Give HK Cleft Lip and Palate Families a Smile

‘Life Education Session’ at Schools

The Association continued with our mission to conduct ‘Life Education Sessions’ at Tung Chung Catholic School, Tin Shui Wai Government Secondary School and Lingnan Dr. Chung Wing Kwong Memorial Secondary School.  The education session consists of two parts, firstly a brief introduction of our association, our services, cleft lip and palate; secondly sharing by a patient or parent telling the surgeries undergone, their difficulties and feelings.  We aim to let students understand about cleft deformities, and to enable them to develop care and compassion to CLP patients.  We also hope that through the ‘Life Education Sessions’, it will help reducing any teasing or bullying of CLP patients in schools and to foster social inclusion in the community. 

Provision of Nasal Splints

Cleft lip patients suffer from a split between the lip and nose and this would lead to the collapse in the nasal cartilage and eventually nose flattening.  This condition greatly affects the facial appearance of the patients.   To newborn CLP babies, the Nasal Splint can help support and mould the collapsed nasal cartilage before cleft lip surgical repair.  To CLP adults, the Nasal Retainer can help during rehabilitation period to maintain the shape of nose after rhinoplasty.  It also improves the appearance and self-confidence of the patients, which are of enormous help to them.  

In co-operation with a former government hospital maxillofacial prosthetic technician, the Association carry out the project for the provision of nasal splint at half of the fee to our members of different ages.  The technician also holds “Nasal Splint Workshop” at our centre once a month to fit the right size of nasal splints for patients, follow up their application and tailor-made appropriate sizes of nasal splints for our members during different stages of their growth.  Comments from our members that the results after application of nasal splints are positive and effective. 

In addition, a newly designed nasal elevator, which is more comfortable to wear, has been produced to suit CLP newborn babies to adult patients.  They can wear the nasal elevator before lip repair and also after nose revision surgery which can help to correct nasal asymmetry.  

Social Education & Promotional Activities

The Association was invited by Wong Tai Sin Fire Station during its Annual Open day and Carnival to join other non-profit organizations in running one of the booths.  Though this community activity, we provide information about cleft lip and palate, with an aim to enhance general public’s understanding of cleft deformity and their acceptance of the patients.  Our patient and parent volunteers helped in operating the games, giving away colourful balloons, distributing promotional leaflets and answering enquiries.  The event was held on 7 January and our booth was very successful in attracting a large number of people that day.