Make it a better place..
For you,
And for me,
And the entire human race!
I was born with a cleft palate.
Most of my family members have it and it feels pretty normal (at least at home I have a sense of belonging).
I went to school with most other kids. I was smart, most people felt I had a sharp grasping power. However I could seldom express myself as my speech was incomprehensible. Only my family members understood me. I became quiet and withdrawn.
My parents considered getting me operated. My dad was busy at work and there were no specialists in our area. So we waited.
My wait ended in class 9 when a surgeon specialised in cleft surgeries, returned to our hometown after completing his training.
I got operated.
Get Annu Theagrajan’s stories in your inbox
Join Medium for free to get updates from this writer.
On follow up post surgery, I was told I needed another surgery and there was no one yet again with the expertise.
I was referred to speech therapy in another town.
I spent all my summer vacations henceforth year after year to get speech therapy. I saw a dramatic change in myself. I was a lot more confident about my self. It gave me a voice. It gave me a medium of self expression without feeling ashamed of myself. Without heads turning when I opened my mouth.
It was a turning point in my life.
I completed my schooling and decided to pursue speech and hearing as my career option. I wanted to give back. I joined as a student at the same place where I took treatment. I was welcomed with affection and love. Everyone already knew me. Everyone already loved me. I grew in my career from student to trainee to consultant.
By this time, there was a speech and hearing college at my home town. I moved back and joined there. My speech was so good, that now i became a teacher in the college.
I worked several years. I gave all I could to all those who needed speech and hearing training. I grew to become the professor of my department. I retired as a professor of my college.
I volunteered as the speech therapist to Operation smile international and Mission Smile ,India. I still travel,teaching youngsters and adults to speak. It fills my heart with happiness when I can comprehend my patients on the phone. It gives me the zeal and zest to keep going..
About a hundred missions down and I still keep going to watch these people just “smile” and hear them speak!
-XYZ
True story of a Mission Smile Volunteer that i recently met!
