We meet for an early dinner in Bethesda, Maryland, and Chelsea laughs as she plays with the 5-year-old girl, dressed in a pink ballet tutu, seated next to her. After we eat, they walk in front of me, shaking their hips and twirling their wrists while singing Jennifer Lopez’s Ain’t Your Mama. The word ‘mama’ rolls rapidly off their lips to the delight of sidewalk diners who giggle at the adorable sight, unaware that Chelsea Rae was in tears last night as she recollected the six painful surgeries that gave her a beautiful smile.
Twenty-four years ago, the results of an amniocentesis test predicted some developmental issues. Not knowing what they would be, Chelsea’s parents declined the doctor’s offer for an early termination and delivered a perfectly healthy little girl, except for two noticeable abnormalities—she had a cleft palate and a cleft lip.
A cleft palate occurs when the plates that form the roof of the mouth don’t close, leaving an open tunnel. A cleft lip is the result of incomplete growth of the flesh of the mouth. It can happen on one or both sides of the mouth and run up through the nasal cavity.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 7,000 children in the United States are born every year with cleft abnormalities. The exact cause is unknown, but the key suspects are environmental contaminants, diabetes, certain epilepsy medications, and cigarette smoke.
The first operation occurred shortly after Chelsea’s birth since she was unable to eat. Other operations followed as she grew older. Some failed, but most worked. So far, the procedures have included closing the cleft, grafting bone marrow from her hip to create supporting bone, adding teeth, and plastic surgery for a natural appearance.
These excruciating operations gave her the ability to eat, speak, and breathe. The Hernandez-Silk family wrapped her in love and stood by her side through every surgery.
There were classmates, though, who were unrelenting and mean. Her closest friend, Sarah, was without hearing and had leukemia. Chelsea remembers both of them being called a circus. Sarah, whom Chelsea loved dearly, passed away at 17.
Chelsea is currently enrolled in her second year of law school at Florida A&M University, a substantial accomplishment because one of her most painful operations occurred amid the end-of-semester finals.
Chelsea is determined to succeed. Her dream job is to work with the Environmental Protection Agency so that she can ensure that no child suffers like she did.
While working as a babysitter to help cover her co-pay on her medical bills, Chelsea formed a small nonprofit called Chelsea’s Smiles. This nonprofit raises money to assist children with cleft palates in paying for surgery.
As we approach our car, the 5-year-old girl says she prefers Chelsea to sit beside her. I see their deep bond and accept the rejection, but Chelsea, knowing what it feels like to be excluded, motions the girl to sit beside me.
We then start to play a game, and the moment of separation disappears like something from the distant past. Chelsea smiles, and the world lights up around her.
