Addie’s Story
When Adelaide (Addie) was born, her parents Gabrielle and Dan were suddenly faced with questions no family is prepared for. Would she need major surgery on her skull? What happens next?
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Zuhrah’s Story
One of the things that we do at Craniofacial Australia is support people from overseas with craniofacial conditions. Zuhair, a dedicated father of 3, searched tirelessly to find the best support and treatment for his first-born daughter Zuhrah. We spoke to Zuhair about how our Patient Support program has played a vital part in accessing the best possible care and treatment for his precious daughter.
Vallerie’s Story
Meet Vallerie – Born with a bilateral cleft lip, she received her diagnosis during pregnancy and began treatment at just 14 weeks old. Over the years, Vallerie has undergone 7 surgeries, including a hip-to-face bone graft, Lefort 1 Maxilla Advancement, and septorhinoplasty – as well as over a decade of orthodontic care.
Teddy’s Story
Teddy was born via a planned C-section. On day three, during a routine checkup, the paediatrician came in to examine him. My husband, Alex, jokingly commented, “Thank goodness he doesn’t have a head like mine,” as Alex was born with craniosynostosis.
Sofia’s Story
There is a special bond between Professor David David AC and Sofia, one that has existed as long as she can remember. Now in her mid teens, Sofia was only seven months old when she first became a patient.
Robby’s Story
I was 6 years old when I first came to Australia from Pakistan where I was born. However, I was born with a birth defect called ‘Cleft Lip Palate’, 1 year later my father came to Australia by boat. He was a refugee and was finding it really hard to find a proper job (as he was uneducated) and to also support us back in Pakistan.
Rita’s Story
A bright and determined little girl who was diagnosed at just 4 months old. Her journey began with endoscopic surgery to remove the fused suture in her skull, followed by 9 months of helmet therapy to gently shape her head as she grew.
Reuben’s Story
Reuben was born in 2022 weighing a healthy 3,960g. Reuben was delivered via planned C-section at 37 weeks due to unknown cause of acceleration of growth and maternal history of pre-eclapsia and HELLP (Hemolysis, Elevated Liver Enzymes and Low Platelets) Syndrome.
Poppy’s Story
Poppy, now 20 months old (December 2024), had a rough entrance into the world via an emergency C-section due to fetal distress. Because of this, there was a pediatrician present in the OR with us, ready to assess her when she arrived.
Nash’s Story
Months after Mum Michelle’s first-born Nash’s birth, months after instinctively knowing the shape of his head wasn’t quite right, Nash was diagnosed with Metopic Craniosynostosis. Not knowing where to turn, Michelle reached out to Craniofacial Australia for support and assistance.