Joy.
September 19, 2011 6:57 PM Subscribe
This little girl just had surgery to correct her cleft palate. Watch as she sees her "new" smile for the first time, and prepare to experience sheer, pure joy with her. SLYT.
Please consider donating to a charity which works for kids with cleft palates/lips:
SmileTrain
Operation Smile
Please consider donating to a charity which works for kids with cleft palates/lips:
SmileTrain
Operation Smile
I like how Little Wide-Eyed Cutie touches the wrong side of her face. Coz it's not a mirror, it's the camera screen.
I was guilty of doing the same thing the first time I encountered such amazing whizbang technology!
posted by uncanny hengeman at 7:03 PM on September 19, 2011 [1 favorite]
I was guilty of doing the same thing the first time I encountered such amazing whizbang technology!
posted by uncanny hengeman at 7:03 PM on September 19, 2011 [1 favorite]
onions, onions I tell ya.
posted by drewbage1847 at 7:04 PM on September 19, 2011
posted by drewbage1847 at 7:04 PM on September 19, 2011
Well, I didn't cry, but the room got really dusty all of a sudden.
posted by pecanpies at 7:06 PM on September 19, 2011
posted by pecanpies at 7:06 PM on September 19, 2011
I fucking LOVE Operation Smile. My best friend met her husband when they both were working on missions for Operation Smile. The people that work for OS are the absolute best. They do tremendous work.
posted by msali at 7:12 PM on September 19, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by msali at 7:12 PM on September 19, 2011 [2 favorites]
Oh, goodness. Her swollen face just makes her disbelieving smile a thousand times more adorable. That was great.
posted by lilac girl at 7:13 PM on September 19, 2011
posted by lilac girl at 7:13 PM on September 19, 2011
Wow. Her eyes are amazing. Yes, I am all teary.
What a difference a day makes.
posted by Surfurrus at 7:27 PM on September 19, 2011
What a difference a day makes.
posted by Surfurrus at 7:27 PM on September 19, 2011
I'm a little ashamed to admit this, but I've always been annoyed by the ads these groups run in magazines and in mailings. They just made me uncomfortable. But, suddenly I see. Thank you.
posted by Shike at 7:37 PM on September 19, 2011 [13 favorites]
posted by Shike at 7:37 PM on September 19, 2011 [13 favorites]
No dust mites here. This made me cry. My cousin was born with a cleft palate, and this brought back memories of her transformation after her surgery. She's still self-conscious about the scar, but it's a world of difference.
posted by ocherdraco at 7:46 PM on September 19, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by ocherdraco at 7:46 PM on September 19, 2011 [1 favorite]
Amazing. Laughed and cried at the same time. That was the best thing I've seen in ages. Thanks for posting it.
posted by ereshkigal45 at 7:46 PM on September 19, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by ereshkigal45 at 7:46 PM on September 19, 2011 [1 favorite]
Yes! Thanks!
posted by robstercraw at 7:46 PM on September 19, 2011
posted by robstercraw at 7:46 PM on September 19, 2011
Man...thank you for helping me put stuff in perspective. My heart is full of happy.
posted by victoriab at 7:47 PM on September 19, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by victoriab at 7:47 PM on September 19, 2011 [1 favorite]
I chose the wrong profession.
posted by avoision at 7:53 PM on September 19, 2011 [14 favorites]
posted by avoision at 7:53 PM on September 19, 2011 [14 favorites]
Beautiful little girl. Thank you for this :)
posted by erstwhile at 7:57 PM on September 19, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by erstwhile at 7:57 PM on September 19, 2011 [1 favorite]
wow. crying. now. looking for checkbook.
posted by flowerofhighrank at 8:00 PM on September 19, 2011
posted by flowerofhighrank at 8:00 PM on September 19, 2011
Love this. Thank you!
posted by fyrebelley at 8:00 PM on September 19, 2011
posted by fyrebelley at 8:00 PM on September 19, 2011
Isn't it frowned upon to post FPPs that lead up to "Now donate to this cause!"?
posted by dunkadunc at 8:06 PM on September 19, 2011
posted by dunkadunc at 8:06 PM on September 19, 2011
Great, now I've got water on my face. So does my wife. What a beautiful girl.
posted by MrBobaFett at 8:12 PM on September 19, 2011
posted by MrBobaFett at 8:12 PM on September 19, 2011
Flagged for html/display error: the font's gone all fuzzy.
posted by Devils Rancher at 8:15 PM on September 19, 2011 [6 favorites]
posted by Devils Rancher at 8:15 PM on September 19, 2011 [6 favorites]
[this is good]
posted by schyler523 at 8:30 PM on September 19, 2011
posted by schyler523 at 8:30 PM on September 19, 2011
The most beautiful smile I've ever seen.
