“My name is Vanessa Acero. I was born with Goldenhar syndrome, and I am living proof that our differences can be the very source of our strength.”

From her earliest days growing up in the greater Los Angeles area, Vanessa knew her path would look different. Born with a rare craniofacial condition, she faced not only physical challenges but also the emotional impact of feeling “different” in a world that often overlooks those who stand out.

At the heart of Vanessa’s early experience was elective mutism—a condition in which a person is physically capable of speaking but remains silent due to extreme anxiety. For Vanessa, it was a quiet but powerful response to a world that didn’t yet understand her. “I struggled with anxiety and depression for many years,” she shares. “It wasn’t just about what I looked like—it was about how I felt, and how hard it was to find a voice in a space where I didn’t always feel seen.”

But her story is not one of limitation—it’s one of transformation, resilience, and purpose.

Over time, Vanessa found the courage to speak, to advocate, and eventually to thrive. She became the first in her family to pursue advocacy in mental health, a path inspired by her own lived experience. No longer just surviving, she began to lead—driven by a desire to ensure others wouldn’t have to navigate their journeys alone.

Today, Vanessa is a licensed mental health clinician who specializes in supporting individuals who have experienced trauma, craniofacial differences, and co-occurring mental health conditions. Her personal journey gives her unique insight, allowing her to offer not only professional guidance but lived empathy and understanding.

“My past allows me to connect with my clients on a deeper level. I know what it feels like to be misunderstood, to be afraid, to feel alone. And I also know the power of healing—because I’ve lived it.”

She is passionate about somatic and evidence-based therapies, including yoga and EMDR, and believes deeply in the power of community, empowerment, and connection to support healing.

Vanessa is also a proud member of the American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association (ACPA), an organization that doesn’t just support medical advancements, but also champions the voices of those who live with craniofacial differences. Through its commitment to inclusivity and lived experience, ACPA is changing the narrative around cleft and craniofacial care.

“ACPA gives people like me a platform,” Vanessa says. “It’s about more than surgery or speech therapy. It’s about identity, belonging, and having a seat at the table when it comes to shaping the future of care.”

In addition to her clinical work and volunteer advocacy, Vanessa is currently creating a gentle, empowering children’s workbook for the craniofacial community—something she hopes to release this summer as a heartfelt way to give back.

“My journey has been challenging, but it’s made me who I am. And now, I get to help others find their strength too.”

Help Us Elevate More Voices Like Vanessa’s

Vanessa’s story is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when individuals with lived experience are not only supported—but empowered.

Your donation to ACPA helps ensure that voices like Vanessa’s continue to be heard. With your support, ACPA can provide:

• Access to comprehensive, multidisciplinary cleft and craniofacial care

• Scholarships and professional development opportunities

• Platforms for individuals with lived experience to lead, inspire, and advocate

Give today to help build a future where everyone affected by cleft and craniofacial conditions is seen, heard, and supported—not just in treatment, but in life.