Tagged with: Your Stories
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40 years of CLAPA: An Interview with Gareth Davies
Gareth Davies, now co-founder of the European Cleft Organisation (ECO) was CLAPA’s first CEO (and first ever paid staff member) from 1995 until 2008. Gareth’s time as CEO saw Carol Vorderman invited to become CLAPA’s Patron in 2001, CLAPA’s first ever young people’s residential weekend in 2002, the launch of free ‘Welcome Packs’ for new parents and carers in 2003 and CLAPA’s first Adults’ Conference in 2007.
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Nick’s Story
"The cursor in the search bar blinked. Fingers sat motionless on the keys. Is this what we want to do? What are we hoping to find out? Why am I thinking, “how bad will it be?” Why her? Will she be okay? What will her life be like? All the questions that you may have wistfully imagined answers to while watching the sunrise now cascaded in search of answers in front of a monitor. The idea of finding out as frightening as not knowing."
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40 years of CLAPA: An Interview with Michael Mars
One of our founding members, former Orthodontist Michael Mars has watched CLAPA grow from an idea into a national charity working to improve the lives of people affected by cleft all over the UK. In this interview, he looks back on how CLAPA was founded and how far it has come since 1979.
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Amelia’s Story
Amelia is part of CLAPA's Board of Trustees. Our Trustees are a small group of volunteers who take responsibility for governing CLAPA as a charity and directing how it is managed and run. CLAPA's staff look after the charity's day-to-day work, but our Board of Trustees ensures everything we do is governed and directed by the cleft community.
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Eleanor’s Story!
Eleanor, now in her early 20s, volunteers for CLAPA by helping to run Residential Weekends for young people born with a cleft. From adventure activities and team games to the opportunity to relax and have fun with others who have similar experiences, these weekends are aimed at tackling the isolation that can sometimes come with being born with a cleft.
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Oliver’s Story!
“I hadn’t thought about CLAPA in years,” Oliver admits. “I used to go to the Christmas parties when I was younger and I had really nice memories of them which came back when I saw the logo, they were fun parties.” CLAPA Trustee Oliver shares his story ahead of CLAPA's 40th birthday.
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#MyCleftStory a year on, through the eyes of Casper’s mummy
"What did that mean? Did that mean Casper would need more palate surgery? Did that mean Casper’s speech would still not develop? Again, I was overwhelmed and hit by a pang of too many emotions and my role of mummy being tested." In honour of Awareness Week, Jemma shared with CLAPA her experiences with her son, Casper over the past year.
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Denise’s Story
All the treatment was being geared up towards the operation to close Kenny’s cleft lip at 3 months of age. Initially, that operation couldn’t come quick enough, but by the time he was 3 months old, I’d grown accustomed to how he looked and was a bit fearful of the change. Our son was a smiley, happy, very content baby. It seemed wrong that he had to go through this.
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CLAPA’s Weather Lottery Jackpot Winners Share Their Story
CLAPA was thrilled to be able to thank Mary and her family so much for supporting CLAPA, presenting them with a cheque for their CLAPA's Weather Lottery winnings of £25 000. She was even kind enough to make a donation to CLAPA from her winnings.
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Channel 4’s ‘First Dates’ Features Woman With Cleft
Tonight’s episode of Channel 4's ‘First Dates’ will feature Kazzi, an adult born with a cleft. Kazzi has spoken to CLAPA about why she never lets her differences hold her back when it comes to romance.
