July 2009

So much to tell you but the most important thing I want to say right now is.. we have a discussion board/forum!!  yay - finally!  Please go to http://cleftpalssa.ning.com/ and join up and start chatting with your community and network of supporters out there!!!! 

I'll get back to you on all that other stuff - but also visit the pages about the CleftPALS National AGM just gone.  I hope you enjoy the read and I'll be getting back to fix the errors on the page as soon as I can.  (I did warn you that I was writing it at 4:30 am !! LOL)

Til then, Ciao

March/April 2009

Hoppy Easter to all of you and may the good'ol Aussie Easter Bilby bring you some very yummy treats!!! 

Hello, well, it's been a very interesting few months for me personally and for CleftPALS SA indirectly. 

Unfortunately the last Meet Up wasn't as well attended... um, actually, it wasn't attended at all... apart from me.  I waited for an hour and then decided to check out the shops at Christies Beach - quite a variety!

I look forward to a more successful meet up this month to be held at Salisbury - especially as I didn't notice shops around there so I'd simply have nothing else to do!!!  

I'm preparing for the CleftPALS Australia Inc National AGM which is being held in Sydney this year in July  I will be presenting the State report which - for once - will show SA in the money as far as funds go.  I'm very thrilled by this and know that it wouldn't be possible without the Fundraising Gurus and the wonderful generosity of people who have supported CleftPALS SA with donations.

I have decided to bring along the family for a treat as I normally attend the AGM's solo. I'm hoping to encourage one other person from SA to attend with me so they can see what goes on at the AGMs and can be a little more involved.  This will be my last year as the National Secretary (that's the plan at the moment, at least) as I'm looking to step back from some of my commitments to the support group and let the new blood take the reins...  It should be a very exciting 12 months ahead!!!

Speaking of exciting...  I have been contacted by a community centre who had discovered CleftPALS SA via this site and have enquired about assistance for one of their clients.  I'm very happy to know this site is making a mark in some people's lives. If it means something to you please don't forget to leave a message in the message book. 

On a personal front, Tim has had his yearly review and it's been agreed that he needs to have further orthodontic work.  :-(  He's not thrilled, as you can imagine, but it's something that must be done so he has come to accept it.  Time will tell, when the ACFU finally get it together and arrange all the appointments to make it happen, that is.  I know that it's one appointment I won't be able to attend with him - knowing how much having them put on last time hurt him so much.  This time the braces will be needed to tug teeth that are actually coming out in the middle of his palate into line with his normal bite, which I can't imagine will be too comfortable.  It's affecting his speech having the teeth coming through the middle of his palate, and it's something I'm noticing more and more as the teeth grow larger.   I pray it's not too unbearable for my boy.   He'll miss his Gummy Bears!!!  The whole family will again adopt his diet so that he's not the only one going through this but I know that whatever sacrifices we make will not compare to the daily fight he'll be going through to train those wayward teeth into place! 

Honestly, I'm sick at the thought of what my gorgeous boy will have to go through - he's been through so much already, but he's also my little rock - stronger than I am sometimes, and he faces each new hurdle with unblinking courage.  He's just amazing.

On that cherry thought, I'm outta here for another month and hope to catch up with you at the next meet up - and bring a friend... 

February 2009

I sincerely hope you've all been able to avoid this incredible heat we've been suffering through.  It's been stifling in most rooms of the Mitton home but the main area has AC so it's bearable.  My computer room, alas, has not, so I've kept away as much as I can.  I'm only here tonight to write up about our exciting next Meet Up THIS SATURDAY!!

With the heat so high, an indoor location has been selected for our next Meet Up this Saturday - Feb 7th - brought forward to avoid Valentine's Day the following week.  For more information, go to Events (for the Meet up, I mean.... I can't help you with Valentine's Day unfortunately!!). I look forward to seeing you there!!

We had a sensational first Meet up in 2009 which I'm really eager to write up about and put piccys up - we had it in the Park in the city and it was an amazing day! Once the weather calms a little I can spend more time in here on things I'm excited to get loaded to this website.. so stay tuned!!! :)

That's it for now.. I'm outta here before I melt to the chair!!!  take care all and stay cool!

