Every smile has a story

Emilee Carleton founded the MU chapter of Operation Smile to help students understand the complexities of cleft conditions.

BY KHALIA SMITH

Emilee Carleton’s childhood was full of surgeries. She was born with a cleft lip and palate, which is when the facial structure of an unborn baby doesn’t fully develop, creating openings or slits near the lip, mouth, nose or both.

Two years ago, Carleton started the MU chapter of Operation Smile. Founded in 1982, the nonprofit orga nization works to improve the lives of low- and middle-income families in over 30 countries.

Every three minutes, a child is born with a cleft condition, according to Op eration Smile. The organization pro vides free reconstructive surgeries and health care services for children with cleft conditions that could be necessary to maintain their well-being.

Vox spoke with Carleton, now an MU senior, about the positive impact of Operation Smile.

What was it like growing up with a cleft lip and palate?

Around 4 or 5 (years old), I realized my face didn’t look like everyone else’s. That’s the time when I entered kinder garten and social settings. As a child, I wished I had a normal childhood where I wasn’t taken out of school all the time. I actually had 14 surgeries to repair and make revisions to my face. Throughout high school, I went through drastic fa cial changes. I got a lot of scrutiny for having a lot of reconstructive surgery because some people didn’t understand that it wasn’t cosmetic; it was more re constructive.

Could you describe challenges you’ve had because of the condition?

(One) thing that I face is just a lot of worry and anxiety about how other peo ple think of me. I haven’t had as many interactions with people growing up, and (I’m) not sure how to fit in in social groups. So, I’m still learning how to make relationships and maintain them.

How has Operation Smile helped you?

Operation Smile has literally changed my life because before I was with the

Emilee Carleton is president of the MU chapter and an intern for Operation Smile. Learn more about the nonprofit organization at operationsmile.org.

What are you hoping to change by bringing Operation Smile to MU?

I really hope that I can build a community where we advocate for other children’s health, and we advocate for them (as people). We can serve as role models to them and show them that no matter what they go through, no matter how different you are, you can flourish in life. You can do whatever you aspire to do. One big reason is I wanted to show that no matter our differences, we can all overcome them and become (the) best versions of ourselves.

What do you wish people knew about

I think a common misconception that not only the public has, but also people who grow up with conditions, is that you are defective or you’re not normal — you’re abnormal. (They say) “You don’t need the surgeries; the surgeries are cosmetic,” and “You have a disability. You can’t do as much as other people.”

People view you as inferior — and some of those were my feelings — but some of them were told to me. People are already biased toward you, and you realize you can overcome bias by loving yourself and other people and not being judgmental.

I just hope people know that no matter the differences we have, every struggle that we go through, it’s just a way of figuring out how to become better. I just want people to know that it’s OK to be yourself because the difference that you have can change the world.