HOME REMEDIES FOR A SMOOTH, GLOWING SKIN

HOME REMEDIES FOR A SMOOTH, GLOWING SKIN

You can transform your dry skin into a super smooth, soft, supple, and glowing skin by using these home remedies.

Home Remedies
1. Mash a banana with milk and apply on face and leave it for 20 minutes. Wash it with cold water to get a skin that will glow.

2. Apply honey on your face and neck for 20 minutes. Wash it with cold water. Your skin will glow and become soft and smooth.

3. Mix egg white with honey and apply on the face for 20 minutes. Wash it with cold water.

4. Make a paste of one teaspoon of walnut powder, honey and lemon juice. Scrub your face with this paste and leave it for 20 minutes. Wash it with cold water.

5. Rub a piece of papaya on your face and neck for 15 minutes.

6. Make a paste by mixing 2 tablespoon turmeric (haldi) powder in orange juice. Scrub it on your face and
neck and leave it for 20 minutes. Wash it with cold water.

7. A paste of the fresh fenugreek leaves, applied on the face, prevents pimples, blackheads, and dryness of the face and early appearance of wrinkles.

8. Make a paste by mixing mashed banana, honey, lemon juice and margarine. Apply on face for overnight. Smear on hands and feet, and wash off in the morning (wear gloves in hands and socks in feet).

9. Boil cabbage in water. Wash your face with this water.

10. Powder mango peels and mix 1 teaspoon milk powder and rub on face, neck, and hands. Wash it off after 15 minutes.

11. Mix one cup of sugar with 1 tablespoon fresh lemon / lime juice. While taking bath, lather your body and  face heavily with a soft soap like Dove. Scrub the whole body and face with the sugar mixture on the lather.

12. After a shower apply Vaseline over your entire body. Shower again after one hour. Repeat twice per month.

13. Mix corn  flour with egg white and apply on your face. When your face is dried completely in about 1/2 an hour, put your fingers in warm water and massage your face. Repeat daily for 10-15 days.

15 TIPS FOR A HEALTHY HEART

15 TIPS FOR A HEALTHY HEART 

Image source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/en:Creative_Commons

1. Know your risk factors for heart disease.

2. Talk to your doctor about reducing your risk of heart disease.

3. Have your blood pressure checked regularly. Avoid excess salt intake to maintain normal blood pressure.

4. Know your cholesterol numbers. [These include total cholesterol, HDL or "good" cholesterol, LDL or "bad" cholesterol, and triglycerides.]

5. Have your blood sugar level checked for diabetes.

6. Do not smoke cigarettes or use other tobacco products in any form including passive smoking.

7. Eat for your heart health. Healthy balanced food intake of at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day, avoiding saturated fats and trans fatty acids.

8. Get regular physical activity. At least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on most or all days of the week. Include physical activity in your working schedule - cycle to work if possible, take the stairs, and go for a walk during lunch breaks.

9. Aim for a healthy weight.

10. Know the signs and symptoms of a heart attack and the importance of  seeking medical help immediately.

11. Positive attitude with balanced approach to life, avoiding negative mental stress and strain.

12. Workplace wellness should be promoted by incorporating relaxation techniques like stretching and meditation.

13. Know your numbers- visit a healthcare professional to know your blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels - keep all below 100 (mean BP< 100 mmHg, LDL cholesterol<100mg, fasting blood glucose<100mg).

14. Maintenance of optimal body weight (body mass index (BMI) below 25) especially avoiding abdominal obesity.

15. Flavor foods with herbs, garlic, mustard, lemon juice, salsa, tomato sauce, or seasoned vinegars.  Limit high fat additions like butter, margarine, mayonnaise, sour cream, and creamy sauces.

VITAMIN A - RETINAL

VITAMIN A - RETINAL

Vitamin A, also called as retinol, is a fat-soluble substance that is important for vision and for the membrane integrity, especially of epithelial cells and mucous membranes. It is thus known to prevent premature aging process of the skin. It is also essential for bone growth, reproduction and embryonic development. It has also been called the anti-infective vitamin and its deficiency can lead to increased frequency of respiratory tract and gastrointestinal infections.

