Not your father's Cinderella. Striking images of everybody’s beloved cartoon characters appeared online last January. They came, not surprisingly, from a disabled person. Italian artist Alexsandro Palombo, created them to show that disabled people have rights and are part of the world. Palombo’s angst about disabilities is not abstract like the abstract simplification of cartoon characters. It’s real. You see, he became a disabled person a couple of years ago when some parts of his body … [Read more...]
Celeb praises the hero who overcame his cleft lip.
The challenge of a double cleft lip. Combine a couple of American game show hosts—pretty Vanna White and brainy Meredith Vieira*—and what do you get? England's Carol Vorderman who until recently hosted England's very popular game show Countdown.** Ms Vorderman, no stranger to making news, recently praised her 'brave' brother who was born with a double cleft lip and palate. According to WalesOnline news, Vorderman has begun donating her considerable wardrobe of designer dresses … [Read more...]
MTV’s littlest star & cleft lip genetics.
The cast members (mostly pregnant girls) of "16 & Pregnant" had a reunion July 1st, and as a result we've learned a bit more about Courtney, Scott, and their son Dayton. What is Courtney up to these days? Other than staying very busy taking care of Dayton, Courtney has graduated from high school and is currently enrolled in cosmetology school. How is Scott doing as a father? Despite saying he'd always love their son when he heard he'd likely be born with a cleft like Courtney's, … [Read more...]
MTV star has baby with same cleft lip and palate she has.
Cleft lip and palate characters almost never show up on TV, except maybe as villains in reruns of thrillers like "Manhunter" and "Red Dragon." Cleft woman on MTV show. Now, we've got a new star who has joined 8 year-old Mia of "Duck Dynasty" fame. I'm talking about Courtney Ames. She is the young woman on MTV's "16 and Pregnant" series, not the young lady of the same name involved in the "Bling Ring" burglaries of Paris Hilton and other celebs' homes. Cleft Courtney Ames just had a … [Read more...]
Sacrifice a year of life for a perfect face? Cleft lip folks might.
Cleft lip kids discuss the darnedest things. Ever discussed with a group of friends whether you'd give up a year of your life for a more perfect, symmetrical face? Unless you were born with a cleft lip,* you probably haven't. For non-clefts, such a discussion may be akin to those silly debates over whether you'd rather burn to death or freeze to death. Still, the question does bring up our assumptions about perfection and symmetry as they relate to beauty. We often think that we have a best … [Read more...]
Report from the Cleft Lip front lines——II
More pictures from my recent East Coast book tour for Cleft Heart. At signings, I always hear about others who've felt like outsiders or had to face serious obstacles in their lives. Cleft affected people and their loved ones frequently show up. One book event occurred in the building pivotal to a major plot twist in Cleft Heart. The repurposed building is where Malcolm X was shot. It's across the street from The Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital where doctors treat kids with … [Read more...]
Report from the Cleft Lip front lines——I
The East Coast Cleft Heart tour, aka The Cleft Lip Tour. Been away lately doing book events—something politicians call stumping or out on the hustings. Some people call it show and tell. It's been very rewarding, meeting new friends and old ones as well on the East Coast. Yale, New … [Read more...]