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A challenging start, and a hopeful future
A common birth defect, treated with surgery, draws stares from strangers
Date published: 8/17/2008
BY DONYA CURRIE FOR THE FREE LANCE-STAR Karen Myers of King George County found herself fighting back tears during a recent trip to a local Chuck E. Cheese pizza parlor with her two children. Her infant son, Grant, was born with the most common birth defect in the United States--cleft lip and cleft palate, a largely cosmetic problem that will be corrected with a series of surgeries. But the horrified looks cast her way by strangers broke her heart. "There wasn't one person who walked by that didn't stare," Myers said about her evening at Chuck E. Cheese. "It took all I had not to bawl. I just wanted to yell, 'My baby's not a freak!' I know people are just curious, but I don't know why it affects me so much." The King George woman is not alone in her struggle to find normalcy as she cares for her child. An estimated one in 700 U.S. babies is born with cleft lip and/or palate, a birth defect that can vary in severity. Ultrasound technology has allowed the majority of clefts to be identified before a baby is even born, paving the way for a multi-pronged approach to treatment that results in fewer surgeries and scarring than in the past. "Early on, the technique for cleft repair wasn't as advanced as it is now," said nurse Lora Hindenburg, management coordinator for Fairfax Hospital's Craniofacial Program. "They [children born with cleft lip and/or palate] do really well these days. The prognosis is very good for them." Clefts result from incomplete development of the roof of the mouth and/or the lip while a baby is growing in the womb. Typically, a child with cleft lip and palate will have surgery at 3 months to close the gaps in the lip, then at 9 months to close the roof of the mouth. Grant is having his first surgery in a few weeks. At age 8 or 9, children with a so-called "complete" cleft will have bone taken from their hip and inserted in their jaw to give their teeth space to grow. Flattened noses are a common side affect as well and may be reconstructed once a child has reached adulthood.
Date published: 8/17/2008
Stand by your little guy
(posted by
bkdomer1992
, Aug. 27, 2008 9:02 pm)
To the Meyers family. I too was born with a cleft lip and cleft palate back in 1970. I have been through many surgeries but don't look as good as Brad Pitt. I too, even at this age, still get stares from those older then me. My family instilled in me a self confidence that has helped me greatly in life. Love him, enjoy him, but let him experience the good times and bad on his own. I would love to talk with you to answer any concerns. My three girls see Dr. Bradshaw also. My email bkdomer92@hotmail.com.
There is Hope Beyond the Pain
(posted by
Michael2U
, Aug. 19, 2008 11:07 am)
Ms. Myers, I was born in 1952 with a cleft lip. I was lucky enough to have an excellent plastic surgeon, who left only a very slight scar on my upper lip. With speech therapy and today's advanced surgical techniques, Grant should be fine. I've done well in life; I'll pray for Grant - his health and his and your happiness. He's a beautiful baby! I'd include a picture so you can see how well my surgery was done, but don't know how! (michael.patrick@dahlgren.af.mil)
please call!
(posted by
My2CentsWorth
, Aug. 17, 2008 9:24 pm)
Hi Karen, I'm the mom you met at Dr. Bradshaw's that day and told you about my husband and mother in law. I gave you my number. Please feel free to call anytime, even if it's just to get all the little people together for a playdate!
oops misread name
(posted by
Aidia
, Aug. 17, 2008 9:19 pm)
I mean Grant =)
Re:
(posted by
Aidia
, Aug. 17, 2008 9:17 pm)
Matthew is an adorable little man. I will pray for him as he goes through his surgeries.
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