A cleft palate didn't stand in Dave's way -- looking back, he sees how it actually empowered him to succeed. The surprising things he wants you to know about growing up with a cleft palate:
Many would consider being born with a cleft lip and palate a setback that could have negative implications throughout one’s whole life. Looking back now, as a 30-year veteran of the finance and technology industry, I can see clearly that my cleft journey gave me the tools I needed to rise on Wall Street, in Silicon Valley, and succeed in business.
Growing up can be difficult for anyone. And it can be especially hard for cleft-affected individuals; without representation, it is isolating and lonesome. After being bullied and ridiculed by others, I was taught an important life lesson by my parents at a young age: to focus on myself and ignore what others were saying about me. I channeled my energy into improving myself through my studies and outlets like drawing comic books and Chinese painting.
Now that I have achieved many of my career goals, my hope is to serve as a source of inspiration for cleft-affected individuals and create a cleft council composed of the role models and representation that I wish I had as a child. If I could share a message with younger individuals who are facing adversity, I would say: remember you are not alone and to believe in yourself. With a bit of luck and perseverance, you can achieve anything you want.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Here’s An Explainer On Rachel And Dave Hollis’ Social Media Meltdowns“It’s been an interesting thing to see someone rocket to the success that can kind of be brought down by their own hubris.”
Read more »
Depeche Mode’s Dave Gahan Talks About His First Covers Album, the Aptly-Named ‘Imposter’Dave Gahan is no stranger to singing other people’s songs. Although for most of his career, those songs all came from the same source. As the lead singer and frontman for seminal synth-rock outfit …
Read more »
Travis Scott went to an Astroworld afterparty at Dave & Buster's, source saysSources close to the rapper told NBC News that 'he was at least 50 yards from that camera operator and did not hear the pleas to end the show.”
Read more »
Dave Portnoy’s War With Insider Over His Alleged Sexual Misconduct Is Going NuclearAfter targeting the news outlet on social media—with his Barstool Sports fans piling on—Portnoy made his case on Tucker Carlson’s show and is threatening a lawsuit.
Read more »
Jason Momoa & Dave Bautista Create Bidding War For Buddy Action Comedy Pitch; MGM Wins 4-Bidder BattleEXCLUSIVE: MGM is near winning an auction for an untitled buddy comedy action pitch that will pair Jason Momoa with Dave Bautista, who’ve emerged as the two hottest action stars in Hollywood.…
Read more »