Richard was around 1 year old when Linley discovered him. He was very small for his age due to the severity of his bilateral cleft lip/palate. He was at a high risk for aspiration with his large open palate. His parents were simple farmers and had no idea how to have his cleft repaired. NLLB arranged for Dr. Eddy Sutrisno, an Indonesian Plastic Surgeon and USA Smile Train Foundation approved doctor to do Rihad's surgery.

Surgery was scheduled and cars were sent to pick up 6 patients and their parents. Arriving to the city were 11 patients. Dr. Eddy opened his doors and arms to all patients, even those he would not be doing surgery on. NLLB funded transportation, meals, water, post-op vitamins and milk powder. Dr. Eddy supplied housing for everyone in his home, which had just been converted into a small hospital.

As of April 2014, Richard is attending school. He read a copy of "The Father's Love Letter" to us while we were there, bringing us all to tears. While his speech is slightly nasal in sound due to his former cleft palate, it is very understandable! His parents are so thankful as you can imagine!

Rihad was Richard's name when he was a baby, but it means "an ugly face with a defect". It has been officially changed to Richard!

Richard's facial closure was a remarkable work of art, with complete closure of his bilateral lip in that first surgery. Linley will tell you that she will never forget the look on the faces of his parents when they first saw him. Both in tears and without words.

Rihad returned when he was older to have a partial closure of his open palate and will have a final palate surgery when he is older still.