Speech Therapy has a big impact in improving cleft palate and other abnormalities, according to Vanessa Wetton, Speech Therapist at the Phelps Memorial Therapy Center.

Even though cleft palates are few in the USA, Mrs. Wetton said many third world countries have as many as one in every 500 births with cleft palates. She schedules a week each February to go with Medical Missions for Children to the Philippines. There the group consists of surgeons, dentists, speech therapists, and more who work to help those people and families stricken with cleft palates. They schedule a nonstop week of surgeries, counseling, and speech therapy.
“It is my privilege to be able to take these mission trips and give back some of what I have learned as a speech therapist to those who are less fortunate,” Mrs. Wetton said.

The program was hosted by Andrew Weides. The Holdrege High School seniors attending were Connor Bliss, Zach Gray, and Austin Pistulka.

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