According to science, there are about 1 in 2,000 persons who have a rare genetic disorder. This information highlights the astounding variety and complexity of human biology.
This experience demonstrates once more how critical family support is. In order to support other families going through the same situation, Courtney and Gavin, parents of a daughter with special needs, share their moving story of what it’s like to have a left lip with many people on their social networks. Sutton, the Gardners’ daughter, who was born with a left lip, is welcomed by Courtney and Gavin. After Sutton’s death, the mother worries about the welfare of her second child and spends the entire night hoping and praying that everything would be alright. The so-called rabbit lip is discovered during the 20th week of the woman’s pregnancy when the doctor performs an ultrasound. Gardner is shocked by the news when he hears it.
“The last part they did was the ultrasᴏund on her face, and then the specialist said, ‘Oh, she really has a ᴄleft lip.’ This could happen,” says Courtney.Cleft lip and palate are very rare conditions affecting 1 in 1,600 babies and occur when a ’s lips or mouth do not develop normally during pregnancy. This can be ᴄaused by various factors, such as food or drᴜgs that the mother took, but it can also be a type of genetiᴄ predispᴏsition.
The Gardners later regretted not having their first kid participate in a special photo shoot. When Courtney discovered she was expecting once again, she knew she wanted to document every moment of her child’s life. Shannon Morton, a photographer, captures the images, which the parents later post to social media. One of them swiftly rose to fame and within a matter of hours had amassed over 10,000 likes. The number of likes rose over the following few days to an astonishing 750,000.
According to Courtney, everyone who has commented on her kid has been positive and supportive, with the majority remarking on how stunning she is. Many others were motivated to contribute their images and experiences by the post. To assist other parents who are going through a similar diagnosis with their children, the Gardners were inspired to start their own Facebook page, My Cleft Cutie. “Bilateral clefts were present in my tiny princess. Her palate was, thankfully, unharmed. She is the most beautiful kid in the world, and Daddy and I tell her that every day. Her personality is also great,” a mother wrote under the Facebook post.
The parents are concerned about their daughter’s health but also appreciative of the hospital for its tremendous assistance during this amazing trip. Sutton spent her first 18 days of life in the neonatal intensive care unit because bottle feeding was extremely difficult for her due to a left palate deformity. The infant girl is scheduled to have the first of several surgeries in the coming days, with the next one taking place when she turns one. The need for extensive therapy with a speech therapist is indisputable, according to experts.
“Although things are scary and may seem bleak in this initial period for little Sutton, this is actually a ᴄᴏndition that is 100% treatable and manageable,” says Courtney. Her parents describe her as very social, lively, smiling, and truly happy, especially when her older brother is by her side. And they hope that one day this story will be just a memory of the past.
