July is National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness Month

CHAPEL HILL, N.C., July 10, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- From their beaming smiles, you would never have known the paths these three had been on since birth; a common journey that began with a diagnosis no parent anticipates:

During one of many ultrasounds, we found out we were having a girl ... That same scan showed that our daughter Vilija had a cleft lip and palate ... Truth be told, I was terrified and didn't know what to expect. I cried ...

Each year in the U.S., thousands of babies are born with a cleft, occurring when tissue in the baby's upper lip or roof of the mouth does not join together completely during pregnancy.

July is National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness Month. The American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association (ACPA) is raising awareness about these conditions and the specialized care and resources the association and its members provide.

As Kayla grew, it wasn't always easy. She had her first scar revision in kindergarten and a bone graft in the first grade. They took bone from her hip and placed it in the gap of her alveolar which is the bone where your teeth sit. She was in the hospital for several days and returned to school with a cute little hobble due to the pain in her hip ...

The diverse needs of patients with cleft and craniofacial conditions make interdisciplinary team care essential. ACPA Approved Teams are comprised of qualified professionals from medical, surgical, dental and allied health disciplines who provide coordinated evaluations and treatments to meet each patient's developmental, medical and psychological needs. ACPA Family Services also provides educational materials for patients and families. The overarching goal is to foster circumstances that enable these patients to thrive.

Ethan has done nothing but blow us away with his strength, happiness and resilience ... He healed remarkably and brings nothing but joy to those around him.

Our sweet, tender-hearted girl just graduated from high school. It has not been an easy journey. However, Kayla has become a stronger young lady who is ready to face this world and help those she comes in contact with along the way.

To learn more about ACPA, cleft and craniofacial conditions and to find resources and care in your community, please visit acpa-cpf.org.

SOURCE American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association