Care Tips for Cerebral Palsy

Caused by injury or abnormal development, Cerebral Palsy refers to a set of conditions involving the brain and nervous system. Cerebral Palsy is known as the most common motor disability affecting children, according to the CDC. Recently, there have been positive findings working in the direction of a potential cure for the condition, but research still has a long way to go.

If you are weathering day-to-day challenges of caring for a loved one with Cerebral Palsy, don’t feel like you’ve been abandoned. Easter Seals offers services that can help your situation. When a loved one is diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, the first thing you need is support and guidance. Easter Seals Florida offers many individuals support through Early Intervention and aims to change lives. Contact us today for support. To get you started, we’ve included a list of Cerebral Palsy caregiving tips.

Cerebral Palsy Caregiving Tips:

1.      Keep surfaces in your home clean and clear of potentially dangerous objects

2.      Remember to pad sharp corners for safety

3.      Side rails for the bed and bathroom are helpful

4.      Install seat belts in chairs

5.      Plug electrical outlets and don’t let chords hang low

6.      Join a support group

7.      Seek guidance for coping

8.      Look at, talk to and even sing to your child often

9.      Use multiple forms of communication (talking, hand gestures, writing, smiling)

10.  Create personalized activities to help develop your child’s skills

11.  Stick to rules to help develop routines

12.  Encourage independence when possible

13.  Play time is important for development of intellectual and motor skills

14.  Help your loved one hold and release objects

15.  Seek professional help

Mother’s Day is on the way

We are Feeling Fabulous this Friday!

Mother’s Day is right around the corner, so our post today is all about honoring mothers. Thank you to all mothers who give so much. Every mother is unique and wonderful.

"The heart of a mother is a deep abyss at the bottom of which you will always find forgiveness."

-Honore de Balzac

Guiding Light Mom

Mom, from the time I was really young,
I realized I had someone...you,
who always cared,
who always protected me,
who was always there for me no matter what.

You taught me right from wrong,
and pushed me to do the right thing,
even when it was hard to do.
You took care of me when I was sick,
and your love helped make me well.

You had rules,
and I learned that when I obeyed them,
my life was simpler, better, richer.
You were and are
the guiding light of my life.

My heart is filled with love for you,
my teacher, my friend, my mother.

By Karl and Joanna Fuchs

Honor your mother and thank her for everything. If you’re looking for gift ideas, feel good about giving back when you send your mother ProFlowers. Easter Seals receives ten dollars when you place an order. Everyone have a fabulous Friday and do something very special for your mother.

“Soft and in my heart”

Today is Feeling Fabulous Friday and we want to share a first-hand testament to the benefits of having a pet for special needs individuals!

Recently there have been news reports about Twinkie the pig and her pal Kason. Kason, a young boy with special needs, and Twinkie are true friends. The family almost lost Twinkie due to city threats that the family couldn’t keep Twinkie because a pig is considered livestock. They explained why they fought hard to keep Twinkie; why Twinkie is such an important member of the family.

Kason even expressed his feelings about Twinkie:

Kason’s Mother: What do you like about Twinkie?"

Kason: "To pet her."

Kason’s Mother: "You like to pet her. Is she soft?"

Kason: "Soft and in my heart."

Reporter: "She's in your heart?"

Kason: "Yup!"

Photo Credit: WSVN.com

This report is so touching. It is a testament to recent research about the impact of animal exposure on children with special needs. We've gathered some lists of potential benefits for special needs children for families to consider.

Benefits of Pet Interaction for Special Needs Individuals:

·         Pets provide love and unconditional acceptance

·         They create calm rather than create stress

·         Pets provide an opportunity for children to develop social skills

·         When allowed to be involved in animal care, kids develop responsibility

·         Caring for their pet boosts confidence because they are relied on

·         Animals have been known to improve the results of physical therapy

Of course, it is always important to be mindful about the safety of both children and pets. We recommend parents always monitor children playing with pets.

Kason and Twinkie’s heartwarming story has left us feeling fabulous today. Easter Seals Florida is so encouraged by stories like this and hope the information above is helpful.

NAO Robots for schools with special needs

It is Feeling Fabulous Friday here at Easter Seals Florida and we've got robots on our radar.

