Illiad Blog on the book called "Lippy the Lion"

In my quest to find a book that would relate to college students with Cleft Lip and Palate's I realized that there is not a go to book. Books that come up are only books about academia on Cleft Lip and Palate's or about young children and their parents. "Lippy the Lion" by Joanne Green is one of these books. When reading "Lippy the Lion" I became angry. How could I only come up with a book with cartoons in it, that really was for parents rather than adults with Cleft Lip and Palate's? The book explained why it is hard to go through the first years of being born with the birth defect; however, what happens after that? What about all the doctor appointments, missed school, special classrooms, teasing, countless surgery's, dental and orthodontic work and most of all jealousy. At the end of the book it has Cleft Lip and Palate facts that describe how many people are born with the birth defect. What about the people that already have the problem? More relevant facts should include the median number of surgery's, years of dental and orthodontic work, number of ear infections college students with Cleft Lip and Palate's get in a year and so on. Once you are born with the defect most people including myself don't care why they were the one's chosen to live out that life path, but rather, what can they do to make their lives be the best it can be. The best it can be does not in any way shape or form mean to be normal, which is what the book explains as to why people with the defect go through all the pain and suffering.

Blog on my resource from MELCAT

Like I said in my previous blog entry's, I did not like the selection on books for college students with Cleft Lip and Palate's. The book I did find was called "A Parent's Guide to Cleft Lip and Palate". Like most birth defects it is helpful to understand what a child goes through in the very beginning. The book explains what actually a Cleft Lip and Palate is, and it also goes in-depth as it can for parents without using scientific lingo that most parents can't comprehend. The book goes through the beginning operations and how to feed a child with a Cleft. It also tells the symptoms that a Cleft Lip and Palate child will face during their early years like ear infections, orthodontic work, speech and so on. The book is good for anyone having to deal with someone with a Cleft Lip and Palate. I personally was born with the birth defect and have struggled with my surrounding peers, teachers, family members, friends, and even professors not understanding how difficult it is to deal with not only everyday problems but also the issues that come with having a Cleft Lip and Palate. The book is a blessing for people like me because it helps others understand the hardships that come with the birth defect. One passage from the book that deeply moved me was "Children with clefts have the same kinds of ear problems as other youngsters, but they seem to have them more frequently and often more severely." This is only one line that allows others to understand issues that Cleft Lip and Palate individuals deal with even as adults.

How I found my MELCAT Resource

I looked online to find out what were some of the books about people with a Cleft Lip and Palate. I did not want an academic article where I could not understand the lingo or a book directed for children or their parents. I wanted a book that would help college students understand how to deal with not only everyday college challenges but also dealing with having a Cleft Lip and Palate. After much searching I came across a book called "A Parent's Guide to Cleft Lip and Palate". This was not what I was looking for; however, it was the best possible book I could find somewhat related to what I was looking for. I first researched on Amazon.com for books about Cleft Lip and Palate individuals and then took the titles and researched them on central's catelog and when I could not find this particular title I then went on to MELCAT.

Tombstone Question

I want to be remembered for being compassionate, logical, and loving to my family and friends. I also want to be known for my drive to be the best person I can be in my career, by being as ethical and responsible as possible.

Health Care Assignment

I have now listened to both the Obama speech and the radio show about cancer patients in their 20's.

My Mother constantly updates me on political issues that are happening in the United States. During both of the video's I was reminded of many of the problems that my Mother had informed me about; however, there was some things I was not aware of. With the Obama speech I was very apprehensive to watch the video. I for one am against the Health Care Reform but the videos gave me some insight on how this could be good for the economy. One of my biggest fears that Obama cleared up was that I would not have to change my doctor if the plan was implemented. Another thing that the President cleared up was that illegal aliens will not be given the option for coverage as everyone else.

The second video I listened to was about cancer patients in their 20's that have had difficulties with their insurance agencies. Something I learned about these patients that was unknown to me until the video was that these patients take a longer time to diagnose than other age groups.

The two video's were extremely informative and made me realize I now have a different view on Health Care Reform. I am still not completely for the plan. I was born with a Cleft Lip and Palate and I have some of the best doctor's in the world working on me on a daily basis. The Health Care Reform seems to work well for everyday heath issues and things like treating cancer patients; however, I want to know more about how people like me who will be graduating in May will get the same care as I do now and if and how it will change if it does. So consequently, I am still undecided until more information is let out on how this program will work.

Homework Due 9/9/09

An organization that has been close to my heart since I was very young is the Cleft Palate Foundation. I was born with a Cleft Lip and Palate and have had to struggle through hard times in my life due to my birth defect. The Cleft Palate Foundation purpose is to provide information to children and adults on these birth defects. The foundation does a great job at giving information out to people in need of help.
One of the biggest problems that I have faced growing up with a Cleft Lip and Palate is not having a support group outside my family and friends that knows how it is to be born with a Cleft Lip and/or Palate. I can look up information online but talking to someone who has felt my pain makes it easier to bear.
A solution that I would like to see be implemented is for organizations like the Cleft Palate Foundation to create support groups for parents and the individuals that have the birth defect. Unlike other problems that children are born with, a Cleft Lip and/or Palate will forever be apart of the parent's and individuals lives. These support groups would allow people to be "at home" and can talk about issues like Doctors, Insurance, and much more.
So simply put the problem today is there are no support groups beyond your young years, and the solution would be for organizations like the Cleft Palate Foundation to create the support groups.