For Portia Bennett, the journey from being a child born with a bilateral cleft lip and palate to running the Great Ocean Road Marathon in support of Operation Smile Australia has been one of resilience, gratitude, and determination.
Born in 2000, Portia underwent her first surgery at just three months old. Over the next two decades, she faced approximately 7 to 10 surgeries to repair both the functional and cosmetic aspects of her cleft condition. Alongside these surgeries, she endured extensive orthodontic work starting at the age of seven to address the challenges posed by crowded teeth, a common issue for individuals with cleft conditions.
Despite these medical hurdles, Portia was fortunate to receive high-quality surgical and medical care throughout her childhood and adolescence. By early childhood, her appearance and function were such that her cleft was barely noticeable, and she remained largely unaffected by her condition. The most frustrating aspect of her journey was the repeated application and removal of braces—five times during high school!
However, as she entered her late teens, new challenges arose. Her cleft repair did not grow in sync with her maturing face, leading to increasing insecurity about her appearance and functional difficulties, such as the inability to fully close her mouth. A long-awaited revision surgery in late 2020—delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic—proved to be a turning point, restoring both her confidence and her sense of self.
Throughout her life, Portia’s experiences with hospitals and medical care have been overwhelmingly positive, fostering an unusual fondness for returning to the very institutions that treated her. Her cleft became a defining part of her identity—one she embraces with confidence and pride. However, she is acutely aware that not all children with cleft conditions have the same access to care that she did. Many around the world face barriers to receiving life-changing surgeries, affecting both their health and self-esteem.
With this in mind, Portia has embarked on a mission: to support children on their cleft journeys by fundraising for Operation Smile Australia. This May, she will take on the Great Ocean Road Marathon, not only as a personal challenge but as a way to raise awareness and funds for children in need of essential medical care.
Her passion for helping others has also influenced her career path—Portia is currently in her third year of a post-graduate Doctor of Medicine program, where she is especially enjoying her paediatric term at Gympie Hospital. It was through medicine that she met her long-term boyfriend, who is one of her biggest supporters as she prepares for the marathon.
Portia’s story is one of full-circle transformation—from a child who benefitted from life-changing surgeries to a young woman determined to ensure others have the same opportunities. Through her marathon efforts, she hopes to inspire and uplift those facing cleft-related challenges, proving that with the right support and determination, anything is possible.
Join Portia in her mission by supporting her fundraising efforts for Operation Smile Australia. Every step she takes on the Great Ocean Road is a step toward giving another child the chance to smile confidently and live without limitations. https://w.givenow.com.au/cr/marathonforclefts