Finding out your child will have a cleft lip or palate is not the end of the world..
Finding out that your child is going to be born with a cleft lip or palate is not the end of the world. We were very surprised when we found out that our youngest child has a bilateral cleft and palate.
A child with a cleft lip or cleft palate is no different than any other child they just have a correctable situation if you have access to proper medical care.
A child with a cleft lip or cleft palate is no different than any other child they just have a correctable situation if you have access to proper medical care.
Our Story
Many times this is discovered via ultrasound prior to birth. We did not have that luxury!!
We found out that our son, Preston, had a bilateral cleft lip and palate in the delivery room in a hospital that was not equipped to deal with his situation. He had to be transfered to a hospital in a larger city 80 miles away.
This was a shocking situation to say the least.
He wound up staying in the hospital for several days. The biggest obstacle was him learning to eat. That is the immediate goal with a child born with a cleft lip or palate.
We found out that our son, Preston, had a bilateral cleft lip and palate in the delivery room in a hospital that was not equipped to deal with his situation. He had to be transfered to a hospital in a larger city 80 miles away.
This was a shocking situation to say the least.
He wound up staying in the hospital for several days. The biggest obstacle was him learning to eat. That is the immediate goal with a child born with a cleft lip or palate.
See Our Cleft Lip Child in Action
He is no different than any other child he was just born with a correctable situation..
curated content from Flickr
Some of the special situations we have faced
Learning to Eat This is the most critical step and the immediate goal in the hospital after he was born. With a cleft lip or palate he could not form the normal suction around a nipple even though he tried. He was fitted with a device that was on the roof of his mouth to help with this.
Ear Problems Preston has had to have tubes in his ears twice. It is common for chilren with clefts to have ear problem, but then again it is common for all children and nothing to be alarmed about.
Stares While it is normal for people to stare at things which they do not understand, especially children, and it took a while for our other children and us to get used to. Stares Can Be Funny Too...
A small girl was observing us in line at Dairy Queen and the curiosity was killing her. So I took the time to explain Preston's upcoming surgery and let her hold him.
She turned to her mom and said:
"So is that why you are saving money for the plastic surgeon? You don't have a cleft lip, Mom"
Speech Therapy While Preston has not started with it yet it is in his future. His speech is somewhat nasal and to be expected, but it is what will build his character and how he deals with it. It is a Learning Experience
I have only talked about the situations that we have been through so far there are many more to come for our family. I will update this lens as we encounter them.
One thing to keep in mind if you have just learned that your child is going to be born with a cleft lip or palate that it is not the end of the world. Accept it as an opportunity to live and experience things that others will not ever have the pleasure to experience.
We have met new friends for life in our experiences and are the better for it.
One thing to keep in mind if you have just learned that your child is going to be born with a cleft lip or palate that it is not the end of the world. Accept it as an opportunity to live and experience things that others will not ever have the pleasure to experience.
We have met new friends for life in our experiences and are the better for it.
Help and resources
Not everyone that has a child born with a cleft lip or palate is not as fortunate as we are. We took the time to research all of the available treatment options that were located near us.
- State by State Listing of Cleft Teams
- The best approach that we found used the concept of a cleft team. A cleft team allow your child to see the many disciplines needed at one time for them to help you make decisions about their care.
- Parents: Cleft Links, A Wide Smiles Resource
- A good starting point for new expectant parents
Giving Back - Helping others smile
We have been blessed with our experiences and always try to find ways to help others with our experiences.
Just click on the images below to find out more about these worthwhile projects.
Just click on the images below to find out more about these worthwhile projects.
Do you know someone that is having a child with a cleft lip or palate? If so give them a special teddy bear that will help bring a smile to their face.
Not all children are as fortunate as our Preston. Many children in third world countries do not have access to the level of care we are able to have for our child. We have had people try to donate us money and we always refer them to SmileTrain.org who reaches out to these children to help them.The Ronald McDonald house has been a life saver for us during Preston's many stays in the hospital. They offer a home away from home and make the process much easier for any family who has a child in the hospital for any length of time.
Let us know what you think
or ask a qustion if you have one...
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- Stacy Alugas Stacy Alugas Sep 10, 2009 @ 3:45 pm
- I just had a beautiful little girl aug 28, 2009, and she was born with a cleft lip, this has been a very trying time for my husband and I. Right now the doctors are trying to get her to feed with a nipple and she hasen't caught on yet. If anyone has any advice or information for my family and i please feel free to email me at: stacyalugas@yahoo.com.
