Emily’s Story
Written for her college essay

Starting an essay is not easy, but starting life was even harder for me. I was born without one thing that every newborn needs to survive - the ability to suck. This was because I was one of the approximately 1,000 babies born in 1988 with a cleft lip.

Though many assume that the inch wide gap between my nose and mouth is just a cosmetic imperfection, it has, in fact, required a long treatment journey in which I have faced numerous surgeries, a bone graft, weekly trips to the hospital, special braces, and corrective appliances.

Without my team of doctors and specialists at the Institute of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery at NYU Medical Center (IRPS), and most importantly, the National Foundation for Facial Reconstruction (NFFR), my transformation may not have been so successful. The NFFR helps children born with craniofacial abnormalities to lead happy lives, and now, in return, I have helped them.

For several years, I have contributed to various NFFR projects including newsletters and brochures. Sharing my story and photos has made me feel as though I am helping others. This past year, NFFR produced an informational video called Changing Faces, Transforming Lives. The video features Aidan Quinn as the narrator, and it features me as well. In the video, I give a brief overview of the surgeries and hardships I have undergone due to my birth defect.