For every expectant parent, the ultimate wish is to welcome a child into the world who is healthy in every sense—physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Whether the pregnancy is planned or not, the birth of a child brings an overwhelming sense of love, hope, and a desire to offer the best possible life.
Yet, when a child is born with a congenital condition or disability, parents often find themselves navigating an unexpected and challenging journey.
Some respond with resilience and unconditional love, while others struggle with feelings of disappointment, societal stigma, or even guilt.
In many cultures, children born with disabilities face discrimination and isolation, sometimes even being labeled as cursed.
This stigma not only affects the child’s self-esteem but can also deprive them of opportunities for education, employment, and a fulfilling life.
A Father’s Personal Journey Sparks a Movement
For Santhosh Mathews and his wife, Indian natives living in the United States, the birth of their son in July 2000 was both a joyous and deeply challenging moment.
Their son was born with a cleft lip and palate, along with additional medical complications, including holes in his heart. He was also missing his right eye and right ear.
The reactions from people around them were heartbreaking. Instead of sympathy or support, Mathews and his family were met with superstition and stigma.
“When my son was born with a cleft lip and palate, the immediate reaction from people in our neighborhood and relatives was that the child was a curse. Some said he was born during a solar or lunar eclipse, while others claimed he was a child of a rebel god,” Mathews recounted.
Despite the hurtful words, Mathews and his wife remained steadfast in their love for their son.
As doctors examined the newborn, they found no genetic or medical explanation for his condition. But what truly mattered to Mathews was that his son’s condition was treatable.
“Sometimes we don’t know why these children are born this way, but the best part is that we can fix it. If a child is born with a cleft lip, palate, or any other facial anomaly, we can correct it and give them a beautiful smile, transforming their lives forever,” he said.
Determined to turn their personal struggle into a force for good, Mathews and his wife founded Love Without Reason, an organization dedicated to providing free surgeries for children with cleft lip and palate.
Their mission is not only to restore smiles but also to educate communities and end the stigma surrounding these conditions.
Bringing Hope to Kenyan Families
Mathews was speaking at Garissa Level 5 Hospital, where Love Without Reason is currently conducting a three-day free medical camp for children with cleft lip and palate.
The initiative includes medical assessments, diagnostic tests, and surgical procedures—all at no cost to families.
The financial burden of such surgeries can be overwhelming, with the procedures typically costing between Ksh 250,000 and Ksh 300,000 per patient.
However, through the generosity of Love Without Reason and its medical partners, 30 children will receive life-changing surgeries during this camp.
So far, 244 children across Kenya have already benefited from the organization’s efforts.
Among the beneficiaries is Willa Nangunye, a father who traveled from Isiolo to Garissa after learning about the medical camp on social media.
His five-month-old son was born with a cleft lip, and he has been desperate to find a solution.
“When my child was born, I was shocked. Some people told me it was a curse, but I knew they didn’t understand the condition,” Nangunye shared.
As he spoke, his son was in the operating room, undergoing surgery. With hope in his eyes, Nangunye expressed his gratitude, urging other parents in similar situations to seek medical help rather than resorting to myths or misconceptions.
Breaking the Chains of Stigma
Despite medical advancements, the stigma surrounding cleft lip and palate remains deeply rooted in many societies.
Children with such conditions often face bullying, rejection from schools, and even abandonment.
Some parents, fearing judgment, hide their children from the world, denying them basic rights such as education and healthcare.
Mathews passionately called upon parents and communities to break this cycle of discrimination.
“Many children have been hidden away, denied an education, or even the chance to marry and start their own families. Sometimes, because of stigma, parents stop loving their own child,” he lamented.
“Schools refuse to accept them, or if they do, these children face bullying from their peers. My advice, as a parent who has lived through this, is simple: love your child unconditionally,” Mathews emphasized.
He reminded parents that their children are not curses, but blessings. “When my son was born, people called him a curse. But today, thousands of children have received free surgeries because of him. He was a blessing in disguise.”
Understanding Cleft Lip and Palate
Cleft lip and palate are birth defects that occur when a baby’s lip or mouth does not form properly during pregnancy. These conditions can vary in severity, but they can generally be treated with surgery and other interventions.
- Cleft Lip: A condition where there is an opening or gap in the upper lip, which can extend up to the nose. It can occur on one or both sides of the lip and may also affect the gums and teeth.
- Cleft Palate: A condition where there is an opening or gap in the roof of the mouth (palate). It can range from a small gap to a large opening affecting both the soft and hard palate and may extend into the nasal cavity.
Without treatment, cleft conditions can lead to difficulties in eating, speaking, and breathing, as well as social and psychological challenges due to appearance-related stigma.
However, with surgery, speech therapy, and proper care, children with cleft conditions can lead normal, fulfilling lives.
A Call to Action
As the free medical camp continues, Mathews and his team remain committed to their mission of spreading awareness and providing life-changing treatment to children born with cleft lip and palate.
His message to parents is clear: seek medical intervention, embrace your children with love, and reject the myths and stigma surrounding disabilities.
For those interested in supporting Love Without Reason’s mission, Mathews encourages donations, volunteerism, and advocacy. “Every child deserves to smile without shame,” he says. “And together, we can make that happen.”
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