As many countries, including Morocco, are celebrating Father's Day on June 17, a couple form the United States chose to commemorate this day by sharing the story of their adopted Moroccan daughter. Cristina, who was born in Morocco, was discarded by her biological parents, days after her birth, because of a facial anomaly. The 17-year-old Morocco-born teenager will be graduating high school this summer after she left with her American parents for the United States. Speaking to PRWeb, Cristina said that she «had a cleft lip which is a tear in the lip». «I didn't look like other babies. It's the reason why my birth parents abandoned me when I was a few days old», she said. Bernie, the father, and his wife found out about Cristina through Operation Smile, a nonprofit medical service organization that provides cleft lip and palate repair surgeries to children worldwide. «I always wanted to be a dad, but my wife and I couldn't have children. When we found out about Cristina, we knew we wanted to meet her», Bernie told PRWeb. After going through exhausting and long procedures, the American couple managed to adopt Cristina. «It was a struggle. There were cultural barriers, language barriers and a lot of paperwork. We made multiple trips to Morocco – each time hoping to bring Cristina home with us», Bernie said. Cristina joined her new parents when she turned two. In the USA, she underwent a couple of surgeries to correct her cleft lip. Now she is planning to attend college, after she had the chance to spend her childhood and teenage years with loving parents. «I can't imagine what Cristina's life would have been like if we gave up on her. I encourage all dads to stay strong and to always fight for your children. A lot of patients and being open-minded is also helpful», Bernie concluded.
