Rewind - Melissa Foreman Episode
"It’s okay to grieve what you missed, but don’t let it take away from the beauty of what you have." 💖
In this rewind from our episode with Melissa Foreman, she shares her story of strength, love, and resilience as a cleft mom. Melissa opens up about navigating the complex emotions—like anger and sadness—that can come when the cleft journey means missing out on experiences like breastfeeding.
Her heartfelt advice reminds us of the boundless capacity of the human spirit to overcome life’s greatest challenges and find joy in the moments that matter most.
🎧 Listen to this powerful episode now ➡️ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/our-forever-smiles-cleft-mom-diaries-and-support/id1734350430?i=1000661657465
💬 Tag a #CleftMom who needs this reminder today. You’re not alone, and your journey is beautiful.
#CleftCommunity #CleftStrong #MomSupport #CleftJourney #ParentingWithLove #PodcastRewind
Helping Moms Come to Terms with Their Childs Diagnosis Christmas Eve Special
🎄✨ The holidays are a time of warmth, joy, and family traditions—but for cleft moms, this season can bring a mix of emotions. In our special Christmas Eve episode, Laura shares heartfelt advice for moms who may be navigating this time with a heavy heart. 💙
Whether it’s your first Christmas with a cleft diagnosis or you’re reflecting on years of appointments and surgeries, know that your feelings—all of them—are valid. Laura explores how to process complex emotions and offers practical steps to find hope and resilience, even on the toughest days.
🎧 Tune in now to feel seen, supported, and reminded: You are not alone.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/our-forever-smiles-cleft-mom-diaries-and-support/id1734350430
✨ Sending love and light to you and your family this Christmas Eve. 💫
#CleftParenting #CleftMomSupport #ChristmasEve #CleftJourney #ParentingWithLove #YouAreNotAlone
Drinking from a straw
For cleft moms navigating life after palate repair, teaching your child to sip from a straw can feel like a challenge. Our host Laura's daughter Juselle demonstrates the plug-the-straw method—a helpful technique for children born with a cleft palate. 💡
Because children with cleft palates often struggle to create a strong seal for sucking, this method provides a gentle way to help them learn. Want more tips on guiding your little one through this step?
Read our blog for a step-by-step guide when you visit our website. Link in bio!
#CleftParentingTips #CleftPalateSupport #PlugTheStrawMethod #CleftAwareness #CleftCommunity #OurForeverSmiles
Navigating Emotions: My Husband's Support Through Our Diagnosis
How do you navigate life when it throws you the unexpected?
In this heartfelt episode, Laura sits down with Jimena Morua Marquez, an inspiring mom and advocate, who opens up about her journey after her son Mateo was born with a bilateral cleft lip and palate. 💙 From the early days of fear and uncertainty to finding strength in her husband’s unwavering support, Jimena’s story is a testament to resilience, partnership, and self-acceptance.
🎧 Tune in to hear how she’s turning her experiences into powerful advocacy, educating others, and embracing the beauty of the journey. ➡️ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/our-forever-smiles-cleft-mom-diaries-and-support/id1734350430
💬 Tag someone who inspires you to keep going, and listen now wherever you get your podcasts.
#CleftCommunity #ParentingJourney #PodcastLove #FamilySupport #AdvocacyInAction
Some of the best advice received as a cleft mom ... 💕
🎥 The Best Advice for Cleft Moms 💕 We asked, and you answered! Laura Arroyo, founder of Our Forever Smiles, is sharing the most heartfelt and empowering advice cleft moms have received along their journeys. From navigating surgeries to finding emotional strength, this video is a must-watch for any parent walking the cleft path.
💬 Your turn! What’s the best advice you’ve received or given as a cleft parent? Drop it in the comments below!
#CleftAwareness #CleftStrong #CleftCommunity
New Episode: Summer
New Episode Alert! 🎙 In the latest episode of Our Forever Smiles, host Laura Arroyo sits down with Summer Kormushoff for an emotional and empowering conversation about her journey as a first-time mom navigating a cleft lip diagnosis. 💙
Summer opens up about:
✨ The moment she learned about her son’s condition during a nuchal translucency scan.
✨ The challenges of the NAM (Nasoalveolar Molding) process and its impact on her family.
✨ Her mission to educate and support families facing similar journeys.