The natural sources of vitamin A are alfalfa, animal livers, apricots, asparagus, beans, beets, broccoli, cabbage, cantaloupe, carrots, cod liver oil, dandelion green, dates, egg yolk, fish and fish liver oils, yellow and red fruits (like apricots, melon and pumpkin), dark green leafy vegetables (especially spinach, spirulina, turnip tops and green peas), garlic, kale, milk and milk products (especially butter and cheese), mustard, oranges, papayas, parsley, peaches, pumpkin, red palm oil, red pepper, soya beans, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, watercress (Jalkumb) and whole cereals.

The deficiency of vitamin A when mild, causes dryness, itching and peeling of the skin, problems in the teeth, bones, soft tissues, digestive tract, allergies, gallstones, etc. It is also useful to resist colds and improve immunity. In severe deficiencies, there are visionary disorders like myopia, night blindness, xerophthalmia (dryness and thickening of the bulbar conjunctiva of the eyes with formation of triangular Bitot's spots), keratomalacia (the cornea undergoes ulceration and necrosis), etc. Also the tissues of the body get damaged leading to recurrent infections of the mouth, respiratory organs, Genito-urinary tract, etc.

Hypervitaminosis A is especially common in children who have been given excessive amounts of vitamin A over a long period of time. The symptoms include irritability, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, headache, liver damage, dryness and scaling of skin and in rare cases an increased intracranial pressure.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that is essential to our health. Known as anti-opathalmic, vitamin A is essential for growth and vitality. It builds up resistance to respiratory and other infections and works mainly on the eyes, lungs, stomach and intestines. It prevents eye diseases and plays a vital role in nourishing the skin and hair. It helps to prevent premature ageing and senillity, increases life expectancy and extends youthfulness.

There are animal sources (retinol) and vegetable sources (carotenoids) of vitamin A in foods. Only a few of the carotenoids in foods are converted to vitamin A in the body. Beta-carotene is the most familiar carotenoid . The main sources of this vitamin are fish liver oil, liver, whole milk, curds, pure ghee, butter, cheese, cream and egg yolk, green leafy and certain yellow root vegetables such as spinach, lettuce, turnip, beets, carrot, cabbage and tomato and ripe fruits such as prunes, mangoes, papaya, apricots, peaches, almonds and other dry fruits.

A prolonged deficiency of vitamin A may result in inflammation of the eyes, poor vision frequent colds, night blindness and increased susceptibility to infections, lack of appetite and vigour, defective teeth and gums and skin disorders.

The recommended daily allowance of vitamin A is 5,000 international units for adults and 2,600 to 4,000 international units for children. When taken in large therapeutic doses, which are usually 25,000 to 50,000 units a day, it is highly beneficial in the treatment of head and chest colds, sinus trouble, influenza and other infectious diseases . It is also valuable in curing night blindness and other eye diseases as well as many stubborn skin disorders. This vitamin can be given upto 1,00,000 units a day for a limited period of four weeks under doctor’s supervision.In a recent year long study, huge doses of vitamin A given twice a year reduced death by about 30 per cent among Indonesian children. This has raised the hope in the fight against a significant cause of childhood mortality in developing countries.

Top 10 Tips for a Healthy Life

Top 10 Tips for a Healthy Life

1. Eat Healthy
"An apple a day keeps the doctor away." There’s more truth to this saying than we once thought. What you eat and drink and what you don’t eat and drink can definitely make a difference to your health. Eating five or more servings of fruits and vegetables a day and less saturated fat can help improve your health and may reduce the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases. Have a balanced diet, and watch how much you eat.

2. Maintain a Healthy Weight
Obesity is at an all time high in the United States, and the epidemic may be getting worse. Those who are overweight or obese have increased risks for diseases and conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. Eat better, get regular exercise, and see your health care provider about any health concerns to make sure you are on the right track to staying healthy.

