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Welcome to the FOCUS Support Group.
Thank you for taking time to stop and see us. For those who are new to this site, FOCUS is a non-profit support
group dedicated to providing information, education and support for professionals, families and individuals affected by cleft
lip and/or palate. Although we are based out of Nebraska, we have many families from all over the United States!
FOCUS relies solely on donations to maintain such items
as: arm restraint materials and construction, specialty bottles/nipples for new families, educational materials, and
other group-related expenditures. Please consider making a donation to FOCUS. We ask that you prayerfully consider a donation
amount, since any amount is much-needed and welcomed. Thank you to many of you who continue to allow our group
to meet the needs of families in Nebraska through your generous donations. We couldn't do it without your support!
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FOCUS, Inc. was started in April 2000 by Keri Wiseman, a speech-language
pathologist and mother of a child born with cleft lip and palate. She felt a tremendous need in the state of Nebraska
and in her community for up-to-date information and support. It was also apparent that many hospitals were not
adequately equipped to help parents and infants effectively manage the difficulties faced related to cleft lip and/or palate,
including management of feeding.
The group attained non-profit organization status in 2000 as Focus On
Clefts--Uplift & Support...or FOCUS, Inc. Due to a lack of funding, FOCUS has stopped mailing out newsletters.
However, we will be publishing an online newsletter to keep the group up-to-date on events, provide information, etc. Mission Statement
FOCUS is dedicated to providing education, information and support to families and individuals affected by cleft lip and/or
palate. It is our goal that no families feel alone or inadequately informed, and that every family find the joy in their
beautiful children.
 
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| Savannah |
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| Born with a bilateral incomplete cleft lip and complete bilateral cleft palate. |
Although many children may have been born with a similar
type of cleft, each child is very different. We have included a special photo gallery, given family permission, of
several of the children that are a part of our group. Photos are shown before and after surgical procedures.
If you are interested in having your child's picture and information
included in our FOCUS Photo Gallery, please send your information and picture in .jpg or .gif format to keriwise@yahoo.com, or via snail mail to the FOCUS Organization mailing address.
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| Age 7, and in first grade. |
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