our amazing grace

July 6th, 2025 marks one year from Grace’s first Cleft Surgery, her Lip Repair & Gtube placement. A year ago Grace couldn’t take a bottle, she wasn’t rolling over, eating without a tube or sleeping more than 3 hours at a time. Over the past year she has had another handful of surgeries & procedures that I could argue she has handled better than most adults would have. Today Grace is thriving, she is eating on her own, has phased out of her special bottles, she sleeps 8 hours+ a night (yay), she no longer uses her gtube, she is crawling, standing supported and going to be walking before we know it. She is unconditionally loved by everyone who knows her and beams with pride for herself

I share Grace’s story, not for pity (she is anything but pitiful) but to spread awareness for something we knew nothing about nor ever thought we would have to learn about. I share Grace’s story to spread strength and encourage others. She handles every step of her journey with amazing resilience and, dare I say it, “Grace”. 

It just so happens that July is Cleft Awareness month, which I found serendipitous for her first cleft repair. Cleft is not just cosmetic, from nutrition to nervous system, it goes far beyond what is seen on the surface. In honor of Grace, her incredible surgeon Dr. Z & medical team and in honor of all of those affected by cleft, I encourage you to check out Alliance for Smiles, an incredible non profit who offers free care around the world to those with cleft.