She remembers the moment vividly, noting how clearly the ultrasound images illustrated her son’s condition. Although Brenda felt anxious when she heard the news, she was determined to learn everything she could about what to expect once Jayden was born.
Brenda was filled with uncertainty as she navigated the experience of being a new mother to an infant with a cleft lip and palate. When Brenda connected with Shriners Children’s Boston, she felt some of that uncertainty subside. “I was having a really hard time because I didn’t know how to help my son. Shriners Children’s was a blessing for me. They explained every surgery and procedure; they helped me with every specialist that Jayden was going to need,” she said.
A child born with a cleft lip and palate has openings in both areas of the mouth that can cause feeding issues and create other challenges. The cleft and craniofacial center at Shriners Children’s Boston, a collaborative program with Mass General Brigham for Children, supports children and families through all stages of a cleft diagnosis. An interdisciplinary team of oral surgeons, orthodontists, speech therapists, dietitians and other clinical specialists are all available to participate in a child’s plan of care, based on their individual needs. Zachary Peacock, M.D., co-director of the center, explained the importance of this approach, noting that the team “can take care of the overall health and well-being beyond the surgical restoration of the function and aesthetics of the face for children with clefts.”
Jayden has been a patient at Shriners Children’s Boston since he was just a few months old. “Since Jayden’s very first appointment at Shriners Children’s Boston, everyone has been supportive," Brenda said. "Shriners Children’s is our favorite hospital – the support and care we receive there is purely amazing.”
Jayden has been a patient of Dr. Peacock’s since he was a baby. He described the course of Jayden’s treatment as “typical” for a child with his diagnosis. “Jayden underwent cleft lip repair in infancy and then palate repair around his first birthday. He then had repair of the residual clefts in his upper jaw between the teeth, using bone from his right hip. These procedures are planned in this order and timing to ensure proper function while minimizing any negative effects on jaw growth,” he explained.
Shriners Children’s was a blessing for me. They explained every surgery and procedure; they helped me with every specialist that Jayden was going to need.
As Jayden has gotten older, he returns each year for appointments with his care team, and his treatment focus has shifted to orthodontic care, including braces to improve tooth alignment. Brenda anticipates that Jayden will need jaw surgery in a few years, which will further improve the functionality of his teeth and correct his bite.
Dr. Peacock explained why this surgery is an important component of Jayden’s overall plan of care. “In many children with clefts, the upper jaw has less growth than the lower jaw and an underbite results. This is especially true in children with clefts on both sides,” Dr. Peacock said. “Bringing his upper jaw forward can improve his ability to bite and chew while giving him a better facial profile and proportion.”
Care manager Sandy Barrett has been working with Jayden for years and holds a special place with his family. “Every time I have questions or need help with anything, I email her, and she always responds,” Brenda said. She recalls struggling when Jayden was coming in for surgeries and said Sandy was always a reliable resource. “Sandy always made sure I had someone I could talk to when I had questions or needed reassurance. Sandy guided me through everything! Every surgery Jayden had, Sandy was there to give me advice and support me and my family.” Dr. Peacock has also been a source of comfort for the family. “He is simply amazing,” Brenda said.
Over more than a decade of care, Brenda notes that she and Jayden have created some special memories at Shriners Children’s Boston. One of Jayden’s surgeries took place around Christmas, and the family received a special visit from Santa, who came with gifts. “I just remember being so happy and grateful that Jayden had that experience,” Brenda said.
Now 14 and in his first year of high school, Jayden’s favorite subject is math. He loves football and enjoys reading, playing video games and spending time with friends.
As Brenda reflects on her experience at Shriners Children’s Boston, she said, “I was very young when Jayden was born and needed surgeries, and the way everyone supported me and was there for me was truly special.”
Brenda holds Baby Jayden.