Thanks for posting this! Really gives us some perspective, doesn't it?
posted by 1000monkeys at 8:51 PM on September 19, 2011
Thanks for posting this! Really gives us some perspective, doesn't it?
posted by 1000monkeys at 8:51 PM on September 19, 2011
Jesus christ I was not prepared for that
posted by Riki tiki at 8:55 PM on September 19, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by Riki tiki at 8:55 PM on September 19, 2011 [2 favorites]
Look at those socialists destroying freedom. I bet they didn't even check if she has insurance.
posted by Pogo_Fuzzybutt at 9:07 PM on September 19, 2011 [23 favorites]
stupid dust, getting in the way of me SOBBING
so lovely, so absolutely lovely.
posted by scody at 9:18 PM on September 19, 2011
so lovely, so absolutely lovely.
posted by scody at 9:18 PM on September 19, 2011
Isn't it frowned upon to post FPPs that lead up to "Now donate to this cause!"?
It kind of is, yeah. I realize it's an afterthought below the fold here, and the intentions are good, and for the sake of the main video being something people seem to like we can shrug and let this one stand, but it needs to not be something that happens in posts or it's more something we're just going to delete.
posted by cortex at 9:44 PM on September 19, 2011
It kind of is, yeah. I realize it's an afterthought below the fold here, and the intentions are good, and for the sake of the main video being something people seem to like we can shrug and let this one stand, but it needs to not be something that happens in posts or it's more something we're just going to delete.
posted by cortex at 9:44 PM on September 19, 2011
[inside my head]
3 minutes ago: what a shitty, shitty day. grar. GRAR.
30 seconds ago: wow. that really does put my minor annoyances into perspective.
Thanks. I needed that today. What an amazing thing to witness.
posted by guster4lovers at 10:32 PM on September 19, 2011 [4 favorites]
3 minutes ago: what a shitty, shitty day. grar. GRAR.
30 seconds ago: wow. that really does put my minor annoyances into perspective.
Thanks. I needed that today. What an amazing thing to witness.
posted by guster4lovers at 10:32 PM on September 19, 2011 [4 favorites]
Shut up, internet!
posted by Soulfather at 11:53 PM on September 19, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Soulfather at 11:53 PM on September 19, 2011 [1 favorite]
Don't blow kisses to the camera, you'll pop a stitch!
posted by robotot at 1:33 AM on September 20, 2011
posted by robotot at 1:33 AM on September 20, 2011
God damn that was some heartwarming shit. I can feel it in my stomach.
posted by StephenF at 2:35 AM on September 20, 2011
posted by StephenF at 2:35 AM on September 20, 2011
I'm sitting here in my thin-walled condo bawling my eyes out at 3:10 a.m. Pacific time . My neighbors are gonna look at me funny the next time I see them. Thanks a lot, tristeza! Hmmph.
posted by Devils Slide at 3:13 AM on September 20, 2011
posted by Devils Slide at 3:13 AM on September 20, 2011
The moment of wonderment is a joy to see. Thanks for that.
posted by Shave at 3:41 AM on September 20, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Shave at 3:41 AM on September 20, 2011 [1 favorite]
Yaaaaaaay!
(Although I will also say, I also found her adorable in the "before" footage. I'm thrilled and it's wonderful because she's so happy and because her life will be so much easier, but in the before shots, she also has a fantabulous light in her eyes.)
