Tagged with:Your Stories

  • How Volunteering Helps You Take Control

    9 Jun 2016

    Since becoming a CLAPA Volunteer in 2011, Rachel has been an outspoken advocate for improving care, awareness and research around cleft lip and palate in the UK. For the 9th day of #VolunteersWeek we're celebrating the ways in which volunteering can help you turn something difficult into an opportunity for growth and positivity by taking control of your situation.

  • Adult Voices and Volunteers

    8 Jun 2016

    On the 8th day of National Volunteers Week, we're hearing from some of our volunteers on the Adult Voices Council about what motivates them to be involved with CLAPA.

  • Volunteering at a Residential Weekend

    4 Jun 2016

    "I came to CLAPA with no prior experience of clefts, only facts from university textbooks. I had written my dissertation on the prevalence, assessment, treatment and the effects of clefts, but I had never seen one with my own eyes."

  • Volunteering with CLAPA Devon & Cornwall

    2 Jun 2016

    Two parents of older children born with a cleft tell their volunteering stories for National Volunteers Week 2016.

  • National Volunteers Week

    1 Jun 2016

    June 1-12 is National Volunteers Week, celebrating the people that allow charities like CLAPA to keep working hard all over the UK.

  • ICHOM 2016 – A Patient’s Perspective

    17 May 2016

    The ICHOM are an organisation aiming to standardise the ways we measure outcomes for health conditions around the world, including cleft lip and palate. Our very own Chris Williams represented cleft and CLAPA at their latest conference, and here he blogs about what he took away from the experience.

  • Luke’s World

    12 May 2016

    "Our little treasure arrived on Thursday 7th March 1996 weighing a healthy 7lb 13oz! Dad helped to deliver and was there to see that Luke was that extra bit special. I remember him being placed on my tummy and saying “aaww look…he has a cleft lip”. His Dad just said “I know kiddo…but we’ll be alright”."

  • Amanda and Amy’s Story

    11 May 2016

    It was a complete shock to us as anomaly scans were not available then and I felt to be honest, extremely isolated and lonely as I really didn’t have any support from anyone except the hospital staff and of course my family and friends at that time. It also felt really scary.

  • Elizabeth’s Story

    10 May 2016

    "I remember when I went to see Isaac in recovery and didn’t know what to expect and I was terrified but after a few hours he was even trying to smile and I feel in love with him all over again. Although to this day, I will always miss his wonderful cleft smile."

  • Katie’s Story

    10 May 2016

    "Cody has had his first surgery and although we miss his wide smile we are head over heels in love with his newest look. We really enjoyed the walk at the weekend and look forward to more events in the future."