Looking for parents to participate in a new study

Staff at TVCC are collaborating with researchers in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Western on a study that aims to understand how parents of young children with cerebral palsy use health information when living with and caring for their children.


If you are interested in learning more about this study, please contact Monique VanKessel (monique.vankessel@tvcc.on.ca or phone 519 685-8700 ext 53391) or Wendy Worsfold (wendy.worsfold@tvcc.on.ca or phone 519 685-8700 ext 53454).”

Parents with Disabilities

My son and his wife will soon be foster parents. I’m happy for them but my head spins with all the concerns I have. Steve and Lisa both use wheelchairs for mobility. I’ve always felt proud of how independent and capable they are in spite of their physical challenges. Still, I can’t help but worry – all the “what-ifs” are mind-boggling.boggling.
An article in Exceptional Parent magazine helped shine some light on the situation. The following are excerpts from the article.

“According to “Challenges and Strategies of Disabled Parents Findings from a National Survey of Parents with Disabilities” the most challenging aspects of parenting with a disability include:

· physical exertion

· doing everything that needs to get done

· social messages given to children

· keeping up with children

· transportation

· discipline

· maintaining continuity in children’s lives

· limited income

· participation in school events

· communication

And like all parents, parents with disabilities find that raising children can be a true pleasure. According to the same survey, parents with disabilities reported these positive aspects of their unique parenting situation:

· child learns compassion

· child is more open-minded towards others

· more time with kids

· child is more resourceful”

“As with all parents, parents with disabilities require the support of their family and the community in which they reside. Parents with disabilities deserve an immense amount of respect, love, friendship and support from others. Indeed they are Exceptional Parents.”

That last paragraph really hit home! It is time for me to stop the “hand-wringing” and show some support for the to-be-parents.

Benefits of living with a child who has a disability

I was asked "what are the benefits of living with a child who has a disability". I did an information search and this is what I found:

· broadened horizons

· increased family members’ awareness of their inner strength

· enhanced family cohesion

· encouraged connections to community group or religious institutions

· pleasure/satisfaction in providing care for child

· child is a source of joy/happiness

· sense of accomplishment in having done one’s best for the child

· shared love with the child

· child provides a challenge or opportunity to learn and develop

· strengthened family and/or marriage

· giving new or increased sense of purpose in life

· development of new skills, abilities, or new career opportunities

· becoming a better person (more compassionate, less selfish, more tolerant)

· increased personal strength or confidence

· expanded social and community networks

· increase spirituality

· changed perspective on life (e.g. clarified what is important in life, more aware of the future)

· making the most of each day and living life at a slower pace

Important registration dates for sport/recreation

Track 3 Ski http://www.londontrack3.ca/

George Bray Hockey Program - Sep 17th (9am-noon), Sep 21st (6:30-9pm) and 24th (9am-noon) at Glen Carin Arena murrayhoward@execulink.com

London Blizzard Sledge Hockey - September 21 (5:00 - 6:00 at Western Fair Sports Centre/Arena) bernat.s@sympatico.ca

London Wheelchair Basketball - Paul pbowes4189@rogers.com or Tony ant@stonetown.com

Making Waves Swim Program - online http://www.makingwaveslondon.org/

Boccia - London Cannonballs www.londoncannonballs.ca/

Intro to ParaSwim - introtoparaswim@gmail.com

If you have any questions, please email one of the therapeutic recreationists at tr@tvcc.on.ca

Young People Talking to Health Care Providers

I came across an 18-minute video on  "The Institute for Child Health Policy" website. It teaches teens how to communicate effectively with health care providers. Have a look:  http://www.ichp.ufl.edu/videos/twyd

What is a Resource Centre?

E.B.White, children’s author of Charlotte’s Web, once wrote a letter to a librarian. These are his words but I have replaced the word “library” with “resource centre”. I hope you agree.

“A resource centre is many things. It’s a place to go to get in out of the rain. It’s a place to go if you want to sit and think. But particularly it is a place where books live, and where you can get in touch with other people, and other thoughts, through books. A resource centre is a good place to go when you feel bewildered or undecided for there in a book, you may have your questions answered. Books are good company in sad times and happy times, for books are people – people who have managed to stay alive by hiding between the covers of a book.”

Special Needs Apps 4 Kids Review System

I must admit I have iPad envy.
What fun! - I could be lying on some exotic beach with a screen in my face.

