Family Day – Saturday, 10th June 2006

  By Events

Location: Defence Forces Training Centre, Curragh Camp, Co. Kildare

Following our inaugural family activity day with the Arklow Sea Scouts in 2004, the Association is holding a family day on the 10th June thanks to the Defence Forces.

For those of you who attended our first Activity Day held in Arklow in June 2004, you will remember the fun that was had by all involved, and how the kids and teenagers went home at the end of an activity and fun-packed day with many fond memories and not a little tired from their exertions!

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Genetic Counselling?

  By Cleft Care

In the words of Sally Ann Lynch “genetic counselling” is a most misinterpreted concept! Way back when, counselling meant advice and it is in this context that it is still used today when describing genetic services. The service is most certainly not “touchy feely”, although all concerned are very pleasant! The service is not one of telling people what to do either nor is it about finding fault. So what is the service about?
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Orthodontics – Presentation

  By Cleft Care

At our Information Evening on the 22 Novmber, Mr. McKiernan gave an excellent presentation on Orthodontics for cleft including treatments available and their associated timelines.

Orthodontic treatment breaks down into five stages. Importantly, each individual will have a unique treatment. For example pre surgical orthopaedics is only suited to a small number babies. Similarly not all children will need a bone graft and of those who do not all will need work beforehand. The stages are …
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Information Evening (Nov’05) – Report

  By Events - Reports

Our Information Evening (22nd November) was attended by some 34 people, and if success can be gauged by the number of questions emanating from the audience, then this evening was a resounding success. Whether the topic was orthodontics or genetics, the audience displayed great interest in the subject matter and were very appreciative of the speakers’ contributions.
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European Co-operation

  By CLAPAI News

European Congress of the European Network of Cleft Support Organisations
Bruges, Belgium, 7-8 October 2005

I was delighted to represent our Association at this year’s European Congress of the European Network of Cleft Support Organisations held in Bruges, Belgium, from 7-8 October. Representatives were also present from the UK, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Germany, and of course our hosts, Belgium. This is the Association’s second year attending the European Congress.
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New Co-ordinator Appointed (September 2005)

  By Cleft Team News

We are delighted to let you know that Laura Duggan has recently been appointed as Cleft Co-Ordinator succeeding from Claire Kelly. She will operate between St. James’s Hospital and Our Ladies Hospital for Sick Children Crumlin, Dublin.

Laura comes into the team with a General Paediatric Nursing and a Managerial background. Having most recently worked as a Ward Manager in The Children’s University Hospital, Temple Street, Laura has a considerable amount of experience in Paediatric/Family Centered Care. We wish Laura well and look forward to working with her in her new role.

Marathon Fund Raising

  By Fundraising

We want to wish Noel Conway all the best when he runs the Dublin City marathon in aid of CLAPAI. This year the marathon is expected to reach a record number of participants  – 10,000! Noel has been inspired to fund raise for the Association by his baby niece Ellie. We’d like to thank Noel for his time and effort. You might say he is one in ten thousand!

Hospital News – Bone Graft Surgery

  By Hospital News

Traditionally children that have their first surgeries in OLHSC Crumlin move to St James for their bone grafts. From 2006, bone graft surgery will revert to Crumlin. The Association is very pleased with this move, as we believe wherever possible children should receive medical treatment in a children’s medical environment.

Kilimanjaro – The Summit

  By Fundraising

In October 2005 Laura, Joe, Niamh & Andrew made it to the summit of Kilimanjaro. and in doing so they raised €4,000 for the Association! Here is Laura’s account of the journey.

Kilimanjaro – The Summit
By Laura Fingleton

On the 20th of October last, myself, Niamh, Joe and Andrew set off on what was to be one of the most physically challenging experiences each of us had ever undertaken.
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Information Evening (Nov’04) – Report

  By Events - Reports

Our Information Evening (17th November) was attended by some 30 people who took a very encouraging interest in the speakers’ presentations. First up was David Orr, Consultant Plastic Surgeon, who spoke of his involvement in an Operation Smile project twelve months previously in Kenya. Next up was Julie Young, Speech and Language Therapist, who spoke on feeding matters. Questions from the audience indicated a concern about the quality of advice and guidance available in maternity hospitals on feeding the child with a cleft palate.
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