Cleft palate?

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  Posted by joshsmom Sat Sep 6, 2008 11:05am PDT

  Send her a nice heartfelt letter on pretty stionary or a card. Let her know that if she needs to talk you will listen, try not to offer advice or say things like "If I were you I would...". Offer empowering statements like "You are going through a rough time and I admire how you are able to still, take care of the house, your family, exercise whatever she is still doing"

  This is a delicate issue. She will need patience. I hope that her husband is supportive. Perhaps you can get her a list of support groups in her area for parents of children with the same disorder. There is still hope. These children can usually be operated onwith successful results.

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  Posted by Laura Sat Sep 6, 2008 11:22am PDT

  cleft palate is such an easy fix! my sister was born with a cleft palate she had surgery when she was a baby and you would never know. Just be there for your sister and her family. God Bless

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  Posted by KaraD Sat Sep 6, 2008 11:46am PDT

  Thanks so much for your comments ladies. The stationary idea is a good one. I think that I'll try it along with your statements.

  I'm hoping that it's only cleft lip because that will be alot simplier and less invasive a surgery. Right now were all praying for a miracle. I still believe in them.

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  Posted by Sun Sep 7, 2008 6:20am PDT

  Oh my!!! I am the mother of a cleft palate child that is now almost 4! Let me tell you she is perfect.

  The nurses at the hospital when she was born were totally unprepaired. They led us to believe that she would never be a "normal" kid. She has since had the repair done at the age of 6 months and has had to have speech, but other than that she is fine. She is a smart as a whip and is currently in ballet and is signed up for soccer. She has been our blessing!

  I would love to email you directly if you would like. Let me just say the things that your sister will need to be prepared for are after the birth of the baby. Feeding is the first issue. Their is a special way with a special bottle to feed the baby. This may sound overwhelming...trust me you will get it with out a problem. I did not breast feed my cleft palate child, instead i used the breast pump. If there is an agency in your area that helps with cleft palate I would communicate with them before the birth so you would have the bottles needed for the baby. They will supply them to you for free. Our agency here is called Children's Medical Services. I am available to talk if you need me!

  This child is a blessing and trust me you will get through it. There are leaps and bounds but i would not change ANYTHING for the world.

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