This is my daughter Alma when she was just born, 16 months ago. Last week was cleft lip and palate awareness week and I’m just a little late to posting this! When we found out about Alma’s cleft lip and palate I was 17 weeks pregnant. After having some time to take in the news I promised myself that no matter what happened, I would be open about Alma’s diagnosis and everything that comes with it. Because it’s so much more than “just cosmetic” and “surgeons can fix anything these days”.. And because right now there is someone out there getting this diagnosis for their baby and it’s going to break their heart. Getting to know other families going though the same thing helped us so much, and it made us find strength and certainty that it will be ok! (Because it really will be!) I also want to mention that I grew up with the most wonderful and loving sister who has Smith-Magenis syndrome. So being “different” is something that is very close to my heart. I could not have asked for a better sister and a better childhood, and I am grateful to have learned from an early age about differences and acceptance. But I also remember some of the challenges, like adults openly staring at my sister in public. I know it can be challenging to know what to say, and to behave the “right” way. But let’s all try to be more open, and let’s ask the questions. Let’s educate ourselves and our children about our differences.