Family donates to philanthropy

By Meredith Mayberry
Edited by Sarah Schuch and Amanda Crabtree

Nine-month old Mason Purrenhage has a vertical scar the length of a pencil eraser stemming from the right side of his mouth. It doesn’t stop him from smiling.

Mason was born with a severe unilateral cleft lip and palate, a separation in his lip and the roof of his mouth.

“When I first saw him, I thought I could see his brain,” said his mother, Andrea Purrenhage, Resident Hall Director at Larzelere Hall.

Andrea’s husband, Gabe, said he couldn’t help feeling startled at his son’s birth.

“I think facial defects are harder to deal with because they're such a focal point,” Gabe said.

Andrea and Gabe live in an apartment within Larzelere. Residents see Mason on a daily basis, smiling widely on his father’s shoulders and waving at girls.

“Oh, Mason has a lot of girlfriends,” Andrea said as her son made eyes with a Larzelere desk receptionist.

The Purrenhage family has taken an interest in the philanthropic group Smile Train, which raises money to provide cosmetic surgeries to people with cleft lips and palates around the world.

“We’ve had months worth of people staring at Mason, but kids are ostracized for the rest of their lives because of this,” Andrea said.

Andrea and Gabe have already donated $250 to Smile Train and Andrea’s parents matched the contribution.

As a Hall philanthropy project, Larzelere is raising money toward the organization. The Purrenhages have promised to match the amount raised by the Hall.

“And instead of presents for Mason’s first birthday, we’re asking people to donate to Smile Train,” Andrea said.

The Purrenhages know that not every child with a cleft has the advantages that Mason has. They want to make a difference.

There was no medical or genetic indication that Mason would be born with a cleft lip and palate. Neither Andrea nor Gabe has a family history of clefts and the couple was uncertain whether or not Mason’s cleft was his only medical problem.

“It wasn't until several weeks after he was born when we could see that Mason was completely normal that our fear went away,” Gabe said.

According to a pamphlet distributed by the Cleft Palate Foundation, “Genetics of Cleft Lip and Palate,” all parents have a one in 700 chance, or 0.14 percent chance, of having a child with a cleft lip or palate.

The risk goes up for parents who already have a child with the condition, like the Purrenhages. If Andrea and Gabe have another child, there is a 2 to 5 percent chance their baby would be born with a cleft.

If Mason decides to have children, he will have the same 2 to 5 percent chance.

Having more children is not being discussed between the Purrenhages. At least, not for now.

“We can’t even consider more kids until after his next surgery,” Andrea said.

Mason will have seven to eight surgeries before he is 21. His first was in October, 2007, which sutured Mason’s lip and formed his right nostril. His second surgery was Monday and focused on internal repairs.

The Purrenhages can afford Mason’s medical bills because of Children’s Special Health Care Service, which asks for $50 per month and covers any medical expense related to Mason’s cleft. Medical work such as ear infections and dental surgeries are also covered.

“His teeth are going to be all over the place,” Andrea said.

Along with surgeries, Andrea and Gabe are responsible for putting nasal stints in Mason’s nose. The stints keep the shape of Mason’s nostrils and clear his breathing passages.

“He screams for like 45 minutes whenever we put them in,” Andrea said. “It’s the worst feeling knowing that you’re physically hurting your child.”

Through everything, Andrea said Mason’s problems have brought her closer to her husband.

“We certainly haven't had a normal experience,” Andrea said. “You can’t help but feel more connected with the people who understand.”