Tagged with:Adult Stories
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Stavroulla’s Story
"Why does your lip have a funny shape?" The question got me thinking, mostly about my smile and myself. I found it intriguing how a child’s brain works, as there’s no filter. Of course the question took me aback, but I simply answered as best I could with a reply of ‘everyone is born differently, these differences are what makes us unique and special’.
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Paul’s Story
Now as an adult I can go a couple of years without even giving my cleft a passing thought. Yes, it is a part of who I am - but only a small part. I am a person with a cleft lip. But I am also a person with two amazing children. I am also a person who cycles, who plays badminton, who develops websites, who is very tall, who is an only child, who sings in a choir. No one thing defines me.
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Georgina’s Story
Overall, I’ve found growing up with a cleft lip and gum difficult. I’ve felt really down and insecure about it at times. However I’ve realised it’s OK to be different. I don’t need a smaller nose or perfect shaped lips to be happy. I’ve become more accepting of myself and my scars. I’m trying to stop hiding behind makeup and my bad habit of covering my mouth when talking to people. I’m trying to love myself for the way I am.
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Keeley’s Story
As soon as I was born I was whisked away from my parents...I had something “wrong” with my lip. My dad (who had himself been born with a cleft lip in 1955) asked if I had a cleft lip. The nurse nodded and my dad just asked if he could hold me. The nurse noticed my dad’s scars and realised he understood exactly what was going on.
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Viktoria’s Story
I was bullied at primary school and the other students would tease me about my cleft, or ask lots of questions. As I got older, I learned not to take it personally and overcame other people’s reactions. I started to see it as curiosity as I became more comfortable in my own skin.
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Dave Z’s Story
My name is Dave Z. I was recently asked by the Cleft Lip & Palate association (CLAPA) to share my story about growing up and dealing with the issues surrounding the condition. At first I was unsure whether to go for it as its not something I usually talk about, If anything I try to avoid thinking about it.
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Michael’s Story
I was born in the Netherlands in September 1998 with a severe bilateral Cleft Lip and Palate. Compared to the UK, there are a much lower percentage of babies born with a cleft in the Netherlands. Mine was one of the more severe cases.
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Karen’s Story
Karen was born in 1952 with a cleft lip and palate. Here in her own words she tells her story of growing up with a cleft, and returning to treatment as an adult.
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CLAPA News 2017
Welcome to our 28th annual magazine, packed full of stories and updates from all sectors of the CLAPA Community. Read it now online or order your paper copy.
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Jenny’s Story
I was born with a right unilateral cleft lip and palate in 1981 at King’s College Hospital in London. Back then, scans were not readily available, meaning my mum wasn’t aware that I was going to be born with a cleft. She told me that once that, when I was born and she held me, she noticed something on my lip thinking it was a bit of blood from the birth. She later realised it wasn’t that, but a cleft.
