I'm a 34-year-old woman who was born with a bilateral cleft lip and palate. And my husband and I are expecting a son in July who also seems to have the same...and we can't wait to meet him!!!
It's funny, because, until we found out about our son, it had been years since I'd really given my repaired cleft lip and palate much thought. I mean, sure, I look in the mirror and see the scars, or think back to moments in childhood when I had surgery or was teased...but...it's been a long time. It's not part of my daily thought process. And that's not to say it's not a big deal or to make light of it. But, my attitude is that everyone has something--whether it's on the outside or the inside. And our "thing" just happens to be smack in the middle of our faces
kinda hard to miss
I figure since there's not a darn thing I can do about it, I might as well just charge right on ahead with life
otherwise, I'd miss it and that would be the REAL shame...not what's in my mouth.
Also, I found that keeping myself in good physical shape has helped my self-esteem, too. When I'm eating right and not overweight, I feel great about myself and I'm smiling and other people really seem to pick up on that. And exercise makes your body produce, what are they called, "endorphins" I think, which actually make you happier.