Fund Tatiana's Last Step to a Complete Smile #FaceForward

Hello. My name is Tatiana Acosta. I am a single mother of four and currently work as a preschool teacher. I was born on August 26, 1985, the first and only member of my immediate family to have a cleft lip and palate. Just like any other child born with this deformity, I underwent numerous corrective surgeries. My last surgery was jaw surgery at age 16 to correct my severe underbite with just one remaining operation, plastic surgery to finish up the job. I won't lie; after seeing myself for the first time after jaw surgery, I was in shock that this had been my life. It scared me and deterred me from doing the next step. I couldn't bring myself to go through that pain and see my face the way it was after surgery. I prefer childbirth over facial surgery any day, and I had all four natural births. As a mother who has put more than enough on the back burner for my kids, currently struggling to raise them and complete my master's in Early Childhood Education, I reach out to you all for help in completing my face. As I am coming close to finishing my degree, preparing for student teaching, and getting certified, I would like to raise money to help fund plastic surgery to finish the corrective process for my deformity. I would like to have a new face moving forward as I reach my goal of becoming a certified teacher. In advance, thank you all for your kindness and support. #faceforward #newme2025