Reactions/support

We've been very open with family and friends about our journey and tried to keep them up to date when they ask. Some of you may find, as we did, that you will be surprised by where the support comes from in the early days. Some friends we thought would offer a shoulder to cry on/a visit/ support were not really around. Some were there throughout and continue to be our greatest support alongside our family. I do not blame the former, you never know what battles people are facing every day, but just be prepared to be open to new support networks and friends. 

Some of the most supportive comments we received were from a Mumsnet group and truly helped us feel like we weren't alone. We also found the CLAPA website extremely informative and other blogs written by parents and children affected by a cleft diganosis. 

I've strangely never worried about stranger reactions, because I'm ready to be a ferocious Lioness if anyone dares to make a derogatory comment! We have always planned to be open to questions and we will never hide our daughter's story from her.