When Paris and Tyler Watson of Benton, Missouri, discovered they were expecting their third child, their hearts filled with the same dreams shared by countless parents before them—visions of a healthy pregnancy, a smooth delivery, and the simple, beautiful joy of bringing home a newborn. They imagined first smiles, tiny fingers wrapped around theirs, and a future filled with ordinary, precious milestones. But life had a very different path in store for them—one that would test their strength, stretch their faith, and ultimately reveal the extraordinary power of perseverance and love.
What began as a routine pregnancy quickly turned into a journey marked by uncertainty, fear, and relentless determination. Instead of baby showers and carefree anticipation, Paris and Tyler found themselves navigating medical appointments, specialist consultations, and emotional conversations they never expected to have. Yet through every challenge, one truth remained unshaken: they would fight for their son with everything they had.
“When you find out you’re pregnant, you expect everything to be perfect,” Paris reflects. “You imagine a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. But life doesn’t always follow the plan you create in your heart. We had to learn that the hard way—but we also learned just how strong love can be.”
The Initial Diagnosis: Standing at the Edge of the Unknown
In September 2019, during a 19-week ultrasound, doctors first suspected that the baby—whom the family would later name Maverick—might have a bilateral cleft lip and palate. The news landed like a shockwave. Cleft lip and palate, while treatable, can bring significant challenges, including feeding difficulties, speech delays, and hearing issues. For any parent, it is a heavy diagnosis to carry.
As if that weren’t enough, doctors also raised concerns about a possible heart defect—specifically a ventricular septal defect (VSD), a hole in the wall of the heart. The possibility that Maverick might struggle to survive after birth was a terrifying reality for the Watsons.
“At that point, I was overwhelmed and terrified,” Paris shares. “We were given such a grim picture. But I refused to believe that was the end of Maverick’s story.”
With courage and conviction, Paris and Tyler sought a second opinion. They found a new OB-GYN who not only listened but believed in exploring every possible path forward. That decision would become a turning point in their journey.
A Team of Experts: When Fear Meets Hope
The Watsons were referred to the St. Louis Fetal Care Institute at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, where they met a team of specialists who would become a lifeline for their family. Among them was Dr. Alexander Lin, Director of the St. Louis Cleft-Craniofacial Center, whose confidence and clarity brought something the Watsons desperately needed: hope.
“Dr. Lin didn’t just give us medical information,” Paris says. “He gave us a roadmap. For the first time, we could see a future for Maverick.”
A fetal echocardiogram soon delivered incredible news—Maverick did not, in fact, have a congenital heart defect. The weight of that fear lifted, allowing the family to focus entirely on his cleft lip and palate. They were also introduced to Joy Baltz, RN BSN, Clinical Nurse Coordinator, whose compassion and steady guidance became a source of strength.
“Joy was like calm in the middle of a storm,” Paris recalls. “She helped us understand everything, step by step. She reminded us we weren’t walking this road alone.”
Maverick’s Birth: Fear, Faith, and First Breath
On February 3, 2020, at 39 weeks gestation, Maverick entered the world. His bilateral cleft lip and palate were confirmed, but his birth itself was smooth. He didn’t need immediate intensive care—another blessing that felt almost miraculous after months of fear.
“We were just grateful he was alive,” Paris says softly. “After everything we’d been told, holding him felt like holding a miracle.”
Just three days later, Maverick visited the Cleft Clinic, where a multidisciplinary team—including surgeons, dentists, speech therapists, and specialists—came together to design a comprehensive plan tailored to his needs. From the very beginning, Maverick’s care was guided by collaboration, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to his future.
The Road to Repair: Small Steps, Big Courage
At just six weeks old, Maverick underwent lip adhesion surgery, a procedure designed to bring the cleft closer together in preparation for full repair. He was also fitted with DynaCleft positioning strips—innovative pre-operative tools that gently guided his facial tissues into better alignment.
“These strips made such a difference,” Paris explains. “They weren’t just medical devices—they were part of Maverick’s healing story.”
Week after week, the Watsons traveled back and forth for adjustments and checkups. It was exhausting, emotionally and physically. But every appointment, every small improvement, felt like a victory.
Tyler shares, “Dr. Lin always made sure we understood our options. We never felt rushed or powerless. We felt like partners in Maverick’s care.”
A New Beginning: Surgery, Healing, and Hope
At six months old, Maverick underwent his full bilateral cleft lip repair. For Paris and Tyler, it was one of the most emotional days of their lives. Handing their baby over for surgery required a level of trust and courage that words can hardly describe.
When the procedure was successful, it felt like a new chapter had begun.
“He healed beautifully,” Paris says. “You could see the difference—not just in his face, but in his comfort and confidence. He started to thrive.”
Later, at 13 months old, Maverick had his cleft palate repair. Once again, the surgery was a success. By spring 2021, his medical team was confident enough to move him to annual clinic visits.
Each milestone felt like a celebration. Each scar told a story of strength.
The Queen: A Five-Year-Old Full of Life
Today, Maverick is a vibrant, sassy, joyful five-year-old—lovingly nicknamed “The Queen” by his mom for his bold personality and big spirit. He runs, climbs, laughs, and fills every room with energy.
“He is everything we dreamed of and more,” Paris says. “Happy, healthy, and full of life.”
Though he continues to be supported by specialists through the Complex Care program, his hospital visits are less frequent, and his quality of life has improved dramatically. To his family, Maverick is not defined by his diagnosis—he is defined by his laughter, his curiosity, and his unstoppable spirit.
A Family Forever Changed
Looking back, Paris and Tyler see a journey that reshaped their hearts and their lives.
“Maverick is our greatest joy,” Paris says. “We were told he might never smile. Now, he is the heart of our family.”
Their story is more than a medical journey—it is a testament to faith, community, and unconditional love. Through fear and hope, surgery and healing, the Watson family discovered a strength they never knew they had.
Maverick’s journey reminds us all of a powerful truth: life is not defined by a diagnosis. It is defined by courage. By love. By the unwavering belief that even in the face of adversity, miracles can—and do—happen.