After surviving the initial shock and asking "what_happened?" , feeding and caring for your newborn with a Cleft Palate condition can be a very confusing, anxious,and stressful time for parents. There is a certain grieving that takes place. You will find links from this page to Cleft Palate information, including basic facts; medical descriptions and discussions of the condition; counselling and support groups; what to expect in physical and behavioural problems associated with a child with Cleft Palate or Lip, etc.
Preparation for your child's
surgery and not knowing what to expect can be traumatic too.
That's why we decided to share Helen's story with you.
Just scroll up and down the page to browse, or return to the top and use the bookmark links there.
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| If we can help anyone just setting out on the scary journey of parenting a cleft palate baby, by talking to you about our experiences, please
email us and we will be happy to respond. We also have an email register page where you can find others to talk to about your experiences and problems with cleft palate.
We have received hundreds of email enquiries from all around the world, from places as far apart as New Zealand, Mexico, Australia, Ireland, Canada, Peru, Britain, the U.S.A., Singapore, Sweden and Japan. We have been pleasantly surprised by how many people say they have found Helen's story helpful. We have heard from parents, grandparents and other family members of cleft-affected children; from cleft-affected people themselves; and from various health professionals; tertiary students doing training and research (medical, dental, nursing, occupational therapy and speech therapy students); and from school students doing assignments. Our lives have been enriched by this experience. We have 'met' some great people, and even received a box of Irish chocolates in the post!
So if you find this website helpful, or want any further info, we'd be happy to hear from you. We will answer every email personally, but lately we have been getting so many on cleft related issues, that it may take a few days for us to get back to you. If we don't answer your email after a week or two, then try again as it may mean we have misplaced it!
Added February 2006: We really haven't been able
to maintain this website the past couple of years as we've been too busy, so
sorry if there was anyone we didn't answer. Helen has recently had her bone
graft operation, which went well. She is now 11. When I get time (ha ha) I
will try to update this page with some later photos.
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