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ml110
LIF Adult
Member since 1/06 5435 total posts
Name:
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weird question... anyone know anybody born with a cleft palate?
Dh and I are considering adopting a baby. there is a program for kids from china who have "minor or correctable special needs". they said one of the main things they see is cleft palate.
now, i'm a speech therapist so i studied this in school, but i work in an elementary school and haven't had any kids with it.
just wanted to hear if anyone has any experience, how it might affect the kid as they grow up and in adulthood?
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Posted 12/22/09 8:22 PM  |
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seaside
LIF Adult
Member since 6/08 3101 total posts
Name:
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Re: weird question... anyone know anybody born with a cleft palate?
I used to know someone. He was really smart--a friend from college. I don't think he let it stand in his way. Such a great thing you guys are thinking about!
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| Posted 12/22/09 8:26 PM |
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Re: weird question... anyone know anybody born with a cleft palate?
I know someone who had surgeries during childhood for a cleft palate. She does not talk about it at all anymore and I do not believe there are any lasting effects.
I have read a lot about China adoptions and I have 2 acquaintances who have adopted from China. With the special needs program, you can adopt a child who has a medical problem that would only seem to be minor in our culture. If you go through China's regular program you would have a much longer wait and you have to hope that China does not close their program while you are waiting. Parents with a lot of patience and the means to get medical care for children can do so much for children who might not have a chance to live as great a life in China. You would truly be saving a child who might have otherwise grown up in an orphanage. I just wanted to give you some words of encouragement. Also, LIF's adoption board has some people who know a lot about the various programs.
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| Posted 12/22/09 8:36 PM |
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ml110
LIF Adult
Member since 1/06 5435 total posts
Name:
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Re: weird question... anyone know anybody born with a cleft palate?
Posted by Kerie-is-so-very
I know someone who had surgeries during childhood for a cleft palate. She does not talk about it at all anymore and I do not believe there are any lasting effects.
I have read a lot about China adoptions and I have 2 acquaintances who have adopted from China. With the special needs program, you can adopt a child who has a medical problem that would only seem to be minor in our culture. If you go through China's regular program you would have a much longer wait and you have to hope that China does not close their program while you are waiting. Parents with a lot of patience and the means to get medical care for children can do so much for children who might not have a chance to live as great a life in China. You would truly be saving a child who might have otherwise grown up in an orphanage. I just wanted to give you some words of encouragement. Also, LIF's adoption board has some people who know a lot about the various programs.
Thanks!! does your friend have any lasting speech affects from it? nasal voice or anything?
I've been doing a lot of research, too. the agency i'm looking at actually has 3 programs for china. one for "regular" kids thats taking like almost 4 years right now, one for kids with "minor/correctible" special needs, and one for kids with more signiificant special needs. we'd be doing the one for minor special needs.
I feel the same way about helping a child-- i feel like this is the reason that i can't have biological kids-- i'm supposed to help one of these kids out.
thanks again for the info and encrouagemant! i'll keep everybody updated!
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| Posted 12/22/09 8:50 PM |
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pinkandblue
Our family is complete, maybe
Member since 9/05 32436 total posts
Name:
Stephanie
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Re: weird question... anyone know anybody born with a cleft palate?
that is wonderful...good luck and please keep us updated 
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| Posted 12/22/09 8:57 PM |
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Shorty
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Member since 5/05 30390 total posts
Name:
really
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Re: weird question... anyone know anybody born with a cleft palate?
i know 2 - both boys. one is now a teenager and one is still a toddler, but both boys are great. They had the corrective surgery done at an early age (around 1). From what I remember, infant feeding was a little more difficult, but otherwise, the boys "bounced back" with no lasting effects. PLUS, chicks dig scars 
You're considering an amazing thing! good for you!
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| Posted 12/22/09 9:34 PM |
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hbugal
Lesigh
Member since 2/07 15928 total posts
Name:
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Re: weird question... anyone know anybody born with a cleft palate?