3. Get Moving
More than 50 percent of American men and women do not get enough physical activity to provide health benefits. For adults, thirty minutes of moderate physical activity on most, preferably all, days of the week is recommended. It doesn’t take a lot of time or money, but it does take commitment. Start slowly, work up to a satisfactory level, and don’t overdo it. You can develop one routine, or you can do something different every day. Find fun ways to stay in shape and feel good, such as dancing, gardening, cutting the grass, swimming, walking, or jogging.

4. Be Smoke-Free
Health concerns associated with smoking include cancer and lung disease. Smoking triples the risk of dying from heart disease among those who are middle-aged. Second-hand smoke - smoke that you inhale when others smoke - also affects your health. If you smoke, quit today! Helplines, counseling, medications, and other forms of support are available to help you quit.

5. Get Routine Exams and Screenings 
Sometimes they’re once a year. Other times they’re more or less often. Based on your age, health history, lifestyle, and other important issues, you and your health care provider can determine how often you need to be examined and screened for certain diseases and conditions. These include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, sexually transmitted diseases, and cancers of the skin, prostate, and colon. When
problems are found early, your chances for treatment and cure are better. Routine exams and screenings can help save lives.

6. Get Appropriate Vaccinations
They’re not just for kids. Adults need them too. Some vaccinations are for everyone. Others are recommended if you work in certain jobs, have certain lifestyles, travel to certain places, or have certain health conditions. Protect yourself from illness and disease by keeping up with your vaccinations.

7. Manage Stress 
Perhaps now more than ever before, job stress poses a threat to the health of workers and, in turn, to the health of organizations. Balancing obligations to your employer and your family can be challenging. What’s your stress level today? Protect your mental and physical health by engaging in activities that help you manage your stress at work and at home.

8. Know Yourself and Your Risks
Your parents and ancestors help determine some of who you are. Your habits, work and home environments, and lifestyle also help to define your health and your risks. You may be at an increased risk for certain diseases or conditions because of what you do, where you work, and how you play. Being healthy means doing some homework, knowing yourself, and knowing what’s best for you because you are one of a kind.

9. Be Safe-Protect Yourself
What comes to mind when you think about safety and protecting yourself? Is it fastening seat belts, applying sunscreen, wearing helmets, or having smoke detectors? It’s all of these and more. It’s everything from washing your hands to watching your relationships. Did you know that men at work die most frequently from motor vehicle incidents, machine related injuries, homicides, and falls? Take steps to protect yourself and others wherever you are.

10. Be Good to Yourself 
Health is not merely the absence of disease; it’s a lifestyle. Whether it’s getting enough sleep, relaxing after a stressful day, or enjoying a hobby, it’s important to take time to be good to yourself. Take steps to balance work, home, and play. Pay attention to your health, and make healthy living a part of your life.

What is a stroke?

What is a stroke?

The normal brain
The brain can only function if blood is flowing through it. Two large blood vessels, which run along either side of the neck, bring blood from the heart to the brain. The blood vessels branch off and get smaller and smaller, until tiny blood vessels supply oxygen and nutrients to all parts of the brain.

A stroke
A stroke happens in the same way as a heart attack, but takes place in the brain. If the blood flow to the brain is interrupted, the brain loses its supply of oxygen and nutrients. This causes the damage to the brain tissue that we call a stroke. A stroke happens when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted .

A major stroke may also be called a cerebral haemorrhage or cerebral thrombosis. Other terms you may come across include:  Cerebrovascular disease, or Transient ischemic attack.

What causes heart attacks and strokes?
Heart attacks and strokes are mainly caused by a blockage that prevents blood from flowing to the heart
or the brain. The most common reason for this is a build-up of fatty deposits on the inner walls of the blood vessels that supply the heart or the brain. This makes the blood vessels narrower and less flexible. It is sometimes called hardening of the arteries or atherosclerosis. The blood vessels are then more likely to get blocked by blood clots. When that happens, the blood vessels cannot supply blood to the heart and brain, which become damaged.