January 2009

I hope you all had a great Xmas and New Year start - I know we have had a very hectic one in our household.  

On a personal front, our house - which was decked out so beautifully for the Christmas Day family gathering - has now exploded and I can't seem to find the floor of my study anymore.. so much to still put away after the festive season.  Has that happened to you as well??  Also, our pool doesn't seem to want to keep its chlorine in it which means each time I truss up to go in, I have to wait and add more chlorine.. annoying! Still, least we have a pool, I guess :) On my work front, I've returned to work and have been successful in my application for a new position so I will be moving from my current role in Feb this year, which is all very exciting!  I may even get to ride a bus to work which I'm really looking forward to - a half hour of 'me' time each way sounds bliss right about now. I can listen to my favourite music, read a book and not care a toss about the traffic around me! ahhhhhh....

On a CleftPALS front, things have already been busy this year with our wonderful Fundraising Maestros, Carly and Trevor.  They held another Community BBQ in St Peters last weekend and while I was not able to attend due to ill health I hear it went swimmingly well and a good time was had by all.  I'm sure they'll have other exciting ideas come up throughout the year to entice us from our pennies so we can help raise the profile of this support group. 

On Saturday January 17th we swing into the start of our year's social calendar with our first Meet Up. These were formally called Morning Teas, but I think Meet Up is a better description.  It also means we can arrange it outside of cafe's etc and hold it in various places as we need to.  Our first one will be in the park where we so unsuccessfully tried to hold our Christmas party. The weather is meant to be a lot nicer this Saturday so I really look forward to meeting you all there if you can make it. You can read more on the Events page.  We'll be set up from 10:30 am so pop along whenever you like. It will generally end around 12 noon... 

The Speech Therapy campaign continues and if you'd like a petition form for your workplace, just email me and I'll post one out to you. 

Remember that the National Cleft Awareness Week will be held from November 8 - 14 2009 and if you have an idea to help spread the word, just let me know. If you want to host a "Go Casual for Clefts" casual day at work, contact me for an information pack. 

Looking forward, in 2009 I hope to gain enough dedicated members to CleftPALS SA that we can actually form our own Committee.  If you are interested, you will need to be a financial member and willing to participate in committee meetings once every two months.  Nationally we hold our meetings over the internet and if you live outside of Adelaide and can't commute, we could look at Skype or some other form of online meet up so that you can still be a contributing member of the committee.  Ahh, isn't the net a wondrous place?

That's about it for me now. I hope you can attend the Meet Up this Saturday and look forward to seeing those that can make it.

Cheers and Good Health

Leanne

December 2008

Wow, it's almost the end of the year and this has been one heck of an amazing year for CleftPALS_SA.  It's come along in leaps and bounds, thanks to the folks who have read this site, written to me or attended the morning teas.

In 2007 I wanted to concentrate on getting the word out there and getting people on board to help with the support group. 

In 2008 I wanted to focus on raising funds so that we could continue to raise awareness and help those that needed our help.

I'm happy to say I achieved both of my goals and I most certainly would not have done that if not for the Pursche family coming onboard this year. 

Carly and Trevor, as many of you would know, have really pulled this group up financially.  I've popped some pics up of the recent Community BBQ that Trevor organised and as soon as our Xmas do is done I'll have images of that as well.   Thanks to the Sponsors of the BBQ day as well - be sure to click on their banners to find out more about these wonderful community-spirited companies!  Even before this, Carly had arranged donations from Leighton Contractors as a Charity of the Month in that workplace and presented CleftPALS SA with a lovely donation earlier this year. 

I'd like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Nicole Rendell, a third year Bachelor of Oral Health student with the University of Adelaide who contacted me and helped to promote CleftPALS SA at a recent presentation she conducted as part of her studies. 

