Have you ever noticed how powerful a smile can be? Once when I just had three littles, Sidney was working and I had a sick kiddo, and we were all at the store getting some necessities. The baby was crying, the kids were cranky, and I was near years. In unloading the cart I remember that one of the medications I’d picked up fell and went rolling into the next line over and I was trying to get out the money and not drop the baby at the same time. It felt like that complete last straw.
The lady in the line beside me picked it up, brought it over and patted me on the shoulder with a sympathetic smile. “Hang in there, Momma. These are tough days but you got this.” It was a hugely meaningful and encouraging connection. And suddenly I had more confidence and security in my ability to take care of my sick babies and make it through this tough night.
But not every mother has the resources I do and is able to take care of all the medical needs of their babies in the same way I am. In many countries still today a child born with a cleft is not able to get the medical surgeries needed to repair the cleft lip or cleft palate. Even these relatively simple surgical procedures are beyond the reach of so many. Which is where Smile Train comes in – an organization that I have partnered with TapInfluence to share with you today.
Smile Train is an organization that works with local doctors in over 85 countries to help train and fund these necessary and life-changing operations. I love that they work within the local communities because that usually makes programs stronger and more effective. It creates a long-term system that is more self-sustaining and builds the entire community up. So brilliant!
And the stories coming out of their work are amazing – watch the video on the Smile Train website, and read some of the stories to see how transformative their work is. I especially resonated with the story of Monserrat from Mexico who was born into a family of singers and musicians, but was unable to sing herself because of her cleft palate. Even simple things like a shared meal were difficult and embarrassing. Since working with Smile Train and having repair work done at a local hospital she says, “I feel happier and more self confident, and even brag about it.”
I am completely impressed with the scope of Smile Train’s work – working with over a million children in the last 15 years. I was also strongly impressed by the scope of what’s left to accomplish. There are millions of children living with the shame and discomfort of having a cleft still so this is something that still needs our attention and support. Donate today to help other children like Monserrat! As little as $50 will help cover the cost of an overnight stay at the hospital.
There are several ways you can help in addition to a monetary donation. Check out the ACT tab at the top of the Smile Train website for more ways to assist children in need. There is a lot of power in a smile – and you have the power to help make it possible for children to do so.
Smile Train has a sustainable approach to a single, solvable problem: cleft lip and palate. Smile Train’s model provides training and funding to empower local doctors in developing countries provide 100%- free cleft repair surgery in their communities. Join us and change the world with the power of a smile.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Smile Train. The opinions and text are all mine.
