Cleft & Becoming

Cleft & Becoming Real life, day-to-day experiences, alongside confidence, identity, and emotional well-being.

A space for honesty, visibility, and the parts that don’t always get talked about. Connection, understanding, and support without judgment, fixing, or pressure.

10/06/2026

There are some days when I don’t think about my cleft at all.

And then there are days when I catch my reflection, see my scars, notice my speech, or struggle with the lasting effects of surgeries, and I’m reminded that having a cleft isn’t something that ended in childhood.

People often see the repaired smile and assume the journey is over.

What they don’t see are the appointments, the insecurities, the challenges with eating, breathing, hearing, dental issues, or the emotional impact that can stay with us into adulthood.

Being born with a cleft has shaped who I am in many ways. Some difficult. Some incredibly positive.

My scars tell a story of strength, resilience, and survival.

And while I wouldn’t wish some of the struggles on anyone, I’m learning that I don’t need to hide the parts of me that make me different.

To anyone else living with a cleft: your story matters, your feelings are valid, and you are so much more than your scar. 💚

💙 CLEFT & BECOMING 💙There are photos of me smiling.There are also photos where I wasn’t.Not because I wasn’t happy…But b...
08/06/2026

💙 CLEFT & BECOMING 💙

There are photos of me smiling.

There are also photos where I wasn’t.

Not because I wasn’t happy…
But because I was worried about how my smile would look.

Growing up with a cleft can make you incredibly aware of your face. The angles. The scars. The things other people may never even notice.

For years, I tried to hide parts of myself.

Now, I understand something I wish I’d known sooner:

✨ My scars tell a story of strength.
✨ My smile doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful.
✨ I don’t need to hide to be accepted.

If you’ve ever avoided a photo, covered your mouth when you laughed, or felt self-conscious about your cleft, you’re not alone.

And you never were. 💙

💙✨

04/06/2026

🤍 The moment I realised my cleft would always be part of my story…

For years, I thought there would come a day when my cleft wouldn’t affect me anymore.

A day when the appointments would stop.
A day when I’d stop noticing my scars.
A day when I’d stop wondering if people were looking.

But what I’ve learned is that acceptance didn’t come from pretending my cleft wasn’t part of me.

It came from realising that it helped shape the person I am.

The empathy I have.
The resilience I’ve built.
The determination to keep going, even when things have been difficult.

Would I have chosen this journey? No.

But I’m proud of the person it’s helped me become.

🤍

If you’re struggling with your cleft journey today, whether you’re a child, parent, teenager, or adult, please know you’re not alone.

18/05/2026

One comment can stay with someone for years.

That’s the reality for many people born with a cleft.

People often forget how much words, staring, bullying, or feeling different can affect confidence growing up.

Be kind. Always 🤍

11/05/2026

Not every cleft journey looks the same 🤍

Some people are loud and confident.
Some people avoid photos.
Some people tell everyone their story.
Some people never talk about it at all.

And all of those journeys are valid ✨

08/05/2026

“You’ve got courage in your cheeks and fire in your name.” 🤍

One of my favourite lines from The Smile That Changed the World because children born with cleft lip and palate truly are some of the bravest little humans.

This book was written to help children feel seen, understood, proud of who they are, and reminded that different smiles are still beautiful smiles.

It’s also for parents navigating appointments, surgeries, emotions, worries, and all the moments in between.

No child should grow up feeling ashamed of their scar, their speech, or their difference.

Our stories matter. Our smiles matter. 🤍

📚 The Smile That Changed the World available on Amazon.

05/05/2026

Not every hard moment with a cleft is about surgery or appointments.

Sometimes it’s the quiet things…

The feeding struggles
The worry about weight
The “are they okay?” thoughts that don’t switch off

If you’re in that place right now you’re not doing anything wrong.

Some parts of this journey are just harder, and it doesn’t mean you’re failing.

You’re learning, adapting, and doing your best in something that isn’t always straightforward.

And that matters more than you realise 🤍

30/04/2026

Some of the hardest parts of a cleft journey are the parts nobody really sees.

The appointments.
The waiting.
The worry before surgeries.
The overthinking afterwards.
Trying to stay strong for your child while carrying so much yourself.

And for those living with a cleft - sometimes it’s smiling confidently one day… and struggling quietly the next.

That’s why spaces built on real understanding matter so much 🤍

No judgement.
No “just be positive.”
Just support, honesty, and people who genuinely get it.

Whether you’re a parent navigating the journey, or someone living with a cleft yourself - you are not alone in this 💙

✨ Support
✨ Understanding
✨ Community
✨ Real conversations

And honestly? Sometimes just being able to talk things through with someone who understands can make all the difference.

28/04/2026

Hi everyone 🤍

I run Peaceful Alignment Wellbeing, alongside supporting the cleft community - and I’ve opened a few spaces this week for anyone who might need a bit of extra support.

This is especially for:
those living with a cleft (at any stage of the journey)
parents navigating appointments, emotions, and the day-to-day reality
anyone feeling overwhelmed, overthinking, or not quite themselves

Because behind the appointments, the strength, and the “getting on with it”… there’s often a lot that goes unspoken.

And sometimes, you don’t need advice - you just need space to talk, feel understood, and process things properly.

What I offer isn’t therapy - it’s real, down-to-earth wellbeing support and guidance to help you feel calmer, clearer, and more in control again.

✨ 1:1 wellbeing support (online & local)
✨ Walk & talk sessions
✨ Support with confidence, identity & emotional balance
✨ Space to talk things through - without judgement
✨ Group sessions coming soon

I’m qualified in coaching (including grief coaching), Mental Health First Aid trained, and currently training in hypnotherapy and counselling skills. Everything I offer is built around real understanding - both personal and professional.

👉 Intro sessions available this week:

Walk & talk £15 (local)
Online £15

I’m keeping it limited so I can give proper time and support - if this feels like something you might need, you’re always welcome to message 🤍

Even if you’re not sure, you can reach out for a chat first.




Peaceful Alignment Wellbeing

27/04/2026

Not everything you carry is visible.

Some of it looks like:
– overthinking every little thing
– feeling drained even when you’ve “done nothing”
– putting everyone else first, then wondering why you feel lost
– holding it together on the outside but struggling underneath

And the hardest part?
Most people don’t even realise you’re carrying it.

But you do.

And you’re allowed to say:
this is heavy

You’re allowed to want calm
You’re allowed to want clarity
You’re allowed to feel like yourself again

That’s where I come in.
Not to “fix” you - because you’re not broken.
But to support you, guide you, and help you find your way back to you.

✨ 1:1 support
✨ Walk & talk sessions
✨ Online & local
✨ Real, understanding, no judgement

If this hit home, message me or have a look at my page.
You don’t have to keep doing this on your own.

Address

Swansea

Telephone

+447868157258

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Cleft & Becoming posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Cleft & Becoming:

Shortcuts

Share

Category