My Cleft Psychology
Being born with a cleft lip and palate has not always been easy, and I can say I've definitely had days where I've found it hard to cope. However, there are far more benefits to being born with a cleft lip and/or palate than you might expect. Believe me, it's taken years for me to realise this, but being born with a cleft can send you on an emotional and psychological roller coaster. Ultimately, it is just likely to make you a stronger, kinder and more compassionate person. Please click through the articles below to explore my psychological journey and to learn how I coped with being born different.
Dealing with Disappointment
Cleft patients undergo years of treatment plans and hospital appointments. Although treatment varies in how full on and intrusive it is, the sheer amount of time and professional specialism needed to treat a cleft means there is a higher chance that plans may change. This is always with the best intentions, but can often lead to feeling disappointed or uneasy about the future. Having been a patient for over 20 years, I've had my fair share of ups and downs - some unique, and some universal to any cleft patient:
