Parenting

Cake, balloons, goodbye: What happens when your special needs child ages out of the system

A day with Gilly, a teen with autism and developmental delay on the cusp of aging out of the system – and her parents who are expected to pick up the slack. Gilly is a full-time student at a Toronto school for kids with special … READ MORE

Many parents of children with disabilities don’t make care plans

Fewer than half of parents of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities make long-term plans about who will take over their child’s care if the parent or other relative providing care dies or becomes incapacitated, a … READ MORE

In chronic disease care, family helpers are key, but feel left out

Physicians and policymakers should consider those family and friends who aren’t quite caregivers — but are definitely health supporters — in chronic disease care, a new study finds. Kara Gavin, Michigan Health Lab January 12, … READ MORE

Direct Funding means freedom for many people with disabilities. Is it accessible enough?

When Lisa Crigger advertises for staff on Kijiji, she’s mainly looking for people who can follow direction. Crigger has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair; she needs assistance with bathing, housekeeping, and child care. Briana … READ MORE

Parents shouldn’t over worry about early issues with children’s knees and feet

Most early anomalies in a child’s gait will work themselves out, says Dr. Peter Nieman. Childhood development can be a time of both excitement and stress. On the one hand, it is exciting for parents to document their baby’s … READ MORE

Unacceptably low number of Albertans receive disability tax credit

Process too complex and ambiguous, critics say. Only one in three Albertans with disabilities are benefiting from the federal disability tax credit, according to a report from the University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy. … READ MORE

Seeking one giant leap for a child’s mobility

With public programs stretched, some parents are turning to private therapies to help kids overcome mobility problems – but the jury is still out on their effectiveness. Therapist Sandi Marshall (left) and mother Nancy Grant (right) … READ MORE

We live with a cloud over our heads: Québecers say home care services fall short

Nearly 343,000 Québecers receive publicly-funded home care. Critics hope political parties commit to change. Rosalyn Williams-Ness has received home care services for the past 12 years. She says she lives with almost constant … READ MORE

Pink custom trike a dream come true for 12-year-old Syrian refugee with cerebral palsy

Elham Albakar and her family came to Canada in 2015 after fleeing conflict in Aleppo. Elham was presented with the bike by the Cerebral Palsy Association of Manitoba, Freedom Concepts and the Winnipeg Goldeyes Field of Dreams … READ MORE

Syrian woman with cerebral palsy gives back to Calgary community that supported her dreams

A woman living with cerebral palsy made the bold decision to move halfway across the world despite her disability. In Part 1 of Ready, Willing, and Abled, Tracy Nagai looks at how it transformed her life. Global News By Tracy Nagai, … READ MORE

Disabled Albertans ignored, says Edmonton mother

“People with disabilities have become an afterthought.” Leah McRorie, a mother of two adult children with disabilities, is calling on the Notley government to deliver on its promise to review the Program for Persons with … READ MORE

Grip aid for daily living with special needs

At last, a simple hygienic way for people with hand problems to hold eating utensils, cups, writing implements, sports equipment, and toys. Adelynn Zeuner holds a fork to eat peaches with the aid of an EazyHold band developed by a … READ MORE

Teacher encourages curiosity, respect about disabilities

Students in Chris Cook’s fourth-grade class at May Watts Elementary in Naperville, Illinois celebrate with him after his first Disability Awareness Month assembly, in which he answered student questions about living with … READ MORE

Tommy Hilfiger, Cat & Jack offer new adaptive clothing lines

In a sign that major retail may slowly be opening to clothing needs of consumers with disabilities, two major brands, Tommy Hilfiger and Target’s Cat & Jack, have introduced new adaptive clothing lines this fall. Tommy Hilfiger … READ MORE

Georgia psycho-educational schools an unconstitutional ‘dumping ground,’ new suit claims

Libby Beem was home-schooled so she would not have to attend a psycho-educational facility where experiments had been planned to deal with her behavioral issues. Bob Andres, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Alan Judd, The Atlanta … READ MORE

