When Kynslee was born in Fairhope, Alabama, in August of 2016, her family’s world shifted in an instant. She arrived with a cleft lip and palate and, shortly after birth, was transferred to the NICU for specialized care. That was only the beginning of a journey filled with challenges, learning, and incredible resilience.

Her parents were thrown into a whirlwind of medical terminology, specialty bottles, feeding struggles, and, unexpectedly, the discovery of dislocated hips. At just a few weeks old, Kynslee had her first surgeries and spent 47 days in a Spica cast. Even the most basic tasks—like changing a diaper or finding a safe way for her to sleep—became daily tests of strength.

By three months old, Kynslee underwent her first cleft surgery with the ACPA Approved Team at Children’s of Alabama in Birmingham. It was the start of a long road of treatment. From scans and oral surgeries to a diagnosis they never expected—a cyst behind the dura of her brain—Kynslee and her family faced one medical mountain after another.

In January 2021, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, they returned to Birmingham for a brain surgery that lasted seven and a half grueling hours. Her parents waited in fear, while family was nearby in the parking garage—until they heard the words that every parent longs for: “The procedure couldn’t have gone any smoother.”

Through it all, Kynslee never stopped smiling. She never stopped fighting. She has since undergone additional eye surgeries, two separate bone graft procedures, and countless follow-ups to ensure her vision, growth, and development stay on track.

Today, Kynslee is thriving. She’s almost nine years old—bright, compassionate, and brave. Her mom says she’s the most kind-hearted little girl she knows. She’s also a fierce educator in her own right, showing the world what it means to face every obstacle with grace and grit.

Kynslee’s journey hasn’t just been about healing—it’s been about breaking stigma. Her mom has taken her into public proudly, using curious questions and stares as opportunities to educate. “I must constantly remind myself that I was once in their shoes,” she shares. “Before she was born, I had no idea what cleft lip and palate was.”

That’s why ACPA matters. ACPA is leading the way in research, education, team care, and advocacy for children like Kynslee. Their work helps ensure that families have access to accurate information, skilled cleft and craniofacial teams, and a supportive community—when they need it most.

“I share my daughter’s story in hopes of reaching another cleft momma,” her mother says. “I was there. Clueless. Uneducated. Scared. Worried.” With your support, we can reach those parents. We can help them find hope. We can fund critical research, connect families to cleft teams, and make sure that every child born with a cleft has the chance to live a life full of confidence and joy.

Donate today—and help write the next chapter of hope for families like Kynslee’s.