“Camryn, my star—I loved you before I ever knew.”

Camryn was born with a complete unilateral cleft lip and alveolus. At our routine five-month checkup, her dad and I were surprised to learn she would be born with a cleft lip. During the ultrasound, the room suddenly grew quiet. Our technician gently suggested we speak with our doctor, and moments later, our suspicion was confirmed.

A moment that should have been filled with joy quickly became overwhelming. Coming from a Mexican background, and my husband from a Salvadoran one, a cleft lip had never been openly discussed—something referenced only through old folklore, never through real experience. We felt unprepared, but we also knew we weren’t alone. Early on, ACPA Family Resources became an important guide, helping us understand what to expect and reminding us that countless families walk this journey too.

When Camryn arrived, we finally understood the full extent of her cleft. She is my third child, and I had chosen to keep the gender a surprise, so discovering I had a baby girl was an unforgettable moment. From the second I held her, I felt nothing but pride. I knew I had been given the honor and responsibility to protect her, guide her, and help her grow up feeling as confident and loved as any child.

And Camryn is anything but ordinary—in all the best ways.

Our cleft team at UT Health Houston, along with her dental team at UT Health Pediatric Dentistry, supported us every step of the way. Early on, they introduced us to PNAM (Presurgical Nasoalveolar Molding), a process that helps shape the gumline and stretch the lip to improve surgical outcomes. I taped and retaped her device three to four times a day, and we visited her dentist weekly as they adjusted the molding piece.

When she was four months old, Camryn received her “forever smile”—her lip repair. She will need one of her final surgeries soon, a bone graft to support her gumline, and we’re ready to cheer her on just as we always have.

Throughout her journey, ACPA Family Resources has continued to be a source of knowledge and connection, not just for us, but for the many families we’ve met along the way. Their information helped us understand Camryn’s needs and gave us the confidence to educate others, from our extended family to our broader community.

Because educating others has become part of our story, too. We’ve proudly participated in 5Ks for Cleft Smiles as TEAM CAMRYN, using each event to help raise awareness and reduce stigma. Having been born with a cleft lip has never held Camryn back.

She is a bright, joyful star admired by friends and peers. Her older siblings adore her. Her smile is contagious, she laughs at just about anything, and she loves to dance.

I am proud of her every single day. I am proud to share her story with the world. And I am proud of every cleft child across the globe. With the support of communities like ACPA, we will continue to advocate, educate, and celebrate our children always.

Donate today to help ensure the next smile and a hopeful future for families like Camryn’s.