New Journal Article: Invited Review: “I’ve Just Seen a Face”

At the beginning of the year, I was invited by the American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association (ACPA) to review Amy Mendillo's new resource for parents of a child with a cleft, I've Just Seen a Face. It has been a pleasure to review this excellent resource, and I certainly will be recommended this book for new families as well as clinicians who work with people with cleft. As I was reading the book, I couldn't help but notice some areas where we as health professionals working with cleft could adapt our practice to ensure that we maximise the possibility of people feeling well-adjusted throughout their cleft journey.

Jun 5, 2024 0

“The Power of Lived Experience: Facing Cleft and Craniofacial Care Forward” ACPA Annual Meeting – 12 April 2024

Earlier this month, I had the privilege of attending my first ACPA (American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association) conference (annual meeting), held in Denver, Colorado. It was a privilege to be invited to speak on a lived experience panel, following on from the paper "A Keynote Address" published in late 2023. The panel consisted of colleagues from the US, Canada, UK, Europe (and me from NZ), all of whom are doing important work with the cleft/visible difference community, while also living with cleft/visible difference themselves. Thanks to the ACPA, the recording of the panel is now freely available online for all to watch and share.

Apr 26, 2024 0

Aotearoa Cleft Awareness Week 2022

Mon 31 Oct - Sun 6 Nov 2022 was Cleft Awareness Week in New Zealand. Each day during Cleft Awareness Week, I shared a post, interview or presentation about cleft lip and palate with you to help share some of the lesser-known aspects of living with cleft! Whatever your background, I hope that you find... Continue Reading →

Oct 31, 2022 0

Summary of Lived Experience Panel: Cleft 2022, Edinburgh

The experiences of living with cleft panel was an opportunity for our panel featuring people with lived experience of cleft to share their observations and knowledge of what it is like to grow up with cleft. The panel discussed candidly some of their personal challenges, and discussed how despite having received good cleft care, cleft... Continue Reading →

Oct 18, 2022 0

What do you want from me? Considerations for Inviting Collaborations and Project Work

I thoroughly enjoy and welcome the opportunity to collaborate on projects with researchers, healthcare providers and NGOs around the world, and I regularly do! If you are interested in utilising my expertise for your research, project, or piece of work, please read this first. This is not a post which gives me any pleasure to... Continue Reading →

Jul 29, 2022 0

Journal Article – Orthognathic Surgery: My Experience of Transitioning to Adult Cleft Care

Cleft-Palate Craniofacial Journal Invited Editorial. This article was first published in The Cleft-Palate Craniofacial Journal on 13 September 2021. Access the original journal article here: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/10556656211043417 Abstract: Kenny Ardouin grew up in East Sussex in the United Kingdom (UK), before moving to New Zealand, which he now considers home. Having been born with a cleft... Continue Reading →

Sep 14, 2021 0

The unintended side effects of wearing a face mask

Face masks have become ubiquitous around the world and have made most people feel a bit uncomfortable or unusual. For me, they've given me a comfort I've never known before.

Jul 27, 2021 0

Party for One: The Social Distancing Playlist

We're living in extraordinary times, which can feel scary, frustrating, upsetting and tiring. It is easy to feel a bit hopeless and overwhelmed by the situation, but where we can, we should give ourselves a break from the media and do something fun. Although our first choices of fun may not be available to us right now, humans are known for our ability to improvise - the saying "dance like nobody is watching" has never been as poignant as it is now. Go on, get your groove on!

Mar 19, 2020 1

Haere rā London

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.

Jan 1, 2020 0

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.

Dec 28, 2019 2

Santa Run – Bexhill, 1 Dec 2019

Well it's been a number of years since I've run for anything other than a bus, plane or train, but this December once again I'm donning a Santa suit and heading back to East Sussex where my journey all began to support CLAPA.

Sep 22, 2019 0

12 Songs You Never Realised Were About Jaw Surgery 🤔

In 2014, I don't know about you, but I was feeling 22. However, far from the carefree attitude of Taylor Swift, I had a lot on my mind that year as it was the year of my jaw surgery, something that was never far from the front of my mind. At the same time, I was busy with my third year of Uni, working as the CEO of Cleft NZ, working in tech support at TalkLink, and doing my best to be a functional adult in the flatting world.

Jun 4, 2019 0