Don't Get Lippy

OK, she's a rambly one BUT I have been so desperate to talk about this subject and it's relevance to the Cleft Community. I've not made any notes on this before talking but I hope it gives enough information to start off what I hope will be a number of these types of episodes. For reference, these are the links for some very important people: Brain Development UK: https://www.braindevelopment.co.uk Dr Kyle Daigle: https://www.instagram.com/dr.kyledaigle/ Do you think the Cleft Community may be impacted by retained primitive reflexes? I can't wait to record more about this subject!

She loves doing her podcast but doesn't prioritise it....! It's been five months since I uploaded but gave myself a kick up the bum today! Hope you enjoy this free-flow disjointed episode! Find me on Instagram @dontgetlippyuk Look out for the On The Couch Podcast on all platforms! Speak to you SOON!

Welcome to the first Don't Get Lippy Podcast episode of 2024! We're starting with a 'Your Story' from Katie Manning, who's cleft journey is one to hear! Katie shares her story about her cleft journey and how she got to where she is now. I hope you love this episode as much as I enjoyed interviewing Katie! Katies details: Website: www.katiemanning.co.uk Instagram: @cleftwarriorwoman

I talked with the lovely Stav about her experience growing up cleft affected in a Greek-Cypriot family. Stav exudes confidence and all round loveliness and I think her story is one that parents of Cleft Affected young people may be interested to hear! Can you count how many times both Stav and I say 'crack on'...! And those were the ones I didn't edit out! Haha! As ever, feedback, follows and shares are greatly appreciated.

Thank you to Allisha for joining me for an episode to talk about her journey, career and current mission! Allisha's links and Kick-Starter Fundraiser: Instagram: @allisha.pellitier The H Word Series: @thehwordseries Kick Starter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/thehwordseries/the-h-word

I am grateful to have had the opportunity to chat with Mr O'Neill again - this time about Cleft Palate Surgery!  I have tried to ask all of the questions I wish I knew before my son's surgery and with the time we had we went from the very beginning of what is the function of a palate to techniques used during surgery.  I hope this episode will help people who are cleft affected who are intrigued by cleft surgery and what they may have had done, for parents, friends and family to learn more about surgery and Health Professionals who work with the Cleft Community.  I would love any feedback on this episode - let me know if you learnt anything you didn't know before?! Find more of us on Instagram: @dontgetlippyuk

I am SO pleased to finally put this episode up on my Podcast!  I recorded these episodes with Mr O'Neill (who I actually call Dr Tom the whole way through this episode *embarrassed face!*) in 2021.  I asked Mr O'Neill everything from defining a cleft lip, pre-assessments, how surgery is performed to his top tip for cleft parents.  This was an honest, insightful and heartwarming episode - it was more than I could have hoped for. This episode will be perfect for newly diagnosed parents, those due surgery to Healthcare Professionals who work with the Cleft Community.  I would love to hear any thoughts on this episode, so please DM me on Instagram if you get chance! @dontgetlippyuk. Our next episode is already ready to go too, so it won't be long til you hear from me again!  

Want some ideas on how to broach the subject of bullying with your young person? Here are my few suggestions to get the ball rolling!  Jen X @dontgetlippyuk

Oh hi, only another month has passed since I last uploaded.. whoops!  This episode follows on from my one in December 2021, so make sure you give that a listen too if you haven't done already!  We know there is only one wrong way to talk to your child about their cleft.. and that is by not doing it at all! The way you can talk to them about it?  Lots of ways!  I have covered some ideas and things to consider on your journey as a parent and caregiver and I hope they help!  Jen XX @dontgetlippyuk

A couple of months ago I did a few polls on my Instagram and asked followers to answer questions around talking to your child/young person about their cleft.  I asked parents and caregivers to answer certain questions and cleft affected individuals to answer others.  The answers gave me some interesting insight from both sides and confirmed my thinking that there is only one wrong way to go about talking to your young person... This is one episode of a few that I will be doing around talking to your child/young person about their cleft, leading on to bullying and how to support them if that occurs.  I hope you find this information useful and as ever would love any feedback!   You can find more of me and my wonderful son here: @dontgetlippyuk

