With fresh, appealing initiatives such as “Show your face!” and “Speak up”, the Wolfgang Rosenthal Gesellschaft (WRG), a self-help association for lip and palate malformations, is keeping up with the times, despite its proud age of now over 40 years. Founded in 1981 by parents of cleft children, the association is dedicated to providing advice, information and education on cleft lip and palate. In this way, the WRG spreads awareness of and sensitivity for cleft-related issues and makes a valuable contribution to society – and to our work!
The parents’ self-help association was named after the German oral surgeon and concert singer Wolfgang Rosenthal, a pioneer in the field of interdisciplinary treatment of cleft lip and palate. Throughout his life, the Berlin-born surgeon developed innovative surgical and treatment techniques to provide his patients with ever better care and long term outcomes. Even though Wolfgang Rosenthal unfortunately did not live to see the founding of the WRG, he would certainly have been thrilled to see the wide range of services that the association now offers for those affected and their families.
Our two organizations share a common goal and outlook, and we would like to further build on this in the future. Many of our donors are affected by cleft, either personally or indirectly through one of their loved ones, and some are members of the WRG as well. This exchange is very valuable for us.
The WRG regularly offers workshops and seminars on cleft lip and palate related topics. Persons personally affected by cleft, their friends and relatives, or simply the interested public – all are welcome. This July, a weekend seminar was held on the topic “Expertise of affected persons is in demand!”. At the sports and educational facility in Wetzlar, the WRG offered a series of workshops and a colorful social program for all ages. To conclude the weekend, the association’s 40th anniversary was celebrated. We were happy to be there and take part.
The WRG is never at a loss for words and never afraid to stand up and “show its face”. A heartfelt thank you for that!
