'Working with my son to help tell his story has been a highlight of my career. Of my life.'
Courtesy of Elizabeth Shipp
What this man didn’t know ― and what many may not know ― is that my wife did nothing wrong to cause our son’s condition. We don’t know why some kids are born with cleft lips and palates, but we do know that about 1 in 700 babies are affected globally. The stigma persists, however, despite it being one of the most common birth defects in the U.S.Our son has had multiple surgeries to address his palate and cleft, and there are more to come.
I’m a writer, and I’ve had the good fortune to write on Disney Junior’s “Firebuds,” about kid first responders and their first responder vehicles. Since my son was born, his condition, his positive attitude and his experiences have shown me the value of telling stories with people and characters like him. So, it wasn’t long before I pitched a story featuring a kid car with a “cleft hood.
Of course, any character can have facial difference. But this doesn’t have to connote villainy. Such qualities could just as easily suggest somebody is strong, brave, determined, cherished and empathetic. Like in the real world, a scar could mean someone can talk or breathe easier, or had a lifesaving procedure. Maybe the condition gave this character a brighter outlook on life.
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