Why It Matters
When American children are born with cleft lip or palate, reparative surgery typically occurs in a timely fashion. This is not the case for other parts of the world, however. We recognized a need in Guatemala, particularly within the Mayan community, to help families impacted by this birth defect, and Smiles for Guatemala was formed. We aim to eliminate two primary concerns families have when their children are born with cleft lip or palate.
The first concern is medical: children born with cleft lip or cleft palate are subject to a host of health concerns. According to Johns Hopkins, the condition can make feeding difficult for newborns and infants. As the children grow older, they might be subject to ear infections, which can then lead to hearing loss. Speech and language delay can occur, and considerable dental problems requiring extensive orthodontic work may be present.
The second concern is societal: children with cleft lip or palate have facial abnormalities. When the cleft is not repaired as an infant, the child is often teased and ridiculed in his or her community and at school, which can have a significant impact on self-esteem.
Our goal is to provide these life-changing reparative surgeries to improve overall quality of life for the families -- especially the children -- affected.
When American children are born with cleft lip or palate, reparative surgery typically occurs in a timely fashion. This is not the case for other parts of the world, however. We recognized a need in Guatemala, particularly within the Mayan community, to help families impacted by this birth defect, and Smiles for Guatemala was formed. We aim to eliminate two primary concerns families have when their children are born with cleft lip or palate.
The first concern is medical: children born with cleft lip or cleft palate are subject to a host of health concerns. According to Johns Hopkins, the condition can make feeding difficult for newborns and infants. As the children grow older, they might be subject to ear infections, which can then lead to hearing loss. Speech and language delay can occur, and considerable dental problems requiring extensive orthodontic work may be present.
The second concern is societal: children with cleft lip or palate have facial abnormalities. When the cleft is not repaired as an infant, the child is often teased and ridiculed in his or her community and at school, which can have a significant impact on self-esteem.
Our goal is to provide these life-changing reparative surgeries to improve overall quality of life for the families -- especially the children -- affected.