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Jude Trigo’s journey began with a prenatal diagnosis of a wide cleft lip and palate, detected during a 20-week ultrasound. His mother, Carly—a former nurse at Manning Family Children’s—was familiar with complex medical conditions but found the emotional weight of her son’s diagnosis overwhelming. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, she received the news alone, with her husband, Andrew, waiting outside. Despite the challenges, they transferred their care to Manning Family Children’s, where a specialized cleft team provided a clear, step-by-step plan for Jude’s care.

Jude was born just before Thanksgiving in 2020, facing immediate challenges with feeding and breathing. He spent time in the NICU, where the cleft team collaborated with lactation counselors to provide specialized feeding bottles. At three months old, Jude underwent his first surgery—a lip adhesion procedure. This was followed by a definitive cleft lip repair at six months and a cleft palate repair just before his first birthday. Each surgery involved meticulous care, including pre- and post-operative support, and resulted in significant improvements in his ability to eat, speak, and breathe.

Now a spirited four-year-old, Jude continues to receive care from Manning Family Children’s. He attends speech therapy and recently underwent a surgery to lengthen his palate. His parents express deep gratitude for the compassionate care Jude has received, noting that the support from the hospital has transformed their lives.