What is a heart attack?

What is a heart attack?

The normal heart
The human heart is only the size of a fist, but it is the strongest muscle in the body. With every heartbeat, the heart pumps blood, carrying oxygen and nutrients, to all parts of the body. The heart beats about 70 times a minute in a person at rest. The heart rate increases when we are active or when we feel strong emotions.

A heart attack
The heart itself gets oxygen and nutrients through blood vessels called the coronary arteries. When the blood flow to the heart is cut off, the decrease in the supply of oxygen and nutrients can cause lasting damage to this vital organ. When the blockage is sudden, it is called a heart attack.

If the blockage is only partial and the blood flow to the heart is decreased, it can cause chest pain called angina. It  may not cause lasting damage to the heart muscle, but it is a warning sign that a person could develop a major heart attack.

A heart attack may also be called a myocardial infarction or coronary thrombosis. Other terms you may come across include: Coronary heart disease, Ischemic heart disease, Coronary artery disease, or Angina pectoris.

A few tips to manage Diabetes

A few tips to manage Diabetes

The problem of high blood sugar levels is  very common these days.These are a few simple tips provided by Pandith Elchuri to manage Diabetes.

Ingredients needed:

1. Gooseberries churna-Amla Powder or amla churna-Usurikaya in Telugu and Nellikai in Tamil.The fruit pieces are dried well the pieces are powdered -This powder(Churna) is available in ayurvedic stores but making it at home is recommended .

2. Turmeric powder -Pasupu in Telugu -Manjal in Tamil,Haldi in Hindi.

Both the ingredients should be pure.
Mix both the powders in equal quantities and store in a dry glass jar.

Eat half a spoon of this with water twice a day.In the mornings it is taken on an empty stomach.The dosage may be increased to 1 spoon if the problem is severe.This will definitely normalise blood sugar levels in a month.
The quantity of rice should also be decreased.

Famous People with a Cleft

Famous People with a Cleft

This is a list of well known people with a cleft.

Cleft is a congenital deformity caused by a failure in facial development during pregnancy.

Cleft lip and cleft palate, which can also occur together as cleft lip and palate are variations of a type of clefting congenital deformity caused by abnormal facial development during gestation. This type of deformity is sometimes referred to as a cleft.

A Cleft is a sub-division in the body's natural structure, regularly formed before birth. A cleft lip or palate can be successfully treated with surgery soon after birth. The term hare lip is sometimes used colloquially to describe the condition.

Cleft lip is formed in the top of the lip as either a small gap or an indentation in the lip (partial or incomplete cleft) or continues into the nose (complete cleft).

Cleft palate is a condition in which the two plates of the skull that form the hard palate (roof of the mouth) are not completely joined. The soft palate is in these cases cleft as well. In most cases, cleft lip is also present. Cleft palate occurs in about one in 700 live births worldwide.

Cleft lips or palates occur in somewhere between one in 600-800 births. Cleft lip and palate is very treatable, however the kind of treatment depends on the type and severity of the cleft. A cleft palate or cleft lip is nothing to be ashamed of or to fear. Thanks to modern technology cleft palate surgery is safer than ever before and can help a child make a full recovery.

List of Famous People with a Cleft:

Tutankhamun - (1341 BC - 1323 BC) was an Egyptian Pharaoh of the Eighteenth dynasty (ruled 1333 BC - 1324 BC in the conventional chronology), during the period of Egyptian history known as the New Kingdom. Tutankhamun was only eight or nine years old when he became pharaoh, and reigned for approximately ten years, making him eighteen or nineteen years old at death. He was originally thought to be a son of Amenhotep III and his Great Royal Wife Queen Tiye. Later, further research claimed that he may have been a son of Amenhotep III, although not by Queen Tiye, since Tiye would have been more than fifty years old at the time of Tutankhamun's birth. The 1922 discovery by Howard Carter of Tutankhamun's intact tomb, KV62, received worldwide press coverage and sparked a renewed public interest in ancient Egypt, for which Tutankhamun's burial mask remains the popular face. According to diagnostic imaging Tutankhamun the Egyptian Pharaoh may have had a slightly cleft palate.

