February 28, 2007
Glenda Watson Hyatt’s must read book: “I’ll Do It Myself”
This is really a must read book for anyone affected by cerebral palsy- parents, family and friends will all benefit from reading this enlightening and inspiring autobiography. The book is written by well known accessibility expert Glenda Watson Hyatt, who is also living with cerebral palsy.
For information on her recently published autobiography “I’ll Do it Myself” visit her website http://www.booksbyglenda.com/index.htm.
Her book is candid, well written with humor and warmth.
From her website:
Glenda has cerebral palsy. A lack of oxygen at birth meant she would not be able to walk, her hands would not function well and her speech would be almost impossible to understand. Her parents were advised to institutionalize her. She wouldn’t amount to anything, the experts said.
Yet, this gutsy redhead proved them wrong. Glenda was integrated into a regular classroom long before mainstream was a buzzword. She went on to earn the Canada Cord, the highest award in Girl Guides, and the Outstanding Junior Student Award. The girl who could not walk won a gold medal in horseback riding!
How did she do it? Read Glenda’s inspiring autobiography I’ll Do It Myself, now released! Glenda intimately shares her life story to show others cerebral palsy is not a death sentence, but rather a life sentence.
February 27, 2007
Turning Automotive Seating (TAS) for Children with Wheelchair or Walker
What a great option. If your child has problems getting in and out of the car or uses a wheelchair or walker this may be a solution for you. A Turning Automotive Seat or TAS is now coming as an option on many makes of minivans. The seats actually turn or swivel to face the door, making it easy to get in and out of the van. The seat will simply take the place of a captains chair with little alteration. It can also move up or down with a power lift option. The TAS seat may also be covered under most insurance plans. I know both Dodge Caravan and Toyota Sienna have these seats available. You can also buy aftermarket from http://www.bruno.com/tas-models.html.
Communication Therapy Camp in New Jersey
Children’s Specialized Hospital will again offer its Camp Chatterbox program from Aug. 13-19, 2007 to help nonspeaking children communicate.
The weeklong overnight camp for boys and girls ages 5 to 15 will be held in Knowlton Township, at Camp Warren. The camp is designed for children who are severely speech impaired or are completely unable to speak as a result of Cerebral Palsy or other developmental disabilities.
The mission of Camp Chatterbox is to help children become more interactive with their AAC (alternative augmentative communications) devices and to have fun in the process, to help parents be more comfortable using the device and to offer professionals gain hands-on experience working with children using AAC devices.
For more information contact:
info@CampChatterbox.org or call 908-301-5451 .
February 26, 2007
Feldenkrais Method for Children with Cerebral Palsy
Feldenkrais is rapidly gaining popularity as a form of therapy for children with cerebral palsy. Although many insurance companies will refuse to pay, some physiotherapists are trained in using the Feldenkrais method and incorporating it into their therapy sessions.
Feldenkrais is about become self aware and focusing on physical movement. It is more often used to complement therapy and not on its own. Athletes use it to enhance performance, and many people report improvement using Feldenkrais after a stroke. More recently Feldenkrais has been used with children who are living with cerebral palsy.
For more information visit http://www.feldenkrais.com/.
Vaccine to Prevent Cerebral Palsy?
This discovery could affect as many as 45,000 children a year. Research lead by Dr. Mark Schleiss, Professor of Pediatrics, and Director of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at the University of Minnesota suggests that the Cytomegalovirus Or CMV virus can cause many birth defects including cerebral palsy, developmental disability and deafness. The virus affects pregnant women and can cause damage to their unborn babies.
Cytomegalovirus is commonly found and is part of the herpes family of viruses. CMV infects between 50 to 80 percent of all U.S. adults by age 40. There is no cure for it and there are rarely symptoms.
About 10 to 15 percent of newborns with congenital CMV end up with a long-term disability like developmental disabilities, cerebral palsy and deafness. CMV also can damage the placenta, leading to miscarriage.
Research is now being done in labs on guinea pigs to find a vaccine, and results have been promising. The vaccine helps stop the infection from crossing the placenta and infecting unborn babies. The virus is often undetected in pregnant women and the vaccine is given before pregnancy.
