Category Archives: Client Stories

This story was originally published in the Spring Newsletter 2025 Smile Connection Grateful For Two Smiles to Treasure Kaitlyn Bain vividly recalls the day her unborn child received a surprising diagnosis. She visited May-Grant Obstetrics & Gynecology for her 20-week anatomy scan, anticipating discovering her baby’s gender, only to grow

Embracing Her Smiles: A dad’s hope for his daughter’s future First-time father Nathan Black had no idea what parenting a baby would be like. His daughter, AvaLyn, was due to arrive in April of 2022, and all of the usual anticipation and excitement of the journey to parenthood was in

Sandy was born with a cleft palate that was undiagnosed for many years. When her daughter, Kim, was born with a rare genetic difference, also undiagnosed for many years, Sandy decided it would be her life’s work to advocate for her daughter and support other parents to do the same.

Lander was like most kids; curious, friendly, and caring. At seven years old, his pediatric dentist shared he had a “severe overjet.” His front teeth jetted out far enough that they would always be exposed. Mom and Dad knew something was different, but a diagnosis changes everything. With top teeth

Leah was born with Down Syndrome. And it was a surprise to her parents. All they want is for her to be happy, but she really struggled to eat as a baby. Leah could nurse, but bottles didn’t work and a pacifier was never comforting. Imagine not being able to

Click here to read! In this uncertain time, Lancaster Cleft Palate Clinic wants to offer you HOPE! Instead of mailing our spring newsletter, we’re making it simple for you to read online to reduce environmental impact and conserve much-needed funds for patient services. Please click here to download your copy of A Journey

After a childhood accident, my husband faced a lifetime of breathing and eating challenges. We gained a profound understanding of the impact of proper medical care when a surgical procedure at Lancaster Cleft Palate Clinic many years into adulthood finally allowed him to breathe through his nose for the first

Looking at the young man standing proudly in uniform between his father and brother, it would be easy to forget that Isaiah Shank, now a Fire Academy graduate and Adams County Junior Firefighter, was once a tiny baby with very serious medical needs. Cindy Shank, Isaiah’s mother, was 20 weeks

Terra and Brent had been happily anticipating the birth of their first child. Learning that their son, James, would be born with a cleft lip and palate stopped them in their tracks. “I remember thinking, I’m finally pregnant, and now there’s a problem,” Terra told me. “But now, I can

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