Hi, I'm a 35 year old female. I was born with a Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate. Not only is my mouth compromised by the Palate, but I also have a Fistula. (A hole that starts at the upper gum, and extends into my nasal cavity. Basically my nasal cavity opens into my mouth.)

I have 14 total teeth in my mouth. Eight of them are "whole", but badly decayed or broken. The others are stumps, teeth that broke at the gum line or never penetrated through my gums.

It has taken several years, but I have finally found a specialist who can make a special set of dentures for me, with an opturator to seal my fistula.

The problem is, my insurance won't cover any of it. The doctor, 3 hours away, is Out of Network. Not only that but insurance is stating that this falls under their "Pre-Existing Condition" clause.

It's going to cost roughly $10,000 to have my mouth repaired and dentures developed. Does anyone know of any organizations that help with the costs for adults with Clefts and their care?

I've contacted everyone from local news agencies, to Oprah, to OperationSmile, with no response from any of them.

In addition, I would like to invite all to read about my story on my website, www.stephaniesmile.blogspot.com . I hope it proves as a learning experience to parents of clefts, so as their children grow, they won't face the same battle and pain that I have endured for many years.

Thanks for any feedback!

Steph