I wanted to follow up on the last episode with a freebie for people who are cleft affected.   Backstory:  I approached a friend of mine who is a hypnotherapist, I explained to her the concept of Don't Get Lippy and what my aims were to support and empower the Cleft Community.  I asked if she would be able to create something for me and after sharing some experiences with her, she created three hypnotherapy scripts - meditation soundtracks if the idea of hypnotherapy is too out there! - and today I'm sharing with you the 'Self Worth' soundtrack. This soundtrack will help you build up your own self-worth and self-esteem, by using your creative mind to shift your position away from the more negative view you may have of yourself to a more objective one seen from those around you, who see you differently.  This meditation/visualisation utilises various therapeutic ideas to help you create change for yourself.  This sound tracks require your full attention and require you to begin to relax so do not listen whilst driving or operating machinery.  I encourage you to embrace this as part of your self-care routine or as part of your proactive preparation. This recording has been made by Zetta Thomelin from Headtogether. Zetta teaches meditation and hypnotherapy and runs a private practice that utilises NLP and hypnotherapy to empower people to change. She is a Director of UKCHO, Chair of BAThH and author of The Healing Metaphor (https://www.headtogether.net). We hope you enjoy! Jen X @dontgetlippyuk Ko-fi.com/dontgetlippyglobal

If you're cleft affected and being bullied or concerned about bullying, these are my recommendations and actions you could take. I hope this episode helps someone! Jen X @dontgetlippyuk 

Two episodes in one day?  You lucky devil! This episode is a look at my personal experiences of being bullied, how that affected me and how I feel bullying should be dealt with.   Any feedback, reviews and shares are gratefully received.  Jen XX @dontgetlippyuk

It's Anti-Bullying Week 2021.  I'll be sharing more about my experiences and how I overcame them, my top tips for people being bullied and parents of cleft affected children who may encounter bullying and how and what they can do to help.

I've realised I've never introduced my own story on my podcast, so here is a 30 min rambler episode talking about my home life, education and work life - all of which has shaped who and how I am today.   If you have time to rate or review the podcast, I would be so grateful!  Do you have a subject you want me to cover or chat about?  Let me know!  Want to be on the podcast?  Get in touch!  Jen X @dontgetlippyuk

Join myself and Haley as we talk through her journey with her beautiful daughter, Cerys, in New Zealand! We talk about thoughts and feelings after diagnosis, Cerys' hearing journey and what is next for her!Resources mentioned: QLD Mouth Music: https://www.childrens.health.qld.gov.au/service-speech-pathology-my-mouth-music/Miccio Cards:  http://www.speech-language-therapy.com/pdf/miccio4s.pdfPlease note: Use links at your discretion.  Don't Get Lippy does not own the rights to the links above and takes no responsibility once you have clicked through.

I was lucky enough to speak with Geri, a Mum of three who shared her story of her youngest child being born with a cleft lip and palate.  Geri spoke about the diagnosis, how she dealt with explaining to her older children why Arthur would need surgery and gives her advice on those early days.  You can learn more about Geri & The Botten Bunch on Instagram @the.botten.bunch.

I sat down and chatted with Miss Iva (Founder and CEO of Real Sophisticated Joy) after she released her E-Book 'Bully Who?'.  A great resource for people who are being bullied, may have been the bully and parents of children that could fall either side of the coin.  Find the E-book at: https://realsophisticatedjoy.com/product/e-bookSee more of Iva: https://www.instagram.com/realsophisticatedjoy/

A couple of weeks ago, I had the privilege of getting to know Susannah Schaefer (President & CEO of Smile Train), the work she has done with Smile Train, what Smile Train as a global charity is aiming for and a couple of stories of cleft patients she has met during her time with the charity.As much as we are on our own journey here, my family and I support our cleft community in the developing world and are keen to learn more about how we can help.  You can see more of what Smile Train do by visiting the website: www.smiletrain.org (/uk) and following their Instagram (@smiletrain/@smiletrainuk).I would love to hear your feedback about this episode!

On this episode, I spoke with Cecelia from @cleftglow.  A cleft affected Mother of three, who's first born son was also born with a cleft lip and palate.  We talk about her travels, how she met her husband, what it was like growing up and how she empowers her son to be confident in his own skin.  Cecelia's energy and how she views the cleft condition is so encouraging.  I really hope you love this chat!