Welcome to Inspired Cleft Talk; we speak to social activists, published Authors, Smile Train Ambassadors, and RMHC Gift of a Smile Programme partner Nora Abu Hassan in this episode. Nora shares her journey to self-acceptance, overcoming bullying and discrimination to become the successful and accomplished businesswoman she is today. Nora feels passionately about spreading awareness of the cleft experience in schools and communities so that we can reduce stigma and encourage acceptance and kindness at all levels of society. This was a fascinating, eye-opening and expansive conversation with Nora, and I am thrilled she agreed to come and share her wisdom with us.

In this first episode, Lizzy shares a little of her mental health journey and how a combination of therapy, a support network and trusting myself helped me through my most challenging times and helped me learn to build a positive relationship with my body and embrace and love my cleft.