Comprehensive Cleft Care Helps Ezequiel Shine

“For Ezequiel's future, I wish him to be very happy, and that he fulfills all his dreams”

Silvia vividly recalls the worry and fear that engulfed her as she looked down at her newborn’s cleft for the first time.  

“I felt he was never going to be happy,” she says.

Ezequiel holds up a photo of himself from before cleft treatment
Ezequiel, before and after cleft surgery

But her doctors were not worried. Right away, they transferred them to Notti Hospital, their local Smile Train partner and a leader in cleft care in Argentina. After an initial consultation, the team had some very good news: Ezequiel would receive all the cleft treatment he ever needed, and it would be 100% free thanks to Smile Train!

Silvia returned home with Ezequiel greatly relieved to have a clear treatment plan for him. There were challenging days, to be sure. It was not always easy caring for an infant with a cleft — Ezequiel would often choke on milk when Silvia tried to feed him. But she received unwavering love and support from her husband and in-laws. 

Ezequiel smiles alongside one of his doctors
Ezequiel has been with the same Smile Train-sponsored cleft team for his entire healing journey

On the day of Ezequiel’s first surgery, Silvia was not even nervous. Rather, she was confident knowing that he was in great hands.

Today, Ezequiel is eight and loves playing with his two little sisters. He is doing well in school and enjoys painting, drawing, and hanging out with his classmates.

Following his successful cleft surgeries, Ezequiel is now enrolled in orthopedic treatment and speech therapy, all made possible by Smile Train’s generous donors. Siliva is so grateful for the tremendous support her family continues to receive. After seeing the life-changing power of comprehensive cleft care firsthand, she no longer worries about Ezequiel’s future. In fact, she’s excited for it.

“I wish him to be very happy,” she says, “and that he fulfills all his dreams.”

And her message for other cleft parents?

“Never give up.”

Silvia and Ezequiel share a hug and smile for the camera
Thank you, Silvia and Ezequiel, for sharing your story!

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