For José’s Family, Strength and Persistence Bring a Smile

José and his family are no strangers to hard work.

José Sr. built their home himself, transporting construction materials up an unpaved hillside road in Marquelia, a small town along Mexico’s beautiful Pacific coast. During the day he supported the family, working tough jobs for modest wages.

At home, Verónica raised their two young children, Sebastián and Lupe. Things weren’t always easy, but, together, they overcame any adversity they encountered through love and determination.

In November 2020, the family faced their greatest challenge yet when Verónica went into labour with their third child. With no time to spare, they rushed to their local doctor’s surgery, where Verónica gave birth to José.

However, when Verónica saw José’s face, she was confused — and worried. His upper lip had what appeared to be a gap running through it, just left of centre. In all her life, Verónica had never seen another baby whose lip looked like that.

The doctor quickly explained that José had a cleft. Some babies are born that way, she said. But it required medical care.

Verónica listened to the doctor in shock. José would need surgery? How would the family be able to afford that? Would he ever be able to live a happy, healthy life?

Verónica returned home with far more questions than answers. The doctor had given her special feeding equipment, but José still had trouble eating. After some trial and error, José Sr. finally figured out a feeding solution, but it stretched the already-tight family budget.

Verónica and José Sr. were shaken, but not deterred. They were determined to find the right care for their baby, no matter what it took.

Help arrived in an unexpected place. In the waiting room at José’s neonatal screening, José Sr. struck up a conversation with Maricarmen, whose daughter was also born with a cleft.

Maricarmen explained there was an organisation nearby in Acapulco called Guerrero Sonríe that provided comprehensive cleft care, including surgery and related treatments and therapies. Not only that — Guerrero Sonríe was a Smile Train partner, which meant that all its services were 100 % free for patients and families!

José Sr. was overjoyed. He personally invited Maricarmen to the house so she could tell Verónica about Guerrero Sonríe. As she listened to Maricarmen, Verónica felt a surge of hope for the first time since baby José was born.

With the help of José’s older brother, Sebastián, Verónica made the trip to Acapulco to meet the team at Guerrero Sonríe. There, Dr Oscar Hernández sat with them and answered all of Verónica’s questions, laying out a clear treatment plan for José that included both cleft lip and palate surgery.

Verónica and Sebastián returned home with wide smiles. Everyone in the family did their part to take care of José so that he would be ready for his first surgery, which would be for his lip. Even when it got delayed — José was experiencing some respiratory difficulties — they stuck to the plan and stayed focused.

Finally, José’s cleft lip surgery arrived, and it was a total success! Seeing José’s healed face, Verónica knew in her heart: Her baby boy would be okay.

José returned two years later for cleft palate surgery. Once again, Dr Hernández and his team delivered a flawless procedure.

Today, José is a happy little boy surrounded by a loving family. Sebastián and Lupe are the best older brother and sister he could ask for, supporting him in everything. José Sr. continues to work hard, striving to provide his children with the best future possible. Verónica is as devoted a mother as ever.

José’s cleft experience reminded the family of something they knew all along: when they stick together and put their love into action, anything is possible.