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- suzanne phillips suzanne phillips Aug 28, 2009 @ 1:02 pm | in reply to vanessa lucio
- my daughter was fitted with an obsterator at 2 days old it helped with her feedings,e-mail me for more info my daughter is almost 2 now,and the bright star in my world,
suzanne my e-mail is phillips.suzanne@ymail.com
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- Domonique Domonique Feb 16, 2009 @ 4:21 pm
- I was actually born with a clift Lip Plate. Iam 23 turning 24, to be completely honest Iam happy with my clift Lip plate it separates me and makes me stand out from friends and family. Its a part of who Iam and my character as a person. Iam beautiful and I thank god every day for it. Iam not a shamed of it at all. Iam currently not finished with my surgeries, Iam hping to complete them very soon. Any questions email me at drule27@hotmail.com
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- vanessa lucio vanessa lucio Nov 23, 2008 @ 6:37 pm
- I was wondering the name of the plate the was put on the roof of your sons mouth. My son was born November 12, 2008 and is still in the hospital due to trouble eating thank you. hlucio4@aol.com. thank you again
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- Number1Athlete Number1Athlete Oct 10, 2008 @ 7:50 pm
- You must be a great father :)
5*
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- Ryan Ryan Aug 18, 2008 @ 3:55 pm
- My child was also born with bilateral cleft lip
and cleft palate. It is a trying situation but
a mangable one. We did know before he was born
due to 4D ultrasound but still was shocking to
see it when he was born i cried like a little girl,but he is doing fine now he is 19 months old now,we had a wonderful plastic surgeon at childrens hospital in New orleans,La where i reside. Dr. Michael Moses. Great lens
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- BabyCoop BabyCoop Jul 22, 2008 @ 9:48 pm
- what a great site to open the minds of those not seeing what you see! I would be happy to offer a link on my soon to be Specialty Childrens Mall to help others learn about cleft lips and be more sensitive and understanding of what both the child and parents have to go through!
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- coastingalong coastingalong Jun 13, 2008 @ 12:55 pm
- Just happened on your lens letting folks know and understand. Been there, done that for over 50 years but I survived thankful to loving, giving parents. When you learn to accept what life gives you, strength takes over. Your son will be o.k. because of you. Keep it up!
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- EverythingMouse EverythingMouse May 14, 2008 @ 7:41 pm
- What a great lens. I know something of what you are talking about. My son had a trach for a while as a baby and it was difficult to deal with sometimes when people said 'oh what a cute baby' only to almost literally jump back with horror when they saw. It was a a great life lesson. You just wish people would say what they are really thinking so you could answer them!
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- collagen collagen May 7, 2008 @ 8:48 am
- Great lens 5* I am sure will be helpful for many and solving problem for others. Keep up a good work you are a great dad. Healthy Benefits of Water
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- AdriennePetersen AdriennePetersen May 7, 2008 @ 7:27 am
- Great lens, 5 stars! Congrats on LOTD!
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- PaulaFarris PaulaFarris May 7, 2008 @ 3:19 am
- Great information! I don't need it now, but if I ever do it is nice to know where I can find what I need from someone who's been there. Congrats on LOTD!
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- Recession-Proof Recession-Proof May 7, 2008 @ 3:11 am
- Paul,
Seriously inspiring lens. It's great to hear stories like yours. Thank you. Jesse
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- spirituality spirituality May 7, 2008 @ 12:50 am
- Congrats on lens of the day! This is a great introduction to the topic.
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- Retro_Loco Retro_Loco May 7, 2008 @ 12:09 am
- Congrats on LOTD!!! Great lens. Best wishes to you and your family! :-)
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- britney-smith britney-smith May 6, 2008 @ 10:25 pm
- Great Lens and you are a great dad ! 5*****
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- pyle_mountain pyle_mountain May 6, 2008 @ 6:46 pm
- Nice lens. I like things like this that are positive and encouraging. Congratulations on your Lens of the Day award!
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- GreenRevolution GreenRevolution May 6, 2008 @ 5:03 pm
- Hi Paul, I found your lens very beautiful and inspiring. You're doing a great job in promoting this worthy cause. Really well done! 5 *****
God Bless you and your wonderful family.
