GREAT NECK, NY – The decision to adopt a child is life-altering and stressful enough, under the best of circumstances. Imagine the red tape that has to be cleared to adopt a child from countries such as Korea and China. Next, imagine being told that the child was born with a cleft palate -- and that you have 48 hours to decide whether to bring the child home for costly surgery and follow-up care.

At a recent news conference at the North Shore-LIJ Health System’s Hagedorn Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Center, 20 families got together for a very inspiring reunion, during which both adoptive parents and their grateful children discussed the reality of creating a family that includes a child with special needs.

“Parents are often profoundly devastated when they discover that their child has been born with a cleft plate or craniofacial disorder. The child’s physical appearance, and the social implications associated with the disorder, causes great emotional distress and parents need support,” said Linda Dunckley, RN, the center’s coordinator. “The intervention of trained professionals, knowledgeable in caring for children with cleft palate and craniofacial disorders, is critical to assist these families in gaining a sense of perspective and finding new hopes for the future.”

The Hagedorn Center, which cares for children and infants with cleft and craniofacial disorders from birth to age 18 and sometimes longer, is following more than 1,200 children. The center works closely with all of Long Island’s maternity and neonatal units to provide immediate psychological and emotional help to the parents of these special babies. Children with this disorder average between five and 14 operations.

The tone of the reunion was best expressed by a young man named Ben, who was called upon to speak after his mother described the blessing of adopting a special needs child. In a very proud voice, Ben said, “I’m just like any other kid… I go to school, play with my friends, and enjoy my family. The only thing is… I have a cleft palate. But, I like my face… this is who I am.”

To learn more about the Hagedorn Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Center, go to: www.northshorelij.com/NSLIJ/Hagedorn+Cleft+Palate+and+Craniofacial+Center

Contact: Michelle Pinto
516-465-2649/2600
mpinto@nshs.edu