The child may not be perfect, but it will be the parents' absolute love.

Science shows that approximately 1 in 2,000 people are born with a rare genetic disorder.  This fact highlights the incredible diversity and...

Science shows that approximately 1 in 2,000 people are born with a rare genetic disorder. This fact highlights the incredible diversity and complexity of human biology.

This story proves once again that the support of our loved ones is really important. Courtney and Gavin, parents of a special daughter, share their inspiring experience with many people on their social networks about what it means to have a child with a cleft lip to help other families who are going through the same situation.

Courtney and Gavin Gardner welcome their daughter, Sutton, who was born with a cleft lip. Her mother worries about the health of her second child and she spends the entire night after Sutton's birth praying that everything goes well. At the 20th week of pregnancy, the doctor does an ultrasound, which reveals that Sutton has a so-called cleft lip. When Gardner receives the news, he is in for a real surprise.

"The final part they did was the ultrasound on her face, and then the specialist said, 'Oh, she really has a cleft lip.' This could have happened,” Courtney says. Cleft lip and palate are very rare conditions that affect 1 in 1,600 babies and occur when the baby's lips or mouth do not develop normally during pregnancy. This can be caused by various factors, such as food or medications taken by the mother, but it can also be a genetic predisposition.

After the Gardners welcomed their first child, they wished they had a special photo shoot with him. When Courtney got pregnant again, she knew that she wanted to capture every moment of her new daughter. Photographer Shannon Morton takes the photos, which her parents will later share on social networks. One such image quickly gained popularity and garnered over 10,000 likes within hours. Over the next few days, the number of likes increased to an impressive 750,000.

Courtney says all the comments about her daughter have been kind and encouraging, with most people saying how beautiful she is. The post inspired many people to share their own stories and photos. The Gardners are motivated to create their own Facebook page, "My Cleft Cutie," to help other parents who are facing a similar diagnosis with their children. "My little princess had a bilateral cleft lip. Fortunately, her palate was intact. Mom and dad assure her every day that she is the most beautiful girl in the world and her personality is incredible," one mother commented under the post on Facebook.

The parents are worried about their daughter's health but are also very grateful to the hospital, which is helping them enormously during this incredible journey. Sutton's cleft lip and palate made breastfeeding her a real challenge and she spent the first 18 days of her life in the neonatal intensive care unit. Little she is expected to undergo the first of a series of operations in a few days' time, with the next expected when she turns one. Specialists are firm in maintaining that intensive work with a speech therapist will be necessary.

“Although things are scary and may seem bleak in this early period for little Sutton, this is actually a condition that is 100% treatable and manageable,” Courtney says. Her parents describe her as very sociable, lively, smiling and truly happy, especially when her older brother is by her side. And they hope that one day this story will be just a thing of the past.