April 11, 2007
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Cerebral Palsy
The 4mychild.com website has excellent info on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and help for your child with cerebral palsy.
Please visit Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Cerebral Palsy or online contact a 4MyChild Live CareCenter Specialists for help understanding if your child is eligible.
March 31, 2007
Article on Horseback Riding as Cerebral Palsy Therapy
Quite a nice article from St. Louis Today on using slightly injured working horses to help children with cerebral palsy. The use of horseback riding as therapy, or hippotherapy, has become widely used in physiotherapy for children with cerebral palsy.
Once a fox-hunting horse, Beau suffered a leg injury that forced him to embark on a second career — as a therapist.
The therapy comes from the gentle rocking motion the 17-year-old flea-bitten Arabian gray makes as it ambles through a paddock, a stone’s throw from the Mississippi River at Ride On St. Louis, a therapeutic riding center in Kimmswick. Nathan Collier, an 8-year-old with cerebral palsy, struggles to remain upright on Beau as he lifts a purple swimming pool noodle over his head. But he’s all smiles.
“The children don’t know they’re getting therapy,” said physical therapist Anne Cochran. “They’re just having fun.”
A small but growing number of scientific studies are showing how hippotherapy — from the Greek word “hippos,” for horse — can help children with cerebral palsy, a neurological disability that keeps them from smoothly controlling their muscles. The theory: The rocking motion of a horse creates more than 100 small shoves a minute. A child would therefore strengthen core muscles and neural connections about 3,000 times in a 30-minute therapy session.
To read entire article visit:
March 20, 2007
United Cerebral Palsy of Michigan: Essay Contest
Essay contest raises disability awareness. The essay contest is for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. Submit your essays telling United Cerebral Palsy what it’s like to either have or know someone who has a disability.
Essays are due April 27, 2007.
Winning essays will be printed in the United Cerebral Palsy newsletter Pathways. Winners will receive a stuffed “Ability Bear” and a gift certificate for a pizza, and their schools will receive the books Ceana has CP and The Gun Lake Adventure Series mysteries.
Essays should be 500 words or less and contain the student’s name, age, school and address. The deadline is April 27, 2007.
Mail or fax essays to:
UCP Michigan
3401 E. Saginaw, Suite 216
Lansing MI 48912
Fax: 517-203-1203
March 16, 2007
Early Signs and First Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy
There are different types of cerebral palsy and each type has different signs or symptoms.
Early symptoms are at times overlooked or missed at birth but parents or caregivers may be able to detect first signs of cerebral palsy at around 3 months of age. Babies with cerebral palsy are often slow or do not reach developmental milestones like crawling, smiling, walking, rolling over or sitting. This is sometimes referred to as a developmental delay.
Some babies may appear to have abnormal muscle tone. When the baby seems limp or flaccid or a bit floppy, it is called hypotonia. If the baby seems stiff or rigid it may be because of hypertonia. Sometimes a baby with cerebral palsy can start off with hypotonia and later develop hypertonia. Babies with cerebral palsy may also favor one side of their body or another.
Other early sign of cerebral palsy a parent might notice is if baby is not responding to noise or being able to follow objects with their eyes (after 3 months). Lack of facial expression is another clue there may be a problem.
Not lifting his head by 6 months of age or be able to roll over is also a possible first symptom of cerebral palsy in a baby.
Constant drooling, to the point baby gets a rash around his mouth (from acid in saliva) may be a symptom.
Speak to your doctor if at any point you are concerned. The doctor should perform a series of tests and ask you a series of questions about your child’s development.
If your child was premature or may have suffered from a birth injury, and you think your baby may have some of the above symptoms, please contact one of our live CareCenter Specialists or call us at 1-800-4MyChild. We can help.
March 8, 2007
Watch a Caesarean Section being Performed
These sites offer you the chance to view an actually surgery - a caesarean section- being performed.
