When those around her smiled, little Amukelani, born with a bilateral cleft lip and palate, could not do the same. Her mother, who was 18 at the time of her birth, was not emotionally prepared for her child's birth condition.
Amid her family's initial disappointment, the mother felt deep guilt over her teenage pregnancy and worried her child's medical needs would further more financial strain.
Among 18 toddlers chosen to undergo corrective surgery during the launch this week of Smile Week at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, Amukelani's smile is to be restored, thanks to the Smile Foundation and Airports Company South Africa (Acsa).
With global statistics pointing to children born every three minutes with a cleft lip or palate, children face life-threatening health problems, painful bullying and isolation if their conditions are left untreated.
Their difficulties include being unable to feed properly, leading to malnutrition and thirst, with the risk of death nine times higher.
この記事は The Citizen の November 15, 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
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この記事は The Citizen の November 15, 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
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