Together at a Distance
Twenty-six years ago, Montse was born with a cleft lip and palate.
It’s a bird, It’s a plane, It’s Gael
Eight years ago, Juanita met the love of her life, Everardo, at their company Christmas party.
The Reassurance of a Smile
Lourdes was born in Yaruqui, Ecuador with a cleft lip and a rare condition in which skin was formed over her nostrils. Lourdes received six reconstructive surgeries when she was young, but the treatments stopped prematurely when her parents’ insurance company stopped covering her care.
Treating the Whole Child in Ecuador
When it came time to choose a medical school, Andrea Astudillo of Cuenca, Ecuador joined her older brother, Cristian Astudillo Carrera, at a teaching hospital in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Cristina Solano: Speaking from the Heart
When Cristina learned her son would have a cleft, she sought comfort and support, but found none, even from the local community. Until she met Dr. Dávalos. In the 10 years since, they've changed what it means to have a cleft in Ecuador, together.
Fernanda: The Jolly Rancher
Wendy was 17, single, and scared. She had just had a baby with a cleft, and any help seemed far, far away from her family's ranch in the remote Andes highlands. But Smile Train was there.
Alexa is Queen for a Day
Five-year-old Alexa wasn't always considered a queen, as she was born with a cleft lip. Fortunately, Alexa received her free life-changing cleft repair surgery from Smile Train at a young age.