‘Having a Cleft Has Made Me a Better Person’: Talia’s Story

Talia first came to Shriners Children’s Boston when she was 4 for a consultation at the Cleft and Craniofacial Center, a partnership with Mass General Brigham for Children.

Now 16, Talia and her family are grateful for the personalized, compassionate care she has received throughout her childhood. Talia credits her journey as a patient with helping to shape her into the person she is today and inspiring her goals for the future.

Talia was born with a bilateral cleft lip and cleft palate. She underwent surgery for both conditions near her home in Canada when she was a baby. Although the initial procedures were successful, Talia’s family wanted to learn about additional treatment options as she grew older. During their consultation with the Cleft and Craniofacial Center, they learned that Talia could benefit from newer techniques available in cleft care.

Over the past 12 years, Talia has had a series of surgeries, including a small revision to her nose and a bone graft to help her teeth develop properly. She also had fat grafting for her lip, a reconstructive procedure to improve scar appearance and overall function. Most recently, Talia returned to Boston for her second successful pharyngeal flap procedure, which was successful. Common among patients with a cleft palate, this surgery corrects air flow during speech.

Talia’s mom, Taymar, a nurse, has great respect for the entire Cleft and Craniofacial Center team. “Everyone on the team is amazing,” she said. “They’ve always held such a high standard. Everyone is open and willing to answer all my questions, even when I ask things that other parents might not think to ask.”

The co-directors of the Cleft and Craniofacial Center, Zachary Peacock, M.D. and Kavitha Ranganathan, M.D., have both been instrumental in Talia’s care. Taymar also credits the center’s nurse care manager, Sandy Barrett, RN, BSN, CCM, with being a constant source of support from Talia’s very first days as a patient. “Sandy is so thorough, and I always appreciate her perspective,” said Taymar. “Dr. Peacock’s bedside manner is incredible. He’s very transparent and lets Talia know exactly what she can expect.”

Talia has developed a special bond with Dr. Ranganathan, whom she admires for both her clinical expertise and her compassion. “She is a very positive person and so easy to talk to,” said Talia. “I could tell when I met her that I could trust her. She makes me feel better about myself and always figures out a way to help me achieve my goals.”

Taymar also has high praise, adding, “Dr. Ranganathan is just exceptional. When someone is confident in what they are doing, it resonates, and that’s important going into surgery.”

After many trips to Boston together, Taymar and Talia have come to treasure their time there. They enjoy shopping and walking around and have developed a deep affection for the city. When they welcomed a French bulldog into their family, who also has a cleft, they decided to name him Boston.

An active teen, Talia plays ice hockey and looks forward to pursuing a college degree after graduating from high school. After undergoing so many surgeries as a child, she has started to consider a medical career. “I’ve always thought of being an anesthesiologist,” said Talia. “I know the feeling before surgery, when it feels like you’re by yourself even though you’re not. I want other people to feel comfortable before surgery and to know they’re going to be okay.”

With support from Shriners Children’s Boston, Talia has grown to view her cleft journey with positivity and gratitude. “It’s not a bad thing to have a cleft. Honestly, I’ve found it to be more of a blessing,” she said. “I’ve learned to be a better person. Treating others the way I want to be treated is important to me. I’ve also learned to be humble, and to understand you never know what anyone else is going through.”