At Speech Within Reach, we recognize the importance of organizations that make a difference in the lives of those with speech challenges. One organization that we want to specifically touch on is Operation Smile. Supporting and spreading awareness of their incredible work aligns closely with our mission of improving communication and enhancing lives.
What Does Operation Smile Do?
Operation Smile is a nonprofit organization that provides life-changing surgeries to children born with cleft lips, cleft palates, and other facial conditions. These conditions not only affect a child’s appearance but also their quality of life including speaking, eating, and breathing. For families who cannot afford the surgery, Operation Smile steps in, offering free medical care to help these children live healthier, happier lives.
Since its founding in 1982, Operation Smile has transformed the lives of hundreds of thousands of children in over 60 countries. Their medical teams consist of surgeons, anesthetists, nurses, and volunteers who dedicate their time and expertise to give children the chance to smile confidently and communicate more effectively.
Why Is This Important to Us?
Cleft conditions are something that deeply resonates with our mission. These conditions are not just about physical appearance—they often impact speech development significantly. Children born with cleft differences may experience challenges in producing certain sounds or speaking clearly. That’s where speech therapy comes into play, often as a major component of the recovery process post-surgery. When we see the transformative work Operation Smile does to correct cleft conditions, we’re reminded of how critical it is to raise awareness and promote access to these life-changing interventions.
The Effect of Changing Lives
Operation Smile’s work goes far beyond the physical. Their interventions allow children to smile, speak, and feel included. At Speech Within Reach, we share the same vision of ensuring that everyone has the tools to communicate confidently. By promoting and speaking about the work of Operation Smile, we hope to bring more attention to the critical need for both medical and therapy related interventions in the lives of children with cleft conditions. Together, we can empower children not only to smile, but to find their voices and thrive in every aspect of life.
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-EMILY SMITH, Illinois State University, Senior Research and Marketing Intern
-NICOLE BUTLER, M.A., CCC-SLP/L (ASHA Certified and licensed Speech-Language Pathologist, Founder and Executive Director of Speech Within Reach.)
SPEECH WITHIN REACH provides in person and virtual telehealth speech therapy for children and adults. We are happy to support your speech therapy needs. Please feel free to reach out to us.