Our Stories

From the NFL to high schools across the country, today’s young people with clefts are proud and unstoppable

How one mom honored her daughter’s life by giving smiles to generations of children around the world

“It's amazing what your cleft journey will do to your life when you embrace it.”

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. 

Thanks to you, thousands of children will think of 2020 as the best year ever.

When Hema was 12 years old, she learned that not everyone born with a cleft received the care she did. She decided right then to change that.

When Chelsea learned Luca would be born with a cleft, she couldn't find a community to comfort her. So she started her own.

He doesn't have a cleft, but Smile Train has always been like a part of his family.