The Latest

Children’s Craniofacial Association invites you to an informed and inspired event about fearlessly facing the world. During the event, we will highlight what it is like to live with multiple intersecting differences, and those differences will be recognized, celebrated, and honored with the inaugural David Roche Award for Excellence in Advocacy.

Encounter is an engaging new program to amplify the voices and stories of people who live with facial difference. Join the conversation and Encounter leaders and professionals from CCA;s Speakers’ Bureau. Both of our award recipients, Dr. Jaz Gray and Rasheera Dopson, MPH, are professionals in the disability advocacy community. Both are available for workshops and presentations on intersectionality, DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion), and disability advocacy.

David’s role in the Happy Face film

From review by Lauren Applebaum in yahoo!life: “Happy Face Film Shows the Humanity and Humor of Life with Facial Differences.

… When films include characters with disabilities, often it is in the pity framework, showing people with disabilities as victims, or showcasing them as angels, the director Alexandre Franchi said in an interview during Slamdance. Yet, people with disabilities can be – and are – every type of person.

… ‘One of the genius levels of this film around diversity is people who look different are truly human,’ said David Roche who plays Otis. Roche is a pioneer of disability culture and an inspirational humorist. His facial difference is a vascular malformation, present at birth. In addition, his face was altered by surgeries and extensive radiation therapy performed when he was an infant as the doctors wrongly believed his condition was cancerous.

“The issues of being afraid to look at someone different from yourself is common – whether through racism or ableism. The film challenges viewers to acknowledge the human behind the difference.

“’Happy Face’ is full of humanity and laden with strange yet wonderful humor. The themes of identity, community and human connection permeate the group of real people telling their stories truthfully,” said Jana Winternitz, Slamdance Film Festival Programmer.”

David’s wife, Marlena Blavin awarded the “Heart of Hospice” by Sunshine Coast Hospice

From the introduction by the award presenter, Donna Shugar at the volunteer appreciation night:

“Marlena Blavin brings new meaning to the term whole-hearted. She approaches everything she does with her whole heart. And we of the Sunshine Coast Hospice and our clients are the beneficiaries.

Many of you are familiar with Marlena’s infectious energy and unbridled enthusiasm because for many years she has shared her immense skill in body work by teaching our new volunteers the practice of gentle touch. I vividly remember my own hospice training back in 2015 when Marlena taught our session on gentle touch. I was blown away by the ease with which she approached people. Not only were we learning some tools and techniques for soothing people with touch, but also ways to be with clients to make them feel comfortable, supported and listened to. I continue to be inspired by how Marlena approaches the bedside speaking directly to the person there, being present.”