MANILA, PHILIPPINES — The world’s leading cleft organization, Smile Train Philippines recently held a virtual speech therapy session with its Global Ambassador, Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, in an effort to reach and continue educating more patients with a cleft lip and/or palate amid the enhanced community quarantine.

Smile Train recently launched virtual speech therapy sessions with its volunteer Ms. Veronica Yu CSP-PASP, a Speech Language Pathologist and a faculty member of the University of Sto. Tomas College of Rehabilitation Sciences. She led the discussion on the effects of cleft disability on speech and the impact of feeding difficulties on the physical well-being of children. Ms. Yu also demonstrated her patients’ progress on proper pronunciation, which they were able to accomplish during the separate one-on-one online therapy sessions.

Smile Train Volunteer Ms. Veronica Yu, CSP-PASP, a Speech Language Pathologist, faculty member of the University of Sto. Tomas College of Rehabilitation Sciences, explored topics about the effects of cleft on speech and its impacts on the physical well-being of children.

The session also allowed viewers to ask questions about their family members experiencing difficulties with their conditions. Numerous viewers had inquiries about how many speech therapy sessions are required and what other procedures patients need to undergo if they have cleft lip and/or palate.

In her welcome message, Smile Train Global Ambassador Catriona Gray acknowledged the efforts of the organization to continue providing free comprehensive cleft care including speech therapy, while free surgeries and physical therapy sessions are on hold. She plans to support Smile Train’s upcoming initiatives during the ECQ.

“I was able to work closely with Smile Train for the first time during my reign as Miss Universe and it inspired me to help the organization change the lives of many people around the world. Now as the newest global ambassador, I am committed to supporting its patients in the Philippines during this pandemic through the organization’s online speech therapy classes,” said Gray.

With the support and collaboration of its donors, partners, and ambassadors around the world, Smile Train is able to transform the lives of patients with cleft and help improve their ability to eat, breathe, speak, and ultimately thrive. Even during the ECQ, Smile Train continues to find sustainable solutions such as social media to help their beneficiaries.

“Smile Train has always been committed to exploring various avenues and utilizing technology to reach more patients and communities in the Philippines, especially during this ECQ. With the support of Catriona, we hope to reach more patients and families so that we can continue to provide them with the care that they need, even during a pandemic,” said Smile Train South East Asia Director Kimmy Flaviano.

Smile Train plans to hold more sessions in the coming weeks to address concerns of patients or parents about receiving cleft treatment during this time and talking about staying positive and productive during the ECQ.

For more information about Smile Train’s global efforts and to donate, please visit smiletrain.org. To learn more about Smile Train’s local programs in the Philippines, please visit smiletrain.ph, follow Smile Train Philippines on Twitter and Instagram @SmileTrainPh, and like us on Facebook at @SmileTrainPhilippines.

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About Smile Train
Smile Train empowers local medical professionals with training, funding, and resources to provide free cleft surgery and comprehensive cleft care to children globally. We advance a sustainable solution and scalable global health model for cleft treatment, drastically improving children’s lives, including their ability to eat, breathe, speak, and ultimately thrive. To learn more about how Smile Train’s sustainable approach means donations have both an immediate and long-term impact, please visit smiletrain.ph. For more information about Smile Train’s work in the Philippines, please contact philippines@smiletrain.org.