Latest news with #cleftlip
Malay Mail
3 days ago
- General
- Malay Mail
Superhero parents raising children with cleft lip and palate — Aufa Dahlia Bahar and Noorhidayah Zainal Aalam
JUNE 3 — When Sarah first saw her son, Adam, in the delivery room, her heart filled with love — and uncertainty. Born with a cleft lip and palate, Adam's tiny face bore the marks of a condition that would come to define his early years. Have you ever felt grateful for how beautifully our faces and lips are designed to support our lovely smiles? Our smiles frame our faces, enabling us to eat, speak, and function normally. However, some individuals like Adam are less fortunate. They are born with a gap in their lips, gums, or even the roof of their mouths. This congenital condition is known as cleft lip and palate, which can vary in severity. A cleft can affect the lips, the palate, or both, and the gaps may even extend to the nose. For Sarah and thousands of other parents across the world, that first moment wasn't the beginning of fear. It was the birth of something heroic. Globally, 1 in 700 babies is born with this condition and 1 in 941 births in Malaysia. This condition primarily impacts the physical appearance and function of the child, necessitating long-term, multidisciplinary care. While much research has concentrated on the children themselves, the experiences of their parents, who play a central role in care, are frequently overlooked. Our team of researchers at Universiti Malaya assessed the mental health of parents with cleft lip and palate and found that mothers particularly suffer from distress. Raising a child with a cleft condition is not just about surgeries and speech therapy. It's about resilience, redefining beauty, and championing a child's right to smile freely. And it turns out, the ones donning invisible capes in this story are not the doctors or even the children, though they are undoubtedly brave. It's the parents, the quiet warriors who rise to a challenge they never anticipated. The first diagnosis is a collision of joy and fear. Most cleft conditions are diagnosed during routine prenatal scans. For many parents, this news shatters the illusion of a textbook pregnancy. 'I felt like I had failed before he was even born,' Sarah recalls. 'But then I realised this wasn't about me. It was about how I would rise to meet his needs.' Some may only be diagnosed shortly after birth. Imagine how devastated the parents must feel upon receiving this news. Some even blame themselves for what happened. In that moment, these parents begin a journey that demands relentless advocacy. They must become experts in medical jargon, navigate insurance nightmares, coordinate teams of specialists, and make gut-wrenching decisions about surgery timelines and feeding methods — all while nurturing a child who may be misunderstood by the world. Children with cleft lip and palate often undergo multiple surgeries before their teenage years. Each one requires parental courage: to hand over their child to surgeons, to manage pain afterwards, and to balance hope with realism. But perhaps the greatest reconstruction is not surgical. It's emotional. 'Kids pick up on everything,' says Ahmad, father to seven-year-old Zara. 'You have to model confidence. That means looking at your child and seeing beauty, not difference.' These parents become the first and fiercest line of defence against bullying, stigma, and self-doubt. They coach their children on how to answer insensitive questions and cheer louder than anyone at speech therapy milestones. And they do all this while managing the normal chaos of parenting — diapers, tantrums, and endless snacks. These parents also know the power of language and love. One of the quiet battles parents fight is over the language used to describe their children. 'We're not 'fixing' our son,' says Daniel, father of five-year-old Alex. 'He's not broken. We're helping him be heard, be seen, be whole.' This perspective is crucial. In a society obsessed with symmetry and perfection, children with cleft conditions — and their families — often feel pressure to hide or conform. But superhero parents push back. They post proud photos, they start support groups, and they challenge social media algorithms that favour filtered beauty. They are not just raising children. They are raising awareness. But the secret superpower? Community. One common thread among these families is the deep reliance on community — both online and offline. Organisations like the Cleft Lip & Palate Association Malaysia (CLAPAM) and other local cleft support groups offer not just medical aid, but emotional lifelines. On the tertiary level, active research activities have been done to understand their needs and find new ways to help these families. Recently, our team found that parents of Malay ethnicity, parents with higher education levels and higher levels of income, have a significantly better quality of life. Hence, future