Our Forever Smiles with Laura Arroyo

In this inspiring episode, Laura speaks with Charlotte, a 17-year-old cleft-affected individual and the creator of Stitches by Charlotte . Born with a cleft lip and palate, Charlotte shares her lived experience and how she began creating surgery companion dolls to help children feel seen and supported. She also discusses advocacy, confidence, and using her voice to create change in the cleft commu...

Jessica shares her story of becoming a first-time mom and learning about her child's cleft palate after birth, followed by an unexpected NICU stay. She reflects on the shock, fear, and isolation that came with leaving the hospital without her baby. This episode highlights the emotional realities of NICU life, navigating a cleft palate diagnosis, and finding strength in the hardest moments. A power...

In this special solo episode, Laura Arroyo sits down to reflect on the past year of the OFS Podcast and share an honest, behind-the-scenes look at where we are and where we're headed. Laura highlights the conversations that made an impact, the lessons learned, and the themes emerging from our community. She also offers a sneak peek at upcoming topics, new initiatives, and how we're continuing to e...

In this returning episode, Laura Arroyo sits down with Brittnie Hampson to continue the conversation about life after a surprise cleft palate diagnosis. Brittnie shares an honest look at raising her two-year-old daughter, Ava, and how her journey has evolved since her last appearance on the podcast. She opens up about the emotional shift from confidently breastfeeding her first two children to lea...

Laura Arroyo talks with Dr. Richard Kirschner and Catherine Bingham about the Magical Moments Foundation, a wish-granting organization for children with facial differences. Brought to you by the ACPA — the American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association, supporting interdisciplinary cleft and craniofacial teams. Links and Resources: Magical Moments Nomination Form Buy Me a Coffee

Laura Arroyo sits down with Dr. Renie Daniel, a fellowship-trained, dual-degree, board-certified cleft and craniofacial surgeon in Minneapolis and director of the University of Minnesota Cleft and Craniofacial Team. Dr. Daniel shares what inspired her to pursue cleft care, her favorite surgeries, and how her multidisciplinary team works together to educate, advocate, and empower children and adult...

At the ACPA Annual Meeting, we sat down with Nancy Rowan and Rachel Chiavatti to discuss groundbreaking advancements in cleft care for Pierre Robin Sequence (PRS). Both mothers to sons born with cleft palate and PRS in the fall of 2022, they share their journeys as parents and advocates. Together, they co-founded HOAP for PRS (Healing with the Orthodontic Airway Plate for Pierre Robin Sequence), a...

Dr. Jessica Canallatos, prosthodontist at Oishei Children's Hospital and member of the Craniofacial Team of WNY, brings a unique perspective to cleft care as someone born with a cleft herself. Specializing in Nasoalveolar Molding (NAM), neonatal ear molding, and digital prosthetics, Dr. Canallatos is passionate about transforming lives and supporting families through complex care. Recorded live at...

Recorded at the ACPA Annual Meeting, a powerful hub for knowledge sharing and connection, this episode of the Our Forever Smiles podcast features Stephanie Hassen, Executive Director of the Face to Face Foundation in Charlotte, North Carolina. Stephanie shares how her nonprofit raises funds and awards grants to cleft and craniofacial families across the Carolinas, along with the incredible communi...

Vickie Stolle, speaker, writer, and certified WISDOM Coach™, is a cleft-affected individual with first-hand experience and knowledge of the cleft journey. Born with a bilateral cleft lip and palate, she blends her lived experience with her professional mission of empowering children and families. As the founder of Resilient Kid Academy, she helps families foster resilience and emotional strength i...

Returning for her third appearance, Summer Kormushoff opens up about her son's palate repair journey. She shares valuable tips for parents preparing for surgery, including practical advice and emotional insight. We also reflect on her previous episodes where she discussed receiving her son's cleft diagnosis and navigating lip repair. This full-circle conversation offers encouragement and guidance...

In this inspiring episode, Laura Arroyo sits down with Stacy Swope — special education teacher, mom of two, and first-time author — to share the story of her son Benjamin's cleft journey. From infancy through the school years, Benjamin has undergone a series of life-changing treatments and surgeries, including NAM, ear tubes, cleft lip and palate repairs, a two-part buccal flap procedure to improv...

