Sophia Goodrich

“Donors provide financial assistance to help cover the costs of the cleft lip and palate care for families who do not have sufficient resources”

Sophia Goodrich was born with a cleft lip and palate. The clefts produced wide gaps in her upper lip, nose and roof of her mouth. “Her pediatrician recommended we go to Cardinal Glennon,” said Alycia, Sophia’s mom.

Cleft lip and palate is one the most common congenital defects. Clefts can cause problems with appearance, feeding, dental growth and language. Because of the array of effects, the cleft team at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital includes members from plastic surgery, speech therapy, orthodontics, audiology and ear-nose-throat and occupational therapy. During Sophia’s first year of life, she underwent three operations. The first one reduced the gap in her lip and nose. After the realigned tissues were given time to grow, a second operation reconstructed her cleft lip and nose. The third surgery to repair the cleft palate was delayed until she was one-year-old, about the usual age of speech development.

“The surgeries went really well,” Sophia’s mother says. “Her doctors were amazing. Her nurses were awesome.” Over time Sophia’s tiny scars will heal and fade. She has now started her second year as a beautiful and happy little girl.