If you had a caesarean section delivery or feel you should have had a c-section, and there were complications that could have been avoided, and would like to share your birth story please contact one of our live CareCenter Specialists to discuss it, or call us at 1-800-4MyChild. We can help.
http://www.memorialcare.org/miller/services/center-for-women/c_section_video.cfm
http://anatomy.med.umich.edu/surgical_videos/cesarean.html Good one, may take a bit to load.
From the Mayo clinic: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/c-section/MM00531
February 22, 2007
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.
December 27, 2006
Finger Chewing: Neat Device to Help with Finger Chewing
Here is a neat little “toy” for kids with high chewing needs. It is called a “Jiggler”
From their website: Now, here are some fun facial and oral massagers that children can’t help but love! The low intensity vibration has a calming effect. Plus, the elephant’s ears are also great as a spoon for orally defensive children. Easy to clean with 10 parts water to 1 part bleach. AA Batteries included! Each Jiggler is 8 1/4˝ tall and latex free.
I know several moms who SWEAR by these!
For more information on Jigglers visit : http://www.superduperinc.com/O_Pages/om988.htm
Conductive Education Center Locations in USA and Canada
Conductive education or CE, is an educational system that has been specifically developed for children and adults who have motor disorders of neurological origin such as cerebral palsy. Conductive Education is a holistic, educational approach to helping idividuals learn to achieve their own personal goals, experiencing greater independence and exercising choice. Improvements are seen, not only in physical independence, but also in social competence, self-esteem and for gaining a greater sense of personal achievement.
Conductive Education Therapy Center Locations in North America: USA and Canada
Note: If we have left off a center that offers Conductive Education therapy or if information below is incorrect or out of date, please let me know by posting in comments section. I will update promptly. Thanks!
INTER-AMERICAN CONDUCTIVE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION (IACEA)
c/o Pat Riley, CEO
P.O. Box 3169, Toms River, NJ 08756-3169 USA
United States Only Toll-Free (800) 824-2232
or (732) 797-2566 or Fax (732) 797-2599
Email: info@iacea.org
Web Site: http://www.iacea.org
NATIONWIDE
Cerebral Palsy Solutions, Coaching & Consulting, Inc.
c/o Judit Roth
Address: 4445-B Breton SE Box 176
Kentwood, Michigan 49508
Tel: (616) 656-3646
Toll-Free Nationwide (800) 611-0096
E-mail: info@conductiveedconsulting.com
Website: www.conductiveedconsulting.com
ALABAMA
Making Strides of Alabama, Inc.
c/o Phyillis Templeton
5184 Caldwell Mill Road, Suite 204-309
Birmingham, AL 35244
Tel: (205) 980-0447
Fax: (205) 980-8848
Email: Info@making-strides.org
Website: www.making-strides.org
ARIZONA
Individual Achievements Association
C/O Mary Hare
2702 N. Golden W. Ave
Tucson, Arizona 85749
Mary Hare: Tel: 520-749-1065
Email: Mhare63@cox.net
Beckie Gibson Tel: 520-327-0488
Email: QHT@ULTRASW.com
www.aziaa.org
ARKANSAS
Conductive Education of Northwest Arkansas, Inc.
c/o Leslie Porter
1200 North 40th Street
Springdale, AR 72762
Tel: (479) 725-1015
Email: arkansasce@ucpcark.org
The Next Step, Inc.
C/O Ryan Bailey, Director
1527 South Boulevard
Conway, AR 72034
Tel: 501-238-5463
Email: thenextstepinc@yahoo.com
www.thenextstepinc.org
CALIFORNIA
Beginning Steps to Independence, Inc.
Conductive Education Center
c/o Craig Roberts
14969 Los Gatos Alamaden Road
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Post Office Box 54125
San Jose, CA 95154
Tel: (408) 371-5620 (year around program)
Fax: (408) 371-5621
Email: begsteps@conductiveed.org
www.ConductiveEd.org
Peninsula Outreach Programs, Inc.