I'd also like to extend huge gratitude and thanks to Toni Scarlett, a new member who - even before she joined our group - had arranged a 'Go Casual For Clefts' day in her workplace.  We recently received a cheque from her and it is very appreciated!  I look forward to meeting Toni and her whole family at an upcoming CleftPALS SA event - to thank her personally.

Don't forget to visit the Events page and especially don't forget about our upcoming Christmas gathering.  I don't care if you're not a member, or even if you're not thinking of being a member at this stage, I'd just like to meet you.

Until then and in case I don't catch up with you before the "big day" may the goodness of the Christmas spirit remain with each of us throughout the year - and help us all to be a little kinder and help each other a little more.....   Remember.. The Sharing Helps!! 

Thanks for sharing your 2008 with me.... Please take care...

November 2008

I have spent the good part of this morning creating an Events page on this site.  This will keep you, the reader, aware of upcoming (or past) CleftPALS_SA events that you might like to attend. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, you don't need to be a CleftPALS member to attend our functions, but I hope once you've met the group you'll consider financially supporting it.  The Events page can be accessed by the new tab on the top of each page, so I have updated every page to incorporate it (please let me know if you find a problem!). 

The Event page outlines the first-ever CleftPALS_SA Christmas event we are planning this year.  Let me know if you're thinking to join us; it's not in cement, but it's nice to know that a few might come along :)  I will update the page as things arise in regards to the day.  I'll be bringing a sun shelter on the day, some merchandise in case you want to buy some, information packs if you need them, and a raffle to enter (It will b drawn at Westpac later in the month and I'll notify the winner).  I'll have a free tattoo for every kid (young or old) in support of the Give Our Kids A Voice campaign and the petitions to sign.  If you have a talent (face-painting, Santa suit etc) that you'd like to contribute to add to the fun, please let me know.

I'll email everyone on my list to let you know personally, but spread the word!! Bring along everyone you know and have a really fun day mingling together.  It's BYO.

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In conjunction with McHappy Day this year I thought it would be nice to meet at McDonalds on the corner of South and Sherriffs Roads in Morphett Vale (known to some 'southies' as Junkfood corner).  This way the kids can play and we parents/grandparents/interested parties can sit and enjoy a coffee or even a burger (and support McHappy Day!!).  An email went out to all those that have been before or have contacted me by email - but if you're new, PLEASE be sure to check out the Morning Tea page for the information.  New Time. New Place. 

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On November 22 CleftPALS SA is hosting its very FIRST Community BBQ.  Check out all the information and the wonderful groups that have supported CleftPALS SA via donations and assistance.  Please join us and enjoy a snag or two to support this group. 

October 12 2008

I think that I have finally finished updating the new site and it's now ready to go online. Of course, I'll notice things as the days go on and I'm popping back and forth - no doubt I'll feel mortified when I realise one page has the wrong sized font on it, etc, but it's all good...  I'm pretty happy with the new look and I hope you are too.  I thought this would get easier with practice, but I seem to have to go through each page and update it separately.  Maybe one day I'll learn how to do websites properly! :) Until then, I plod through each page and correct as I go.....  but I think it's all worth it in the end!

August 31 2008

Today I spent most of my time creating a cover to go on the collection tins. CleftPALS Aust Inc. don't actually have collection tins so I bought some, spray-painted them gold and have been designing a cover for them all day.  I've seen my son's face so much today !!  It's hard creating all this from scratch and trying to make a professional job of it, but I'm hoping it all looks as good as I can make it, given a spray-painted tin with a home-printed design on it.  Still, it's all legit, and I will have receipts to give to folks who donate over $2 if they want, as CleftPALS Aust Inc is a registered Donation group and donations can be tax deductible.  

July 11 2008

Today I spent many, many hours changing the look of this site.  I'm really pleased with the new design - I feel it's fresher and more lively than the previous site I made.  I did not design this site but I downloaded it after looking through hundreds of designs at Open Design Community.  The actual designer is known as Fernbap and I think you'll agree it's a great, funky new design.  I've tweaked it a lot, which is permitted through this great sharing forum, and the information is all mine, but Fernbap is the artiste!