First Post

Our beautiful little Kaden was born on June 20, 2008 with a bilateral incomplete cleft lip and palate. This blog is for him and will chronicle our journey with our very special and amazing little man.

As first time parents we're learning a lot, particularly in the area of cleft treatment and repair. Kaden is a patient at NYU Medical Center in New York City and is receiving treatment from an amazing cleft team that includes Dr. Court Cutting, Dr. Barry Grayson and Dr. Larry Brecht.

Kaden's treatment began just three weeks after he was born with the insertion of a molding device called a "NAM" (which is an acronym for Nasoalveolar Molding Device). He is scheduled to have his first surgery to repair his lip, gums and nose on November 17th, 2008. As we understand it, this surgery will be the first step in a treatment process that will include additional surgery, orthodontia and speech therapy.

This is where Kaden's cleft repair process begins . . .