Pops/CECC & Popskids
c/o Ursula Miller
2995 Woodside Rd., Suite 400-439
Woodside, CA 94062
Tel: (650) 454-0207 Fax: (650) 851-1197
Email: Ursala@popskids.org
Website: http://www.popskids.org
Kids for Conductive Education
c/o Peggy Tinder
15 Muir
Irvine, CA 92620
Tel/Fax: (949) 552-8748 (year around program)
Email: kidsforce@sbsglobal.net
Website: http://www.kidsforce.org
Santa Barbara, Can-Do-Camp for Conductive Education
c/o Eric & Stacy Baron
536 Calle Aparejo
Santa Barbara, CA 93111
Tel: (805) 964-8189
Email: Seebaron@AOL.com
The Avalon Academy
C/O Kinga Czegeni, Director
818 Mahler Road
Burlingame, CA 94010
Tel: 650-777-9130
Fax: 650-777-9129
Email:info@theavalonacademy.org
www.theavalonacademy.org
Conductability, Inc.
c/o Sheila James
373 Cucamonga Avenue
Claremont, CA 91711 (year around program)
Tel: (909) 621-1125 (older children)
Cellular: (909) 266-4462
Email: SMJhere@AOL.com
CONNECTICUT
Feroleto Children Development Center
C/O Donna Kennedy, Director
95 Merit Boulevard
Trumbull, CT 06611
Tel: (203) 375-6400
www.stvincentsspecialneeds.org
FLORIDA
Conductive Education Centers of Orlando
A Non-Profit 501c.3 Charitable Organization
C/O Krista Krupinski, Director
4800 Howell Branch Road
Winter Park, Florida 32792
Tel: (407) 671-4687
Fax: (407) 647-3833
Email: Krista@cecffl.org
www.cecfl.org
Conductive Education Center of South Florida
C/O Tom McCormick
5990 NE 6th Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, Fl 33334
Tel: 954-491-0057
Email: Krista@cecfl.org
The Achievers Program, Inc.
C/o Tegdra Samuel
6001 SW County Rd 141
Jasper, Fl 32052
Tel: 386-792-4048
Email: ebsmoov@alltel.net
GEORGIA
A Step to Independence, Inc.
C/0 Karen Fowler
P.O.Box 1166
279 Hebron Church Road
Dacula, GA 30019
Tel:678-687-2207
Email: Dknfowler@AOL.com
ILLINOIS
The Center for Independence Through Conductive Education
c/o Patti Herbst, Director
100 West Plainfield Road
Countryside, IL 60525
Tel: (708) 588-0833
Email: pcherbst_1@MSN.com
www.center-for-independence.org
INDIANA
Jackson Center for C.E.,Inc.
C/O Dale F. Depoy
9928 N. Woodland Drive
Mooresville, In 46158
Email: depoy@uwci.org or depoyl@AOL.com
Tel: (317) 921-1245
P.O.Box414
Mooresville, In 46158
Louisiana
A New Ray of Hope
C/O Yvetti Pierre-Ancar
P.O. Box 5670
Slidell, LA 70469
Tel: 985-643-6504
Email: anewrayofhope@bellsouth.net
MASSACHUSETTS
Boston Area Conductive Education
c/o Faye Ginsberg
304 Waban Avenue
Newton, MA 02468
Tel: (617) 332-1632 (year around program)