This episode sheds light on the resilience and love that carry parents through unexpected challenges. Summer's story reminds us that no one has to walk this path alone. ✨
🎧 Tune in now to hear her inspiring story and share with someone who needs to know they're not alone.
👉 Listen now: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/our-forever-smiles-cleft-mom-diaries-and-support/id1734350430
❤️ Don’t forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to help us spread awareness and support!
Welcoming back Alexis Garcia ✨
#ICYMI 🎙️ We welcomed back Alexis Garcia, our incredible cleft advocate from El Paso, for a bonus episode of the Our Forever Smiles Podcast last week ✨
As we approach the holiday season, we know it can be a challenging time, especially for moms navigating the unique emotions that come with it. 💖 Join us for a special episode where Alexis shares some of her most vulnerable thoughts and feelings in raising her daughter.
Take a listen to this episode and let’s continue to support each other on this journey! 🎧✨ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/our-forever-smiles-cleft-mom-diaries-and-support/id1734350430?i=1000678284990
#OurForeverSmiles #CleftAdvocate #MentalHealth #HolidaySupport
Ava the Brava Podcast Episode
Have you listened to our latest podcast episode? ✨
In this heartwarming conversation, host Laura Arroyo welcomes Allie Ekblad, a children's book author, illustrator, and founder of Brave Face Kids. After the birth of her daughter with a bilateral cleft lip and palate, Allie discovered a lack of resources to help young children understand clefts. Inspired by her journey, she wrote Ava the Brava, a story about courage, resilience, and embracing differences. 💪📚
Allie shares her transition from marketing executive to stay-at-home mom, navigating the complexities of medical care, and the importance of teaching bravery to her kids—and herself. 💖
🎧 Listen now to hear more about Allie’s inspiring path and why "Ava the Brava" is more than a name—it’s a call to face life’s challenges head-on.
🔗 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/our-forever-smiles-cleft-mom-diaries-and-support/id1734350430?i=1000679076899
#OurForeverSmiles #BraveFaceKids #AvaTheBrava #CleftAwareness #ParentingJourney #EmbraceDifferences #CourageAndStrength #CleftCommunity #PodcastEpisode
Monica Bush of Legendary Smiles
In the latest episode of Our Forever Smiles, 🎙️ host Laura Arroyo welcomes Monica Bush, founder of Legendary Smiles and mom to a son born with a cleft lip and palate. Monica shares her journey, from the emotional challenges of preparing for surgery 💖 to her advocacy for better-cleft care education 📚. She emphasizes the importance of informed healthcare providers 🩺 and community support in navigating cleft journeys.
Want to listen in? Click the link below! 💬✨ Make sure to subscribe and leave a rating for more #CleftMoms like you to find our podcast!
[insert link here]
#OurForeverSmiles #LegendarySmiles #CleftWarriors #CleftAwareness #CleftLip #CleftPalate
Legendary Smiles, Legendary Advocacy with Monica Bush
In this powerful episode, Monica Bush shares the mission behind Legendary Smiles, her organization dedicated to supporting families in the cleft and craniofacial community. From founding Legendary Smiles to building partnerships with Riley and Cincinnati Children’s Hospitals, Monica's story is a testament to faith, purpose, and impact.
Her journey reminds us of how one “yes” can make waves in the lives of so many. Comment “listen now” to get the link and hear Monica's inspiring advocacy journey! 💖✨
#CleftAdvocacy #LegendarySmiles #CommunitySupport
Juselle's Hearing Journey
Did you know cleft lip and palate can impact hearing? 👂 Juselle, the inspiration behind the Our Forever Smiles community, recently had a hearing test. 💕 Things went well, but the experience served as a reminder of how vital access to medical support is for our community.
Here are two key pieces of legislation to support 🔑:
🔹 ELSA (Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act): Helps ensure insurance coverage for cleft and craniofacial treatments beyond initial surgeries.
🔹 Ally's Act: Focuses on expanding access to hearing devices, especially important for those with cleft-related hearing challenges.
Supporting these acts is a step toward making healthcare accessible for all. 💪 Want to make a difference? Comment “I’m in” to learn more about advocating for these bills! ⬇️
#CleftAwareness #SupportCleftCommunity #ELSA #AllysAct #CleftStrong
