Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
SALT LAKE CITY — Max Voehl has faced challenges most kids never have to think about. The 12-year-old was born with a bilateral cleft lip and palate, and has undergone 13 surgeries at Intermountain Primary Children's Hospital and Matt knows more are ahead. Through it all, his mother, Jeanne, has been his biggest supporter.
Jeanne remembers learning about Max's diagnosis before he was born. "I was 28 weeks pregnant when we found out that Max would be born with a bilateral cleft lip and palate. And I'll be honest, it was terrifying," she said.
Over the years, she has watched her son endure more than a dozen surgeries. "He has faced things that no mother wishes for their child to go through," Jeanne said. But Max's story is about much more than medical procedures.
"Thanks to Primary Children's, I got to have the best experience of my life," Max said.
During a checkup, one of Max's doctors mentioned a casting call for a new musical adaptation of "Wonder," the story of Auggie Pullman, a boy with a facial difference who teaches others that kindness matters more than appearance. At first, Jeanne worried the role might be too personal. "I was nervous that it would hit too close to home," she said. "It is the life that Max has lived in many ways."
Max saw it differently. "I said, 'But it's something that teaches choosing kind and spreading the message of kindness and hope and all that good stuff,'" said Max. He auditioned and landed the lead role of Auggie. According to Max, "Auggie was such an incredible experience."
As he brought the character to life on stage, he found many similarities between Auggie's story and his own. "The stuff Auggie went through and the stuff I have gone through is quite similar," he said. The production ran for two months in Massachusetts, requiring Max and his mother to spend time away from home, family and friends. Despite the sacrifice, the experience left a lasting impact.
The story Max helped tell on stage is one he hopes others can learn from. "I think people should not judge a person by the way they talk, think or look," Max said.
Now back in Utah, Max is preparing for future surgeries. His family says Primary Children's Hospital has helped him do more than heal physically. "Not only does the hospital provide excellent medical care, but it is providing opportunities for children to live and thrive and be able to go on and chase their dreams," Jeanne said.
Max hopes other children facing challenges will see themselves in his journey. "I am not alone and there are other people that are going through this and have gone through this and will go through this," he said.
His mother hopes he never forgets what he learned along the way. "I hope that he keeps that with him forever, that he is exactly who he is supposed to be and he is perfect just the way he is."
Max's story is one of several being featured during KSL's Give-A-Thon benefiting Primary Children's Hospital. Visit the website to support children and families receiving care at Primary Children's Hospital.
