Parenting

Transitions: Helping kids make the leap to adult care

In healthcare, transition refers to planning for and making the move from child to adult services. When the process isn’t managed well, young adults can fall into gaps in care and declining function, health, and quality of life. … READ MORE

Adapted Sport and Recreation Summer Camps 2019 – University of Calgary

Come discover your abilities! Explore a variety of adapted sport, recreation and leisure activities – sledge hockey, climbing, swimming, wheelchair sports, dance, gymnastics and art. Campers take part in a new adapted camp at … READ MORE

Adolescents with cerebral palsy report similar quality of life to their able-bodied peers

“Our results are encouraging. Across 10 different areas of life, adolescents with cerebral palsy only ranked their quality of friend and peer relationships as on average lower than adolescents in the general population, … READ MORE

Girl, 3, is Orange family’s inspiration to change the world of pediatric walkers

Serena Zitnay, 3, uses her walker to get around as her older sister Emma, 5, looks on at the family home in Orange. Christian Abraham, Hearst Connecticut Media By Pam McLoughlin, New Haven Register November 21, 2018 Three-year-old … READ MORE

New research gives parents a heads-up (on plagiocephaly)

This morning, Kennedy had her 12-week scan done at STAR. I was so excited to take her, since I was pretty sure this would be the end of our time with the STARband. Kennedy has been wearing her helmet for three months – quite a long … READ MORE

Crucial for health system, many caregivers are struggling financially and emotionally

Caregivers are ‘glue that keeps the health-care system together,’ foundation says Stephane Alexis embraces his brother Torence, left, as they are photographed in their family home near Ottawa. Stephane helps provide care … READ MORE

How does helping people affect your brain?

Study shows neurobiological effects of providing support to others. Both younger and older participants in the Intergenerational Care Project have expressed excitement and joy at being able to interact with each other. Griffith … READ MORE

Pectus carinatum bracing – FAQs for parents

Help your child wear the brace exactly as recommended by your health care provider. This will help your child get the best results from it. Bracing in pediatric patients with pectus carinatum is effective and improves quality of life. … READ MORE

Alberta law to allow unwed parents to share financial burden of disabled adult children

The proposed legislation would allow parents to apply for financial support from ex-partners. Christina Ryan reads to her daughter, Emily, who is 18 but still requires constant care due to her Down syndrome and several other medical … READ MORE

The women behind “befree zipOn” pants – on solving a design flaw for people with disabilities

Four years ago, when Nikki Puzzo haphazardly cut up a pair of her daughter Stella’s pajama pants and reconstructed them with Velcro on the sides so they could easily be taken on and off over a spica cast, she found it hard to … READ MORE

Dancer’s path offers hope of walking for Orchard Park boy

Easton Jordan works on his walking steps with his physical therapist Elizabeth Bailey-Sands Clay at his home in Orchard Park NY. Mark Mulville, Buffalo News By Scott Scanlon, The Buffalo News June 9, 2017 Easton Jordan has seen Lauren … READ MORE

Jason DaSilva’s “The Disability Trap” is beautiful and infuriating

The acclaimed documentary filmmaker and New Mobility’s 2014 Person of the Year, Jason DaSilva, just released a powerful new documentary in collaboration with The New York Times. Jason DaSilva on Vimeo By Seth McBride, New Mobility … READ MORE

Special needs car seat – Transport Canada approved

The special needs 2-in-1 car seat solution helps families enjoy safe travelling. Available at Calgary Co-op Home Health Care Thomashilfen and Harmony are two family owned companies passionate about providing safe and comfortable … READ MORE

Family shows solidarity with their 4-month-old who needs a helmet

Gary and Shayna Gutierrez, parents of two from San Antonio, Texas, found out last week that their 4-month-old son, Jonas, has brachycephaly. The common diagnosis develops when an infant’s soft skull becomes flattened in one … READ MORE

Siblings of disabled people know them best. Let’s use their insight

A disabled person’s care is hugely improved if their family and providers collaborate effectively. My charity’s guides help. Almost six years ago, a government report stressed how crucial family involvement is in the support of … READ MORE

How do you assess pain in children who can’t express themselves?

