Creating Smiles
When we went in for our 20 week ultrasound with Jules and found out that she may potentially have a cleft lip/palate, it was devastating. It took us awhile to process it, and even though we knew it could be fixed, it was still hard to know that something was wrong with your baby. Oh how there are days that I long that that was all it was. It’s so funny how we went from hoping she didn’t have a cleft, to praying it was just a cleft, to praying maybe she just had Downs. To finding out it indeed was trisomy 18.
With that being said, Jules was born with a cleft lip and palate as well.
And although I noticed it at first….I can’t believe how soon after I barely realized it was there. I mean..isn’t she perfect!:)
Her lips were just as kissable and her nose was just as cute:) To me at least!
The reality of it all though, was that if the cleft was her only problem, we would have gotten it fixed. We live in a country where medicine and technology is available to make it practically disappear. Her lip would have been fixed around 2-3 months and her pallet around 12-18 months. We wouldn’t have even had to think about not being able to fix it as an option.
The sad part is…a lot of parents do. A lot of parents have to watch their children struggle to eat, talk, and even breath because of it. They have to watch their kids get teased, become outcasts, and become extremely shy because they don’t have the money to fix it. It’s hard for us to even fathom…but it’s their reality.
I”m sure you’ve been sucked into some of their hour long shows on a Saturday afternoon. At least I have been. And I would bawl my eyes out every time. And I’m sure you probably know what I’m talking about now as well. Operation Smile
Operation smile is an organization that travels across borders and over seas to provide surgeries for kids with clefts who have parents who can’t afford it. Within 45 minutes and $240 later a little persons life can be transformed. Here’s a video that shows a little bit more…
So, in honor of Jules we were able to give 4 kids their smile back:) It makes me so happy to think about. I so wish I could be there when they get to see in the mirror for the very first time and look at that beautiful smile!
Even though Jules was completely perfect in my eyes, I did wonder what she would have looked like with her new smile. So since she got her new smile already, I’m sure she’s happy we’ve been able to pass hers on….