Technology advancements are infiltrating society by the second. From smart phones to evolving computer capabilities, so many innovations on are on the rise. Perhaps the most exciting technological advancements though, are assistive technologies that are helping with everything from cognitive to physical impairment.

Most recently, NAO Robots are a break through worth noting. These robots appeal to the masses as the next step in computer technology. Though acting as an improved and sociable computer catches general consumer attention, their potential impact for special needs could be groundbreaking.  

Photo Credit Aldebaran Robotics

Researchers are expecting that NAO robots will become extremely useful in special needs schools. A common difficulty for individuals with autism is that they become overwhelmed by social interaction due to interpreting body language, voice tone, words and many more human traits. That is where the NAO Robots bridges a gap. These robots are programmed to perform the same actions as humans, but not nearly as many actions. They are also programmed to speak softer and in a slower, more concise way than people. Not only are the robots expected to be able to connect with and therefore teach children with disabilities, but they are expected to also improve their social abilities.

The NAO Robots are bringing joy to Easter Seals Florida this fabulous Friday and hopefully to you as well!

Dreams and Dementia

We've all known people that walk and talk in their sleep. It is a fascinating occurrence that is difficult to explain. Recently though, the Mayo clinic found that men who act out in their sleep are more likely to develop dementia. By no means is acting out in ones sleep a direct sign of dementia, but there has been a strong correlation. Seventy-five to eighty percent of men with dementia with Lewy bodies (a specific type of dementia) at the Mayo Clinic experience acting out in their sleep.

 

(Photo Credit: Health Guidance)

"So it is a very powerful marker for the disease," says lead investigator Melissa Murray, Ph.D., a neuroscientist at Mayo Clinic in Florida. There will be future studies to determine more about this information. Below is a list of additional signs and symptoms that have been linked to dementia:

Dementia Symptoms:

1.      Frequently falling

2.      Mismanaging money

3.      Loss of humor

4.      Missing social queues

5.      Staring in space

6.      Eating strange objects

7.      Loss of memory

8.      Never embarrassed

9.      Lack of empathy

10. Hoarding

11. Difficulty speaking

12. Decrease in motor skills

13. Neglecting personal care

14. Hallucinations

If you suspect a loved one may be suffering from Dementia, it is recommended that you immediately contact your health care provider. There are many home preparations, medications, counseling and care options available for assisting individuals with dementia, including care at Easter Seals Day Break. 

(Easter Seals Day Break)

DenDanto’s journey

It’s Feeling Fabulous Friday!

Easter Seals Florida is extremely excited to share a story that truly hits home with our mission. It is an unfortunate truth that in the past and sometimes still today, there are stigmas associated with autism. People have questioned what they don’t understand. Fortunately though, autism awareness is on the rise. In fact, Tuesday was Autism Awareness Day and April is Autism Awareness Month. Society is slowly learning not to define individuals by their autism.

We are sending a shout out to Chad DenDanto on MTV’s “World of Jenks.” Chad is one of three individuals to be followed by Andrew Jenks in the second season of MTV’s “World of Jenks.” The show will follow Chad during his transition into adulthood. From dating to finding work after high school, Jenks will be living with Chad and witnessing his journey. And there is something else about Chad, he has autism.

Worldof Jenks
MTV
Mondays 11/10c

What is so great about this project is the show’s aim to bring autism in front of society and show people there is no need for social stigma. “One in 88 American children have autism now. It’s something prevalent that could use more mainstream media attention,” Jenks said “We realized (at MTV) that we had an opportunity to humanize and ‘destigmatize’ what it’s like to have autism.”

We’re truly excited for the show and support this message all the way! Have an awesome Friday everyone.

  

The court is yours, take it

It’s Feeling Fabulous Friday

Today at Easter Seals Florida we've got basketball on the mind, but we aren't think of March Madness. We are remembering a great story that comes from Germantown High School outside Memphis, Tennessee. You may be wondering what is so important about Germantown High School, but the question to ask is “who is so important?”

