"I would like to nominate my son Linden for the Inspire Me Session. Linden, not only is our rainbow baby, but when I was 37 weeks pregnant, we found out Linden was going to be born with a cleft lip. The doctors couldn’t tell us how severe it was and if he would also have a cleft palate. It took the joy out of the last few weeks of pregnancy and replaced it with worry. However the worry was instantly gone when they placed Linden on my chest. 

Linden was born with an incomplete unilateral cleft lip, and the biggest eyes and sweetest personality. He was pure joy from the moment he was born. He went for a four hour cleft lip and nasal surgery at 3 months old. He then spent the next two weeks in arm restraints to keep his arms away from all the hundred of stitches, glue and tape on his face. The first 24 hours were so tough on us all, but by the next day he was nursing again, and full of smiles!

He is now just over 6 months post surgery, and he is doing amazing! He will require another surgery at the age of 5 to correct his gum line, where they take bone from his hip and insert it into his gum line. I know he will rock the second surgery, just like he did with the first! I’m sure there are many inspirational stories, but for me, I’m inspired by this 1 in 700 cleft cutie!!"

Meeting Linden in person, all you can see is his big eyes, crazy cute personality and the obvious love his mom has for him. 

Thank you so much Monica for sharing Linden's story with me.  This little man is a beautiful inspiration :)

Sunny

PS....watch for more Inspire Me Sessions soon