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Bruce Patterson
In 2007, after I sold my restaurant, Spice, I began looking for something special to do with my life that had real purpose. I kept coming back to wanting to give something back to the community that has supported my endeavors throughout my career. Having been born with cleft lip and palate and having survived dozens of surgeries over years of my childhood, I knew that this was my mission. With no preconceived agenda, I began my research by calling established fundraising organizations which are benefactors for children born with cleft lip and palate. I called Smile Train dozens of times and never got past the front lines of their organization. They do a wonderful job of flying to South America, however, they do not offer assistance to children in the United States. I then flew to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, to meet with The Cleft Palate Association. This is one of the few organizations that concentrates on the US. I was well informed and learned that this defect is the second largest birth defect in America. The Cleft Palate Association directed me to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. This became a natural opportunity to begin my quest to get more involved. CHOA is one of the top three hospitals in the country. It loses about $80 million a year for unpaid services by helping both uninsured and under-insured families. Children’s innovative technology can determine, before birth, any abnormalities. One child may undergo years of corrective operations, which can be up to 17 surgeries during one child’s developmental years. Special feeding bottles have been designed to ensure proper nutrition is received. In my infancy, my mother fed me with an eye dropper. All throughout my early childhood, I remember the countless surgeries. The taste of baby food is ingrained in my memory. I remember being pulled out of class for speech therapy. I was always making silly excuses as to why I have the scar on my lip. I’ve listened to numerous jokes about cleft lip over the years. Research into further innovative technology is key to curing cleft lip and palate.
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