Last year, as a result of my experiences working with Cleft New Zealand, as well as my own experiences growing up with cleft lip and palate, it became clear that my original seminar that I’ve been delivering for years “It Gets Better: Dealing with Bullying” was in need of an update to reflect the reality that... Continue Reading →
Two Years On: This is Me
This is me, two years ago today on Monday 11 August 2014 having just gone through the largest of the 11 cleft related surgeries I have had to date. On this night two years ago, I was lying in a hospital bed in Ward 11 of Christchurch Hospital while some very skilled people and machines... Continue Reading →
Farewell Speech from the General Manager – 9 Dec 2015
Reposted from http://www.cleft.org.nz/farewell-speech-video-from-the-outgoing-general-manager/ Transcript and Supporting Video from Kenny Ardouin’s leaving speech, December 2015 10 and a half years – it’s longer than most marriages. And like a marriage, it’s definitely had its ups and downs – times when it is the most euphoric thing ever, and sometimes where you need a bit more convincing. But... Continue Reading →
I’m Only Human on the Inside
Presented as the opening address at the Cleft New Zealand AGM, Tuesday 26 May 2015, Auckland, New Zealand
Orthognathic Surgery
Orthognathic Surgery involves correcting the jaw position so that both the top and bottom jaws align correctly with one another. It is not uncommon in cases of cleft palate for the top teeth to sit behind the bottom teeth. This creates issues for biting and chewing and also does not look normal, particularly when it comes to observing one’s profile. When there is only a minor discrepancy between top and bottom teeth, this may be able to be corrected by orthodontics, but in cases such as mine where there was a difference of almost 1cm, this needs to be corrected by a combination of orthodontic work and orthognathic surgery.
It Gets Better: Dealing with Discrimination, Bullying and Depression
From the recent youth camp, this is Kenny Ardouin’s latest revision of “It Gets Better: Dealing with Bullying” and now deals with some of the wider issues, including dealing with discrimination across society and dealing with depression. (Source: https://www.youtube.com/)
Linwood College in Turmoil – The Press, 03/11/2014
Reading this article makes me very sad when considering an institution which provided me with so much opportunity and which I was (and continue to be) so passionate about. One has to ask where did it go so wrong? I had the privilege of being on the Linwood College Board of Trustees in the capacity... Continue Reading →
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 →
Being born with a difference has made me into the perfectly imperfect person that I am, and I LIKE who I am. Kenny Ardouin, April 2014 (during Rabbits, Forklifts & Geodes)
Approaching Normal but please continue to be patient!
Hello! It’s great to be back following my time in hospital and getting through the first stages of my recovery. Thank you to everyone who has shown their support by way of visits, cards, presents, messages of support etc. over the last two and a half weeks - it’s been great to see so many... Continue Reading →
2013: A Year in Review from the CEO
What an incredible year 2013 has been. As my first full year in the managerial hotseat it was always bound to be an exciting year, but if you had told me in January that the year was going to be so eventful, I would probably have wondered what planet you came from, but here we... Continue Reading →
Kenny Ardouin 