story about myself

[Charity]

I just wanted to tell my story to people. I was born with a unilateral cleft lip and Palate. I am 24 years old. I had very low self esteem during school age. I thought I was so ugly. I had a overbite as well because my midface didn't grow as fast as my jaw. When I was 18, I had jaw surgery to repair it. Ive had about 17 cleft repairs throughout my years. I am having another nasal surgery in a couple months to help me breath better. I have no nasal sound at all and people dont even know I was cleft. I have a little scaring on my top lip but that is it. After my surgery, i felt so much better about myself. I now know I am beautiful. I am happily married. No children as of yet. The cleft is genetic in my family. we carry the single gene defect so my child could carry the gene defect. I would be happy to have a cleft child. I just want others to know that if you want to do something, dont let being different stop you. I now have a wonderful job at a multi billion dollar company. Many people tell me how beautiful I am. I think i am because I feel good about myself. you have to feel good about yourself in order for others to feel that way. If anyone wants to email me. feel free. I have had a lot of surgeries, and know what it felt like to be different. my email is
Jweitel@msn.com
my homepage with my pic is
<a href="http://friendsforcleft.homestead.com">http://friendsforcleft.homestead.com</a>