Describe The Difference Between Cleft Lip And Palate

“They did a beautiful job on your face, you can’t even see the scar now” is one of the most common things I have heard after telling anyone that I had a cleft lip and palate. When I was born I had a cleft lip and a cleft palate. This is a congenital split in the upper lip on one or both sides of the center, and a cleft palate is a congenital split in the roof of the mouth. The meaning to me is to be in the hospital many times, specifically eleven times just for major surgeries. It also meant braces for seven years and just recently getting them off. Cleft lip and palate also meant to me, the questions about the scars it left and a low self-esteem leading to major depressive disorder at a very young age. But this whole experience has not been a negative one, I believe that I have become a more empathic person because of this. I see myself as …show more content…
The responsibility of people asking questions about my scar on my lip, I used to get very upset whenever someone asked me about this. But as more people asked I realized it was just because they did not understand, so I took it upon myself not to take the questions a personally offensive but more as the person was just curious and did not have any knowledge on this topic; so I helped them understand. Another responsibility I took on taking care of my school work and make sure I had a fruitful social life despite having major depressive disorder. I had this disorder from a very young age even before I knew much about the disorder. I had to make a point and force myself to complete all of my work and this did get very difficult for me at times, but I always worked through it and get my work done with many late nights. I still have this disorder, but I have learned to handle it better with different motivation tactics and the use of the determination I have gained over the years with the help of my friends and