Mia was born with a unilateral cleft lip and palate in 2016. She is a bundle of energy and can spend hours drawing, coloring, painting, but most of all she loves gymnastics.

Many people believe that kids like Mia only need plastic surgery. Depending on the severity of the cleft, these kids need to see an entire team of specialists to thrive. In Mia’s case, we see a speech therapist regularly, as well as an ENT, dentist, orthodontist, and plastic surgeon. We were fortunate to find the team at Dayton Children’s Hospital.

Mia is now five years old and has had several ear tube surgeries, lip and palate revisions, and dental work. She is starting to ask more questions about her doctor appointments and what happened to her mouth when she was a baby. She is the bravest little girl that I know. I hope one day she will stand strong and be proud of her life story because that story is what has made her into the happy little person she is today.

-Andrea Phelps