So much has changed in the past 10 years or so...so many advances have been made...it's amazing what they can do now for these children.
Stony Brook has a Cleft Palate Association or Center or something like that...I'd maybe give them a call and see what information they can give you.
Cleft Palate Center
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| Posted 12/22/09 9:39 PM |
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Re: weird question... anyone know anybody born with a cleft palate?
Posted by ml110
Posted by Kerie-is-so-very
I know someone who had surgeries during childhood for a cleft palate. She does not talk about it at all anymore and I do not believe there are any lasting effects.
I have read a lot about China adoptions and I have 2 acquaintances who have adopted from China. With the special needs program, you can adopt a child who has a medical problem that would only seem to be minor in our culture. If you go through China's regular program you would have a much longer wait and you have to hope that China does not close their program while you are waiting. Parents with a lot of patience and the means to get medical care for children can do so much for children who might not have a chance to live as great a life in China. You would truly be saving a child who might have otherwise grown up in an orphanage. I just wanted to give you some words of encouragement. Also, LIF's adoption board has some people who know a lot about the various programs.
Thanks!! does your friend have any lasting speech affects from it? nasal voice or anything?
I've been doing a lot of research, too. the agency i'm looking at actually has 3 programs for china. one for "regular" kids thats taking like almost 4 years right now, one for kids with "minor/correctible" special needs, and one for kids with more signiificant special needs. we'd be doing the one for minor special needs.
I feel the same way about helping a child-- i feel like this is the reason that i can't have biological kids-- i'm supposed to help one of these kids out.
thanks again for the info and encrouagemant! i'll keep everybody updated!
This person did have a lisp for a long time but was able to have it totally gone with speech therapy. She has several degrees and this did not hold her back.
Message edited 12/22/2009 11:53:49 PM.
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| Posted 12/22/09 11:53 PM |
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Goobster
:)
Member since 5/07 27557 total posts
Name:
:)
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Re: weird question... anyone know anybody born with a cleft palate?
Posted by ml110
Posted by Kerie-is-so-very
I know someone who had surgeries during childhood for a cleft palate. She does not talk about it at all anymore and I do not believe there are any lasting effects.
I have read a lot about China adoptions and I have 2 acquaintances who have adopted from China. With the special needs program, you can adopt a child who has a medical problem that would only seem to be minor in our culture. If you go through China's regular program you would have a much longer wait and you have to hope that China does not close their program while you are waiting. Parents with a lot of patience and the means to get medical care for children can do so much for children who might not have a chance to live as great a life in China. You would truly be saving a child who might have otherwise grown up in an orphanage. I just wanted to give you some words of encouragement. Also, LIF's adoption board has some people who know a lot about the various programs.
Thanks!! does your friend have any lasting speech affects from it? nasal voice or anything?
I've been doing a lot of research, too. the agency i'm looking at actually has 3 programs for china. one for "regular" kids thats taking like almost 4 years right now, one for kids with "minor/correctible" special needs, and one for kids with more signiificant special needs. we'd be doing the one for minor special needs.
I feel the same way about helping a child-- i feel like this is the reason that i can't have biological kids-- i'm supposed to help one of these kids out.
thanks again for the info and encrouagemant! i'll keep everybody updated!
I know someone from grammer school who had it. She had only a slight scar left and a minor nasal toned voice.
Another person...a celeb...Joaquin Phoenix I believe had a cleft lip. I could be wrong but I am pretty sure.
Message edited 12/23/2009 12:14:21 AM.
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| Posted 12/23/09 12:14 AM |
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JessInCA
live laugh love
Member since 8/06 5082 total posts
Name:
Jess
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Re: weird question... anyone know anybody born with a cleft palate?
One of my college friends was born with a cleft palate. She had surgery (or possibly several?) to correct it while she was very young (all before preschool). She did have a scar, but it wasn't horribly obvious, not red or anything like that, and had no speech problems at all. I never noticed anything nasal about her voice either.
