Today I am feeling both overwhelmed & grateful (a concept written about by Jillian Benfield).

We’ve just been to a day of hospital appointments with our youngest child. I am feeling grateful for all the progress and development we have seen in her speech and language.

I felt pure joy watching and listening to her session with the cleft SALT. Watching her follow instructions and sit still without fear during X-rays and a CT scan was incredible. Witnessing her sit in the dentist chair and allow strangers to inspect her teeth without melting down was a testament to her progress.She has come so far and I am very grateful.

AND I am also overwhelmed. It is heavy knowing the road ahead. A road of orthodontic treatment and at least two major surgeries to come, all for a child who has limited understanding due to Autism as well as extreme sensory sensitivities.

I knew this was coming at some point. There was wishful thinking that her case would be simple, but truly as the one who brushes her teeth regularly, I knew it wouldn’t be simple. Her top teeth are extremely messed up by the bilateral cleft she was born with. She had two major surgeries before the age of one and then we got on with life.

Until now. Now we’ve had the “phase two” consultation it’s all feeling incredibly close and heavy. I am not looking forward to these procedures or having to explain them to Bethany.

And yet, I am grateful for the NHS and an incredible team of cleft professionals. I know she will get good care.