The Twitterview: Carmit Bachar

@PPPMAGAZINE: What’s your favourite thing about being a mum?

@IamCarmit: The joy I see in Keala’s eyes when she smiles and laughs. Watching her dance and say ‘I love you’ to me. Mornings in bed being silly and playing.

@PPPMAGAZINE: What advice would you give to children with a cleft lip?

@IamCarmit: Find a hobby, something artistic that inspires you, that you feel self-expressed in! Don’t let others judge you, show them who you are inside.

@PPPMAGAZINE: What was the hardest thing about growing up with a cleft lip? How did you cope?

@IamCarmit: Being teased and feeling rejected. Kids can be mean with words, so dancing, gymnastics, playing piano and singing made me feel special.

@PPPMAGAZINE: Were you worried that your child would have the same issue?

@IamCarmit: I was very concerned that my daughter would be born cleft, too. It can be genetic or completely random. One in 700 babies are affected.

@PPPMAGAZINE: Do you plan to have more children?

@IamCarmit: Not right now, but ask me in a year or two. Having a child gives you perspective and is the purpose of life. It’s the best thing in the world.

@PPPMAGAZINE: What are your three mummy must-haves?

@IamCarmit: A hands-free carrier like Bjorn, a Baltic amber teething necklace and a nap nanny are some mommy must-haves. I have a list of plenty more, too!

@PPPMAGAZINE: What kind of exercise did you do before and after pregnancy?

@IamCarmit: During pregnancy I took some yoga and I kept fit by taking nice long walks. After, I took core power yoga, cardio barre, hiked and danced.

@PPPMAGAZINE: Are you the kind of mum you thought you’d be?

@IamCarmit: When I see Keala light up, I know it’s a reflection of Mommy and Daddy’s love. She is our star and makes me better than I thought I would be.

@PPPMAGAZINE: Do you think there’s enough advice and help for children born with a cleft palate?

@IamCarmit: The more advanced we get, the more knowledge and information we have on this issue. That’s why I’m so adamant about raising awareness.

Carmit is an ambassador for The Cleft Lip and Palate Association (CLAPA), which supports those with and affected by cleft lip and/or palate in the UK. Contact CLAPA by visiting www.clapa.com, email info@clapa.com or call 020 7833 4883. Find us on facebook.com/clapacommunity or on Twitter @clapacommunity.