I was born in 1990 with a bilateral cleft lip and palate, and was immediately surrounded by a wonderful team of plastic surgeons, orthodontists, speech therapists and audiologists to name but a few. Over the years, I have had thirteen operations to repair my lip and palate, and also to help improve my hearing, but hopefully now I will need no further surgery. All the medical staff who've treated me have done a fantastic job, and I hope to be able to help people in a similar way in a few years as I'm aiming to become a doctor.
I have an amazing network of family and friends who've supported me through all the treatment, although I know that what I've been through is nothing compared to what so many others have had to endure.
It is vital that more research is carried out, and this is why I'm so excited about the Healing Foundation's new 10 year investment into cleft lip and palate research, especially the 'Cleft Gene Bank'. By supporting the Healing Foundation, we can offer more support and better treatment to patients and their families, and improve our understanding of the condition. |