Studies on humans are set to begin shortly.
February 22, 2007
Cry For Acceptance: When We’re in the Halls, Remember: I Can Hear You
This column was published in the December 2006 issue of Chancellor High School’s newspaper, The Lightning Bolt.
The teen, Chandler, really just wants to be treated like everyone else and takes this bold measure, publishing his thoughts in the school paper to tell his classmates how he feels.
When We’re in the Halls, Remember: I Can Hear You
By Chandler Pascale
You may have seen me treading through the halls, going down the stairs, or getting off of or onto my bus. You can instantly note that I have an awkward gait (way of walking) about me. I happen to have been born prematurely, and diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. Cerebral Palsy (more commonly known as just CP) is a disease in which my brain doesn’t send its “messages” to my legs clearly, thus my way of walking is different than that of the average individual. This ailment also affects the dexterity of my hands and fingers. To think, I wanted to be a policeman when I was little!
Lately, I have heard people laugh at me, mock me, cuss me out (which I may add is an act of the purest cowardice) and plainly insult me right in my face. No, I’m not mentally retarded; in fact I’m pretty smart, and not in any Special Education classes. Many people stereotype someone who walks differently or has some other handicap as being mentally retarded or even un-human when, in reality, they are just like everyone else in all other respects. My disease is not contagious; you can’t catch my disorder by sitting next to me or at all for that matter. If you’re scared that your friends will make fun of you if they spot you talking to me, you have a choice: grow a backbone or keep worrying about your ego. (more…)
Compression Garments such as Theratogs and Benik “Wearable Therapy”
A wearable compression garment such as the ones made by Theratogs and Benik are often used in treatment of children with cerebral palsy. The garments are worn and then Velcro straps are used to provide support. The use of compression garments is also often called wearable therapy and it also helps with stability- helping with movement.
Many have achieved good results, specifically children with these conditions:
- Ataxia
- Hypotonia
- Intoed gait
- Out-toed gait
- Athetosis
- Weakness
- Muscle imbalance
The suit is worn under clothing and fits like a second skin. It looks a bit like a leotard. Using straps, different areas are given support.
To find out how to order you can visit these suppliers:
http://www.abilitations.com/
https://theradaptcom.terrasite.com/new/secure/frameMain.htm
February 19, 2007
Website offers to link socially conscious businesses and suppliers
Here is an interesting concept, buy five dozen sandwiches and two plates of cookies for your next meeting and you could help give a disabled person, immigrant or youth a job. Currently online in 8 communities in Canada with 10 more in the works.
The site or portal, Social Purchasing Portal works by
promoting sites that offer everyday business goods and services, such as office supplies, catering, and couriers, to create local economic and social value without added cost or loss of purchasing value.
Say you are an office manager- you can choose to buy office supplies or sandwiches for the next meeting through a socially conscious group- say one that gives employment and training to young adults with cerebral palsy.
Purchases buy from social value suppliers in the local community – if at a competitive price- and suppliers agree to meet social and economic objectives and offer employment in the local community.
I have not heard of similar idea in the United States. If you know of one please let me know and I will absolutely promote it on our blog. What do you think of this idea? Is it exploitive? Is is a good way to encourage the hiring of people with disabilites? Would you be more iclined to buy services from a site or company that was “socially concious?” Please post your thoughts in comment section.
February 15, 2007
Botox Injections and Cerebral Palsy
Botox – or Botulinum Toxin – is better known as the the wrinkle eliminator used by cosmetic surgeons. It is now being used to treat young children with cerebral palsy. How does botox work and help some one with cerebral palsy? By injecting it into the muscles of the hip joints of young children, it prevents the use of the muscles that my be causing a painful gait or movement that may cause hip and joint problems down the road. By stopping the use of those muscles it encourages the development of others, resulting in less pain and more “normal” movement.
The ideal age for treat is around the age of 3-4 years.
For more information on how Botox can help your child please contact one of our live CareCenter Specialists.
