Artist Collective

Opportunities to be creative transform waiting rooms and can enhance the cleft care journey.

Explore artwork submitted by patients accessing care through Transforming Cleft’s partnerships.

Rainbow Snail

Teetawat C.

Age 8
Mae Sai, Thailand

The Snail is Slow & Steady…

“The rainbow snail walks slowly on the journey, so he doesn’t fall. At this moment, he is asleep. I’m good at drawing and I like to colour things beautifully.”

Teetawat, born with cleft lip and palate, accesses care through Transforming Cleft’s local partner, NWDF. He’s had two surgeries and has participated in speech therapy since age 3. He is in the care of his grandmother, who accompanies him to every speech and psychosocial session. She is also dedicated to helping him thrive with ADHD.

Drawing has helped his focus and cooperative spirit during his speech exercises. He has made many friends through his cleft care journey. In December, he’ll have an important speech assessment.

Canela the Cat

Mateo David H.

Age 16
Tucumán, Argentina

Comfort in Who I Am…

“Animals are part of our lives and influence our feelings. Whenever I go to (Transforming Cleft’s local partner) Fundación Gavina, there is a cat named Canela on the patio. I love animals and I give her plenty of affection. I was inspired to draw her.

Growing up, my reflection in the mirror made me feel strange. I was always looking for ways to change my appearance. With the help of Gavina, I learned to open up to others and move past insecurity. I thank God and the foundation for the support I have received from the week I was born until today.

Nowadays, I look good, I feel good, I have changed my way of thinking, and I continue with my remaining cleft care. Honestly, I feel photogenic!

My goal: with God's help, I'll finish high school soon, be a great person, and give my parents the best of me.”

The Teeth Brushing

Leonardo O.

Age 13
Alderetes, Argentina

The Calming Effect of Drawing…

“When I draw, I feel calm. It represents the world around me. I feel like I'm improving with every sketch and it’s motivating.

This character has a wide mouth because he is demonstrating how to properly brush your teeth. I learned that at the foundation!

I have struggled a lot with how I feel about my cleft, sometimes, I feel like people stare at me. Fundación Gavina (TC's local partner) helps me.

When I was a kid, my classmates would ask me what happened to me, and I would explain that I was born with cleft and then I had surgery. It helped.

Someday, I’m going to become a professional soccer player.”

The Vivid Snail

Krittaprop C.

Age 4
Dong Suwan, Thailand

Painting Brightly...

Krittaprop's mother shared - "Normally, Krittaprop loves to paint brightly. When he saw the method of ripping and pasting, he wanted to try it. I helped him, but it’s very good for his fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination and strength.”

Krittaprop was born with cleft lip and palate, but his twin brother was not.

His mother, a primary school teacher, was worried about what that could mean for his future and finding the necessary resources. She found Transforming Cleft’s local partner, NWDF, online in a matter of days.

He received both of his surgeries in a timely manner. Then, he started by joining tele-speech therapy. Now he participates in speech camps. His parents are very dedicated to his speech rehabilitation homework.

Krittaprop enjoys coming to the speech camp because it's more than practicing. He gets to colour and play with friends!