Without pain there is no gain."

"I may have been born without a chin but I always had humor and determination."

In between operations and recovery periods in New York, Doherty returned to Ireland for months at a time. During these periods he spent many nights attending fundraisers organized on his behalf by the people of Donegal.

A highlight for him was meeting then Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Bertie Ahern, but nothing could top a trip he took to the home of the Celtic footballers in Glasgow, Scotland.

"That was just so great. I met so many great people and got my picture taken. I'll never forget it," he said.

Donegal man Paul McBride has been the backbone of Doherty's fundraisers at home in Ireland. He set up the Friends of Alan Doherty Fund as soon as he became aware of the teen's big undertaking.

"Paul has been amazing. He once told me, 'If Ireland can raise millions for tsunami victims, then they can also do it for me.'"

McBride was right. To date €1.5 million has been raised to pay for Doherty's operations.

"He is just amazing and what I like about him is that he lets us call the shots," said Doherty.

It hasn't all been hospital visits and operations for Doherty while in New York. A few weeks back he met rock star Rod Stewart at the Parlour Bar on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.

"It was through my friend Chaz Duffy and the Bronx Bhoys that I got my picture taken with Rod Stewart. It was a fantastic day," he remembers.

Another local Irishman that Doherty is proud to call a friend is Mickey Cusack and his wife Celine. "Mickey and Celine have been great to me while I have been in New York. I go to see all the Celtic games with Mickey and we have great fun. I even get into see the games free," he said as his eyes light up.

Doherty is also very grateful to the staff at the Aisling Irish Community Center in Yonkers for the time they have given him and the endless use of their computers. "I went in there all the time to get on the computer so I could keep in touch with my friends at home and the staff were always so helpful," said Doherty.

Despite a few infections Doherty said each and every one of his operations were successful. "I came here with a goal; to get a new chin, and I'm leaving very satisfied," he typed into his computer.

Doherty said, apart from achieving what he set out to achieve, he feels his story has touched so many people. "Everyone that hears my story can't believe it and they are surprised that it all worked out so well," said Doherty, who has since met with other children with Otofocial Syndrome.

"People say I'm a great ambassador for Donegal, and Ireland and I think they are right," he said proudly.

Doherty is now undergoing the final stages of dental work to complete his handsome face.

"It's all down to the healing now but I'm very excited to go back home and show everyone my new face."

Doherty, after he completes school, aspires to come back to New York someday and work as a photographer.