Bridgethe gap.
A cleft is a small space between two parts. We bring hope and support to cleft-affected families, and invite everyone to reach across what makes us different.
Start here
Two books for families facing cleft lip and palate, written by people who have been there.
Teacher or parent?Bring it to class
My Puzzling Smile was written by a kindergartner to explain his cleft to his class.
Want to help?Reach across
Partner with us, bring the books to a hospital, or share your own story.
Find your way in.
Parents
Just got the news? Start here.
OpenForFamily members
Grandparents, siblings, aunts and uncles.
OpenForTeachers & educators
Bring the story into your classroom.
OpenForDoctors & cleft teams
Hope for families from day one.
OpenForPsychologists & counselors
For the parts surgery doesn’t touch.
OpenForNonprofits
Partner to reach more families.
OpenForCompanies
Sponsor books and inclusion.
OpenGuides for families and schools.
What is a cleft lip and palate?
A plain-language introduction: what a cleft is, how and when it forms, what is known about causes, how common it is, and what care can look like.
For familiesTalking with your child about their cleft
Simple, honest words for each age, grounded in published guidance, so your child can tell their own story with confidence.
For schoolsClassroom guide: reading My Puzzling Smile
How to read the book with your class: why it matters, how to prepare with the family, discussion questions, the "United by" activity, and what to do if teasing comes up.
Every cleft is a gap. So is every difference between us.
A space between two parts.
Where it started: a child born with a cleft lip and palate, and a family facing something they didn't expect.
A space between people.
The gap between a child who looks different and the classmates who don't understand yet.
A space we can cross.
United is the answer. We don't erase difference. We meet each other across it, with love.
We don't erase the gap.We reach across it.
Two books. Written from lived experience.
My Puzzling Smile
Written in kindergarten, with his mom's help, to explain to his classmates why he looked different, and that being different is okay.
Don't Despair, Cleft Repair!
Written for parents after Brandon's first surgeries, to show other families there is hope.
Different is how we're united.
Clefts started it. The invitation is for everyone: other birth differences, and everything that makes people diverse.
Unitedby a smile.
Bridge the gap.Unitedby difference.
Bridge the gap.Unitedby love.
Bridge the gap.A family's story, still reaching families.
The books have reached hospital waiting rooms as far away as Beijing and Australia.
Read the full story- Disney Dreamers & DoersBrandon is named one of Disney's Dreamers & Doers.
- "Young author touches hearts"Naples Daily News profiles Brandon, then in seventh grade, signing books.
- Clefts United foundedTo keep the books going out to cleft-affected families.
- Procter & Gamble fundingHelps get the books to more families.
The gap is smaller than you think.
Request the books for your family, your hospital or your classroom.