One in 700 children are born with a cleft lip or palate which means 1,200 children this year alone. Surgery is amazing these days but still it is an incredibly challenging experience for any family to go through.

Lexie Kalinowska-Withers from Lambourn was born with a cleft lip and palate. Now 7 years old, this brave young lady shares the story of her life, her hospital visits and operations to help other families who are facing similar challenges.

Lexie also was born with metopic synostosis. Basically her head was fused (this shouldn’t happen until older, so your head can grow). Her head was growing egg shaped. So at the age of  two and a half she had major skull surgery. They look the front piece of skull and swapped it with the back piece. Just one operation needed, and she now has check ups every 2 years.

She is now waiting to have a bone graft from her hip to reinforce her top jaw to help straighten her front teeth.

To learn more about cleft issues please visit CLAPA Cleft Lip & Palate Association

Lexi’s Interview on the Radio

Click here to listen to our interview with Lexi and her Mum Sabrina on 4LEGS Community Radio on Friday 1 June (starts about 22:00).