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- LeslieBrenner LeslieBrenner May 6, 2008 @ 4:58 pm
- Congratulations on LOTD! This is a big problem in countries where access to treatment is difficult.
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- kiwisoutback kiwisoutback May 6, 2008 @ 4:19 pm
- Great lens and a wonderful cause that you are promoting!
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- ShortSaleRealtor ShortSaleRealtor May 6, 2008 @ 4:14 pm
- great post hi 5 for you
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- krisManuel krisManuel May 6, 2008 @ 4:08 pm
- Great lens Paul! 5-stars!
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- grassosalvato86 grassosalvato86 May 6, 2008 @ 4:03 pm
- You've got a very good lens! 5 stars!!
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- Christene Christene May 6, 2008 @ 3:52 pm
- Congrats on Lens of the Day. :) If you'd like, you are welcome to join the All kinds of Families group.
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- Greekgeek Greekgeek May 6, 2008 @ 3:49 pm
- Oh, I'm glad to see this! I contacted SmileTrain.org a while back pointing them to Squidoo's application process for non-profits to get added to Squidoo's charity list, but I confess I hadn't followed up on that to see whether they'd applied and/or been accepted yet. You didn't wait -- you made this lens instead!
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- PaulRushing PaulRushing May 6, 2008 @ 1:11 pm
- Thanks Ryan. If anyone is looking for a worthwhile charity it is a good one to contribute to. The social implications in third word countries for children that have an cleft is huge if it is not repaired.
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- AutoConversion AutoConversion May 6, 2008 @ 1:06 pm
- Good thinking for a Lens Paul. I wish you the best with it, and your son. We have been donating to the Smile Train for about a year now.
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- Jennifer-Sams Jennifer-Sams May 6, 2008 @ 12:41 pm
- I found this lens very moving and it really does deserve to be lens of the day.
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- ladyevelyn_j ladyevelyn_j Apr 28, 2008 @ 11:10 am
- Love your lens!
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- PaulRushing PaulRushing Apr 27, 2008 @ 8:20 pm
- Thanks for all of the positive feedback
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- gurneywagon gurneywagon Apr 27, 2008 @ 1:50 pm
- Very heartwarming and tender. You did a great job, dad. 5*
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- PaulRushing PaulRushing Apr 27, 2008 @ 1:29 pm
- Thanks Bee
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Doctors and Hospitals
Here are some links to all of the Doctors and Hospitals that Preston has been to.
- Pediatric Associates of Brunswick
- Dr Townsend Cooper is Preston's Pediatrician. He has gone the extra mile for us and has proven to be 1 in a million.
- Dr R Dean Glassman MD - Plastic Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery
- Dr Glassman is a board certified Cosmetic surgeon and has done a wonderful job on Preston. He also volunteers his time on various pediatric missions around the globe.
- Nemours - www.nemours.org
- Nemours is the largest children's provider of healthcare. Its mission is "To provide leadership, institutions, and services to restore and improve the health of children through care and programs not readily available, with one high standard of quality and distinction regardless of the recipie
- Wolfsons Children Hospital
- They provide valuable services to children in North Florida and South Georgia. It is tied to the University Hospital in Jacksonville Florida.
Truly a hospital for children catering to their special needs.
Other Pages I have Made About Our Cleft Experiences
- Your Child has a Cleft Lip Now What?
- Most parents learn about their child having a cleft lip or palate through ultrasounds at the obstetricians office. We were not that lucky. Our youngest child Preston was born with a bilateral cleft lip...
- Dealing with stares and your cleft child
- Some parents of cleft children do not take them in public before their first repair surgery, because they, the parent, become self conscience of their child's appearance and do not wish to deal with the stares...
- Surgery and "Tater Logs" | Who is Paul Rushing
- Well today Preston had another surgery on his ears. This one was a fairly minor surgery in the big scheme of things. They had to replace ear tubes and do some ear canal reconstruction. Total time from the time we got to the hospital until we were headed home was only 3 and a half hours.
- Raising a Child With a Cleft and a Political Rant.. | Who is Paul Rushing
- My youngest child was born with a bilateral cleft lip and palate. I have some before and after pictures of the start of his repairs in a previous post. I have a a page on HubPages that reaches out to people who have discovered that their child was going to be born with a cleft lip or palate. I usually receive an email or two a week from expectant parents and try to encourage them that everything is going to be ok.
by Paul_Rushing
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