Daredevil to take on skydive for CLAPA this May
Stacey Hussell is seeking the ultimate adrenaline rush by skydiving 13,500ft for the Cleft Lip and Palate Association (CLAPA) on 25th May.
Stacey was born with a unilateral cleft lip and palate. However, it wasn’t until her son, Dylan, was also born with a cleft that she reached out to CLAPA.
Stacey said, “I hadn’t had a lot to do with CLAPA growing up. I wanted to distance myself from my cleft and feel as ‘normal’ as possible. But I reached out after our son’s diagnosis.”
It was at Stacey’s routine 20-week scan that she was told about her son’s cleft lip. For many families, this diagnosis can come with a lot of questions and worries.
“It did shake up my world, I went through feelings of guilt, thinking it was all my fault. We had worries about everything he would have to go through, and many other emotions along the way.”
“It did shake up my world, I went through feelings of guilt, thinking it was all my fault. We had worries about everything he would have to go through, and many other emotions along the way.” Stacey said.
From diagnosis, CLAPA can be there for expectant parents to lean on for practical support and advice. “Before Dylan was born, CLAPA sent me out a free starter pack which included lots of helpful information. We also got Dr. Brown bottles which are specialist bottles to help cleft babies feed,” Stacey commented.
Stacey is setting out to raise awareness of the many challenges parents and carers may face. She said, “I want other mums out there to know it’s ok to be scared. But when that baby is in your arms, all of those worries will disappear.”
“We are in awe of [Dylan]. Such a warrior and I will advocate for him and others born with clefts as long as I live and try to spread awareness.”
“I am doing this skydive to raise money so that this amazing charity can continue to help others like me and Dylan.”
“I am doing this skydive to raise money so that this amazing charity can continue to help others like me and Dylan.”
“It’s something I have always wanted to do but had never got around to having the courage to book it! I have been overwhelmed by the fundraising experience so far, people have been so generous,” She said.
Stacey will also be supporting CLAPA at the Adult Conference on Saturday 8th June with the Changing Smiles Project.
Stacey spoke about the premise behind the project, “If you google cleft lip and palate, you will find mostly clinical, sterile images. Parents with a new cleft diagnosis could find it quite scary. Instead, I want new cleft parents and families to be able to see beautiful, professional photographs of cleft babies.”
Stacy is especially keen to take more photographs of adults born with a cleft, so if you are attending our adult conference and would like to participate in a free photo on the day or become part of Stacey’s project Changing Smiles, please email [email protected] for more information and to book a timeslot. Tickets are still available for the CLAPA Adults’ Conference in London.
Thank you, Stacey
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