Why This ER Doctor Donates Monthly to Smile Train
"The number of people's lives they're changing is absolutely incredible."
![Cleft Con logo](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-11/cleft-con-smile-train-title-50.jpg?itok=E3NdJBHs)
At Cleft Con 2021, Vulnerability is Strength
“It's amazing what your cleft journey will do to your life when you embrace it.”
Vivian Exemplifies Beauty Inside and Out
When Vivian started school, the kids laughed at her so much she didn't want to live. Then she met someone who told her she should become a model.
![Krista's son surrounded by Cuddles for Clefts stuffed animals with clefts](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-11/cuddles-for-clefts-surrounded-by-stuffed-animals-cleft.jpg?itok=2NCo04Ce)
The Cleft Community Could Use a Cuddle. Krista is There
How one mother overcame despair and blame to find her son the treatment he so needed
![Dana meets Smile Train patients in Mexico](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-11/dana-poskitt-ipoly-pomona-ca-project-smile-recycling-journey-of-smiles-mexico-50.jpg?itok=5zgGDzPg)
Sra. Poskitt Helps Her Students Turn Trash into Smiles
![Troy Reinhart wears a crown next to a pageant winner at Smile Train's old offices](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-10/troy-reinhart-miss-new-jersey-50.jpg?itok=UXl-u1My)
Troy Reinhart: 20 Years of Smiles
![Benjamin thinking in a field in Kenya after his Smile Train-sponsored cleft surgery](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-10/benjamin-k-thinks-outside-after-free-smile-train-cleft-lip-palate-surgery-kenya.jpg?itok=-d4oDesF)
![Smile Train patient Smile Rai with his parents, who are holding a picture of him before his free cleft surgery in Nepal](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-09/smile-rai-with-family-after-smile-train-free-cleft-lip-palate-surgery-nepal.jpg?itok=UkUr4Lj3)
Destiny’s Smile
Even knowing help is available isn’t always enough to remove the stigma of having a cleft.
![Kenyan Drake huddles with Smile Train patients in Mexico](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-08/kenyan-drake-in-mexico-with-smile-train-in-huddle-with-kids-nfl-philanthropy.jpg?itok=SJtAKfdh)
Kenyan Drake: NFL Star, Smile Maker
The Las Vegas Raider’s surprisingly personal connection to cleft care.
![Smile Train patient Demaris from Kenya holds a picture of herself before her free cleft surgery](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-07/damaris-holding-photo-before-free-smile-train-cleft-lip-cleft-palate-surgery-kenya.jpg?itok=g5glTJIO)
Determined Damaris
Even when the whole world seemed against her, Damaris persisted. And won.
![Cleft Awareness Month 2021 #cleftproud](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-07/cleft-awareness-month-cleft-proud-2021.jpg?itok=buw1bbZh)
What My Cleft Taught Me
In honor of Cleft Awareness Month 2021, Smile Train's Cleft Community Advisory Council presents real-life stories of growing up with a cleft or being the mom to a child with a cleft from people who have been there.