Knox College student Rachael Morrissey ’15 experienced a remarkable opportunity when she appeared as a guest on the renowned medical talk show, The Doctors. This platform allowed her to share her personal journey of overcoming challenges associated with a bilateral cleft lip and palate.
Rachael’s Journey with Cleft Lip and Palate
Born with a bilateral cleft lip and palate, a condition where the upper lip and the roof of the mouth do not fully fuse during development, Rachael Morrissey has faced numerous medical procedures throughout her life. She recounted having undergone more than 16 surgeries to correct the birth defect.
“My initial surgery occurred when I was just three months old,” Morrissey explained, “and it focused on closing both the lip and the palate. Subsequent procedures addressed structural concerns, and I wore braces for twelve years to align my teeth.” Despite these extensive efforts, a later surgery intended to provide permanent implants for her front teeth was unfortunately unsuccessful.
From Facebook to TV: Lentil the Bulldog Connection
Morrissey’s appearance on The Doctors, featuring the well-known talk show cast of medical professionals, was indirectly facilitated by an unexpected connection with a French bulldog named Lentil. Lentil, who was also born with a bilateral cleft palate, gained online fame when his owner created a Facebook page to raise awareness about the condition.
“Initially, The Doctors producers were interested in featuring Lentil’s story,” Morrissey mentioned. “Their original plan was to fly Lentil and his owner to California for the show taping.”
Having connected with Lentil’s owner through Facebook, Morrissey was deeply impressed by Lentil’s positive impact on the cleft community. She had been communicating with Lentil and his owner via Skype and email. When The Doctors producers inquired about local supporters of Lentil who could appear on the show, Lentil’s owner insisted on including Morrissey. “Lentil’s owner said, ‘If you don’t bring Rachael out, we’re not doing the show,'” Morrissey recalled. “She wanted to surprise me, knowing my long-held desire to meet Lentil in person.”
On “The Doctors” Set: Cast and Surprises
The show’s production team filmed for a day at Morrissey’s home in Peoria, Illinois, before inviting her and her mother to Hollywood, California, for the main episode recording. During the show, amidst the presence of The Doctors talk show cast, Morrissey received a life-changing surprise: she would receive free dental implants for her final surgery, with her surgeon generously waiving the operation fees.
“This is truly life-altering,” Morrissey expressed, overwhelmed by the generosity.
Reflecting on her experience on the television show with The Doctors cast, she described it as “an out-of-body, surreal experience. It was definitely outside my comfort zone. I’m not accustomed to having my hair and makeup professionally done, let alone being in front of ten cameras. It was an incredible adrenaline rush, yet also quite nerve-wracking.”
Life After “The Doctors”
Morrissey, a political science and Spanish double major in her junior year at Knox College, aspires to attend law school. During the preceding summer, she gained practical experience as an intern with Prairie State Legal Services in Peoria, Illinois. Her appearance on The Doctors talk show cast platform not only highlighted her personal story but also brought attention to cleft lip and palate awareness, turning a personal journey into an inspiring message for many.
Published on October 25, 2013
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