In many developing countries, families of children born with cleft lip or palate often face a sense of shame, sometimes even believing it to be a curse. Katie Piper, a mother of two and acid attack survivor, was deeply moved during her visit to Kumasi, Ghana, where she met children and families affected by cleft palates while representing the Smile Train charity.
Katie, who received an OBE in 2022 for her philanthropic efforts, shared stories of families struggling with the stigma associated with cleft conditions. Smile Train, the world’s largest cleft-focused organization, works in over 75 countries to offer free cleft lip and palate surgeries and comprehensive care through local medical professionals.
The prevalence of cleft lip and palate, affecting approximately one in 700 babies globally each year, remains a challenge in many regions. While the exact cause is not always clear, it can be genetic. In more developed countries, like the UK, early treatment and support are readily available through services like the NHS, but in many developing nations, access to care is limited or nonexistent.
Children born with cleft conditions not only experience physical challenges but also face social stigma and shame, especially in places like Ghana where awareness is lacking. Katie’s encounters with families in Ghana shed light on the emotional burden carried by parents of cleft children, like Richlove Amoateng, whose mother felt ostracized by the community.
Despite the difficulties, Katie emphasizes the transformative impact of timely surgeries on cleft children’s lives, offering hope and a chance at a normal existence. Through her own foundation and advocacy work, Katie aims to raise awareness and challenge misconceptions surrounding facial differences, drawing from her personal experiences with visible scarring.