‘They just see scars and pick on you for it’
Actress born with a cleft lip tells of troubles growing up and how she wants to help others struggling with it
AWOMAN who was born with a cleft lip has opened up about cruel comments which labelled her as the girl with the “dodgy lip”.
Emily Stott, 31, from Rochdale, was born with a cleft lip and had her first surgery at just one week old.
Her childhood years were marked by struggles in hearing and speech before two surgeries, including a crucial one at the age of seventeen that significantly improved her condition.
Growing up with a visible scar on her face, Emily faced bullying and comments from peers.
It led her to battling feelings of depression and a significant blow to her confidence during her teenage years.
“Everyone was aware of this scar on my face that I wasn’t conscious of being a problem,” she said.
“Then children would make comments like ‘dodgy lip’, call me other horrible things and wouldn’t want to talk to me - it was a real confidence dimmer.”
Emily, an actress, says she had “felt sorry” for her mum, who had been helpless in her struggles.
She said: “I really felt for my mum. She had this child who she loved and who had never been bothered about her face. Then one day she came home from school not wanting to look the way she did and desperately wanting it changed.”
But Emily, who is an advocate in discussion about people who have a cleft lip and palate, says there is so much more to it than just visible scars.
She said: “People don’t often know that being born with a cleft lip and palate can also affect your hearing, speech, breathing and eating.
“They just see scars and pick on you for it.”
As a
Emily comfort school child, sought in the drama club which she feels played into her future acting career and wanting to be a representative for the cleft community.
Talking about the representation of cleft lip and palate actors in the field, she said: “I don’t see it on TV enough. We need more representation for young people.”
Emily also wishes to help people who are struggling with it by letting them know they aren’t alone. She wants to open broader discussions and increase the understanding of people with a cleft lip and palate.
“I want to share my personal experience and educate others about the challenges of being born with a cleft and how everyone can play a role in making a difference.
“There’s something to be said that I had wanted a ‘normal lip’ but now I wouldn’t want more surgery because I want to have my cleft lip. It’s a part of me.”
Emily’s own experiences have fuelled her passion for supporting Smile Train UK, the world’s largest cleft charity. Her initial Winter Walk half marathon goal was to raise £2,000 but with remarkable support she surpassed expectations, raising an impressive total of £4,000 with her mum.
When reflecting on her Winter Walk, Emily said: “There are numerous wonderful charities to support, yet there remains a notable lack of awareness and understanding surrounding cleft lip and palates. Being born with one can significantly impact your life, particularly when left untreated.
“Simply sharing news about my Mum and me taking on the Winter Walk Challenge for Smile Train has sparked conversations. It gives me the opportunity to share my personal experience and educate others about the challenges of being born with a cleft, and how everyone can play a role in making a difference. “