I would also welcome a follow-up video about Dr. Dimples or whoever that is.
posted by Linda_Holmes at 3:42 AM on September 20, 2011 [1 favorite]
(Although I will also say, I also found her adorable in the "before" footage. I'm thrilled and it's wonderful because she's so happy and because her life will be so much easier, but in the before shots, she also has a fantabulous light in her eyes.)
I would also welcome a follow-up video about Dr. Dimples or whoever that is.
posted by Linda_Holmes at 3:42 AM on September 20, 2011 [1 favorite]
That dreadful song though...
I was actually coming in now to say "yay" for the song -- because, consider, this could have been set to a really sappy overwraught maudlin thing, and I was pleased that they went upbeat.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 5:28 AM on September 20, 2011 [2 favorites]
I was actually coming in now to say "yay" for the song -- because, consider, this could have been set to a really sappy overwraught maudlin thing, and I was pleased that they went upbeat.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 5:28 AM on September 20, 2011 [2 favorites]
she also has a fantabulous light in her eyes.
Her face seemed a lot less animated in the after shots, but I think a lot of that has to do with the anesthetic
posted by delmoi at 5:34 AM on September 20, 2011
Her face seemed a lot less animated in the after shots, but I think a lot of that has to do with the anesthetic
posted by delmoi at 5:34 AM on September 20, 2011
Wow...what a wonderful video.
I give to Smile Train yearly on the day after Thanksgiving during the Never Not Funny Pardcastathon. Always look forward to it each year. Great charity.
posted by inturnaround at 5:58 AM on September 20, 2011
I give to Smile Train yearly on the day after Thanksgiving during the Never Not Funny Pardcastathon. Always look forward to it each year. Great charity.
posted by inturnaround at 5:58 AM on September 20, 2011
Smile Train is my Mom's favorite charity as she was born with a cleft palate so it really strikes close to the heart for her. Starting about 5 years ago instead of her and my dad giving me Christmas presents I asked that they make a donation in my name to Smile Train. I also make an annual donation as I see the joy in my mom's face when she sees the good work these folk’s do. Thanks for making me cry; great way to start the day. At least it was a cry from joy.
posted by white_devil at 6:14 AM on September 20, 2011
posted by white_devil at 6:14 AM on September 20, 2011
@avoision I fully agree. I work in healthcare and it urks me that powerpoint, profit, and rushed deadlines over strategy decks are more important and utter freak outs over things like this. THIS is what demands stress, pushing workers to the limit, and giving a crap, not PowerPoint decks.
posted by stormpooper at 6:38 AM on September 20, 2011
posted by stormpooper at 6:38 AM on September 20, 2011
The thing that really got me was that pink stuffed animal she hid behind in the before shots. That was so hard to see. Even little kids have enough self awareness/self consciousness to choose a more appealing or acceptable avatar to present to the world. "This is what I want people to see when they look at me." That was so heartbreaking for some reason.
posted by staggering termagant at 6:47 AM on September 20, 2011 [3 favorites]
posted by staggering termagant at 6:47 AM on September 20, 2011 [3 favorites]
Oh geez...she gets that little "awww, how pretty!" expression in her face at 2:27 or so and now I'm weeping. Again.
posted by ladygypsy at 7:33 AM on September 20, 2011
posted by ladygypsy at 7:33 AM on September 20, 2011
You probably know this, but cleft palate is so much more than just a disfigurement. Many infants born worldwide with cleft palate die before groups like this can get to them to help them, because they cannot suck to nurse, or if they can suck they aspirate milk into their sinus cavity and die from infection.
So, she's beautiful, and I do cry for her, for her transformation, for the joy of her parents, for the more normal life I know she'll lead. But know, also, that groups like Smile Train are also saving children's lives.
posted by anastasiav at 7:48 AM on September 20, 2011 [5 favorites]
So, she's beautiful, and I do cry for her, for her transformation, for the joy of her parents, for the more normal life I know she'll lead. But know, also, that groups like Smile Train are also saving children's lives.
posted by anastasiav at 7:48 AM on September 20, 2011 [5 favorites]
Wow, that was legitimately lovely and uplifting. The look on her face just made my entire day better.