Email: FSG20002@AOL.com
New England Center for Conductive Education
c/o Hilory Paster
28 Bessom Street
Marblehead, MA 01945
Tel: (781) 913-1000 or
Tel: (781) 595-6629
Year ’round and summer programs
Email: hpaster@comcast.net or
Email: denley@prodigy.net
MICHIGAN
Acquinas College - Conductive Learning Center
C/O Denny Williams-Dean of Education
C/O David Dvorak-Director
2428 Burton Road, S.E.
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Tele: 616-459-8281 Ext 5150
Tele: 616-632-2429
Email: admissions@aquinas.edu
Email dvordav@aquinas.edu
www.aquinas.edu/pohi
Children Academy of Achievement
C/O Carrie Smith, Director
1382 Potomac
Rochester Hills, MI 48306
Tel: 248-528-0988
Tel: 248-321-8677
Email: admin@conductive-education-academy.com
Web: www.conductive-education-academy.com
Conductive Education Center of Metro-Detroit
c/o David Sunderlink
153 Pleasant St
Romero, MI 48065
Tel: (586) 752-7476
Email: dsunderlik@kroff.com
Website: www.cecmd.com
MINNESOTA
Partners In Excellence, Inc. PL+US Program;
Formerly Minnesota Center For Conductive Education
c/o Sandy Schrom, Director
1947 W. Burnsville Parkway
Burnsville, MN 55337
Tel: (952) 736-1490 (year around program)
Fax: (952) 736-1491
Email: info@mncce.com
Website: www.mncce.com
NEW JERSEY
INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS
INTER-AMERICAN CONDUCTIVE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION (IACEA)
c/o Pat Riley, CEO
P.O. Box 3169, Toms River, NJ 08756-3169
United States Only Toll-Free (800) 824-2232
Tel: (732) 797-2566
Tel: (732) 797-2599
Email: info@iacea.org
www.iacea.org
Association for Conductive Education & Related Services
P O Box 217
Middletown, NJ 07748
Tel: (908) 272-9675 or (609) 426-0491
Email: acersi@AOL.com or info@acersi.org
Web Site: http://www.acersi.org
One Little Step, Inc.
C/O Mimi Rosa
31 Eton Drive
Sewell, N.J. 08080
Tel: 856-264-4246
Fax: 856-740-5173
Email:info@onelittlestep.org
WebSite:www.onelittlestep.org
NEW MEXICO
Conductive Education of New Mexico
c/o Kim Buckle, Director
2433 Metzgar Southwest
Albuquerque, NM 87105
Tel: (505) 873-0333
Tel: (505) 821-2057
Email: kathyhedemann@comcast.net
NEW YORK
Standing Tall, Inc.
c/o Eszter Friedman, Director
200 Riverside Boulevard, Unit # 2, (located on West 69th Street) (ages 1-12)
New York, NY 10069 (year around program)
Saturday Program available for 2004-2005 school year
Tel: (212) 787-8315
Email: info@standingtall.org
Website: www.standingtall.org
NORTH CAROLINA
Sandhills Conductive Education Foundation
c/o Barbara Levin
P.O. Box 305
Pinehurst, NC 28370 (year round)
Tel: (910) 528-1851
Fax: (910) 295-3996
Email: barbaralevin@excite.com
Website: www.scef.net
OHIO
Rising Star Elementary School
C/O Ben Chmielewski
3281 Avalon Road
Shaker Heights, OH 44120
Tel: 216-577-0114
Email: info@risingstarelementary.org
Web: www.risingstarelementary.org
Miracles Unlimited, Inc.
