Junlawat Nithut was born on December 24, 2013 with a complete bilateral cleft lip and cleft palate. He and his family live in Amphur Kosumpisai, Mahasarakham Province, Thailand.
When he was born, a nurse at Kosumpisai Hospital registered him online and referred him to the Tawanchai Cleft Center in order to receive further treatment.
His mother, Mrs. Orasa Sornton, explains that she was initially afraid upon her son’s birth.
“When I had my ultrasound check, it did not show that my son had a cleft lip and cleft palate…When I first saw my son, I was so hopeless, heartbroken and wondered why this happened to him,” she explains.
“When I arrived [at the Tawainchai Cleft Centre], I received a warm welcome from the nurses and suggestions for treatment based on my child’s age. I looked at the pictures of children with cleft lip and cleft palate who have been treated at this center and I was able to meet other families who are facing the same circumstances. That gave me hope,” she explains. She also credits the doctors and nurses with giving her hope.