Hristo’s Journey to First Place

When Vasi and Atanas first met 1-year-old Hristo in an orphanage in Bulgaria, they felt an instant connection.  

Hristo had been given to the orphanage due to his cleft lip and palate. Three other families had considered adopting him, however, perceptions of the cleft journey ultimately changed minds. For Vasi and Atanas, Hristo would complete their family.

Before his adoption, Hristo underwent cleft surgery at ALA, TF’s partner in Bulgaria. Vasi vividly remembers their first visit to the centre, where they met their new son’s care team. 

In Bulgaria, it was not uncommon for children with cleft to be left at orphanages. A reality that advocacy has changed.  

Mothers unable to feed their newborns used to be told by authorities to give up their children to orphanages where they could care for them, unaware that this wasn’t necessary, and that treatment solutions were available.  

Vasi and Atanas were determined to ensure that Hristo embarked on his Comprehensive Cleft Care journey.  

Since Hristo was 3 years old, he’s been receiving weekly speech therapy at ALA, and his parents have noted his language has improved significantly.

As Hristo grew, he needed psychosocial support, like many children with cleft. He experienced anxiety and low-confidence, that manifested in many ways.  With the help of cleft professionals – including a social worker, psychologist, and educator, Hristo has received ongoing support for the past 2 years. He now sleeps well, has made meaningful friendships at school, and is very communicative with others. 

Today, he is 8 years old and well on his way to full rehabilitation. He energetically participates in Bulgarian folk dance. He loves to participate in any-and-all school competitions. Naturally, his first-place medals and certificates are a tremendous source of pride for him! 

If you’re interested to learn more about these experiences and how ALA has made significant progress to center parents’ role in their child’s rehabilitation, listen to this recent TF podcast episode.