April is Volunteer Appreciation Month!

AboutFace has many dedicated volunteers which we would like to thank from the bottom of our hearts for donating their time to our cause. We couldn't do what we do without your help. There are many opportunities to volunteer with AboutFace from being a volunteer counsellor at Camp Trailblazers to facilitating our educational programs in schools. Volunteering is good for the soul! CLICK HERE to see our daily featured volunteers for the month of April. Click below to find out how you can become more involved with AboutFace as a volunteer.

My Security Blanket

By Lisa Sooley

I first got involved with AboutFace shortly after my oldest son Kyle was born with a bilateral cleft lip and palate. After finding out the diagnosis through an ultrasound, they sent me to meet the craniofacial team at the Janeway Children's Hospital in St.Johns, NL. Suzanne Dyke, the head nurse, gave me some information on AboutFace, but being so overwhelmed with everything that was going on, I just put it away when I got home and forgot about it.

We All Have A Story To Tell

by Kariym Joachin

After I was born with Treacher Collins Syndrome, my parents became walking encyclopedias of medical information. Yet, they had no idea what having a facial difference would mean for me as a child, or for them as parents. Through AboutFace, they found reassurance that despite the challenges that lay ahead - with love and dedication, we could navigate a world that often forgets that each person is worth so much more than their appearance alone.

"Let's Talk About It" Family Day

May 31, 2014 8am-4:30pm Camp Woodeden, London, ON

Thames Valley Children's Centre and AboutFace are pleased to host a collaborative Family Day! The goal of this event is to bring together and enable children, youth and families to learn about various aspects of living with a facial difference. Let's Talk About It - about everything! It is a time for sharing information, learning new ideas, and discussing challenges with AboutFace and the Thames Valley Children's Centre Cleft Lip and Palate Team.

Click below to see a full list of all of our upcoming programs and services.

"Trial by Fire: Lives Re-forged" Movie Premiere and Reception

June 3, 2014 6pm-11pm, University of Alberta, Edmonton

With heart and grace, Trial by Fire: Lives Re-Forged celebrates the courage and strength of burn survivors as they reclaim their lives after the devastation of fire. Gary Goldstein of the Los Angeles Times stated, "Trial by Fire is a gripping, emotionally potent, often startling documentary about a remarkable group of burn survivors and their physical and psychological triumphs over adversity. Join us for the premiere and reception of this critically acclaimed documentary hosted Dr. Barry Lycka, with proceeds going to AboutFace.

To purchase a ticket, CLICK HERE. Check out the other fundraisers that we have coming up - click below!

Book of the Month

Cleft Heart - Chasing Normal

Written by Karl Schonborn

Karl Schonborn's silver tongue is locked away for years by a birth defect that makes his speech unclear and his face asymmetrical. Bullies target him for this and even for being restricted from PE and sports. But with courage, humor, and his family's love, he overcomes shame, handicaps, and personal losses that might have defeated others. Skilled doctors, speech therapists, and his own determination allow him a shot at his dream of becoming a debate star and attending an elite college. However, after various successes Schonborn must deal with reverses in his love life and worse--unspeakable tragedy in his family. Somehow, he survives, even thrives. Spanning the WWII '40s, the conformist '50s, and the revolutionary '60s, Schonborn's coming-of-age story recounts...

Click below for more info on Cleft Heart: Chasing Normal as well as the rest of our Suggested Reading List.

How Are We Doing?

As a charity, we get asked that question a lot. At AboutFace, we want to be transparent so people can understand how we work, so they can better determine how they can help.

The past few years have been tough for charities in Canada, in general. The economic meltdown and slow recovery has forced many organizations to take stock and become more efficient and accountable so that donors and supporters can remain committed. In 2013, AboutFace decided to go 'virtual' and have the staff work remotely to reduce overhead expenses. Although it is not a long term solution, it has allowed the organization to redirect its limited funds to its core programs and services that are so important to our constituents.

So how are we doing so far this year?

Share Your Story Here!

Do you or someone you know have an inspirational story you would like to share with others? Share it with AboutFace and it could be published in our eNewsletter or AboutFace Magazine! Send your story to info@aboutface.ca or share it on our website www.aboutface.ca.

"A facial difference is what I have, it's not who I am."

Find out what this means from those affected by facial difference.

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