A note from Speech Pathologist, Allison Dybdahl

Allison and Lydia - Speech pathologists at the PCS conference.

I have wanted to go on a cleft palate mission for the past 5 years and was ecstatic that my dream was finally coming true! To be honest my expectations were quite high since this had been a dream for so long, but I must say the trip to the West Bank greatly exceeded my expectations!!! I had the opportunity to travel to Jenin, Jericho and Ramallah and loved the diversity of the rich farmland to the busy city streets. While there, I was able to forge relationships with 6 speech pathologists and begin training them in cleft palate speech evaluation and treatment. Along the way I was welcomed into many clinics, hospitals, centers and patients’ homes and of course at each stop I was graciously greeted with mint tea and a formal sit-down introduction. There were several days I had at least 5 cups of tea because I was greeted warmly by so many individuals! I was also able to participate in 2 cleft screening days where ENTs, plastic surgeons, nurses, orthodontists and speech pathologists worked tirelessly as a team to care for the palestinian children. I was richly rewarded by the stories I heard, the families I met and the doctors I worked with. I experienced such kindness and hospitality that I left feeling like family. There is still much more training and work to do, but the Palestinian Cleft Society is working hard to provide quality and comprehensive care for children with clefts. I look forward to continuing my relationship PCS and all the wonderful staff, specialists and families I was blessed to meet.