Largest Cleft gathering in New Zealand

Edition 4 of the Blue Book was launched in December 2006. A civic reception was held at North Shore City Council Chambers and guests were treated to Gareth Morgan’s personal cleft journey story.

Many groups were represented at the launch including parents, young cleft people, medical staff from Auckland, Waikato and Hutt Hospitals, sponsors, ex committee staff and ex surgeons and orthodontists. It was the largest collection of specialists involved in the cleft field that New Zealand has had. It was a unique opportunity to network, catch up and celebrate cleft.

Gareth’s messages were loud and clear. To the medical staff, we only want best practice, please don’t experiment on cleft children, as the potential impact is life long. To parents, whilst it is a traumatic experience for parents, it holds nothing to the impact it has on the cleft person themselves. But the biggest impact was the resonance his message and experiences had on the other young cleft adults in the audience. Having a cleft is a challenge, there are difficult times for the children and their family, but out of adversity comes great strength of character and opportunities to choose how you are to respond.

Gareth’s chosen paths are an inspiration to other young cleft adults, and a reminder to their families and surgeons to remember that the true challenges are faced by the child with a cleft themselves.

The Cleft Lip & Palate Support Group were impressed by the massive impact Gareth’s speech had on the young cleft people present. “We would like to develop the vast potential resource inherent in mentor’s such as Gareth to support young cleft people. As parents of cleft kids we want them to know that every opportunity is open to them” enthuses Susan Frear from the Cleft Lip and Palate Support Group.

If you would like a free copy of the 2006 Edition of the Blue Book or are interested in developing a youth programme, please contact us. You can e-mail susan@cleft.org.nz or phone 0800 4 CLEFT (0800 425 338)