projects could identify certain groups of parents in need to enhance their quality of life and support the well-being of these parents. Through these networks, parents trade advice on bottle types and surgical centres, share tearful late-night updates, and celebrate tiny victories: the first time their child blows bubbles, sings, or says 'mama' with clarity. In these spaces, the capes get passed around. Sometimes, it's one parent lifting another who's momentarily weary. Sometimes, it's a child whose resilience reminds the adults what true strength looks like. We often think of superheroes as those who leap tall buildings or shoot lasers from their eyes. But real heroism looks like a mother spending sleepless nights researching feeding techniques, or a father holding his daughter's hand in a pre-op room while whispering, 'You are perfect.' It looks like choosing joy in the face of fear. Like fighting not just for a smile, but for a world that will accept it without question. Children born with cleft lip and palate are not broken. Their parents are not merely caregivers; they are architects of empathy, warriors for dignity, and builders of futures. In the month of June, we celebrate two important events to honour their journey. Since 2012, the United Nations has designated June 1 as the Global Day of Parents. This special day recognises all parents for their selfless commitment to children and their lifelong sacrifices in nurturing this relationship. Each year, CLAPAM and our dedicated undergraduate dental students join forces for the Cleft Lip and Palate Charity Run (CLAP Run), a fundraising event to support these remarkable children and their superhero parents. In conjunction with the theme for Global Parents Day 2025 observed annually on 1st of June, 'Raising Parents,' let us come together to celebrate and honour these superheroes for their dedication to raising their extraordinary children! If you or someone you know is parenting a child with a cleft condition, you are not alone. Support is available through nationwide organisations like the Cleft Lip & Palate Association Malaysia (CLAPAM) and local communities. You are doing heroic work. * Dr Aufa Dahlia Bahar is a Lecturer and Orthodontist, while Dr Noorhidayah Zainal Aalam is a Lecturer and Paediatric Dentist, at the Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Malaya. ** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.
Independent Singapore
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Independent Singapore
‘Complete reinvention' — Faye Wong's daughter praised for post-surgery look
Photo: Weibo/Li Yan HONG KONG: Have you heard about Li Yan, the daughter of that famous Chinese actor, Li Yapeng, and the Hong Kong pop icon, Faye Wong? Well, after undergoing surgeries for her cleft lip and palate for a whole 18 years, she really turned heads recently with how lovely she looked when she was out, according to VnExpress . Photo: Weibo/Li Yan So, on May 12, to be exact, the 19-year-old Li Yan was spotted doing some shopping with a friend at Shin Kong Place – that really posh mall in teenager arrived in a luxury vehicle, dressed stylishly in branded clothes and a branded handbag. Cleft scar hardly noticeable Her tall stature, fair skin, and elegant facial features were widely praised on social media, with many pointing out that her cleft scar is now hardly noticeable, according to a Chinese media source, 163 . Netizens on Weibo referred to her change as a 'complete reinvention.' Her towering body of about 1.75 meters, prominent nose bridge, and well-proportioned form were among the many comments that emphasised how much she resembled her mother. From the moment she was born, it was discovered that Li Yan had a cleft lip and palate. For almost twenty years, her parents really poured their time and energy into helping her recover, making sure she got the best medical care possible, according to Sinchew. Li Yan went for four major operations. When she was only three, she had her very first surgery all the way in Boston, in the US. What was supposed to be a three-hour surgery actually stretched to five hours and ended up costing a million yuan – that's about $139,000 in US dollars. Comforting her dad A few months later, she had another surgery to make her lips look and work even better. Apparently, during her third surgery, when she was around twelve, she was the one comforting her dad as he walked her into the operating room. Then, in 2024, Li Yan had her latest operation. Afterwards, she shared a photo online with a caption that talked about a little boat finally making it through a storm. It really showed how relieved she was that her long journey with medical treatments was finally over. See also Rumour has it that Faye Wong gave birth to Nicholas Tse's child Throughout her medical journey, both her mum and dad were really there for her. Li Yapeng was present for almost all of her surgeries, and even though Wong