c/o Tracey Tatar
9892 Deltona Drive
New Middletown, OH 44442
Tel: (330) 542-2854
email: tatartracey@AOL.com
Northwestern Ohio for Conductive Education
C/O Julie Spirikaitis
Schaaf Community Center
5983 W. 54th St., Rm 103
Parma, Ohio 44129
Tel: (216) 509-7041
Fax:(330) 405-6525
Email: IamStandingTall@AOL.com
Web: WWW.NCOCE.org
Sara’s Garden
C/O Judith Burkeholder
16701 AC
Wauseon, OH 43567
Tel: 419-267-5134
Email: Judith_burkeholder@hotmail.com
PENNSYLVANIA
ACHIEVA
c/o Linda J. Wright. PhD
711 Bingham Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15203 (year around program / birth to 21 years old)
Tel: (412) 995-5000 extension 420
Fax: (412) 995-5001
Email: lwright@achieva.info
Website: http://www.achieva.org
The Jenny Rose Specialized Therapy Center, LLC
c/o Elaine R. Parker
The Pocono Mountain Region, Pennsylvania
296 East Brown Street, Suite B
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
Tel: (570) 421-3415
Toll free 888-233-5540
This location offers HBO (Hyperbaric Oxygen) Therapy
Conductive Education of Pittsburgh
c/o Tina Calabro
7010 Thomas Boulevard
Pittsburgh, PA 15208 (summer camp only)
(412) 361-3997
Email: tccalabro@AOL.com
Website: http://www.ce-pgh.org
South Carolina
The GRACE Center
C/O Stephanie Reed
3 Cardinal Court, Suite 285
Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
Tel: 843-341-2726
Email: info@thegracecenter.org
Web: www.thegracecenter.org
TEXAS
A Child Can Do All Things,Inc
C/O Patty Simmons, Director
7000 Independence Pkwy, Suite160
Plano, TX 75025
Tel: 214-227-7594
Cell: 214-212-0068
Email: cbutler@accdats.com
Tennessee
Miracle Milestones, Inc
C/O Jennifer Patton
P.O. Box 681178
Franklin, TN 37068
Tel: 615-794-4833
Email: miraclemilestones@comcast.net
VIRGINIA
Cerebral Palsy Ability Center
C/O Katalin Vizy, Director
5622G Ox Road, Suite 130
Fair Fax Station
Fairfax, VA 22039
Tel: (703) 920-0600 (year-round program)
Email: CPAC@cpabilitycenter.org
Website:www.cpabilitycenter.org
Cerebral Palsy Ability Center - Satellite Baltimore Office
c/o Katalin Vizy
Tel: (410) 666-2017
Email: katharos@comcast.net
Website:www.cpabilitycenter.org
Conductive Education of Galax
c/o Jean Felts
338 Coleman Lane
Galax, VA 24333 (summer prog.)
Tel: (540) 236-7897
Tel: (540) 728-3121
Email: beef388@yahoo.com
OUTSIDE THE USA
CANADA
Renfrew Education Services
c/o Wendy Woynillowicz, Director
2050 21st Street NE
Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2E6S5
Tel: (403) 291-5038
Fax: (403) 291-2499
Email: renfrew@renfreweducation.org
Website: www.renfreweducation.org
James Forliti
Purpose Conductive Education
40 Begbie Street
New Westminister, British Columbia, Canada V3M3L9
Cell: 778.885.9776
Tel: 604-526-2522
Fax: 604-526-6546
Email: james.forliti@purposesociety.org
Web-Site: www.purposesociety.org
Conductive Education ®
Ontario March of Dimes
10 Overlea Blvd.
Toronto, Ontario.
(Also offering services in London, ON and Nova Scotia)
M4H 1A4
Tel: 416-425-3463 ext 7259
Fax: 416-425-1920
Toll Free: 1-800-263-3463
Email: ce@dimes.on.ca
Website: www.dimes.on.ca
Ability Camp, Inc.
c/o Kevin Hickling, Director
R.R. #8, Picton
Ontario, Canada
KOK 2T0 (year around prog)
Tel: (800) 442-6992 or (613) 476-7332
Fax: (613) 476-1379
Email: Sandy@abilitycamp.com
Website: http://www.abilitycamp.com
The Movement Center of Manitoba, Inc.
c/o Margy Nelson, Executive Director
1646 Henderson Highway
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R2G 1N7
Tel: (204) 489-2679
Email: mcmi@mts.net
Website: www.movementcentre.ca
Boundless Playgrounds- Barrier Free Playgrounds for children with special needs
These playgrounds are designed for ALL children, regardless of abilities. They are barrier free and allow children of all abilities to enjoy outdoor play. The group works with volunteers and city officials to create a barrier free playground from standard playground equipment. The process begins with a group of committed individuals who get together and form a committee, with the building of a barrier free playground in their neighbourhood as their mission. Boundless Playground can help you get started and work with you to get the project accomplished.
There are many barrier-free and accessible playgrounds in the United States- for a complete list of playground or to find one in your neighbourhood, you can visit http://boundlessplaygrounds.org/findplaygrounds/.
