See King Cleft Lip and Palate Groups in Tempe AZ

My son was born with a cleft lip and palate 6 years ago. Go to widesmiles.org and cleftline.org (I believe I got those right). They are wonderful resources and taught me a lot. Most states have a clinic group that does cleft. My son still goes once a year and sees his surgeon, an ENT (who happens to now be his ENT), a pediatric dentist, speech therapist, a geneticist (we didn't see her after the first time) and a social worker.

My son is doing great and thriving. He just had his 4th and hopefully last surgery this past fall.

If you have any questions send me a pm. However don't worry if you don't hear back from me for a few days as I am not on here daily.

Good luck : )

Check out the Wide Smiles website. If you really delve into it, you will learn a tremendous amount. Finding a support group will help as well. Contact the Children's Hospital somewhere nearby. They can point you to some support.

You will really need to learn a lot in regards to speech therapy and what to do to prepare for it. Knowledge is power. You can do this!

Good luck!
Dawn

How old is your son now?

When I was pregnant with my second, they told me she was going to be born with cleft lip and cleft palate. They showed me on her ultrasound pics where the deformity is, and my OBGYN got me in touch with specialists in my surrounding area, so maybe start there. Through them, I was also able to find a good pediatrician who specialized it this as well. Everyone was wonderful; I was totally mentally and emotionally prepared!!

...and then my daughter was born, with a perfect little button nose and bird lips, no deformity ;) My doc was FLOORED (I was too!)... my point is, I started MY search with my OBGYN and took it from there, so hopefully yours can give you guidance as well.

Good luck!

E.-

If you know of a Shriner, they have cleft lip and palate hospitals that can help fix your child and no cost to you. Unfortunately there are no Shrine hospitals in Tempe, but there is one in LA and Sacramento. If they agree to send you, the Shriners pay for everything: procedures and transportation. If you have a Shriner organization there in Tempe, might do some good to talk to them.

I know this because my husband is a Shriner here in Texas and they are such God sends to kids. If you need any other information, please let me know.

Here is their website: http://www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/en/CareAndTre...

~J.