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 uneasy as she and her husband, Christopher, waited to speak with a doctor following
the ultrasound.
“I knew something was wrong,” she remembers. “Three doctors came in. They told us our daughter had a bilateral cleft lip with palate involvement.”
The doctors recommended the Clinic as a great resource and within days, Kaitlyn received a phone call from the Clinic. “That initial phone call helped reassure me that we would have support.”
When Myla was born at Women’s and Babies Hospital, someone from the Clinic was there to help them learn to feed her. “Feeding Myla was the biggest challenge so it was great to have that support in the hospital,” Kaitlyn reflects. The Clinic saw her right away.
At three months old, Myla had her first surgery – a bilateral cleft lip repair. She was hospitalized afterwards due to swelling in her airway but she made a full recovery. Dr. Samson performed the surgery and checked in on her often. “Dr. Samson says they’re his kids back in the operating room,” Kaitlyn says. “He treats them as such.”
Myla has had many surgeries and procedures already and is only four years old. She has had several sets of ear tubs, lip repair, and palate repair performed the day after her first birthday. Eventually she will have bone graft surgery.
“Her name means ‘soldier,'” Kaitlyn shares, her voice filling with emotion as she speaks about her daughter’s courage. “Christopher chose it. We named her that because we knew she’d undergo multiple surgeries. She’s so resilient. Before her most recent surgery, the doctor asked her if she was scared and she said, ‘No. I’m brave.'”
“I’m so grateful we live in Lancaster,” Kaitlyn says. “I’m so grateful that the Clinic is here.”
But Myla isn’t the only Bain child benefiting from the Clinic’s expertise. Kaitlyn gave birth to Myla’s brother, Hayden, five months ago. She was told that after Myla’s diagnosis, her chance of having a baby with another cleft increased to 10%, and sure enough, Hayden was born needing a bilateral lip repair. It
wasn’t easy to send yet another child back to the OR for such an extensive surgery. “Christopher showed incredible strength as a two-time cleft dad,” Kaitlyn says. “He was the rock our family needed. And the Clinic has supported us every step of the way.”
Now the Bains visit the Clinic every three to six months for Team Day, in which they meet with 8-10 specialists. “We see dental, pediatrics, plastic surgery – everything,” Kaitlyn says. “They mail you a detailed report from each specialist. They’ve been so helpful.”
Myla was excited her brother had a cleft as well and eagerly showed him off at the Clinic on his first Team Day. She says Hayden’s smile is beautiful. Kaitlyn agrees and, feeling blessed with a special privilege – she’s fallen in love with not just one smile but two for both of her children.
“Cleft parents need to take pictures,” she says. “Your children’s smiles are beautiful before and after repair.” The family celebrates Myla and Hayden’s “smileversary” annually on the date they had their lip repairs. “Thank you to the Clinic, all the care providers, and Dr. Samson for performing three surgeries for our family!” Kaitlyn says.
“And there aren’t enough words to thank the donors. They ensure the children get the care they need to be able to hear, to speak, to eat. These special children deserve to have their forever smiles.”
