The Duck Dynasty clan is back in the news this week for reasons outside of their A&E reality show, only this time, there’s no controversy involved.
They are in the nation’s capital taking on a new issue: public health.
If you watch Duck Dynasty, you know that Mia Roberston, 10, the daughter of Jase and Missy Robertson, was born with a cleft lip and cleft palate.
She had her final corrective surgery in January, and the family started the Mia Moo Fund to raise awareness and money for research and treatment of the birth defect.
Mia and her parents spoke alongside Rep. Trent Franks (R-AZ), also born with a cleft lip and palate, in front of the Capitol Tuesday about the foundation.
“As the Robertson family, we don’t back away from any challenges,” said Missy of her daughter and so many other children born with cleft lips or palates.
The organization began after Mia Robertson’s surgery, about which “thousands of fans tweeted, blogged and talked about how strong and beautiful she was.”
“It was empowering and inspiring. It has become our mission to bring this type of support and love to each and every child that suffers from cleft lip and palate.”
Both Franks and the Robertsons, known for their strong Christian beliefs, invoked God as they talked about this mission they have embarked upon.
“God has blessed kids like Mia and Representative Franks with an extra measure of courage,” Jase, also the parents of two sons, said Wednesday.
Young Mia was quick to refer her own experience to faith, as well, in D.C. “God is bigger than any of your struggles,” she said. “Don’t forget that.”
