Fearless Abhay

From the moment Suwarna and Vaibhav first laid eyes on their newborn with a cleft, they knew the road ahead would be filled with challenges.

So they named him Abhay, meaning "fearless”.  Was it merely a name, or was it a powerful declaration of the strength they hoped he would embody? A promise that, no matter the hardships, their son would face them with unwavering courage and resilience?

"We were overwhelmed with fear and uncertainty when we first thought about raising Abhay," Suwarna admitted, her voice tinged with emotion. "I didn’t know how to support his growth, as he wasn’t able to feed properly. Outside our home, the community began blaming me for his condition. I felt helpless!”

Although there was no dearth of love for baby Abhay at home, the financial burden of his treatment was a significant concern for the family. Vaibhav is a water supplier, and Suwarna a local schoolteacher; they were already struggling to make ends meet, and the added expense of their son’s treatment seemed unbearable and daunting. There was least to no support from their kith and kin, either financially or emotionally. Still, they refused to succumb to fear.

Things took a turn for the better when they learned about Smile Train’s free cleft surgery program at Bembde Hospital in Aurangabad.

"Bembde Hospital is a blessing for families like ours," said Suwarna. "The expertise of the doctors, the compassion of the staff and quality of care – everything is just exceptional and so reassuring. With the touch of the doctor, our son’s life was transformed.”

What once seemed an uncertain future has turned into a journey of hope. Today, Abhay plays and interacts confidently with others, a remarkable transformation that his parents can only call a miracle.

From navigating the trials of caring for a child with a cleft, Vaibhav and Suwarna, too, have emerged as strong, fearless advocates for the cleft community. With their voices ringing out across social media, they share their story to raise awareness, offer hope, and encourage families like theirs to seek the treatment their children need as early as possible.