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Special day to boost children’s confidence

Special day to boost children’s confidence

A condition that affects one in 700 babies every year will be highlighted during a series of events in Aberdeen this week.

Specialists at NHS Grampian will meet parents during national Cleft Lip and Palate Awareness week, which begins today.

It is the first time a special day has been held for affected families in the north-east.

A cleft lip is a condition that creates an opening in the upper lip between the mouth and nose, while a cleft palate occurs when the roof of the mouth has not joined completely.

The cause of the condition, which can be corrected with surgery, is not known.

Tina Sanderson found out her daughter Lauren, now six, had a cleft lip when she was 20 weeks pregnant.

Lauren was also diagnosed as having a cleft palate after birth.

The 36-year-old, of Stonehaven, said: “This is a really positive step.

“For children, going along to the awareness day might help them with their confidence. Lauren hasn’t been affected at all, she just says she was born with a ‘funny’ lip and now it’s fixed.

“It was almost a relief when we found out she had a cleft palate and that it wasn’t anything more serious. It’s cosmetic and we put it in to perspective, although other parents might feel differently.”

The Cleft Lip and Palate Association (Clapa) will have an information stand at the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital from 10.30am to 1.30pm on Friday.

And on Saturday, a “meet the team” information day will be held at Sheddocksley Baptist Church.

People attending can hear about different patient experiences.

June Fair, speech and language therapist for NHS Grampian, said: “The north-east branch of Clapa suggested an event for the cleft team and families, away from a clinical setting, and we were delighted to arrange this free event, supported by Clapa and the ARCHIE Foundation.”

To book a place at Saturday’s event call 01224 551029 during office hours.