David Andrews’ of the Germantown High School basketball team has an inspiring story that is spreading across the country. David is a young man with Down Syndrome that loves to play basketball. Though he began last season on the bench, it wasn't long before he struck up attention. When his team was safely headed to victory one night, his coach gave him a chance on the court. Crowds cheered him on as he made shot after shot. With a three-pointer shooting statistic better than LeBron James, David has been wowing fans ever since.

Image Credit: ABC

We are so inspired by David here at Easter Seals Florida that we had to share his story. His coach’s actions are a reminder of the very mission of Easter Seals. Empowering others leads to great things. Above all, we are reminded by David’s success that everyone can dream big and go the distance. To anyone out there that is overwhelmed by a situation or struggling with some kind of set-back, remember to take the court and give it all you have. Set your eyes on the hoop, because you have the power to make any shot, as long as you believe in yourself.

PHOTO BY MIKE BROWN

Hugs on the menu

If you thought you've tried everything a menu could have to offer, you probably haven’t been to Tim’s Place. At Tim’s Place you’ll find breakfast, lunch and hugs. That’s right, hugs. More specifically you can expect a hug from Tim, the restaurant’s owner.

Born with down syndrome, Tim Harris dreamed of owning his own restaurant since the age of thirteen. With a drive for success and a record of accomplishing his goals, his dream is now a reality.  In 2010 his family signed a lease for a building and opened the doors to Tim’s Place. Since opening, Tim has given out over 32,475 hugs to date! This success is shared not only by Tim and his family, but other families facing similar situations.

“We've had several families with young children with disabilities who have come in or written and said, 'I never thought this would be possible for my son or daughter," Harris' mother told KRQE News 13. "It's changing the way they're thinking as they're raising their young children."

A change of thinking is a great start. A change of action is the model Tim and the Harris family now set for others to follow. When we all come together to help others achieve their dreams, we all succeed. Life is a beautiful journey and each individual achieves success when they acknowledge and embrace their abilities, like Tim has. 

Miss Montana’s Encouraging Words

Feeling Fabulous Friday!

Sometimes we all need to be reminded of what truly defines us as individuals. We are unique and amazing because of our spirit. How we choose to overcome our challenges sets us apart from others. These decisions give us confidence and make us great.

Today we at Easter Seals are feeling fabulous because we are inspired by a young lady named Alexis Wineman. Alexis Wineman was diagnosed with autism at age 11. Last year she won the title of Miss Montana and recently went on to reach the top 15 in the Miss America Pageant.

Her achievements are admirable; her challenges are compelling. Yet, it is a combination of her compassion, genuine nature, resilience and positive attitude that truly makes Alexis the wonderful young woman the country has come to love.   

We want to share some of her own words today…

“My path may not be one that another person would choose, but I challenged myself to enter the Miss America competition because it seemed like the peak to my own personal Everest.”

~ Alexis Wineman

“I don't know what tomorrow will bring, but I do know there is a lot for me to do to make sure people really get that ‘Normal is just a dryer setting’."

~ Alexis Wineman

Wishing everyone a fabulous Friday!

Health Care for Adults with Autism

Recently there has been a lot of discussion surrounding a need for improvement of healthcare for adults with autism. According to news articles such as Many Adults With Autism UnhappyWith Their Health Care, researchers at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) have presented findings that adults with autism are experiencing higher levels of unmet health needs than adults without autism.



Photo Credit: Kurhan



Fortunately their situation is not going unnoticed. Though we are all discouraged by these reports, there are solutions and resources ready to help.  Adults with autism report significant shortcomings in their health care, a press release issued by the Autism Society of America, recently addressed the same report. Autism Society of America brought to light a grant given to AASPIRE by the National Institute of Mental Health aimed at creative interactive toolkit to improve primary care services for adults on the autism spectrum. AASPIRE is calling for participants. The first step in progress is to get involved.

There are also some preventative measures to be considered if you are a caregiver thinking of your child’s future. The SpecialCare (sm)Program designed by the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) offers information, solutions and specialists to help you address many of the issues you face daily. MassMutual's team of financial professionals certified in SpecialCare can help you design a life plan that will assure the future financial security of your loved one with disabilities.

Wishing everyone a wonderful day!

~Easter Seals Florida