Some parents not only have iPads and/or iPods for themselves but for their children too. If you are one of these lucky parents, you may want to check out the website SNApps4Kids.com. It is a community of parents, therapists, doctors and teachers who share information on how we are using these devices with children who have special needs.

20 apps for kids are reviewed at:
http://www.snapps4kids.com/applicationreview/snapps-reviewed-app/
The reviews focus on skills, not age or developmental level.

As for me, I remain in front of my monitor that is attached to a computer the size of a suitcase.

Stem Cells and Cerebral Palsy

Our nurse, Dorothy Harris, gives two thumbs up to the article "Stem Cell Treatments for Cerebral Palsy, factsheet for patients and families". It is written by Crystal Ruff, Jared Wilcox and Michael Fehlings.
You can find a copy of the factsheet as well as a more in-depth newsletter at:

http://www.childhooddisability.ca/cdc_en/newsletter.php

Dr.Thomas W.Phelan's 1-2-3 Magic Parenting Newsletter

The April issue of this newsletter has the following articles:

• What To Do About Lying - A primary rule for parents when dealing with living is don't badger or corner children! Imagine you give a child the third degree about whether or not he has homework...
• Kids Won't Pick Up? Try This! - This idea was described to me by a woman many years ago. She told me that picking up around her house had never been a problem. This resourceful mother...

You can read the full text articles (along with previous issues) at http://www.parentmagic.com/newsletter-view.cfm

Why play dates are more than just fun and games

While our moms are busy scrapbooking, card making, quilting, painting or sewing..... during our "Just 4 Moms" program, the kids are also busy. They are getting together for a play date every Wednesday.

The kids are highlighted in the article "The More We Get Together... why play dates are more than just fun and games" (Abilities magazine spring 2011). The author, Lynn Swanson, is a freelance writer who lives in London, Ontario. She writes:

"Play is a kid's job...Play dates allow kids to be kids and to have fun without pressure. It's a great opportunity for them to learn, practise and develop their social skills."

Cold-Weather Cabin Fever Fun

Is the cold weather giving you cabin fever? I was surfing around looking for some good articles and came up with this one written by Nava Atlas. I found it at http://www.pedsforparents.com/articles/3036.shtml  The website is the online version of the magazine/journal "Pediatrics for Parents". You'll find tons of helpful articles on their subject index page  http://www.pedsforparents.com/articlesindex/subjectindex.shtml

The article starts out:

"Instead of feeling frustrated by the cold, dark days of winter, try to savor a slower pace, and incorporate simple pleasures into your days. Teach your children to do the same. It can be a delightful time to retreat to the shelter of home and hearth and get things done without the distractions afforded by the other seasons. Create special "cabin fever" rituals that will help you actually look forward to, rather than dread, those long cold days at home. This is especially helpful if you have preschoolers or young school-aged children home on snow days and sick days..."

It goes on to give you some good suggestions that may help eliminate the winter blues for your kids.
Happy kids = Happy mom

5th Annual Family Fun Festival

Consider bringing your family to the 5th Annual Family Fun Festival on Sunday, February 27, 2011 from 11 am to 2 pm at the Hellenic Community Centre.

It's a fundraiser for Childreach, tickets are $10 for children 2 to 12 and $40 for adults, and it's fabulous value and fun for all ages. This year's event is shaping up to be the best year yet with Storybook Garden's Imagination Playground, crafts from the Children's Museum, karaoke, cupcake decorating, crafts with the Waldorf School, face-painting, clowns, and visits from Princesses Belle & Aurora and Spiderman! There's a child-friendly brunch buffet, a sundae bar, a family-focused silent auction, a big loot bag for each child, and so much more!

For more information or to buy tickets, call Jane Powers at 519-434-3644 x36 and check out the website at
http://www.familyfunfestival.ca/

New Additions to the Resource Centre

There are always new items available in the Resource Centre for you to borrow. Follow this link to our list of new purchases http://www.tvcc.on.ca/new-and-hot-2.htm

Special Needs Recreation Directory

The Child & Youth Network's publication "Recreation and Healthy Living Resources" is a great list of contacts for:

1. financial assistance
2. specific disability groups
3. specialized sport and leisure opportunities
4. other healthy living resources & programs
5. respite & inclusion supports