The scientific research indicates that around 1 in 2,000 individuals have a rare genetic disorder. This statistic highlights the remarkable diversity and intricacy of human biology.
This narrative once again underscores the significance of having the support of our loved ones. Courtesy and Gavin, parents of a unique daughter, openly share their inspiring journey with many people on their social media platforms to shed light on what it’s like to raise a child with a cleft lip. Their aim is to assist other families facing similar challenges.
Courtney and Gavin Gardner are excited to announce the arrival of their daughter, Sutton, who was born with a cleft lip. Courtney, worried about her daughter’s health, spends the entire night after Sutton’s birth wondering and praying for everything to be alright. During her 20th week of pregnancy, the doctor performs an ultrasound, revealing that Sutton has what is known as a “rabbit lip.” When Gardner receives the news, he is in for a surprise.
“The last thing they did was an ultrasound on her face, and then the specialist mentioned, ‘Oh, she definitely has a cleft lip.’ This can happen,” Courtney recalls. Cleft lip and palate are very rare conditions that affect 1 in 1,600 babies and occur when a baby’s lips or mouth do not develop normally during pregnancy. This condition can be caused by various factors, such as the mother’s diet or medication use, but it can also be linked to a genetic predisposition.
After the Gardners had their first son, they wished they had done a special photo shoot with him. When Courtney found out she was pregnant again, she decided to capture every moment of her new daughter. The photos were taken by photographer Shannon Morton and shared on social media by the parents. One of the pictures quickly became popular, receiving over 10,000 likes within hours. Over the next few days, the number of likes increased to an impressive 750,000.
Courtney shared that everyone has been very kind and supportive with their comments about her daughter, many remarking on how beautiful she is. This post has encouraged others to open up and share their own stories and pictures. The Gardners have been inspired to start their own Facebook page called “My Cleft Cutie” to offer support to other parents facing similar challenges with their children. “Our little princess was born with a bilateral cleft. Luckily, her palate was not affected. My husband and I make sure to remind her every day that she is the most stunning girl in the world and her personality is simply amazing,” a mother commented under their post on Facebook.
The parents are concerned about their daughter’s health but also very thankful to the hospital for providing them with invaluable support during this challenging journey. Sutton’s cleft palate has made bottle feeding difficult, and she spent the initial 18 days of her life in the neonatal intensive care unit. The young girl is set to undergo the initial surgery in a few days, with the next one scheduled for her first birthday. Experts emphasize the importance of intensive speech therapy in her treatment plan.
“Even though things may seem scary and bleak at the moment for little Sutton, her condition is actually completely treatable and manageable,” according to Courtney. Her parents describe her as extremely social, lively, always smiling, and genuinely happy, especially when her older brother is with her. They are optimistic that one day this will all just be a distant memory.