March 21 is World Down Syndrome Day. “Dear Future Mum" is a short two minute video that shows that individuals born with down syndrome, like individuals born with cleft, will still live a healthy happy life. Simply one of the most heart-warming videos I have ever seen. (Source: https://www.youtube.com/)
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 →
Cleft NZ set to launch Bottles For Indonesia programme
This new programme that my organisation is launching on December 19th is really exciting, and one that it is truly great to be a part of. Press release from: http://www.faceit.org.nz/cleft-nz-set-to-launch-bottles-for-indonesia-programme/ Cleft New Zealand is set to launch a new international aid programme by Christmas. In response to a plea by Cleft New Zealand’s Indonesian counterpart, CBL... 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!
The Wisdom Extracted alongside Four Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth. Enough said - even the most elite athlete can be taken down by wisdom teeth pain. Unfortunately for cleft patients, wisdom teeth causing problems is an all too familiar occurrence - and I was no exception.
‘Amour’ – a very sad yet beautiful story
I’ve just seen the film ‘Amour’ ('Love’ in English) - a heartbreaking story of carer strain and undying love. Georges and Anne are octogenarians. Everything is going well for the retired couple, until one day, Anne suffers a mini-stroke. When she returns home from hospital, she has become hemiplegic. The love that binds the old... Continue Reading →
San Francisco Residents Want Their Bay Back
If you reside outside New Zealand, you would be forgiven for thinking that The America’s Cup is some sort of brassiere store specialising in supportive undergarments for plus sized women, but in fact, it has a lot less to do with boobs, and much more to do with sea men. The former would actually be... Continue Reading →
She wants to be naked…and other phrases you need to know in other languages
Don’t get me wrong, j'aime beaucoup Duolingo, I’ve been using it daily without fail for quite a while now to keep the French language part of my brain in daily use in my otherwise English language dominated world. But I’ve come to notice some rather bizarre sentences for translation. Of course, every learner to a... Continue Reading →
“Dumb Ways To Die” Train Safety Campaign
Let’s face it, there are many stupid things you can do to wind up in your untimely death. Metro Trains in Melbourne, Australia have created this catchy song and video outlining a number of the dumbest ways to die before showing the characters being foolish around trains at the end leading to their deaths. The... Continue Reading →
Disney’s Disappointing Depiction of Congenital Differences
Disclaimer: Unless otherwise stated, all views expressed here are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of my employer. I have been disappointed to learn that Disney have chosen to use a cleft lip to add to the ‘look’ of the sinister and evil character, Butch Cavendish, played by William Fitchner in the... Continue Reading →
Results Released: BeCause Competition
I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all those who recently voted for me in the BeCause film competition on http://www.because.org.nz - the support for my cause at Cleft New Zealand was truly overwhelming and it is really heartwarming to know that so many people are as passionate about the cause as I am.... Continue Reading →
Kenny Ardouin 