Question
Read you were born with a cleft lip.  I too was born with one. Its specifically a microform cleft  There never was any unusual gaps between my lips and my nose.  It looks  like a scar and I'm very self conscience concerning it.  Kudos to beating tremendous odds and making something of yourself and rather impressively too.  I feel you are an inspiration

Answer
I have a cleft palate with no visible structural damage. Mine is a pin hole sized opening in the palate itself. For your palate there are surgeries that can help with the scarring but they are expensive. My nieces son is 9 and he has what you do. He has had 3 surgeries so far. Be confident in what you do and the rest won't matter. Best of luck to you.

John