Cleft Lip / Palate Support Group

I am sorry to hear that your daughter is having a hard time. My son is only four so we havnt had to go through that yet. It is so sad how mean kids can be. Any little thing that makes somebody different seems to make them an easy target for such mean people. I will keep your daughter and your family in my prayers. Im sure your daughter knows how much her family and friends love her and someday she'll figure out that it doesnt matter what anyone else thinks. I know it is hard to see your kids suffer in any way. My dad really is an inspiration for me, when he was younger he was almost half blind so he wore really thick glasses, he had silver caps on all of his teeth, and he wore leg braces like forrest gump. He got made fun of almost all of his life, now my dad is one of the strongest most wonderful people that I know. He has so many great qualities. He had it rough when he was young but He is such a great person now, that makes me know that My kids are going to make it through the tough times and be better people for it in the end. Just tell your little girl that everyone gets made fun of for something in their lives, Tell her not to let those people control how she feels, they are just mean. Someday shell be all grown up and she wont even remember those peoples names.

I know what your daughter is going through. I was born with a cleft lip and palate and was also teased mercilessly for it. I've had that same surgury, and many more. I'm 18 now, starting college soon, and I've gained a lot of insight on what really matters. I don't know how you feel about it, but if you don't mind, I'd like to talk to your daughter. Maybe it will help for her to talk to someone that can relate.

At the age of 57, I would like to think that the teasing I took as child, was over and done with. Sadly, it is not. People poke fun at what they cannot understand.

I can say, that the experiences I had as a child, rough or not, made me the person I am. In many ways I think I have an advantage over those who seemed to have things easier.

Anything worth having is worth fighting for. A fighting spirit can become a winning spirit!

Barbara Grow, complete unilateral cleft lip and palate. Most importantly; wife, mother, teacher.

tell her to stay positive and keep her focus her energy on positive things...i know how she feels but i always remind myself that i'm just as normal as my peers in spite of how i look...tell her to have fun and enjoy her teen years because they're too fun and she shouldn't let those years and opportunities pass her by because of her looks. true beauty lies within so people will see what a wonderful person she is. i'm a junior in college and the teasing doesn't go away or get easier, but people manage to look past my appearance and see me for the person I am. and if they can't get past her appearance then they're not worth her time. her peers will accept her but she has to accept herself and her appearance first.

Hey i know it can be hard being the mother or the one with a cleft palate/lip i am a 17 year old girl that has cleft palate no cleft lip though but i know it can be hard , so i wish the best to you and your daughter , i know its hard