Cheech Marin - Richard Anthony "Cheech" Marin (born July 13, 1946) is an American comedian and actor who gained recognition as part of the comedy act Cheech and Chong during the 1970s and early 1980s, and as Don Johnson's quick-and-scheme partner, Insp. Joe Dominguez on Nash Bridges. His stage persona is that of a stereotypical Mexican American, or an uneducated urban Chicano. Marin was born with a cleft lip, which has long since been repaired. He speaks fluent Spanish and uses it in some of the movies he stars in. Marin's trademark is his character's Mexican-accented voice.

     

Doc Holliday - Dentist, gambler and gunfighter of the American Old West frontier. "Doc" Holliday was born in Griffin, Georgia, to Henry Burroughs Holliday and Alice Jane Holliday (nee McKey). His father served in both the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. At birth he had a cleft palate and partly cleft lip. At two months of age, this defect was repaired surgically by Holliday's uncle, J.S. Holliday, M.D., and a family cousin, the famous physician Crawford Long. The repair left no speech impediment though speech therapy was needed, which was conducted by his mother. However, the repair is visible in Holliday's upper lip line in the one authentic adult portrait-photograph which survives, taken on the occasion of his graduation from dental school.

     

Rita MacNeil - born May 28, 1944) is a Canadian country and folk singer from the community of Big Pond on Nova Scotia's Cape Breton Island. Her biggest hit, "Flying On Your Own", was a crossover Top 40 hit in 1987 and was covered by Anne Murray the following year, although she has had hits on the country charts throughout her career. In the United Kingdom, MacNeil's song "Working Man" was a #11 smash in 1990. Rita grew up in Big Pond, Cape Breton with three brothers and four sisters. Often chaotic, her youth included the physical and psychological trauma of surgery for a cleft palate.

Wendy Harmer - Australian comedian The comedian, author and former radio star says she has always felt older than her real age, perhaps because of the responsibility thrust upon her as the eldest of four children, after her parents split up when she was 10. Or perhaps it was the toughness and maturity needed to cope with a double cleft lip and palate, enduring stares and bullying in the country Victorian town she grew up in. The birth defect was not fixed until she was 15 and required her mouth to be sewn together for three months.

Peyton Manning - Peyton Williams Manning (born March 24, 1976) is an American football quarterback who currently plays for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He is widely regarded as one of the best active quarterbacks in the NFL. He previously played college football for Tennessee. Manning was drafted by the Colts as the first overall pick in 1998. He is the son of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning and the older brother of current New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning.

Tad Lincoln - Thomas "Tad" Lincoln (April 4, 1853 - July 15, 1871) was the fourth and youngest son of President Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln. Tad was born with a cleft palate. (A cleft palate is a large hole in the roof of the mouth) Surgical intervention to correct the situation was unheard of in the 1850's when he was born. This cleft presented many problems. Among others, it was the cause of a speech impediment in the form of a lisp in Tad's voice. This same cleft caused diet problems and it made it impossible for his teeth to grow straight which, in turn, made it difficult to chew. As a result, Tad's diet consisted of items he did not have to bite into or chew very much.

Thomas Malthus -  Thomas Robert Malthus (13 February 1766 - 23 December 1834) Malthus developed a theory of demand-supply mismatches which he called gluts. Considered ridiculous at the time, his theory foreshadowed later theories about the Great Depression, and the works of admirer and economist John Maynard Keynes. Malthus refused to have his portrait painted until 1833 because of embarrassment over a cleft lip. After surgical correction, Malthus then became considered "handsome." Malthus also had a cleft palate (inside his mouth) that affected his speech. These cleft-related birth defects occurred relatively commonly in his family.