Operation Smile sounds like a pretty awesome endeavor.
posted by quin at 8:05 AM on September 20, 2011
Operation Smile sounds like a pretty awesome endeavor.
posted by quin at 8:05 AM on September 20, 2011
How amazing. This really brings home to me how much admiration doctors deserve - they have amazing powers for good, and when they use those powers, they really do change lives.
posted by artemisia at 8:43 AM on September 20, 2011
posted by artemisia at 8:43 AM on September 20, 2011
I just love how she pointed to herself as if asking the doctor if that's really her. *gets teary-eyed again*
posted by Neekee at 9:42 AM on September 20, 2011
posted by Neekee at 9:42 AM on September 20, 2011
I liked how she didn't smile all at once, kind of dragged it out a little bit.
That was wonderful. A little schmoopy was just what I needed this morning.
posted by Aizkolari at 9:51 AM on September 20, 2011
That was wonderful. A little schmoopy was just what I needed this morning.
posted by Aizkolari at 9:51 AM on September 20, 2011
My heart, she is warmed.
posted by pemberkins at 10:03 AM on September 20, 2011
posted by pemberkins at 10:03 AM on September 20, 2011
I kept thinking how it must have hurt to smile with a fresh incision.
posted by ottereroticist at 11:36 AM on September 20, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by ottereroticist at 11:36 AM on September 20, 2011 [2 favorites]
You probably know this, but cleft palate is so much more than just a disfigurement. Many infants born worldwide with cleft palate die before groups like this can get to them to help them, because they cannot suck to nurse, or if they can suck they aspirate milk into their sinus cavity and die from infection.
Yup. I was fed with an eyedropper or I would have died. I'm very fortunate to have been born in a first world country to parents who had insurance.
posted by desjardins at 1:39 PM on September 20, 2011
Yup. I was fed with an eyedropper or I would have died. I'm very fortunate to have been born in a first world country to parents who had insurance.
posted by desjardins at 1:39 PM on September 20, 2011
I'm a little ashamed to admit this, but I've always been annoyed by the ads these groups run in magazines and in mailings. They just made me uncomfortable.
Me too, at least the uncomfortable part (not the annoyed part - I also support PETA). That's why I've given money to Smile Train every year for a long time. It's pretty hard not to.
posted by mrgrimm at 4:49 PM on September 20, 2011
Me too, at least the uncomfortable part (not the annoyed part - I also support PETA). That's why I've given money to Smile Train every year for a long time. It's pretty hard not to.
posted by mrgrimm at 4:49 PM on September 20, 2011
Damn onions, again!
posted by SillyShepherd at 5:47 PM on September 20, 2011
posted by SillyShepherd at 5:47 PM on September 20, 2011
I think the MeFites are passing those onions around, I just got'em.
posted by lonemantis at 1:43 PM on September 21, 2011
posted by lonemantis at 1:43 PM on September 21, 2011
I know I'm really late to this, but I've fallen way behind on my MeFi reading, and felt I really *should* comment on this.
My daughter was born with a bilateral cleft lip and palate. After she was born, we had to relocate from California to Tennessee for reasons I won't get into.
Every surgeon in Knoxville, TN refused to accept her as a patient because of the kind of insurance she had. Luckily, a very good social worker managed to find us a doctor in Chattanooga who works with both Operation Smile and Médecins Sans Frontières named Dr. Larry Sargent.
I just want to say to anyone who has ever donated to or volunteered for either of those charities: You have no idea the difference you make. When you support these charities you not only give children like my daughter the best chance possible at a decent life, you make the world a truly better place for their entire family.
posted by vertigo25 at 7:34 PM on October 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
My daughter was born with a bilateral cleft lip and palate. After she was born, we had to relocate from California to Tennessee for reasons I won't get into.
Every surgeon in Knoxville, TN refused to accept her as a patient because of the kind of insurance she had. Luckily, a very good social worker managed to find us a doctor in Chattanooga who works with both Operation Smile and Médecins Sans Frontières named Dr. Larry Sargent.
I just want to say to anyone who has ever donated to or volunteered for either of those charities: You have no idea the difference you make. When you support these charities you not only give children like my daughter the best chance possible at a decent life, you make the world a truly better place for their entire family.
posted by vertigo25 at 7:34 PM on October 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
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