Florence Abban and her Community, Ghana
Florence’s story is one of hope and courage. Three years ago, Florence was born at home in Swedru in the Central Region of Ghana. Her parents are both farmers. Florence was born with a cleft lip, and upon hearing about this condition, her mother and father wept bitterly. Her mother could not understand how she could have a child with this defect. She was told that her enemy must have charmed her, and negative gossip soon began to spread about her family.
Florence’s midwife and grandmother were vital in ensuring that she was treated despite the family’s despair, and despite local beliefs about clefts. Florence was lucky, because without their intervention she could have faced maltreatment, or even abandonment, as is common for children born with birth defects in this area. Florence’s midwife was certain that the cleft could be repaired and her grandmother was determined to find a solution.
On the third day after the delivery, Florence was taken to the hospital in Swedru for treatment. She was then referred to the TFW-sponsored Cleft Lip and Palate Management Project, Ghana (CLPMP) for treatment. She was assessed by a panel clinic of cleft specialists and plastic surgeons trained in cleft lip and palate repair
Florence underwent surgery on December 3, 2003 and is reported to be doing well. Her case has helped the community to learn about the causes and treatment of cleft lip and palate, perhaps preventing the exclusion or neglect of other children with clefts. Her parents are now proud to show their little girl in the community, as their lives have been changed thanks to the determination of two women and the efforts of the TFW team.
