Our Forever Smiles with Laura Arroyo

In this episode of the Our Forever Smiles Podcast, Laura is joined by highly specialist UK speech and language therapists Hélène Somerville and Rhian Hoccom, co-authors with Lisa Farquhar of The Sound We Found, The Sound We See, and The Sound We Feel. Drawing on decades of experience supporting children with cleft lip and palate, Hélène and Rhian share practical ways families can encourage speech sound development through connection, repetition, play, and everyday routines. From saying "up, up, up" on the stairs to popping bubbles in the bath, playing with sounds during meals, and reading together at bedtime, this conversation shows how small moments can become meaningful opportunities for sound play. Hélène and Rhian explain multisensory input modeling, why face-to-face interaction and repetition matter, and why children don't need to be pressured to copy sounds for these interactions to be valuable. They also discuss hearing considerations for children with cleft palate, the role of speech and language therapists in understanding speech development, and how playful interactions can provide useful information for a child's cleft team. You'll also hear the story behind their children's books, how the resources expanded into Welsh and Spanish, and their work supporting families through the UK's cleft community. Most importantly, Hélène and Rhian remind parents that supporting speech doesn't have to mean adding another stressful task to the day. It can happen through talking, singing, reading, playing, laughing, and simply enjoying time with your child. This episode is for parents, caregivers, and advocates looking for practical, encouraging ways to support communication while keeping connection at the center of the cleft journey. Please note: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational resources and is not a substitute for medical or clinical advice. Families should consult their child's cleft and healthcare teams for individualized guidance. Link:  Author's Site  The Sound we See The Sound we Found The Sound we Feel

What does the cleft care journey look like from a baby's first surgery through adulthood? In this episode of the Our Forever Smiles Podcast, Laura sits down with craniofacial and plastic surgeon Dr. Christopher Runyan to discuss cleft lip and palate care across the lifespan. They cover the timing of lip and palate repair, NAM and presurgical options, feeding after surgery, fistulas, VPI, jaw surgery, adult cleft care, and emerging technologies helping improve treatment and outcomes. Dr. Runyan also shares his perspective as both a surgeon and a parent who experienced his own newborn needing major surgery. Whether you're preparing for your baby's first surgery or navigating the later stages of cleft care, this conversation offers helpful insight, encouragement, and a look at what families can expect along the journey.

In this heartfelt episode of the Our Forever Smiles Podcast, Laura sits down with Christine Bodie, a mother of six from North Pole, Alaska, to share the story of her youngest son, Corey, who was born with a complete bilateral cleft lip and palate. Christine opens up about the uncertainty of Corey's prenatal diagnosis, his NICU stay, feeding challenges, lip repair, and what it is like traveling hundreds of miles to access specialized cleft care in Anchorage. She also shares how this journey has shaped her as a mother, teaching her patience, faith, and how to find peace in the things she cannot control. For parents facing a new cleft diagnosis, Christine offers a reassuring message: It may feel overwhelming right now, but there is so much joy waiting on the other side of the unknown. Links: Buy Us a Coffee FB Support Group

What does it look like to choose joy when motherhood takes you down a road you never expected? In this episode of Our Forever Smiles, Laura sits down with Shannon Hennen, a creative maker, storyteller, and mom of three. Shannon shares her journey raising her son Sam, who was born with a cleft and has faced a complex medical journey that includes heart conditions, feeding challenges, and more than a dozen surgeries. Shannon opens up about navigating those early years while becoming a single mom, finding strength through family, faith, therapy, and community, and learning to look for the silver lining even in the hardest seasons. Now, as Sam enters adulthood, Shannon is navigating a new chapter: stepping back, respecting his independence, and allowing him to take greater ownership of a medical journey she spent years helping manage. Through it all, Shannon's story is filled with humor, resilience, gratitude, and a powerful reminder: we may not get to choose every part of the journey, but we can continue finding reasons for joy along the way. Links: Buy Us a Coffee FB Support Group  

What does the cleft journey look like 21 years later? In this episode of the Our Forever Smiles Podcast, Laura sits down with cleft mom and advocate Alyson Ferguson to reflect on raising her daughter, Madalyna from an unexpected cleft diagnosis and early feeding challenges to surgeries, bullying, advocacy, and ultimately learning to let go. Now 21, Madalyna is beginning to take ownership of her story and make decisions about her cleft journey for herself. Alyson shares what it's like to make that transition as a parent, how their experiences led her to become a founding member of Smile Train's Cleft Community Advisory Council, and the message she wants every new cleft parent to hear: Your baby is going to be okay. A heartfelt conversation about motherhood, advocacy, community, and trusting our children to find their own voice. Links: Buy Us a Coffee FB Support Group