Tony was born in Honduras with craniofacial and lower limb differences. At nine months old, Cathy was able to bring him to the United States to receive care for his differences. Cathy works with a program that brings children to the States for care. Tony originally stayed with a family in Louisiana to begin care for his lower limbs, but the doctors recommended care start with his bilateral cleft lip (both sides) and palate. Tony next came to Pennsylvania to stay with Cathy, who later adopted him, and had his first lip surgery with a doctor from the sponsoring program.
Tony’s doctor recommended the Lancaster Cleft Palate Clinic after that first lip surgery. At 18 months old Tony met with his new care team for the first time. Cathy says, “It didn’t matter that his care was [subsidized]. I felt that the care he received was just as loving as the care anyone would get and the care he receives now.” The Clinic made sure he had access to craniofacial care options.
Cathy was familiar with our clinic because her older daughter also had a cleft lip and palate and was a patient at the Clinic. She knew the compassionate, coordinated, and holistic care Tony would receive. Care in one location was incredibly helpful for Tony because “otherwise we would be running to five or six different places… There’s really not any other facility that I have seen that provides that all-encompassing care.” We make sure that all the different needed specialties are in one place for families.
Tony has benefited from surgery to repair his soft palate, pediatric services, dental surgery, speech therapy, psycho-social care with our social worker, audiology, ENT, prosthodontics, and pediatric dental care. “Doctor Liz [our Pediatric Dentist] is the Tooth Fairy!” according to Tony. All this care has been coordinated by the Clinic and, for Cathy, the most rewarding part as a parent is that “[Tony] still felt good and proud of himself at the end of an appointment.” Tony has sensory differences and we work hard to help him feel comfortable. Cathy says, “The staff that works there, there is a joy in the work. It’s not their job, it’s their journey with the patient.”
Tony is receiving a lifetime of care from the Clinic. Today, at 19 years old, Tony has an aesthetic smile and recently graduated from high school. He enjoys working in the high school cafeteria where he assembles the food and enjoys talking with the other employees and students. Tony also really likes basketball and trains.
Cathy says, “Anyone making a gift wants to know their support is making a difference at the patient level. They want to make sure their gift reaches the patient. [With the Clinic] you know this is happening. They are building pride and confidence in the patients they serve.”
We need you to be able to help children like Tony! Tony shares “a very special thank you for helping.”
