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Maria do Socorro lived for decades with the congenital malformation, was treated by Operation Smile in 2016, and had her self-esteem transformed after the procedure
In 2016, Maria do Socorro de Medeiros, a resident of Umarizal, in the West of Rio Grande do Norte, experienced a change awaited for decades. At 67 years old, she underwent a cleft lip correction surgery performed by Operation Smile, a volunteer medical organization that assists people with facial deformities.
The procedure changed part of her routine and fulfilled a simple but very symbolic wish. Vain since her youth, Maria always dreamed of wearing lipstick. Among all the colors, her favorite was always red.
“My dream was to wear lipstick,” said Maria do Socorro.
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Cleft lip surgery changed Maria do Socorro’s self-esteem
Maria do Socorro lived with a cleft lip until she was 67, a condition present since birth. Even so, according to her family, she never let the malformation define her life.
After the surgery, her self-esteem gained new meaning. Her daughter, Adriana de Medeiros, said that her mother started to always carry a lipstick with her.
According to Adriana, Maria uses the item whenever she leaves the house. The gesture, once only desired, became part of the retiree’s daily life.
The change also brought joy. For the family, the procedure increased Maria’s confidence and strengthened a vanity that always existed.
What are cleft lip and cleft palate
Cleft lip and cleft palate are fissures formed during pregnancy. The first affects the lip, while the second occurs in the roof of the mouth.
These malformations occur when the right and left sides of the lip or palate do not join correctly during the baby’s development.
Besides appearance, the fissures can cause other impacts. Among them are dental alterations, speech difficulties, hearing problems, respiratory issues, and even malnutrition.
Therefore, the surgery can represent more than an aesthetic change. In Maria’s case, the procedure also improved her nutrition.
Operation Smile brought care to Mossoró
Maria lives in Umarizal, a city located in the western part of Rio Grande do Norte. When she heard that the volunteer doctors from Operation Smile would be in Mossoró, a neighboring municipality, she decided to seek care.
The organization conducts missions across the country to assist people with cleft lip, cleft palate, and other facial deformities.
The work is especially aimed at patients who cannot afford the costs of the procedure.
It was in this context that Maria received the surgery in 2016. Three years later, her story gained even more visibility.
Photographic exhibition showcased the new routine of the retiree
In 2018, Maria do Socorro was invited by photographer Laine Paiva to participate in a photo shoot.
The proposal was to capture the new daily life of the retiree after the surgery. Laine is also a volunteer for Operation Smile and often photographs the project’s activities.
The photo shoot led to the exhibition “Clefts – After the tears, the smile”, set up at the Memorial da Resistência in Mossoró. The exhibition was open to the public for a period.
Red lipstick became a symbol of a personal achievement
After the surgery, Maria began to celebrate small changes with great significance. The red lipstick, once just an old desire, became a symbol of a new phase.
Her diet also improved after the procedure. In terms of speech, according to Adriana, the difference was small. Even so, Maria celebrated the aesthetic and emotional result.
For the retiree, the transformation was enough to bring satisfaction. “It’s great like this,” she summed up.
Maria do Socorro’s story shows how surgery can transcend the medical field. In her case, the procedure restored comfort, strengthened self-esteem, and fulfilled a dream held for decades.
Do you believe that small gestures, like wearing lipstick, can also represent great new beginnings in someone’s life?