Carmit Bachar - (born September 4, 1974) is an American dancer, singer and actress. She was a member of the successful pop/R&B group, the Pussycat Dolls and was one of the three main vocalists of the Pussycat Dolls, next to Melody Thornton and Nicole Scherzinger. Bachar departed the group in March of 2008. Bachar has also appeared in several films, including 13 Going on 30, Along Came Polly, and 2003's Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle featuring the Pussycat Dolls. It has been reported that she wishes to form a non-profit organization called "Smile With Me": "I want to have my own charity for children and adults who are born with a cleft palate. I was born with one and I want to educate and inspire people by saying that inner beauty is more important than looks." Bachar is an ambassador of "Operation Smile", a worldwide children's medical charity that helps improve the health and lives of children and young adults born with facial deformities.

Jesse Jackson - Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr. (born October 8, 1941) is an American civil rights activist and Baptist minister. He was a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1984 and 1988 and served as "shadow senator" for the District of Columbia from 1991 to 1997. He was the founder of both entities that merged to form Rainbow/PUSH. Representative Jesse Jackson, Jr. is his eldest son.

Richard Hawley - (born Richard Willis Hawley, 17 January 1967, Sheffield, England) is a guitarist, singer, songwriter and producer. After his first band, Treebound Story (formed while he was still at school), broke up, Hawley found success as a member of Britpop band The Longpigs in the 1990s. He later played with Pulp, led by his friend Jarvis Cocker. Bullied at primary school for the hair lip and cleft palate that distinguished him from his peers, he says he never saw himself as frontman material. "At the same time," he adds, "the music was always there. Always."

Michael Helm - Canadian novelist. Helm was born in Eston, Saskatchewan, and studied literature at the University of Toronto after receiving a degree in English at the University of Saskatchewan. His debut novel, The Projectionist (1997), was nominated for the Giller Prize and the Trillium Book Award. His second novel, In the Place of Last Things (2004) was a finalist for the regional Commonwealth Prize for Best Book and the Rogers Writers' Trust Fiction Prize. Helm has also been an editor of the Canadian literary journals Descant and Brick.

Jurgen Habermas - (born June 18, 1929) is a German philosopher and sociologist in the tradition of critical theory and American pragmatism. He is best known for his work on the concept of the public sphere, which he has based in his theory of communicative action. His work has focused on the foundations of social theory and epistemology, the analysis of advanced capitalistic societies and democracy, the rule of law in a critical social-evolutionary context, and contemporary politics, particularly German politics. A cleft palate gives a slightly asymmetric feel to Habermas' square, strong face and has left him with a minor speech impediment. Might this be behind his reluctance to appear before the cameras? "The pragmatic reason why I refuse these requests is that I have to protect the time and rest (I need) for my professional work," he notes. Then Habermas adds, "Maybe there are also reasons of a more personal nature."

Stacy Keach - (born Walter Stacy Keach, Jr. on June 2, 1941 in Savannah, Georgia) is an American actor and narrator. He is most famous for his dramatic roles; however, he has done narration work in educational programming on PBS and the Discovery Channel, as well as some comedy and musical roles. His brother, James Keach is known most notably for being the director of the 1993 TV series and 1999 movie Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman. He has been married three times: to Marilyn Aiken in 1975, to Jill Donahue in 1981, and to Malgosia Tomassi around 1986. He has two children from his third marriage. He was also romantically linked to singer Judy Collins in the early 1970s. Keach was born with a cleft lip and a partial cleft of the hard palate and underwent numerous operations as a child. He is the honorary chairman of the Cleft Palate Foundation, and advocates for insurance coverage for such surgeries.

Tim Lott - British author, born on 23 January 1956 in Southall, west London. He graduated from the London School of Economics in 1986, after running his own magazine publishing business. His first book, the semi-autobiographical The Scent of Dried Roses, was published in 1996 and won the J.R.Ackerley Prize for Autobiography. His next work, White City Blue, was published in 1999 and won that year's Whitbread Award for Best First Novel. He was also shortlisted in the 'Best Novel' category of the 2002 Whitbread Awards for his work, Rumours of a Hurricaine. He has since published "The Love Secrets of Don Juan", "The Seymour Tapes" and "Fearless".

