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Abigail’s Story
Abigail was born with a bilateral Cleft Lip and Palate. Her dad shared with us that they learned of Abby’s clefting before she was born. We rejected the doctor’s offer to terminate, and there began our education on clefting and facial differences and our earnest search for treatment options. Once we learned about the NAM treatment and met with the team at IRPS, our decision for treatment was obvious. The leading cleft clinic in the world, right in our backyard! God was smiling down on us. Five days after Abby was born we arrived at IRPS, nervous, anxious, uncertain but hopeful. Armed with faith and determination, we faced our most difficult challenge as parents. But we weren’t alone, we had faith, we had prayers and we had the IRPS team! Every Wednesday, for five months, Dr. Brecht and the IRPS team would patiently adjust Abby’s molding plate, marvel at her progress and shower us with praise and encouragement. Our lives revolved around those Wednesdays. It is the skill and expertise of Dr. Brecht and the IRPS team that makes the daunting possible; and it is their compassion and concern that helped us to achieve it.
The results of the molding were incredible, and now Abby was ready for surgery. Dr. Cutting is simply a gifted man whose tremendous talents are only matched by his tremendous dedication. His passion for his life’s work is clear and the results of that passion are clear for all to see in Abby. Wonderful, simply wonderful!
We would be remiss if we didn’t mention the gentle, comforting treatment that Abby received from Dr. Bernstein, who has ensured that the only thing Abby doesn’t hear are her parent’s calling her to behave!
As we look back often at our experience with the IRPS team, time and again what we recall is not just the dedicated professionals who worked so hard to provide Abby with an opportunity for the best results, but, even more so, the words of encouragement, the support that lifted our spirits and the kindheartedness that made us look forward to those precious Wednesdays.
Abby is now a rambunctious young girl who keeps us quite busy. She has a one of a kind smile that just lights up the room and warms our hearts. She loves to smile and we love her smile. It’s a constant reminder of all that the IRPS team did for our family, and for that they will always be in our thoughts and prayers.
So many of us hope for just one opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life. The IRPS team does it everyday!
-Anthony (Abby’s Dad)
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