Closing the Gap About Cleft Lip and Palate | Christine Errico | TEDxUF

[@maryroseanncatarungan8651]

I also have cleft lip and cleft palate. My operation held when I was 19 years old and operated only my cleft lip. I am now going 29 years old. Thanks God, I am also working as an accounting staff. 😇 Glory to God 🙏

[@jasminekrupajose]

"I am also a person who has a cleft lip and palate. I am 25 years old and currently resting after rhinoplasty surgery while writing this comment. I'm really proud and happy for your success and the smile on your face. Yes, we can stick together, spreading awareness about this without any discrimination. I have experienced many instances of bullying throughout my life. To be honest, even though I want to accept it, society has made me feel insecure and ruined my confidence. In my school days, many students mocked me by calling me different names. I even thought at times that I might be a burden to my family. Your speech literally brought tears to my eyes and reminded me of the struggles I’ve faced." "And I want to say thanks to those who helped me become confident, like medical professionals, friends, family, role models, and even the people who mocked me. They mocked us due to a lack of awareness. But I must say, we should forgive those who mocked us, because we know the pain. Love from Kerala, India."

[@thatgirlreece6078]

Watching videos like this make me feel so lucky that I had such a lucky break with a top surgery when I was little. Who did my surgery for free and I have never been bullied for my cleft lip and I've barely ever get comments. I've dealt with some of the medical issues but I can still whistle and speak and blow bubble gum like everyone else. I feel for her on a whole nother level and I'm so glad that she's been able to succeed.

[@christineerrico5635]

Thank you so much for watching and for commenting! I'm happy to hear you had a great surgeon and were never bullied and hope your medical issues are manageable and you achieve all of your goals and dreams in life! :)

[@antmansmom5476]

Thanks for sharing your cleft journey... I'm going to show this to my 14 year old who was born with a Unilateral Cleft Lip and Incomplete Cleft Palate. He was extremely lucky to only have 2 surgeries. His lip repair was done at 4 1/2 months old. He had to be 11 lbs. to have surgery. At age 10 he had the bone graft. As of right now my son is done having surgery. The surgeon that reconstructed my right jaw joint did my son's surgeries. Dr. Hoffman was part of Healing the Children in the 90's when I was a patient. Now he is part of smile train.

[@loreepham]

This made me tear up. So many of your experiences resonated with me and it helps to realize that I am not alone in my experiences. It took me over 20 years to be even remotely comfortable sharing about my cleft lip and palate as I was always so ashamed of it. Learning to embrace it and love myself is something I will continue working on each day.

[@bethmasog1248]

Thank you for sharing your story! We are in a busy season of appointments and surgeries with my 8 year old. I never thought about the medical trauma that he could be experiencing. I will need to research this more and see how I can be more sensitive to it.

[@christineerrico5635]

Thank you so much! Look me up on FB or IG and I can send you some resources to help you with your research.

[@Fortysomethingmama]

Thank you for sharing! I have two cleft affected kids. Spreading awareness is so important!

[@christineerrico5635]

Thank you for watching. My mission is spreading awareness and education about cleft lip and palate.

[@Julia-301]

Thank you for talking about your cleft, I have a bilateral cleft lip and palate too and completely relate to the shame, bullying and feeling isolated. Its important to talk about our struggles to raise awareness, I am inspired, Thank you again.

[@candidawojcik6356]

I thought this was a beautiful presentation. I am a parent of a 14 year old son who was born with a bilateral cleft lip and palate . We were told by doctors that he would need an ipad to do the speaking for him by the time he reached kindergarten. Needless to say he didn't. He is an honor roll student and involved in youth group programs at our church.He has also done oral speeches at his school to educate other students about his cleft. I think it is so great what you are doing and hoping you continue to do so as an inspiration for others with clefts and their families.

[@christineerrico5635]

Thank you Candida! It's wonderful to hear about your son's accomplishments and how well he is doing!

[@Cleftmom]

Christine!!!!! I’m sooo proud of your talk!!! Amazing!!! So happy for you friend💞🎉

[@christineerrico5635]

Thank you so much Monica!!

[@ZombieCwicket]

Great job, Christine! This was awesome

[@christineerrico5635]

Thank you Samantha!

[@kabahead]

I so appreciate you sharing your story! I teared up several times. We have a cleft affected son who is preparing for some surgeries this year. Thank you for your openness and for your work advocating for cleft lip and palate awareness.

[@christineerrico5635]

Thank you Keri for watching! Good luck to your son, I'm sure he's going to do great through his surgeries!

