Our Forever Smiles with Laura Arroyo

In this episode, Laura Arroyo sits down with Dr. Aditi Kanth, a board-certified plastic surgeon and fellowship-trained pediatric plastic and craniofacial surgeon. As co-director of the Rutgers Health Cleft and Craniofacial Program at Bristol Myers Squibb Children's Hospital in New Brunswick, New Jersey, Dr. Kanth shares her deep commitment to patient and family-centered care. Together, they discus...

In this heartfelt episode, host Laura Arroyo sits down with Krista Pietersma, founder of Cuddles for Clefts, to share an inspiring journey of love, loss, and advocacy. Krista opens up about discovering her son's cleft diagnosis and how it fueled her desire to make a difference in the cleft community. She explains how Cuddles for Clefts was born, an organization that provides comfort and connection...

In this engaging episode of Our Forever Smiles , host Laura Arroyo sits down with Liv Broads, a UK mom whose son Rio was born with a unilateral cleft lip and gum notch. Liv shares her experience navigating Rio's cleft journey, from the early days of diagnosis to preparing for surgery in the UK healthcare system. Together, they discuss the aesthetics of cleft lip repair and why it's important for p...

In this relatable episode of Our Forever Smiles, host Laura Arroyo talks with Sara Breen, a full-time working mom, program manager, and cleft parent living in Chicago. Sara opens up about her experience returning to work after her son Boomer's cleft diagnosis and navigating daycare through multiple procedures and recovery periods. She shares how she prepared daycare staff, advocated for her son's...

In this powerful episode of Our Forever Smiles, host Laura Arroyo speaks with Dr. Anna Thurmes, a cleft-affected adult, speech-language pathologist, professor, and member of the University of Minnesota Cleft and Craniofacial Team, where she was once a patient herself. Born with a cleft lip and palate, Dr. Thurmes shares how her lived experience shaped her personal and professional path. As host of...

In this heartfelt episode of Our Forever Smiles, host Laura Arroyo talks with Colleen Bennett, a Washington State native and military spouse of 18 years. Colleen shares the emotional story of discovering her daughter's bilateral cleft lip and palate diagnosis while her husband was deployed, and the loneliness that followed in the early days of uncertainty. Determined to advocate for her daughter,...

In this heartfelt episode of Our Forever Smiles, host Laura Arroyo talks with Tara and Michael Cory about their journey as a couple after receiving their son's incomplete unilateral cleft lip diagnosis. They share openly about the initial shock, the emotional grief process, and how they came to a place of acceptance and clarity about their son's future. Through personal stories and thoughtful refl...

In this inspiring episode of Our Forever Smiles, host Laura Arroyo is joined by Katie Manning, a trauma coach, artist, teacher, and cleft mom whose work is reshaping how we understand the emotional landscape of cleft parenting. Katie opens up about her experience raising a child with a cleft while also being married to someone who is cleft affected. Together, they discuss the internal tension Kati...

In this episode of Our Forever Smiles, Laura Arroyo sits down with Sam Rosen, a cleft lip and palate–affected adult who shares his remarkable journey from being adopted in Bulgaria to finding his voice and confidence through hockey. Sam opens up about what it was like navigating multiple identities, the unique challenges of growing up with a cleft, and how his mother's unwavering love and his fath...

In this eye-opening episode of Our Forever Smiles, host Laura Arroyo sits down with pediatric sleep expert Dr. Funke Afolabi-Brown to explore the often-overlooked connection between cleft lip and palate and sleep challenges in children. From airway obstructions and breathing difficulties to the emotional toll of sleep deprivation on families, Dr. Brown shares her expert insights on how cleft condi...

When Stacey Hussell learned that her son would be born with a cleft lip—just like she was—she was flooded with emotions. In this episode, she opens up about the weight of passing down her diagnosis, the fears and guilt that came with it, and how trauma coaching helped her navigate the emotional toll. Join Laura and Stacey for a raw and inspiring conversation about healing, acceptance, and finding...

In this insightful episode of Our Forever Smiles, Laura sits down with Dr. Huay-Zong Law to explore his journey into cleft care and the deeper purpose that fuels his work. Dr. Law shares why he chose this specialty, his dedication to constantly improving as a surgeon, and how he has used social media to educate and connect with others in the cleft community. They also discuss the lifelong nature o...

