Cleft Lip and Palate News Presentations Speech Language Therapy Thoughts

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 still impacts upon them in different ways, well into adulthood.

News Thoughts

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!

Cleft Lip and Palate News Thoughts

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.

Cleft Lip and Palate News Thoughts

Cleft Awareness Week 2019: Mum’s Story

“Congratulations you have a boy! He has a bit of a harelip, but looks otherwise healthy.”
I can’t describe the shock that I felt then. This wasn’t how it was meant to be. None of the books or antenatal classes prepared us for this. My head was in a spin wondering what this meant for our future and our baby’s future. I knew what a ‘harelip’ was, but I’d never known anyone with the condition.