[@kristinduffy9695]

A great TEDx talk to watch, Christine. I look forward to helping to share your story and spread cleft lip & palate awareness through The Second Chapter podcast! May you continue your path to acceptance and thanks for helping others to find theirs. x

[@vickiestolle2560]

Way to go Christine!! So proud of you and sharing your story with the world! :)

[@christineerrico5635]

Thank you Vickie!

[@Yarona1]

Beautiful Christine, and so empowering!

[@christineerricocoaching3755]

Thank you so much Yarona!

[@ottawacanada]

❤ You're not alone. You will struggle your whole life, remain positive, be you and never give up. Study hard to have a career that you like. I'm 41 now, I have two beautiful kids (with no birth defects) and they are my world. Surround yourself with people who are there for you and love you. Always HELP others ❤ Ukrainian/Canadian

[@chebaneila]

I'm proud of you Christine..... I just wish I could be like u..... I've never gotten over it yet.... I still don't have confidence in myself..... At 44 soon turning 45, I still shy away from people and keep a very low profile and always avoiding being on the spotlight even when an opportunity comes. I guess that's me and I'll never change. You are totally different.... Keep it up!

[@christineerricocoaching3755]

Thank you so much for watching! Please feel free to connect with me on Instagram (@christine_errico) or Facebook and let's chat privately! You CAN have confidence in yourself - it's a journey and you can change!

[@cataribero]

Excellent presentation Christine! Very educational. Thanks for sharing your personal story and journey!

[@christineerrico5635]

Thank you Catalina!

[@LateBoomer1964]

Great presentation Christine.

[@christineerrico5635]

Thank you!

[@bellalucia7150]

Love it, Christine! What an outstanding presentation!

[@christineerrico5635]

Thank you Luci!

[@Troee42]

amazing story, we love you at Smile Train.

[@christineerrico5635]

Thank you so much Troy! I love working with Smile Train.

[@simplelifeofsusan]

Such an amazing and very relatable presentation. So proud of you!

[@christineerrico5635]

Thank you so much!

[@cherylhikes2234]

You nailed this. Well done.

[@christineerrico5635]

Thank you Cheryl!

[@saumyakatiyar3111]

Had a or rather I should say going through a dental treatment for my upper na lower jaws since last one year, and came across this video when looking for some inspiration over you tube. 1-2 procedure are still pending. But the self confidence has shatters like never before. It took a lot of time to accept my self, but these surgeries have changed that. I am again at zero where have to start again. Journey to love and acceptance for self is a long way to go. left and palate survivor from India

[@diptithakker5673]

Great you're able to share and raise awareness 🙂

[@meesterchreester5589]

I’m so glad she mentioned the shame that we feel. I’ve felt so much shame my whole life.

[@Itried20takennames]

So sorry to hear that, although my first second thought was …..why? Why would anyone feel shame over something so relatively common? Not to question that it happens, but just can’t see why something fairly common and that you can’t control/had nothing to do with would be a source of shame. It may just be from having worked in the medical field, but see that health problems hit us all sooner or later, and a surprising number as kids (epilepsy, diabetes, etc). Being born with some kind of health issue or incomplete/variant development is way more common than most think (1 out of every 30 for moderate issues, and most of us have some small thing like an unpigmented patch of hair, or our sternum has a divert in the middle, or a couple ribs on one side stick out slightly more, etc).

[@helpimmagay]

i have a cleft myself and i never knew it was as common as down syndrome. i knew the stats of clefts were 1 in 700 and was common but i didn't know the stats of ds. it is honestly really sad how unknown clefts are.

[@Andrea-cg3px]

Hello. Im a pwd Cleft lip and palate.Please help me or give words to motivate my self. My life is unfair😢Sometimes i dont go to party or city because im afraid to people because the way i talk she lough me😢 i need advice im so very weak💔😢 I feel different, i feel depressed💔😢 Help me to motivate my self please give me advice😔 Thank you

[@doggovitharana3040]

Hi Andrea. I was born with a CLAP too. It sounds horribly cringy, but the first step towards helping yourself is realising how strong you are. The experience you have gone through is so painful, but that you are open with it shows you are self-aware and able to make decisions to improve your life. Just start by reminding yourself of all your abilities and resilience because, even though I don't know you, I know you are wonderful. Life is unfair, but it doesn't have to be. Start little and credit yourself where it is due. What other people say is all white noise, and the people who matter in life will understand where you can go. ❤️❤️

[@Andrea-cg3px]

@@doggovitharana3040 thank you so much for your wondelful words😇 I know its hurts what people say.But i know God is my savior😇🙏Life goes on😇Take care always😊 Goodbless you always😇

[@sketchyhead5878]

Hello Andrea, I just came across the site today. You have no reason to lack confidence at all; you're beautiful.