wasn't always in the spotlight, she consistently offered her love, strength, and the financial help they needed. Stayed really connected Even after her parents split up in 2013 and Li Yan went to live with her dad, her mum, Wong, stayed really connected with her. Despite the distance, they made sure to celebrate birthdays together, and Wong would visit her when she was studying abroad. You'd often see them out shopping or singing karaoke, just like any close friends. In 2019, Li Yan began a new chapter when she started at an international school in Switzerland. Thanks to support from both her parents, she had a good life and was often spotted buying nice things and enjoying herself. Daughter of two well-known people Despite not working in the entertainment sector, Li Yan is nevertheless well-known because she is the daughter of two well-known people. She's also had her moments on social media that have raised eyebrows. Like that time she shared some photos of herself in swimwear before she was 18. And there were also pictures of her hanging out with well-off friends, with people suggesting she was spending a lot of money even though she wasn't working. See also Nicholas Tse and Faye Wong still happily attached So, Li Yapeng, at 54, is a pretty well-known face in China. You might remember him from some really popular dramas back in the day. He was in The Singer in 1997, then Laughing in the Wind around 2001, and also The Legend of the Condor Heroes in 2003 – those were huge! But he actually stopped acting in 2011 to try his hand at business. Fast forward to 2022, he married this model, Haiha Jinxi, who's 35, and they now have a daughter together. On the other side, Faye Wong, who's 55, has been in a happy relationship with the actor Nicholas Tse ever since they got back together in 2014.
Free Malaysia Today
24-05-2025
- Health
- Free Malaysia Today
M'sian-led NGO helps Cambodians with facial deformities smile again
Chan Kok Choy, a Malaysian who has been at the helm of Smile Cambodia since 2015, was previously the chairman of Operation Smile, which ceased operations that year. (Smile Cambodia Facebook pic) PHNOM PENH : A Malaysian banker turned social worker is bringing joy to rural Cambodians who had previously isolated themselves from society because of congenital facial deformities. Children and adults who once lived with birth defects such as cleft lips and palates can now smile with confidence, and interact with their friends and families without fear of stigma. This life-changing transformation is largely credited to 65-year-old Chan Kok Choy, the vice-chairman and executive director of Smile Cambodia, who has dedicatedly led his team to carry out numerous surgical missions. 'It brings me happiness to see these patients smile again. Cleft lips and palate deformities are not something difficult to treat: it can be done in an hour, and the recovery is fast,' Chan told Bernama in the capital recently. Chan, who previously headed a major Malaysian bank in Phnom Penh and later led a Cambodian bank, has been at the helm of Smile Cambodia since 2015. The NGO is a member of Smile Asia, an international alliance of charities that provides free surgery to children born with cleft lips, cleft palates, and other facial deformities. Smile Cambodia was established after a previous effort, Operation Smile Cambodia, ceased its operations in the country in early 2015. Chan was also the chairman of Operation Smile Cambodia. Collectively, Operation Smile and Smile Cambodia have conducted nearly 5,700 surgeries. On its own, Smile Cambodia has provided free operations to over 2,085 Cambodians, who range from three months to 81 years old. Smile Cambodia helps rural Cambodians by offering free surgery to those born with facial deformities. (Pan Asia Life / Smile Cambodia Facebook pic) 'As these surgeries significantly transform their physical appearance, they are very appreciative, which is very touching,' Chan expressed. Earlier this month, Smile Cambodia carried out a mission – its third this year – at the Kampot Provincial Referral Hospital in Kampot province. 'During this three-day mission, 45 patients were screened and 30 received life-changing operations with success. The others were either too young or did not meet our minimum criteria for a safe surgical procedure,' explained Chan, who grew up in Kampar, Perak. In addition to the free surgeries, Smile Cambodia provides speech therapists and orthodontists to support those in post-surgery recovery. 'We want to improve their speech capabilities,' Chan explained. 'The patients also suffer from speech defects, and many children have low self-esteem because of this.' In the near future, the organisation plans to expand its services to include treatments for other conditions, such as microtia – a deformity of the outer ear – and burn injuries. Learn more by visiting Smile Cambodia's website, and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
