July is Cleft Awareness Month! ❤️
To kick off this important month, we’re sharing a four-part series recounting Samir’s remarkable cleft journey.
Romina lived with her husband and two children in a rural village in northern Argentina. Joy filled the family when Romina learned she was expecting a third child.
During the ultrasound, they discovered a cleft in the baby’s head. Romina turned to her partner for support, but he fled upon seeing it and never returned. Now, Romina faced the challenge of raising a child with special medical needs alongside her two other children on a single income.
Her journey as a single mother was short-lived; another man, Daniel, stepped in eagerly. He embraced Samir from birth, teaching him to read, guiding his behavior, and playing marbles with him. To Samir, he’s simply “Dad.”
Stay tuned for part 2!
Did you know that a baby is born with a cleft every three minutes? July is Cleft Awareness Month, a time to shine a light on this important cause and advocate for those in need. I’m proud to support @smiletrain , the world’s largest cleft organization, in their efforts to give every child the opportunity to thrive.
Smile Train supports essential surgeries and other comprehensive cleft care, transforming lives and bringing hope to countless families around the world. Join me in raising your voice to make a difference for these incredible children. Together, we can change the world one smile at a time! #CleftAwarenessMonth
Meet Tania!
Unlike her two older siblings, Tania was born with a cleft, a condition her parents were initially unfamiliar with. They faced the challenge of learning how to best support their daughter. Tania is one of over 3,000 children born with a cleft in Mexico each year. We are thrilled to share that Tania is now thriving!
Thanks to our collaboration with @msimexico over 35 partner treatment centers across Mexico, we are proud of our local partners for their ongoing efforts to transform lives, one smile at a time!
Meet Ace! It all began with a rush to the operating room for an emergency C-section, where Ace made his unexpected entrance into the world, his cleft was discovered after birth. Despite regular ultrasounds monitoring his twin sister Althea's weak heart, Ace's condition remained hidden, a surprise that reshaped their path.
From the first moments in the NICU, witnessing Ace's struggles with feeding, to the tears shed while navigating the uncertainties of his condition, every challenge drew the family closer together. The doctor's caution about potential infections due to Ace's cleft only strengthened their resolve to seek the best care for their son.
A friend led them to Smile Train, a ray of hope during their darkest times. With Smile Train's guidance, Ace underwent transformative treatments, from the fitting of a Nasoalveolar Molding (NAM) device at just one month old to his lip surgery at five months.
Today, as Ace embarks on speech therapy, his twin sister Althea stands by his side, their bond is unshakeable.
Meet Andrea from Mendoza, Argentina!
Born with a cleft herself, Andrea understands the journey all too well. When her son, Edden, arrived with a cleft, she faced familiar fears. Yet, with her husband Franco by her side, they embraced the journey with hope. From the overwhelming shock to the joy of seeing Edden thrive, every moment was a testament to their strength.
With support from Smile Train, their burden eased, paving the way for Edden's surgeries and a brighter future.
Click the link in our bio to read their remarkable story!
Maximiliano’s journey continues! Fueled by ambition and passion, he’s saving to travel the world and pursue his dreams. From watching basketball in the US to exploring new cultures, Maximiliano embodies the spirit of adventure. Through his experiences, he inspires others to dream big and embrace their journeys.
Naturally, he is dedicating this global victory lap to other children with clefts. If that is you, there’s something he wants you to know:
“This is for all the kids who are starting out or who are experiencing what it’s like to have a cleft lip or palate: You have to always accept yourself, never stop being who you are, trust yourself. Accept yourself in every moment of your life.”
Meet Maximiliano. Bullied at school due to his cleft, he faced rejection and isolation. But at home, his mother’s love and the joy of dancing cueca empowered him to embrace his uniqueness. With support from Fundación Gantz and Smile Train, he underwent life-changing surgeries and therapy, emerging at 18 as a symbol of resilience.
Today, Maximiliano speaks with clarity, plays sports with friends, and was elected class president. He credits those who have always been in his corner for his transformation, but he is also careful not to leave out the most important person — himself.
Stay tuned for Part 2!
Trinoy was the youngest of six siblings and the only one with a cleft. His mother, Shilpi, had never heard of nor seen a cleft before. After exploring many options, she was still terrified of the future. Everything changed when a neighbor mentioned the Comilla Trauma Center, which happened to be Smile Train’s local partner.
At age nine, Trinoy finally received the surgery he and his family had been hoping for. They were relieved by the staff's exceptional care and unwavering commitment to his well-being: Not only did he receive the surgery for free, but he also benefited from non-surgical cleft care like speech therapy, ensuring that the whole family had support every step of the way to healing.
To learn more about Trinoy, click the link in our bio.
Meet Yohanes, a true fighter since the moment he entered this world. Born with a cleft, his early days were filled with uncertainty and challenges. But his mother, Atsede, refused to give up on him, despite the hardships they faced.
Through the support of Smile Train and Yekatit 12 Hospital, Yohanes received the life-saving surgery he needed. Today, he's a thriving four-year-old, full of energy and joy. His smile lights up the room.
Now, with the help of Smile Train-sponsored speech therapy, Yohanes is on his way to speaking clearly and confidently. His family is grateful for every moment and looks forward to a bright future ahead.
Click the link in bio to read Yohanes' full story!
Meet Asher! Born with a cleft, Asher faced challenges from the very beginning. His mother was brought to a women’s shelter on the outskirts of Kathmandu when she was seven months pregnant because she was not healthy enough to raise Asher on her own. Priscilla, a shelter employee, stepped up to care for Asher when he needed it most.
With the support of Smile Train and local cleft care specialists, Priscilla learned techniques for feeding Asher so he would be healthy enough for surgery. His progress has been remarkable.
Today, Asher is a happy, playful two-year-old with a newfound appetite, and is even starting to speak a few words! His journey from uncertainty to joy wouldn't have been possible without the generosity of Smile Train donors.
Priscilla and everyone at the shelter are deeply grateful for your support. Thank you for making stories like Asher's possible. 💙
Click the link in bio to read Asher's full story!
#SmileTrain#CleftStrong
Our first trip with @smiletrain in #MexicoCity 🇲🇽
We were deeply inspired to witness the comprehensive care for cleft patients here (throughout their lifetimes). The moment a patient walks into this Smile Train partner hospital, they are evaluated to understand the extent of the support needed- this may include: nutritional education, orthodontics, multiple surgeries, psychological support, speech therapy, and more.
This incredibly thoughtful system is housed on one floor of the hospital, providing effective healthcare communication and collaboration for each patient. The doctors on the ground are some of the most brilliant and empathetic we have met (Justin and I know first hand, as we both came down w / a stomach bug and received care 🙏🏻).
@smiletrain is truly changing families’ lives, and their smiles made US smile and now we hope they make YOU smile. More to come… 💛
This Father’s Day, we celebrate dads like Matt who have welcomed a baby born with a cleft.
Listen to his family’s amazing story and join us in honoring the resilience and bravery of fathers worldwide. 💙 #FathersDay#CleftProud
