Brave Like Christian | A Story of Strength, Love, and the Journey through Cleft Lip and Palate
Magali and Abner Valdez were still in the car heading home when their doctor called. They had just left their 20-week anatomy scan appointment and were excited after seeing their growing baby boy. But the phone call changed everything.
“The doctor told us he saw a bilateral cleft lip on the ultrasound,” Magali recalls. “I just started crying. I didn’t even know what that meant. I’d seen the commercials before, but I didn’t think something like that would happen to us.”
The doctor’s words felt heavy. Surgeries, therapy, special bottles… all of it started to swirl around in Magali’s head. She was overwhelmed and scared, and Abner had to take over the call. That moment marked the beginning of a journey filled with unknowns, but also one that would uncover just how strong their family and their son really were.
A Brave Start
They decided on the name Nakoa for Christian’s middle name, which means “brave” in Hawaiian. And from that day on, they held onto it as a promise.
When the day finally came to meet Christian, the delivery room was packed with a large pediatric team. Magali was nervous but hopeful. “A few hours after he was born, we tried to feed him with the special bottle we had researched and bought,” she remembers. “But the nurses didn’t know how to use them. They weren’t familiar with cleft feeding.”
That’s when they discovered Christian also had a cleft palate, a gap in the roof of his mouth that made feeding even more complicated. He began to aspirate, and within hours, he had to be flown to the NICU in Spokane for specialized care. Abner went with him. Magali had to stay behind in the hospital.
“Watching them leave without me… it broke me. I had just given birth, and I couldn’t go with my baby,” she says. “But I knew he was getting the help he needed.”
After 10 long days, Magali and Abner brought their first baby home. But their story was just beginning.
Surgeries, Milestones and Strengths
Christian had his first surgery at five months old to repair his cleft lip. “We call it the day he got his forever smile,” Magali says. At seven months, he had ear tubes placed and wore a hearing aid for a couple of months. Hearing loss is common with cleft palate. Just after his first birthday, Christian underwent another major surgery to repair the cleft in the roof of his mouth.
Since then, it’s been a steady rhythm of doctor appointments, speech therapy, and milestones. Christian will continue to attend speech therapy as he grows. Down the road, he’ll need another surgery to repair his alveolar ridge: the part of the jaw that holds the teeth in place.
“It’s an ongoing process,” Magali explains. “There’s no quick fix. But we’ve had the best team helping us through it, especially in Spokane. There, we see a special team of surgeons, orthodontists, speech therapists, audiologists, and nutritionists on a yearly basis. They’re all part of his cleft care team.”
Life at home during those early years was a constant balancing act. “Christian was our first baby, so everything was new. And on top of being new parents, we had to learn how to care for a baby with medical needs,” Abner shares. “There were feeding struggles, sleep challenges, therapy schedules, and so many moments of fear. But we also learned to celebrate the smallest victories, like a good feeding, a clear word, and a smile.”
Now, Christian is four years old and thriving!
“He just finished his first year of preschool and loved it! He’s obsessed with planets, math, and crafts. He’s so friendly, outgoing, and kind. Everyone who meets him is drawn to his joyful spirit,” Magali says. “We still have obstacles to overcome, but watching how far he’s come amazes us every day.”
Finding Support
Along the way, CBHA became a part of their support system. “We were so lucky that CBHA started offering speech therapy right when Christian needed it,” Magali says. “It meant I didn’t have to drive hours for therapy. Stacey Forbes, his speech therapist at CBHA, was amazing. She worked with Christian until he turned three, and she has been such a blessing to us.”
Today, Christian’s pediatrician is Vanessa Frank, Pediatric ARNP at CBHA. “She’s incredible. Always supportive and always listening. She makes sure Christian is getting everything he needs,” Magali adds.
The connection to CBHA goes beyond just medical care; it ties directly into the CBHA 5K Color Run, a cause that now feels incredibly personal to the Valdez family.
Why CBHA’s 5K Color Run Matters
Christian has been to every Color Run since he was born in 2021, but this year was different.
“2024 was the first year he really understood what it was about, and he ran the whole thing,” Abner says proudly. “It wasn’t the fastest run, but it’s a memory that we’ll remember forever. And this year, his two little brothers are joining in too!”
The funds raised through the 5K Color Run help kids like Christian and families like the Valdez’s, offering support and raising awareness for childhood conditions like cleft lip and palate. “When I see our community come together for this event, it fills my heart,” Magali says. “It’s not just about Christian, it’s about every child who needs a little extra support. It reminds parents like us that we’re not alone.”
To any mom who just found out their baby has a cleft lip or palate, Magali shares this message:
“It’s a long road, but you can do it. Have patience with yourself. Your baby is beautiful! That little smile, even before surgery, is full of love. Take lots of pictures and ask all of your questions, even if it’s the same ones over and over. And find someone who’s been through it. I would’ve loved to have another mom to talk to, and I’m always willing to be that for someone else.”
Be Part of the Story
If you’ve ever considered signing up, or donating, to CBHA’s 5K Color Run, let the Valdez Family be the inspiration you need to do it!
“You don’t have to be a runner, I’m not!” Magali laughs. “Walk it. Push a stroller. Come for the face paint and food. Just be part of it. Because every single step, every single dollar, makes a difference for families like mine.”
And when you see the crowd of people covered in color, cheering and laughing, know that behind every burst of powder is a story of courage, resilience, and hope. Just like Christian’s.
