A Cleft Lip and Palate is a Birth Defect that affects around 1 in 700 Babies in the United Kingdom, and many more worldwide. 

A Cleft Lip can differ in severity. Ranging from a slight parting in the lip, to a complete separation of the upper lip that can extend into the nose. There are two types of Cleft Lip; one that affects one side of the mouth (a Unilateral Cleft lip), and one that affects both sides of the mouth (a Bilateral Cleft Lip).

A Cleft Palate is a gap in the roof of the mouth, usually connecting the Mouth and the Nose from the inside to differing levels of severity. 

These can affect both breathing, causing the child to have difficulty breathing, and can affect the child's speech. 

You can have either a Cleft Lip, a Cleft Palate, or a Cleft Lip and Palate.  

I was born with a Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate, and this was quite severe as the cleft lip parting had gone up to my nose. 

I was only a week old when i had my first surgery which took place at Mount Vernon Hospital, Northwood. Prior to surgery, I struggled during my feeds, as is a common problem with this Birth Defect. However, post surgery I was able to latch onto the bottle a lot easier and better than pre-surgery. 

Over the years of growing up with a Cleft Lip and Palate, I was still under the care of the Specialist Team of Consultants and Doctors from both Mount Vernon Hospital and Great Ormond Street Hospital, whom were helping to ensure that any problems or effects of the Cleft Lip would be minimised, this involved speech therapy. 

When I was 10 years old, it was time for my Cleft Palate to be closed. This is done through a procedure called a Bone Graft. Bone Marrow was taken from my Hip and was grafted into the gap left by the Cleft.

Finally, at 15 years Old, I would have the final surgery. which was Lip Repair Surgery. This was an additional surgery, which was to reconstruct my entire upper lip to help with the appearance and function of my upper lip. There were 2 types of surgery, both of which had their advantages and disadvantages. However, I believe I had chose the correct path for myself to ensure I could stay active and within sport. 

In 2021, I linked with Smile Train. Smile Train is an organisation that I believe is at the forefront of other Cleft Organisations in the World, as they help provide the necessary care to those who need it, but also teaching the medical professionals in those developing countries that best ways to treat clefts. This knowledge is best shared, especially in places where such expertise is hard to come by. 

I have always been an Advocate for Cleft Lips and Cleft Palates as I have my personal story and journey with a Cleft Lip and Palate, and I am happy to have linked with Smile Train, and I look forward to the journey together, advocating for those who have Cleft Lips and Cleft Palates.