For foster parents of disabled children, money stays tight

Like most parents trying to make ends meet, Vivian Shine-King needs to get creative sometimes. When she has to take her four children to doctor’s appointments, for instance, she’ll make sure multiple kids are booked at the … READ MORE

UMBC robotics student invents help for those with disabilities like hers

Kavita Krishnaswamy is a PhD candidate in Computer Science at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) working with Dr. Tim Oates. She is both a Ford Foundation Predoctoral and National Science Foundation Graduate Research … READ MORE

Donations help disabled teen realize dream of attending university

Accepted to Carleton University, Benjamin Williamson risked watching his dream slip away. Benjamin Williamson will now be able to attend Carleton University, thanks to the generosity of donors to an online fundraising campaign. Ashley … READ MORE

Let me show you what I can do: A woman with special needs answers our questions

Melanie Reach is a 24-year-old Shorewood woman who has cerebral palsy. After over 20 years living with the neurological disorder, she has a lot to share with the world about the condition, the importance of kids with special needs … READ MORE

Bikes for special needs children in Brooklyn

It all started with a run — uphill, and against traffic. Sandra Alfonzo was taking her daily jog in Prospect Park two summers ago, training for another marathon, when she saw a boy about 6 years old in a wheelchair being pushed … READ MORE

6 things a teen with cerebral palsy wants new parents to know

I cannot begin to imagine what it is like to hear the words “your child has cerebral palsy,” because I have always been the one to have CP. It is all I have ever known, but does that have to be a bad thing? By Chloe Tear, The … READ MORE

Family loses fight for autistic son to have service dog in class

Ontario’s human rights tribunal has ruled that a nine-year-old autistic boy in Waterloo, Ont. can’t bring his service dog with him into class. The decision says Kenner Fee’s family failed to prove that having his … READ MORE

7 things I want my teachers to know as a disabled student

It’s that time of year again. School is starting — hear that sound? It’s thousands of parents cheering! As a disabled high school student in mainstream classes, these are the top seven things I hope my new teachers understand. … READ MORE

Reminiscing and hoping for a successful school year

As I say every year, I cannot believe how fast summer goes by, and I’m a mom of two. Back-to-school time always has me reflect on my own school days. Having cerebral palsy and going through the school system is quite an experience. … READ MORE

Dr. Peter Nieman: Reflecting on 30 years as a pediatrician in Calgary

This month marks three decades for me in a community-based pediatric clinic. The location of the clinic has remained the same, but the nature of this amazing occupation has evolved in surprising ways. The saying of “the more things … READ MORE

7-year-old’s mystery illness baffles specialists

Gracie Lee Straus loves taking photographs of people and turning them into jigsaw puzzles on her iPad — from her friends and teachers to her doctors, nurses and therapists. She loves puzzles, even the old-fashioned, hands-on ones. … READ MORE

Recreation programs foster inclusion

It’s all about playing together. That’s the philosophy of special recreation inclusion efforts integrating those with special needs into mainstream park programs. Laney Myers, right, works to get control of the ball during … READ MORE

What is torticollis and deformational plagiocephaly?

Males Twins Superhero Siblings. Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital Grand Rapids MI. Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital ▽ Table of Contents What is torticollis? What is deformational plagiocephaly? If your baby has torticollis … READ MORE

Care for chronically ill children may suffer when parents and doctors are at odds

Holly remembers the day doctors diagnosed her son with cerebral palsy and told her he would need life-long care. “It changes everything,” she shared in an interview with Katherine Rafferty, a lecturer in psychology and … READ MORE

‘It doesn’t seem fair’: Unwed parents in Alberta don’t share financial burden once disabled child turns 18

‘Unless you’ve been married, you fall through the cracks,’ says Calgary woman challenging provincial law. Christina Ryan reads to her daughter, Emily, who just turned 18 but still requires constant care due to her … READ MORE

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