Dr. Mackensie McBeain, Board Certified Pediatric Dentist for the University of Minnesota Cleft and Craniofacial Team, joins us to share her expertise in cleft care. In addition to her private practice at Children's Dental Care, she provides Nasoalveolar Molding (NAM) for babies born with cleft differences. Balancing her professional dedication with life at home as a mother of three, Dr. McBeain of...

Laura Arroyo speaks with Dr. Vitorela about groundbreaking craniofacial orthodontics program and its impact on cleft treatment. Brought to you by the ACPA — the American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association, improving outcomes for people with cleft and craniofacial conditions.

Laura Arroyo chats with Dr. Manlove about her work at UNC, her passion for education, and the future of cleft surgery. Brought to you by the ACPA — the American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association, advancing education, research, and care worldwide. Links and Resources: Patreon Subscription Tiers for Exclusive Content Our Forever Smiles Merch Store NC Cleft Mom FB Group Our Forever Smiles FB Grou...

Host Laura Arroyo talks with Dr. Christopher and Dr. Weiss about their practice, social media presence, and global impact through the Forever Smiles Foundation. Brought to you by the ACPA — the American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association, uniting professionals to advance cleft and craniofacial care.

In this inspiring episode of the Our Forever Smiles podcast, host Laura Arroyo talks with Luci Capo Rome, a retired advanced practice registered nurse born with a bilateral cleft lip and palate. Luci shares her decades-long journey as an advocate for the cleft community, from supporting women born with cleft in the 1980s to her current role as Kansas state lead for the Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act....

In this heartfelt episode of the Our Forever Smiles podcast, host Laura Arroyo sits down with Britany Filipkowski and her daughter Sophia, a courageous young girl born with a left unilateral complete cleft lip, maxilla/alveolus, and palate. Britany shares their family's journey, from early diagnosis and NICU days to feeding challenges, multiple surgeries, and the emotions of navigating cleft care....

Straight from the ACPA Annual Meeting in Atlanta, we sit down with Suzanne "Suzie" Santomieri, cleft coordinator at the NC Cleft & Craniofacial Center and proud cleft mama. Suzie opens up about her emotional journey from special education teacher to advocate after her own daughter's diagnosis. Now she walks hand in hand with families through every twist and turn of the cleft journey. In this heart...

We're at the ACPA Annual Meeting with returning guest and CozeeCoo founder and CEO Jennifer Stelmakh. Born from her real life frustrations with medical solutions and interventions, Jennifer created CozeeCoo, a thoughtfully designed surgical recovery vest that keeps little arms safe and healing cozy while finally replacing stiff elbow restraints. Jennifer shares how the energy and collaboration at...

Filmed at the ACPA Annual Meeting, a powerful hub for knowledge sharing and connection, this episode features clinical psychologist and cleft advocate Dr. Danielle McWilliams. Born with a cleft herself, Danielle merges lived experience and academic insight to explore how gender, appearance, and identity intersect. She shares highlights from her groundbreaking doctoral thesis amplifying the voices...

Recorded live at the ACPA Annual Meeting, where cleft professionals, advocates, and families unite to advance care, this episode spotlights Meg Lico, Principal Speech-Language Pathologist. Winner of the 2024 ACPA Young Professional Award and creator of the viral "Nose Movie," Meg shares how her innovative approaches help demystify nasoendoscopy for children. From her journey in public health and C...

In this powerful episode of Our Forever Smiles, Laura Arroyo talks with Ellen Coulter, a media relations professional, wife, and mom of two. Ellen shares her emotional journey after learning about her son Henry's cleft diagnosis during pregnancy. The hardest part, she says, was the space between diagnosis and birth, a season filled with overwhelming guilt, fear, and uncertainty. Ellen speaks candi...

In this episode of Our Forever Smiles, Laura sits down with Stacey Howell, a teacher turned homeschool mom and devoted wife of 16 years. Stacey shares the powerful story behind her family's cleft journey. She talks about the importance of finding the right cleft team, even if it means traveling far from home, and how faith guided her through it all. Her son recently underwent bone graft surgery at...

In this powerful episode of Our Forever Smiles , host Laura Arroyo sits down with Lauren Greenlee, a wife, first-time mom, marketing coordinator, and owner of an online baby boys clothing boutique. Lauren shares the raw and emotional story of her son's birth with a cleft lip and how her hospital experience fell heartbreakingly short of the care every family deserves. She reads the compelling email...