How Cleft Care Saved Aarosh’s Life

Cleft care can be the difference between life and death. Or having life at all.

Aarosh’s family knows this firsthand. His mother, Anjana, learned of his cleft during a pregnancy checkup, and the doctor’s advice absolutely shocked her:

Consider getting an abortion.

Life will be too difficult for a cleft-affected child.

Anjana huddled with her husband, Gautham. They were excited to become parents. They also had never encountered a cleft before. How on earth could an abortion be the proper medical response?

After careful consideration, Anjana did what she thought best. She found a new doctor.

On the advice of a friend, she and Gautham sought care at Kathmandu University Hospital instead, where their new medical team had another shocking message:

Don’t worry. Clefts are common and treatable.

For Aarosh’s eventual cleft surgery, they recommended B&B Hospital, a Smile Train partner located just 15 minutes away by car, where all his cleft care would be completely free.

Anjana and Gautham sat back and marveled. All along, the real solution had been waiting just one town over.

Aarosh, now 10, is a bundle of energy who loves to run and play. He has many friends in school, where is favorite subject is Nepali language and culture. “Because it has many stories in it,” he said.

The doctor who counseled Anjana to get an abortion no longer works at the local hospital. But if Anjana ever crosses paths with her again, she knows exactly what she will say: “Never suggest something like that to anyone again.”

Every time they see Aarosh’s smile, Anjana and Gautham feel grateful that they chose to get a second opinion. And they will always hold a place in their heart for Smile Train’s donors, who made his cleft care at B&B possible.

“It’s all thanks to you that we were able to afford the procedure,” Anjana said. “I really want to thank you for all your kindness.”