Our Forever Smiles with Laura Arroyo

In this return episode of Our Forever Smiles, Laura sits down again with Allie Ekblad, children's book author, cleft advocate, and creator of Ava the Brava. Allie shares how her advocacy has evolved beyond the book, what it's been like raising a child with a bilateral cleft lip and palate, and how confidence, identity, and resilience are shaped over time. Together, they talk honestly about the realities of cleft surgeries, speech therapy, bone grafts, orthodontics, and revisions, while also diving into the emotional side of parenting. From navigating beauty standards and school experiences to empowering children to embrace their differences, this conversation offers reassurance, perspective, and hope. Whether you're newly diagnosed, deep into the cleft journey, or simply looking for encouragement, this episode is a reminder that your child is more than a diagnosis and that confidence can be built one conversation at a time. Links: Epsiode: Embracing Differences: Ava the Brave Ava the Brava The Sparkle You Carry Jack's New Smile Archie the Cleftie Buy Us a Coffee FB Support Group

In this heartfelt episode of Our Forever Smiles, host Laura Arroyo sits down with Brandy, a mom of two whose youngest daughter was born with a surprise cleft palate diagnosed at birth. After a smooth pregnancy and normal ultrasounds, Brandy and her husband were shocked to learn about their daughter's cleft in the delivery room. What followed was a whirlwind of feeding challenges, jaundice, long hospital stays, specialty bottles, weekly therapy appointments, and eventually cleft palate repair surgery. Brandy shares openly about navigating postpartum depression, advocating for her daughter's feeding needs, discovering the right cleft bottle after weeks of struggle, and learning her daughter also had a laryngeal cleft that required repair. She also speaks candidly about balancing the needs of a toddler while caring for a baby with medical complexities. This episode is for any cleft mom who feels overwhelmed, exhausted, or uncertain. It is a reminder that advocacy matters, mental health support is essential, and even in the hardest seasons, there can still be joy. Whether you are newly diagnosed, preparing for cleft surgery, struggling with feeding, or walking the long road of appointments, this conversation will help you feel seen and supported. Subscribe and follow Our Forever Smiles to continue walking this journey together. Links: Buy Us a Coffee FB Support Group

In this episode of the Our Forever Smiles podcast, host Laura Arroyo sits down with Sarah Norwood to share her personal journey with her son Hollis's palate repair. From hospital recovery, feeding challenges, and pain management, to sleep regressions and speech milestones, Sarah offers candid insights and practical tips for parents navigating the cleft journey. We also answer questions from cleft mom groups to provide reassurance, guidance, and support. Links: Buy Us a Coffee FB Support Group

In this deeply personal and eye-opening episode of Our Forever Smiles, Laura welcomes returning guest Corinne for her third appearance on the podcast. Born with a cleft lip and palate, Corinne shares her lifelong journey through more than 30 surgeries, including repeated palate repair failures, innovative fat grafting procedures, and the emotional toll of navigating cleft care into adulthood. Together, Laura and Corinne discuss acid reflux as a lesser-known contributor to palatal repair failure, the trauma many adults carry from childhood surgeries, parenting while undergoing medical procedures, and why reframing "failure" as partial success can be life-changing. Corinne also provides updates on the Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act (ELSA), her advocacy work with Smile Train, and what cleft families and adults can do to navigate insurance, language, and long-term care. This episode is a must-listen for cleft parents, adults with cleft lip and palate, advocates, and anyone seeking hope, validation, and honest conversation about what the cleft journey can look like beyond childhood. Links: Buy Us a Coffee FB Support Group

In this episode of Our Forever Smiles, Laura speaks with Erica, Executive Director of the Children's Craniofacial Association, about growing up with an undiagnosed craniofacial difference and finding her voice through advocacy. Erica shares her lived experience navigating surgeries, self-image, and the long road to confidence. Together, they discuss the importance of language, accessibility, parent advocacy, and building inclusive community spaces. This conversation offers perspective, reassurance, and hope for families navigating facial difference at any stage. Links: Buy Us a Coffee FB Support Group CCA

In this episode of Our Forever Smiles, Laura speaks with Christina, a first-time mom from Serbia whose son was prenatally diagnosed with a cleft lip and palate at 26 weeks. Christina shares her experience navigating diagnosis, specialist care, and preparation for surgery within a different healthcare system. She opens up about feeding challenges, NAM therapy, finding community support, and learning to trust herself as a parent. This episode offers reassurance and perspective for families around the world facing a cleft diagnosis. Links: Buy Us a Coffee FB Support Group

In this episode of Our Forever Smiles, Laura welcomes back cleft advocate Sam to share his powerful lived experience growing up with bilateral cleft lip and palate. Born in Bulgaria and adopted to the U.S., Sam opens up about early surgeries, speech challenges, bullying, and navigating identity as both an adoptee and someone with a facial difference. Together, they discuss global stigma, harmful language, media representation, and why authentic inclusion matters. This conversation offers perspective, reassurance, and practical insight for parents raising children with cleft and for adults advocating for change. *Tom Burke is the actor who was born with a cleft from the movie Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga Links: Episode 67: Breaking the Ice: Sam Rosen on Growing Up with a Cleft Lip and Palate and Owning His Story Buy Us a Coffee FB Support Group Smile Train Statement Against Werewulf Movie CCAC Applications

In this episode of Our Forever Smiles, Laura sits down with Natalie and Alec, parents to Zade, who was born with a cleft lip and palate. They share their experience navigating a prenatal diagnosis, an unexpected NICU stay, feeding challenges, and learning how to advocate within a complex medical system. This honest conversation highlights the importance of asking questions, finding community support, and trusting your instincts as a parent. A must-listen for families preparing for birth or feeling overwhelmed in the early weeks of the cleft journey. Links: Buy Us a Coffee FB Support Group

In this episode of Our Forever Smiles, Laura speaks with Meirah, a mother, author, and advocate whose son was born with a complete bilateral cleft lip and palate. Meirah shares her experience navigating a surprise diagnosis at birth, feeding challenges, and seeking cleft care across multiple countries. She reflects on choosing early surgical repair, raising a confident child, and how lived experience led her to write her book A Broken Smile. This conversation offers reassurance and perspective for parents at any stage of the cleft journey. Links: His Broken Smile Buy Us a Coffee FB Support Group