My Nonprofit Reviews

This is my daughter, Ella, who is now 12. When she was born I had NO idea what kind of journey we were on. My feelings went anywhere from guilt to this is the most beautiful face on Earth. Where do we start? Who do we see? How do I feed her? We found cleftadvocate 12 years ago. And here I thought we were alone! Nope! So much love and support 24/7 from people and families. We just needed to know that it would be ok. From surgeries, self esteem, therapies, pictures, insurance information, how to turn a palate expander key (that's where we are right now!) , what in the WORLD can I put in the blender while my child is on her third liquid/soft diet for 8-12 weeks and a place where I can go where people just understand. It's not a 1 and done surgery, as much as we all would love that. They become your support, your family for a long LONG time. I honestly don't know what I would have done without this organization. Organization doesn't seem like the right word. They are friends and family. Though most of us have never met, we all know the faces, stories and struggles. Here I was scared to feed my baby girl because I had no idea what I was doing. Now? Just an average GORGEOUS preteen who I can't keep off electronics and hear all about crushes on boys. I'm thankful for cleftadvocate and Ameriface every....single..day!! Guess what? We are not alone and it's going to be ok!

My name is Kerri and I am the mother to an amazing daughter named Ella. Ella is now 8 and healing from a bone graft surgery which is her third surgery this year alone. She was born with a unilateral cleft lip and palate. She was our surprise in the delivery room because it was undected through an ultrasound. So many questions, concerns and feelings. I had no idea where to turn or who to talk to. I stumbled across cleftadvocate/Ameriface thankfully! My emotions were everywhere and I had no idea where to begin, what to expect and needed to know there were others out there like her. I needed information and parents. I needed someone to tell me that it was going to be alright. That my daughter was alright. I needed before and after pictures. I needed someone to explain to me what was going on and what was going to happen in non-medical terms. Someone that has been there and done that. Ameriface has been that place. Whether it's to share experiences, pictures, give advice for pre op and post op, stories, help with a team, insurance, a shoulder to cry on, or just to brag about how awesome our kids are..They have been there with open arms. Our children go through surgery after surgery. Procedure after procedure. Therapy appointment after therapy appointment. We know how another parent is feeling without even speaking a word. It's been such an amazing experience and I am so thankful to be a part of it all!

More Feedback