After an incredible two years living and working in London, I am leaving Britain with a heavy (and full) heart, but also looking forward to taking up new opportunities back in my adopted homeland.
Haere rā London
10 Years in 10 Photos: A Decade in Review
As we approach the turn of the decade, for this year's "Year in Review" blog, I look back on the last decade with 10 of my most poignant photos of the 2010s.
Speech & Language Tips for Working with Children with a Cleft
Around 1 in 700 children in the UK are born with a cleft lip and/or cleft palate. This happens when the two sides of the lip and/or hard and soft palate (roof of the mouth) don’t join together and form a seam during antenatal development. The resulting gap or ‘cleft’ leads to an altered appearance, and often can result in difficulties with speech and hearing which are important to be aware of in the classroom environment. Fortunately, with a bit of understanding and support, children who were born with a cleft can succeed in the classroom and achieve their literacy goals.
Sprechen Sie Englisch? – Understanding what it’s like to not be understood
As those who know me well will know, in my earlier years, I struggled significantly to express myself using speech, and am all too aware of how painfully frustrating that is. I have been fortunate however, for the last 15 years or so, to have had speech which has been able to be understood widely... Continue Reading →
Cleft Awareness Week 2018 Summary
Cleft Awareness Week ran from the 5th-13th of May. Each day during Cleft Awareness Week, I pulled out a post, interview or presentation about cleft lip and palate to share - whatever your background, I hope that you found it interesting, and most importantly, that you learned something about the UK and NZ's most common... Continue Reading →
The Central Nervous System if it were the London Underground
When studying the Central Nervous System, I used to try and remember what every component was and how it it all fits together. So, I tried to think of something visual that makes sense to me (and many others too), and thought of the London Underground Tube Map - a map that's not to scale,... Continue Reading →
Voice Banking Webinar – 27 Feb 2018
Brought to you by ATANZ and the TalkLink Trust, this voice banking webinar outlines how to voice bank using the ModelTalker service. Copyright 2018 ATANZ / TalkLink Trust.
London’s Calling: CLAPA Adult Services Coordinator Position
I am excited to announce that in December I was offered and have subsequently accepted the position of UK Adult Services Coordinator with the Cleft Lip and Palate Association (CLAPA).
Star Media / Bay Harbour News Article – Wed 10 January 2018
In late 2017, I was interviewed by Sarla Donovan for Bay Harbour News about my experiences growing up with cleft lip and palate. This was published on Wednesday 10 Jan 2018 - read the article here: Bay Harbour News - 10 January 2018
I Will Transcribe – Gloria Gaynor Parody
A speechie version of the Gloria Gaynor Classic.
Your Healthcare: Why You Should Vote This Election
I have been alarmed in recent weeks at the number of people who I have casually mentioned the election to, and who have decided not to vote as they feel their vote will not make a difference or that whichever government is in power will not make a great deal of difference to them. This... Continue Reading →
The Action Potential Series: The Demise of the Motor Pathway
A University project for Neurology class that is both informative and entertaining. Perhaps one day we will reunite to make the rest of the series!
Kenny Ardouin 