Courage Comes in Small Packages

Seven-year-old Rhyatt was born with a cleft lip and palate, a condition that has shaped much of his young life.

When he was 4 months old, he had his first operation. It was an extensive procedure that included cleft lip repair, placement of a feeding tube and circumcision revision. His mom remembers that time clearly, especially how difficult it was to watch Rhyatt struggle to eat when he was a baby. Due to a severe food aversion, feeding by mouth became nearly impossible, resulting in the decision to place a feeding tube.

Since then, Rhyatt has undergone several more surgeries. He has had three palate surgeries and multiple bone grafts. Alongside his cleft treatment, Rhyatt has faced additional medical challenges. He was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency and spent four years receiving daily hormone injections. He has also been diagnosed with epilepsy.

Fortunately, Rhyatt’s mom knew exactly where to go for help. She grew up coming to Shriners Children's Shreveport because her brother, who has cerebral palsy, received every one of his surgeries there. “I grew up here,” she said. “I remember being a child and sitting in the waiting room with my mom. Back then, it was an all-day thing.” Because of that lifelong connection, she felt confident that her son would be in the best hands. “I knew the background of Shriners Children’s. I knew that he would be taken care of and have the best care.”

That trust deepened when they met Rachel A. Bishop, D.D.S., M.D., the cleft and craniofacial specialist leading Rhyatt’s surgeries. Rhyatt and his mom both love her, not just for her skill in the operating room, but for how clearly and kindly she communicates. “She tells me everything,” Rhyatt said. “So, the surgeries aren’t so scary anymore.” For a child like Rhyatt, who once said, “Sometimes people don’t understand what I say,” having a doctor who makes him feel heard and seen is something truly special.

Cleft lip and palate runs in Rhyatt’s family, so the diagnosis was not a complete shock for his mom. Her cousin was born with the condition, and all three of her cousin’s daughters have it as well. But Rhyatt is the first male in the family to be born with it. He’s aware that his medical journey is far from over, and that more surgeries lie ahead. “We’ve talked about it,” his mom said, “so he knows that there’s going to be a surgery every year, at least for a little while. But it’s not forever.”

Rhyatt’s future care will include additional bone grafts, orthodontic work and nasal reconstruction to reshape the flat part of his nose and support healthy breathing and facial growth. But for now, he’s happy being a kid, building ramps for his monster trucks, spending time with his dogs Chili and Sky, and eating chips and queso like it’s nobody’s business. Rhyatt also enjoys playing with Legos and jumping on his trampoline. A huge fan of the outdoors, he soaks up the sun with his neighborhood friends. Fishing and mudding in his four-wheeler are some of his favorite activities. Rhyatt may have a long road ahead, but he’s charging forward with confidence and carving out his own incredible story.