Ljubo Milicevic - (born 13 February 1981 in Melbourne) is an Australian football (soccer) player. Millicevic attended secondary school at St Bede's College (Mentone). He began his professional career with Melbourne Knights in Australia playing one game before moving to Perth Glory in 1999, where he played a major role in getting the Western Australian side to its first ever NSL Grand Final in 2000. He then moved to Europe and went on to play for FC Zurich, FC Basel, FC Thun and BSC Young Boys in Switzerland.

Nikki Payne - Canadian comedian and actress, from Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia, Canada. She is well known for her lisp and sports a cleft lip, holds nothing back when it comes to giving major lip to audiences. Not only is her stand-up exceptionally entertaining, but she delivers it with more flair and pizzazz than almost anyone else in comedy today. She has won three Canadian Comedy Awards for Best Stand-up Newcomer and Best Female Stand-up (2003 & 2005). She is the first stand-up in either the male or female category to win the best stand-up award twice. She is also the first stand-up of either gender to win both a best newcomer and best stand-up award. Nikki Payne has appeared in Last Comic Standing, A main character on "Video On Trial, Buzz, and the NFB documentary The Next Big Thing. She has also appeared in the Canadian sketch comedy show Comedy Inc. (TV series). She is a member of The Sketchersons, a sketch comedy troupe in Toronto, Ontario.

Geoff Plant - QC (born 1956) is a British Columbia lawyer and politician known for his interest in citizen's legal and electoral rights and aboriginal rights. Raised in Vancouver, Plant received a B.A. from Harvard University in 1978 and law degrees from the University of Southampton in England in 1980, Dalhousie University in Halifax in 1981, and from the University of Cambridge in 1989. For a year, Plant was a clerk in the Supreme Court of Canada in Ottawa prior to being called to the bar in 1982. Plant was counsel in a number of leading aboriginal rights and title cases, including the 1997 landmark case of Delgamuukw v. British Columbia where the Supreme Court of Canada made its most definitive statement on the nature of Aboriginal title in Canada. Plant was born with a cleft palate and has visible results of corrective surgery. The congenital disorder's effect on his speech was not a barrier to his succeeding in law and politics, two careers that require skillful verbal communication.

Lee Raymond - (born August 13, 1938) was the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of ExxonMobil from 1999 to 2005. He had previously been the CEO of Exxon since 1993. He joined the company in 1963 and has been president since 1987 and a director since 1984. His cleft lip didn't hold him back from life. On August 4, 2005, Raymond announced that he would retire at the end of 2005 as ExxonMobil's Chairman and CEO. ExxonMobil president Rex W. Tillerson succeeded Raymond on 1 January 2006. On April 14, 2006, it was reported that Raymond's retirement package was worth about $400 million, the largest in history for a U.S. public company.

Louis Wain - Louis Wain (5 August 1860 - July 4, 1939) was an English artist best known for his drawings, which consistently featured anthropomorphised large-eyed cats and kittens. In his later years he suffered from schizophrenia, which, according to some psychologists, can be seen in his works. Wain was born with a cleft lip and the doctor gave his parents the orders that he should not be sent to school or taught until he was ten years old. As a youth, he was often truant from school, and spent much of his childhood wandering around London. Following this period, Louis studied at the West London School of Art and eventually became a teacher there for a short period. At the age of 20, Wain was left to support his mother and sisters after his father's death.

Joaquin Rafael Phoenix - (born October 28, 1974), is a film actor, musician, and occasional rapper. He was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where he lived for the first 4 years of his childhood. His family then moved to the continental United States, where he was raised. UPDATED - Joaquin Phoenix was born with what is called a micro cleft, not a birthmark. A micro cleft is the most minor form of a cleft lip. It never had to be repaired thus he believes he doesn't qualify as having a cleft.