Our Forever Smiles

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Our Forever Smiles

Our Forever Smiles is a podcast community supporting mothers of children born with a cleft lip and/or palate.

02/12/2025

Mum of two beautiful children, Stacey shares her journey of being born with a cleft and also having a child born with a cleft. She shares how this has led he...

26/11/2025

A mum from Faringdon who was told she was "cruel" for having her son after he was born with a rare severe cleft lip says it has never…

30/10/2025

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room.
Every cleft parent has felt the unspoken questions — and we’re here to clear the air.
No, I didn’t drink. No, I didn’t smoke. No, I didn’t do drugs. Or any of the other things people come up with.
Clefts can happen under so many circumstances, but mostly at random.
It’s time to replace judgment with understanding and blame with compassion. 💗

29/10/2025

Episode out now 🎧 We are back with another incredible cleft mom story.

This week, I sit down with Stacy Swope, special education teacher, mom of two, and first-time author, to share her son Benjamin’s cleft journey from infancy through the school years.

If you have school-aged children, this one is for you. Stacy talks about navigating evolving medical needs, balancing school life, and finding support through every stage of treatment. She also gives us a glimpse into her new children’s book, The Sparkle You Carry, created to empower cleft-affected kids and their families.

You can find the link to The Sparkle You Carry in the podcast episode description. 💖

24/10/2025

Our Tuesday episode was delayed but it is officially going live today at 1pm EST. Thank you so much for your patience. A lot of you were asking and I appreciate every message 💖 I promise this won’t happen again and I am truly excited for you to hear this one.

In this episode, Dr. Mackensie McBeain, Board Certified Pediatric Dentist with the University of Minnesota Cleft and Craniofacial Team, explains what the NAM is actually doing during those first few months of treatment.

From shaping the gums to helping prepare baby for early surgery, she breaks it down in a way that truly supports families who are navigating these early decisions.

Dr. McBeain also understands the home side of the journey as a mom of three. Her perspective is both clinical and personal and so needed. 💖

See you at 1pm EST 🎧

22/10/2025

💖 Only good parents worry about being good parents.

The weight of guilt after a cleft diagnosis can be overwhelming. You might replay every moment, asking if you did something wrong or if you could have done more. I get so many messages from moms who whisper, “I feel like a bad mom.”

It’s no surprise that the most listened to podcast episodes are the ones about guilt, mental health, and wondering if you are doing enough after a cleft diagnosis. We all carry those questions in our hearts.

Here is your gentle reminder that you are not a bad parent. You are doing your best with so much love, and that is what makes you a good one. The worry, the tears, the sleepless nights all come from love. And love is more than enough. 💖

20/10/2025

🎉 FREE MERCH ALERT! 🎉

I’m giving away Our Forever Smiles merch to EVERYONE who supports the podcast with a review! 💖

Here’s how to get yours:
1️⃣ Rate and review Our Forever Smiles on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
2️⃣ Take a screenshot of your review and send it to me by DM or email.
💫 Want to show extra love? Post your review on your Instagram Story and tag .

Your reviews help more families discover the show, learn from our guests, and feel supported on their cleft journey. 💕

Let’s grow the community and spread more smiles together. Ready to grab your free merch? 😄

13/10/2025

Every journey with cleft lip/palate is unique. 👄 From specialized feeding choices to early interventions, every decision shapes a brave little fighter's path. 💪💕

Share this post to your stories and let us know: this or that? Don't forget to tag us and invite a friend!

10/10/2025

📣 Save the Date! 🗓️ ELSA Advocacy Day is coming up on November 3–4

Whether you are a patient, family member, healthcare provider, student, researcher, or part of an ELSA-supporting organization, your voice matters. Together, our small-but-mighty community has already made incredible progress, and with your help, we can push ELSA across the finish line!

Learn more and get involved here: 👉 nfed.org/get-involved/advocate/day-on-the-hill/

💕 Let’s show up, speak out, and stand strong, because advocacy makes a difference.

09/10/2025

Expecting a baby is a beautiful, life-changing journey, but when a cleft diagnosis is part of the story, emotions can be overwhelming. The best way to support a mom in this moment is simply to be there, offering love, reassurance, and practical help without pity or assumptions. 🤍

🫶 Small gestures make a big impact. Helping with sibling care, dropping off a meal, or sending a thoughtful gift card can ease some of the daily stress. Asking questions with kindness and a willingness to learn shows you care, while treating her baby with the same love and joy as any other newborn reinforces what she already knows, her child is perfect just as they are.

What matters most is showing up with an open heart, free of judgment, and ready to walk beside her in this journey. 💖

Share this with a friend who could use it or save it for later! 📌

08/10/2025

We’re so grateful for every single one of you who listens, shares, and encourages us along the way. If you’d like to go a step further in supporting our work, here are a few simple ways:

🎧 Listen & Subscribe
Download, subscribe, and follow our show on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.

⭐ Rate the Show
Leave us a rating or review, it helps more families and advocates discover our community.

☕ Buy Us a Coffee
Help keep the conversations going by supporting us through: https://bit.ly/48OdsRv

👕 Grab Some Merch
Show your love and spread awareness by shopping our exclusive merch: https://bit.ly/478qBUf

Every listen, share, and kind word makes a difference. Thank you for being part of Our Forever Smiles. 💕

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https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/our-forever-smiles-cleft-mom-diaries-and-support/id1734350430

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