A Journey of Strength: The Robertson Family’s Struggles with Cleft Lip and Palate
The Long Road to Recovery
Renowned “Duck Dynasty” stars, Jase and Missy Robertson, are optimistic about their daughter, Mia, finally nearing the end of her lengthy surgical journey to correct her cleft lip and palate. Following her 14th surgery last month, the 18-year-old is now recuperating at home.
Since Mia’s birth in 2004, the Robertson family has been dealing with the strenuous and challenging task of constant hospital visits and numerous surgeries.
A Family Update on Mia’s Progress
During a recent episode of his podcast “Unashamed,” Jase Robertson, along with his father Phil and brother Alan, updated listeners about Mia’s health status. “She’s turned a corner. Everything seems great, seems to be fine,” Jase affirmed when discussing Mia’s post-surgery breathing. He further thanked listeners for their prayers, emphasizing, “She is a champion!”
Missy Robertson took to Instagram to share her anxieties regarding Mia’s surgery. She addressed the uncertainty surrounding the number of surgeries Mia would need, stating, “The answer is always, ‘We just don’t know.'”
Mia herself, however, projected a more positive outlook in her social media post, suggesting that she was nearing the “finish line” of her journey.
Stepping Up and Taking Control
Since her 13th operation in spring 2021, Mia has been making her own decisions regarding her treatments, something that her mother is still getting accustomed to. Missy revealed, “Since she is 18 now, she is taking the lead in all the discussions and medical forms. It’s been a little strange.”
Despite the struggles, the Robertsons, parents to three biological and one adopted child, believe their daughter’s health challenges have not been without purpose.
A Greater Purpose
In a conversation with The Christian Post, Missy shared, “Looking back, especially over the last couple of years, we definitely see reasons for Him allowing us to go through this and allowing Mia to go through the pain and the challenges that she has in her life.”
Missy praised her daughter’s desire to aid others and her strong individuality. This, according to Missy, highlights the greatness of their God, who saw something in Mia even before her birth that could help influence people and bring them closer to Him.
Spreading Awareness and Offering Support
Born with a mission, Mia established the Mia Moo Fund to ensure happiness for all children affected by cleft lip and palate.
These birth defects occur when the lips and roof of the mouth fail to fuse correctly during pregnancy. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately one in 1,600 babies in the US are believed to be born with both a cleft lip and palate.
The Mia Moo Fund aims to raise awareness about the journey of cleft lip and palate patients and provide financial support for affected families in America, as explained by Missy Robertson.