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Maria was born with a severe hair lip and cleft palate (complete unilateral). This is a condition which affects 1 baby out of 700 each year. Maria needed a lifetime of medical care involving >20 major operations over 46 years. Repairing the lip is just the start of the journey. Repairs are required to the palate and gums; sometimes more than once. The hearing is affected and also speech. Growing up needing a lot of medical help and also having a facial scar is difficult for young children. And the effect on the whole family can be shattering.

Maria withstood all her operations and pain without complaint. She developed an extremely strong inner strength. This enabled her to achieve a good career and lead a fully independent life. Her experiences made her empathetic to the needs of others and she helped many in both her private life and through work. Maria has demonstrated that it is completely possible to lead a normal life even following a severe cleft diagnosis.

Maria mentioned CLAPA when we were discussing charities once.The money raised will allow CLAPA to help other families facing the diagnosis; and to explain to them what will happen next. They ensure that parents understand the causes of clefting, and most importantly, that they have not done anything to cause it. CLAPA will explain that the medical plan may last at least 20 years. In addition, they provide psychological support for both parents and children alike. The children are supported to help them cope with facial scarring, speech and hearing difficulties, and to deal with the many operations they will face over time. The children are taught how to become resilient enough to withstand awkward questions, staring, bullying and helped to understand that they are not alone. My sister and parents would have benefited a great deal from such support. I never really noticed her scar, I just saw my kind, loving and beautiful sister.

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