Happy moment: connecting families...

Today’s HAPPY MOMENT was when I introduced two families to each other, each with a baby with a cleft lip and palate. 

In a country where children with birth defects are seen as “devils”, stigma and shame are daily realities and there are physical challenges in caring for a child with a cleft lip and palate, it can be very isolating for the parents. Knowing that they are not alone and feeling supported is often a game changer! 

It’s always a delight to introduce families to each other and witness the hope and encouragement they experience when they see that they are not alone. I also love showing photos of children who have received surgery and watch the parents’ faces light up when they realize that their child really can be transformed through surgery. It is a joy and a privilege to provide ongoing support and care for these children. They hold a special place in my heart.  

E’s mom confessed later in the morning that when she is at home in her community, she often feels lonely, ashamed and worried, but when she comes to our clinic, she feels cared for, encouraged and hopeful. It warms my heart to know that our clinic provides a safe space and even though we have formal weekly visits for weight checks, she knows that she is welcome at any time. 

I pray that these two little ones continue to grow well and that their lives are amazing testimonies of God’s love and hope. 

“You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something. Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you. The days of my life all prepared before I’d even lived one day. Your thoughts—how rare, how beautiful! God, I’ll never comprehend them! I couldn’t even begin to count them— any more than I could count the sand of the sea. Oh, let me rise in the morning and live always with you!” Psalm 139

  

#happymoment #everychildmatters #hoperestored #transforminglives #cleftlipandpalatepatients #specialplaceinmyheart  #showsomeoneyoucare 

Acceptance of a little boy...

“A little boy arrived at the hospital yesterday, only a few hours old. Already he was unwanted. Born with a cleft lip and palate he is seen as a 'devil child'. Mom & child are admitted and I am praying mom grows to love her son over the next few days. I brought in the mom of a former cleft patient today in the hopes of bringing some encouragement.”  - from my Facebook status 6 days ago

The good news is, at the age of 4 days, this little boy went home - with his parents. While he was in hospital I went to the special care baby unit every day to talk to his mother, check on the baby, and show mom pictures of her baby boy. We talked, she cried, we sat in silence, I put my hand on her shoulder, I showed her pictures. I think that by the end of the 4 days she was over the initial shock. She gained confidence in feeding her child and was assured that an operation would be possible.

The parents’ biggest fear of course was the rejection and verbal abuse they would face when returning to their community. I can’t say I blame them. This is a very realistic fear. There are so many absurd ideas surrounding children born with cleft lips and palates it is unbelievable. It could literally lead to the family being shunned and thrown out of their community. When they left my office on Thursday I could tell that they were ready to face their community. I am sure they were still worried, but the smiles on their faces gave me a glimmer of hope that they have accepted this little baby boy as their son. My hope is that the parents will be surrounded by people who care. People who can encourage and support them. People who can see past the outward appearance and see that this child has a lot of potential. I can only hope that this little 1 week old is snuggled up in his mother’s arms right now. And I pray that when I see them on Thursday they will be positive and full of hope. And, of course, that my little friend is thriving.