Videos & Media
CLAPA is working on producing more videos and other media which feature children and young people born with a cleft lip and palate. We think it’s very important for people born with a cleft to see others like them, in person or on screen, and this is something we’d like to invest in over the next few years.
Do you have any ideas for a video around cleft lip and palate, like a surgery diary or a vlog? Get in touch with us at [email protected]!
Celebrating Difference
Below, our Children and Young People’s Council members answer this question: ‘What would a world which truly celebrated difference look like to you?’ They imagine a kinder society without judgement, and talk about coping with comments and questions. Click to see what they had to say!
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Behind Every Smile Series
In May 2020, to mark our annual Awareness Week, we spoke to some of our brilliant Children and Young People’s Council members and asked them some questions about the year’s theme: ‘Behind Every Smile’.
To Others Like Me
We asked, ‘What advice would you give to another young person who was also born with a cleft?’ and this video brings all their powerful advice together in one place. Lucy, Stephy, Aleisha, Cerys, Claudia, Will and Izzy want other young people to be proud of their cleft and to know they aren’t alone. They say, ‘just focus on you’, ‘you will learn to love your cleft’, and ‘it’s ok to ask for help if you need it’.
What Everyone Should Know
When we asked, ‘What do you wish everyone knew about cleft lip and palate?’, they clearly said: that their cleft doesn’t define them or change who they are.
Finding Your Community
For many young people who join our Children and Young People’s Council (CYPC) or come to our events, this might be the first time they meet another person affected by cleft. This makes that first meeting a pretty memorable one!
In this video, Stephy, Claudia, Izzy, Lucy, Will and Cerys reflect back, remembering how it felt to meet other young people who they could instantly relate to and who could truly understand their experiences.
William’s Alveolar Bone Graft
William had his Alveolar Bone Graft surgery in September 2016. To help other young people like him feel better about their surgery, he decided to make a video diary to document the lead-up to the procedure and his day-to-day recovery. With William’s permission, we’ve edited these videos together and added subtitles.
In 2017, William also did a talk at his school to raise awareness of cleft and CLAPA, which you can see at the end.
Please note, from around 4:40–9:40 there is footage of William shortly after his surgery. Some viewers may find this upsetting. However, as you can see later on, he bounces back quickly and makes a full recovery.
For SUBTITLES, please click the ‘CC’ button near the volume controls above and select ‘English’.
You can find William on YouTube here
Bronwen Raises Awareness
In May 2019, Bronwen created this video to raise awareness of cleft lip and palate. She talks about CLAPA’s work, as well as the brilliant fundraiser she organised to support us. Check it out below!
How you can get involved with CLAPA
Learn more about what the Children and Young People’s Council (CYPC) do, as well as how you can support CLAPA by fundraising and raising awareness at your school or college!
How does anaesthetic affect you?
In this video, some of our Children and Young People’s Council (CYPC) members talk through the different types of anaesthetic and how it makes you feel, so you’ll know what to expect.
Dealing with negativity
In this video, Claudia from our Children and Young People’s Council (CYPC) talks through some of her own experiences and explains how she has dealt with negative comments. She wants other young people like you to remember that you’re not alone and that you can always talk to someone about how you might be feeling.
The Difference Between You and Me?
Young people from the north east spent two years making this film to explain how they feel about being born with a cleft. When it really comes down to it, what is the difference between them and everyone else?
This film was produced by local company Twenty First Century Media. It was funded by Northern Film and Media, Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals Special Trustees, Ethicon, Greggs, CLAPA and personal donations.
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