New research identifies priorities in identifying pain in non-verbal children with medical complexity. Pain is a frequent problem for children with complex medical conditions — but many of them are unable to communicate their pain … READ MORE

Children with disabilities endure long waits for life-changing medical equipment

Bev Baker-Ajene waited so long to get an adult-sized wheelchair for her teenage daughter, Savitri, that she eventually forgot she’d ordered it. Bev Baker-Ajene ran into red tape trying to acquire an appropriate wheelchair and shower … READ MORE

Young people with chronic health conditions get help transferring to adult care

Provincial project team hopes to enrol 600 people aged 16 to 21 in trial program over next two years. University of Calgary researcher Susan Samuel is leading the Transition Navigator Trial to improve the transition of young people … READ MORE

Alberta’s Transition Navigator Trial, TNT

A randomized controlled trial evaluating a patient navigator service to improve the transition from pediatric to adult care. University of Calgary researcher Susan Samuel is leading the Transition Navigator Trial to improve the … READ MORE

Custom home built for family of disabled nine-year-old daughter

After almost a full year of construction and six years of planning, Clare’s House is built and nine-year-old Clare Jackson will be better equipped to live with cerebral palsy, scoliosis and her other severe medical challenges. Clare … READ MORE

Low wages are driving a shortage of care providers – elders and the disabled now face a crisis in California

According to the Centers for Disease Control, nearly 14 percent of Americans have developmental disabilities like Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy and autism. The rates of such disabilities are on a steady rise, and some members of … READ MORE

Prevalence of idiopathic toe-walking in children from birth to 10 years of age

Investigators found 79% of children who had ever been toe-walkers spontaneously developed typical gait by 10 years of age and did so without intervention or contractures of the ankle dorsiflexion. There are a number of reasons some … READ MORE

Calgary mom of terminally ill boy urges empathy in neighbourhood parking spat

‘I’ve had people come to my door and tell me that I needed to move the vehicle or they were going to hit it.’ Melissa Huitema and her sons, from left, Cade, 5, Kean, 3, and Kai, 7, are seen in this undated handout … READ MORE

Camping with cerebral palsy is fun and challenging

Camping isn’t on the top 10 list of activities for people with disabilities. Growing up, I went to a summer camp for children with disabilities, but I stayed in cabins with bathrooms. Five years ago, my husband asked me to go … READ MORE

Federal home visiting program can be improved to better meet needs of families

Compared with other countries, the United States often falls short on many maternal and child health outcomes. A federal program known as Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) is designed to give pregnant women … READ MORE

Edmonton day camp for children with disabilities, chronic illness receives funding boost

‘I’ve always wanted to learn gymnastics and become an athlete.’ A free day camp for children living with a chronic illness or disability. Apply Now! Children with disabilities and chronic illnesses and their friends … READ MORE

Father helps son with cerebral palsy walk with custom 3D printed orthosis

Around the world, over 17 million people have limited control of their bodies due to cerebral palsy (CP). A diagnosis of CP can be terrifying for new parents, as they wonder whether their child will ever sit, stand, walk, feed … READ MORE

‘I can’t continue to do this forever’: Families with children aging out of care seek answers

CBC Radio’s Crisis of Care panel brought together concerned families and a group of experts. Matthew Canto with his parents Rose and Tony. Rose spoke about her fears for Matthew’s future as she struggles to find … READ MORE

It’s limitless: Paralyzed toddler moves from homemade wheelchair to treadmill

‘She’s going to take on the world and it’s awesome’ Evelyn Moore is hooked up to her dad Brad Moore as they take part in a walking exercise at the ReYu Paralysis Recovery Centre in Edmonton. The Canadian Press … READ MORE

‘I am absolutely furious,’ says mother trying to renew disability tax credit

CRA complaints include lost documents, rejection of previously approved applicants. More Canadians are speaking out about difficulty dealing with the Canada Revenue Agency as they apply for the disability tax credit. Canadians are … READ MORE

« 1 2 3 4 5 »