Today we’d like to introduce you to Gloria Madera
Hi Gloria, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I am now a mom of two. I had my son Archie, now almost 4 in November 2020. We found out during my 20-week anatomy scan during pregnancy that he had a unliteral cleft lip and possible palate. When he was born it was confirmed, he had a cleft lip and palate on, affecting the left side of his mouth. Honestly it was hard. I knew nothing about clefts and I didn’t know anyone cleft affected.
Of course, we navigated the best we could. Thankfully, we have had such an amazing support system helping us navigate through this journey.
One night, when my son was about 1.5-years-old, I was scrolling through a cleft related Facebook group and saw parents searching for support and answers to help their cleft affected children who are being bullied in school because of their differences.
That sparked my journey to write and publish “Archie the Cleftie.” I wrote it in hopes to help empower my son, Archie, on his differences and how it makes him great!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
We are still on the road. Sending my child into surgery is never easy. Of course, there have been struggles with that, but thankfully he’s been so resilient and strong. The book was easy to write and publish. It was definitely a learning process, since it’s something I’ve never done before. But nothing compared to the hardships my son has had to go through.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a writer by nature. Professionally, I worked in TV news, writing stories sparking conversation and change within my communities. So, it was only natural to put words together for this passion project of “Archie the Cleftie.” It’s a children’s book aimed to bring awareness on clefts and the superpowers children with differences have. I want my son to know that despite his difference, it doesn’t make him less than or more than another child. Differences should be celebrated. I wanted to empower Archie with his story, so he can educate others about it, too. Clefts are one of the most common birth differences, affecting 1 in 700 births. So, there should be more awareness around it.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
“Archie the Cleftie” is available on Amazon.
Pricing:
- $ 12.99
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/gloriamaderatv
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/gloriamaderatv
