Patient Story
Guatemala City, Guatemala 2023
A bright and spirited little girl from Guatemala was born with a bilateral cleft lip and palate. For her mother, this journey began with a deep sense of isolation and sadness. “It was very sad for me,” the mother shared “I would cry because I thought I was the only mom going through this.” This past year, the little girl underwent a life-changing bilateral cleft lip repair thanks to the skilled hands and compassionate hearts of the Austin Smiles team.
The surgery has not only transformed her smile but has also opened the door for her to become the person she was always meant to be. The mother found comfort in the community of other parents facing similar challenges. “After seeing other moms going through the same situation, I realized I was not the only one,” she said. The experience has been transformative for both the little girl and her mother, turning what once felt like a solitary journey into one filled with hope and support. “For a lot of us, this is a great help,” the mother continued.
“There is no charge, and everything is free. This is a great blessing and help to all mothers. I just want to say thank you to everyone, and I hope that you all are able to continue helping children.”
