Don’t forget to look on our forum.  Add what you have found, or questions you may have.  Someone else may already have found a possible solution.  Let’s start using the resources of this website.

Ubuntu is a Zulu greeting meaning ‘I see you’.  The response is; ‘I am here’.  As a philosophy it focuses on people’s allegiances and relations with each other. A person is a person through (other) persons.  Our interdependence.  So what?

This was a concept discussed at the CMDHB Conference held last week.  Read further for why this is great news for consumers!!

We affirm our humanity when we acknowledge that of others.  You seeing me means that I exist, I matter, you respect and understand me. 

It means that it is a basic human right of the patient to be informed and empowered to make choices in their health care. This is one of the philosophies behind why consumers should have a larger role to play in their health care. 

The rise of the ‘expert patient’ was also looked at.  Health is complex and health needs are getting more complicated and interrelated.  There is no longer one health professional that can ‘cure’ us.  It is a team of workers who help us to achieve good health & wellbeing outcomes.  The patient in the middle of this has unique insights that may help to solve the challenges that our health system faces.  They become ‘an expert patient’, with valid insights, ideas and possibly even solutions.  If there is a philosophy which truly sees the patient,  combined with an increasing trend for patients to be ‘experts’ in their health conditions,  then the opportunity for influencing without authority becomes a possibility. 

There is a large measure of personal responsibility and duty of care on our part as the consumer, inherent in the philosophy of Ubuntu.  We need to be informed and engaged.  We have a duty to share honestly our feelings and experiences of a system.  Why? – because our insights could be shared with others giving them a larger truth which could alter how a service works. 

With being seen, we need to answer ‘I am here’.   So the excitement for us at the Support Group is that there is a movement towards more collaborative planning processes within health.    Our organisation’s role is to be the conduit which can more easily bridge the gap between the individual patient experience and the health organisation.

If you have feedback on the system, let us know.  Answer  I AM HERE.

If you are interested in more information from the conference you can see transcripts of the presentations at http://www.cmdhb.org.nz/Conferences/2008/tomorrowshealthservices/workshops.htm

The next Auckland coffee group is to be held at Joy’s house in Kingsland on Thursday 4th September from 9.30 - 11.30am. Please bring your children and a plate to share.

Hope to see you there
RSVP for address details 0800 4CLEFT or info@cleft.org.nz

We want to celebrate Kenny’s initiative, and courage. Please support him in his vision.  Kenny has taken a risk, committed his time, energy and passion to a great cause.  Let us all support him in his work.

How can we help?

• Take a look at his website.  It has a lot of information drawn from international sites with comments from Kenny. 
• Start a conversation with your family and friends about the topics Kenny raises.
• Add your real story to his website - your experience could support someone feeling just like you somewhere else in New Zealand
• If you are a young person born with a cleft let us know; What is important to you?  What kind of services would you like to have?  What are the issues as you see them?

The Support Group’s and Cleft Kids NewZealand’s role is to support all people on their cleft journey. Our vision is to create a future where people understand difference and value the unique contribution individuals make. 

Together we can start looking at what kinds of support young people may need.  What skills would be fantastic to have, what information would support a young person’s increasing independence. 

This is the start of a new journey, one with you our children at the centre.  Let this be the beginning.  Keep watching both these websites to see how you may be able to be involved.

WHEN:  Friday August 8th from 9.30am until 2pm at the North Harbour Stadium, Harbour Function Centre, ASB lounge, Stadium Drive, Albany. This is a free event.

Those who care for children with special needs say that one of the biggest challenges is finding out who does what and where to go for help.

All together in one place, you will be able to meet support groups, service providers, recreation, education and therapeutic facilitators and toy and equipment suppliers. There will be a series of short seminars running throughout the day. Refreshments will be available to purchase.  The Cleft Lip & Palate Support Group will also be represented at this event.

Know How Day has been organised by the Wilson Home Trust (Ph 488 4688 ext 5828) and Yes Ability Achievement Centre (Ph 448 0564).

If you would like a full list of who will be there, please e-mail susan@cleft.org.nz

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE - tell anyone who might be interested.

Have you a child aged between 6 months and 2 years?

Are you interested in finding out how you can help your child develop their Speech?

This is a fantastic opportunity to learn new skills and make a real difference to your child’s future.  Be quick there are limited places. 

A Speech Language Therapy group to give you as parents ideas about how to help yrou child develop speech.  This will include a presentation about speech development and ideas for fun speech therapy games and activities.  You will have opportunities to bring up any questions you may have and to watch and try out the speech activities with your child.

Date:      Monday 4th August 2008 

Time:     10.30am to 12 noon

Place:     Manukau Superclinic, Level 2, Conference Room 1 (above modules)

Please:   Phone Maeve or Laura on 263 0792 ext 3245 or Email:

Maeve:   mamorrison@middlemore.co.nz

Laura:  wellsl@middlemore.co.nz

Groups will only go ahead with a minimum of 4 families and a maximum of 10 families attending.

When - Friday 4th July 2008 10am - 12noon

Please bring a plate of food to share and your children.

Hope to see you there
RSVP - Susan 0800 4CLEFT or email info@cleft.org.nz

Your Speech Language Therapist is responsible for assessing which is the best feeding method for your child.  With this specialised knowledge they can also apply for funding to cover these bottles until your baby can feed using an alternative form of feeding. 

These bottles are expensive so it is your responsibility as caregivers to look after them well.  Read the article on the forum which explains how to increase the life of the bottles and teats. Forum - speech and language section.

 If you have difficulties accessing this funding, please call the Support Group on 0800 425 338.