In this heartfelt episode of Our Forever Smiles , host Laura Arroyo sits down with fellow cleft mama Brittnie Hampson @britthampson to share their deeply personal experiences of discovering their daughters' cleft palates at birth—both born at UNC. They reflect on the shock of an unexpected diagnosis, the overwhelming emotions that followed, and the immediate challenges they faced—especially with f...

In this powerful episode of Our Forever Smiles, Laura sits down with Erin Ulloa, a dedicated wife, mother, and full-time professional balancing life as a student and future history teacher. Erin shares her experience as an older mom navigating her son Oliver's bilateral cleft lip diagnosis, the support she found through online communities and a colleague with a similar journey, and the challenges...

In this eye-opening episode of Our Forever Smiles, Laura sits down with Dariyon Mendoza, a mom of three who proudly calls herself a "crunchy cleft mom." Dariyon challenges the notion that a cleft diagnosis automatically means a high-risk pregnancy, sharing her journey of advocating for natural births and creating the birth experience she wanted—despite her baby's diagnosis. She opens up about her...

In this touching episode of Our Forever Smiles, Laura sits down with Kimberly dela Concepcion, a mother of three children—each born with a cleft lip and Van der Woude syndrome. Kimberly shares the raw and emotional realities of navigating multiple cleft journeys, from the heartbreak of each diagnosis to the deep love and gratitude she's found along the way. She reflects on the strength of her chil...

In this episode of Our Forever Smiles, host Laura Arroyo sits down with Meagan Hughes to discuss her journey after receiving a unilateral cleft lip diagnosis for her son in Canada. Meagan shares the emotions she experienced, how she navigated the healthcare system, and the challenges of learning about her son's diagnosis. She also opens up about life in a blended family and how finding community h...

In this inspiring episode of Our Forever Smiles, host Laura Arroyo sits down with Tessa De Goede , the founder of Tess Unlimited , a nonprofit organization providing comprehensive cleft care to children in Guatemala. Tessa shares her incredible journey of how she got into this work, the deep connection she has with the Guatemalan people, and the passion that drives her to serve cleft-affected fami...

In this heartfelt episode of Our Forever Smiles, host Laura Arroyo sits down with Carson Gaines to discuss her journey as a cleft mom and how she has navigated the ups and downs of motherhood. From the moment she received her son's cleft diagnosis, Carson found guidance and support through Our Forever Smiles, which became a source of reassurance and strength during an overwhelming time. Carson ope...

In this powerful episode of Our Forever Smiles, host Laura Arroyo sits down with Hailee Chavez to discuss the deep connection between motherhood, femininity, faith, and the unique journey of raising a cleft-affected baby. Hailee opens up about becoming a mother as a teenager and the challenges she faced navigating young motherhood. When her second child was born with a cleft, she found herself onc...

In this deeply powerful episode of Our Forever Smiles, host Laura Arroyo sits down with Rachel Rogers, a cleft-affected adult who has spent years navigating her own challenges and finding the courage to share her story. Rachel opens up about her personal journey, from growing up in a Black family where cultural norms encouraged silence to overcoming the stigma of her cleft condition. For years, Ra...

In this inspiring episode of Our Forever Smiles, host Laura Arroyo sits down with Tiffiny Tyler, a cleft-affected mom raising a cleft-affected daughter. Tiffiny shares how her own journey—from overcoming bullying to finding confidence—has given her the strength to navigate her daughter's cleft journey with even more determination and love.   She reflects on the differences between being a cleft pa...

In this heartfelt episode of Our Forever Smiles, host Laura Arroyo sits down with Kelley Bennett to discuss the emotional highs and lows of navigating the NAM treatment. Kelley opens up about the heartbreak of NAM adjustments—when helping your baby feels like hurting them. She shares the emotional toll of watching her little one cry through the process, knowing it's ultimately for their benefit, a...

In this powerful episode of Our Forever Smiles, host Laura Arroyo welcomes Teresa Peyton Bridges and returning guest Corinne Altrichter to share their deeply personal journeys through countless surgeries and the struggles of navigating insurance. Both Teresa and Corinne have faced overwhelming challenges in securing the care they or their children need, highlighting the urgent need for change in t...

In this heartfelt episode of Our Forever Smiles , host Laura Arroyo sits down with Summer Kormushoff to reflect on her son's recent cleft lip surgery. Summer shares her personal experience navigating the emotional and logistical aspects of the procedure, offering an honest and moving look into the challenges and triumphs of her family's journey. Following the conversation, Laura and Summer dive in...