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| Posted 12/23/09 12:51 AM |
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jam11308
Member since 11/07 7273 total posts
Name:
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Re: weird question... anyone know anybody born with a cleft palate?
My 40+ year old cousin was born with a severe harelip & a cleft palate back in the 1960s and according to my mom had to have all sorts of surgeries. Today he has a scar under his mustache, speaks as well as anyone else I know and has one heck of a personality! He's a confident, outgoing, go-getter that's tough as nails. He's a bit short for a guy, as well (5'7" maybe?), and my mom & aunt believe that the combination of his smaller stature and his facial scars as a child led him to develop a tough shell & he pretty much accomplishes everything that he sets his mind to (he's started & sold off quite a few successful businesses). If anything, the birth defect probably drove him to succeed more than he would have had he been born without it!
ETA: BTW I think that you & your dh are amazing people for doing this!
Message edited 12/23/2009 11:53:18 AM.
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| Posted 12/23/09 11:52 AM |
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Wendy
Wheeee!
Member since 5/05 13736 total posts
Name:
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Re: weird question... anyone know anybody born with a cleft palate?
My college boyfriend had one corrected as a child (in the late 60's) and all he had was a small scar under his nose (from what I can remember). No lisp or nasal voice.
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| Posted 12/23/09 11:58 AM |
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PotofLuck06
Our Baby Boy Is Here!!!
Member since 11/06 13241 total posts
Name:
Betsy
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Re: weird question... anyone know anybody born with a cleft palate?
Posted by hbugal
So much has changed in the past 10 years or so...so many advances have been made...it's amazing what they can do now for these children.
Stony Brook has a Cleft Palate Association or Center or something like that...I'd maybe give them a call and see what information they can give you.
Cleft Palate Center
Heather is correct. I know the dentists and administrator involved and they are wonderful, caring people!
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| Posted 12/23/09 12:16 PM |
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ODonnell
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Member since 9/05 5983 total posts
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Re: weird question... anyone know anybody born with a cleft palate?
My friend growing up was born with a cleft palate, not a hair lip. This was in the 60's in Ireland and she had one or two surgeries and has no scar at all and has no speech impediment.
My sister's friend had a daughter 11 or 12 years ago who had a severe cleft palate and hair lip. She has some other complications also and had many surgeries and is doing really well. She has no lisp but sounds a little nasal. She is a great athlete too.
Good luck
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| Posted 12/23/09 1:36 PM |
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Re: weird question... anyone know anybody born with a cleft palate?
I don't know anyone. Just wanted to say, i think what your doing is wonderful !
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| Posted 12/23/09 2:05 PM |
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Pooka
Oh Happy Day!!
Member since 11/06 5689 total posts
Name:
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Re: weird question... anyone know anybody born with a cleft palate?
A very close friend of mine adopted a little boy from Vietnam. He had a clef palatte. When he was a baby the pediatrican taught the family how to feed him with a special nipple for his bottle so he could eat. He has adjusted well and speaks without a problem. He has had several surgeries and will likely have at least one more surgery, but he appears to be developing well.
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| Posted 12/23/09 9:07 PM |
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julz33
i run for bacon
Member since 5/05 20584 total posts
Name:
julz
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Re: weird question... anyone know anybody born with a cleft palate?
A friend of mine adopted a little boy from China who was born with a cleft palate. He had surgery in China as a baby and my friend said he may need more surgeries in the future. He is super cute and you can barely notice it.
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| Posted 12/23/09 9:19 PM |
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MrsH2009
Thank you St. Gerard!
Member since 8/09 6631 total posts
Name:
M
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Re: weird question... anyone know anybody born with a cleft palate?
I have a family friend that was born with a cleft palate. She has had surgery to fix it, and now just has a slight scar.
ETA: Good luck with your decision.
Message edited 12/23/2009 10:46:27 PM.
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| Posted 12/23/09 10:45 PM |
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