The inspiring father-and-son team, Rick and Dick Hoyt, will forever represent a symbol of strength and parental devotion, as Boston City Councilor Matt O’Malley declared October 22, 2014 as Team Hoyt Day.
On Wednesday, Oct. 22nd, 80 people gathered at Boston City Hall to honor Team Hoyt. Boston City Councilor Matt O’Malley, who hosted the event, told the Boston Globe, “Dick and Rick Hoyt are personal heroes of mine, I have so many fond memories of cheering them on during the Marathon. They are an incredible team of athletes, and remarkably inspiring individuals...
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A harness called Firefly Upsee is helping children with Cerebral Palsy walk. The Upsee was invented by a mother whose son has Cerebral Palsy.
The Upsee from Firefly is a harness that attaches to an adult and allows a child with motor impairment to stand upright and walk with the help of an adult. The harness is made up of three parts: an adult hip-belt, a child harness and shared sandals. The child fits into the harness, straps into the adult’s hip-belt and is helped into the shared sandals that...
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Early this month in the UK, Madeline Love had the opportunity to see her 3-year-old daughter, who has Cerebral Palsy, express herself through art thanks to innovative eye tracking technology called Eyegaze.
Berry Love-Jones endured major breathing problems following her birth at Merthyr’s Prince Charles Hospital in February 2011 and was eventually diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. She has limited muscle tone, is unable to sit up unaided, and is non-verbal.
This month, however, Berry is finding her creative voice thanks to an eye-operated communication and...
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Building a costume that incorporates a child’s wheelchair is a fun and clever way to ensure inclusion and acceptance. Halloween is the perfect opportunity for families to get creative with a child and his or her wheelchair.
In an interview with the Today show, Cassandra Byrd said, “Sometimes, a wheelchair is a barrier to being social with other children,” noting that young kids could be overwhelmed or intimidated by her children’s large wheelchairs. “With a cool costume, it takes away the barrier. “Instead of staring in confusion or fixating on the wheelchair,”...
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On October 16th, Ontario High School crowned Melissa Andrade its 2014 Homecoming Queen, making her the first student with special needs in the history of the school to ever win the crown. Andrade, has Cerebral Palsy, and a smile of positivity that’s determined to break all barriers.
Andrade ran, what is reported by ABC 7 news to be an “aggressive campaign for the court.” One of the members of the football team, Jason Lara, has a cousin in a wheelchair...
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Sensory play can go a long way towards encouraging development for children with Cerebral Palsy.
Engaging in sensory or tactile activities provides a fun way to exercise motor functions and coordination, while nurturing cognitive development. Children have an instinct to play, although it can be difficult to act on those impulses for a child with cognitive and physical impairments. In a safe, supportive environment, playing with a purpose, is proven to help children with...
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Put in intensive care for the first few months of his life and diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy shortly thereafter, Eric Barnett’s doctors never could have predicted that at age 16, he would summit the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
The summit of the bridge, which stands nearly 500 ft above sea level, requires visitors to hike 1,437 steps to the top. Eric climbed the bridge with 30 of his friends and family, as well as an Australian news team, who broadcasted the event live on national Australian TV. Upon reflection of his walk and monumental climb, Eric said, “It felt...
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October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month! This year’s theme is “Expect. Employ. Empower.”
Every October, NDEAM aims to raise awareness about disability employment issues and celebrate the contributions of America’s workers with disabilities.
According to the U.S. Office of Disability Employment Policy, NDEAM’s roots go back to 1945, when Congress enacted a law declaring the first week in October each year “National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week.” In 1962, the word “physically” was removed to acknowledge the employment needs and...
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Many individuals who have Cerebral Palsy, like Maysoon Zayid, Josh Blue, John Quinn, and Ryan McGraw, have all practice yoga to improve balance, coordination, stability and movement while strengthening the mind.
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A new study by Newcastle University in the U.K. finds teens with Cerebral Palsy report similar quality of life to their able-bodied peers.
Despite the many challenges that come with a Cerebral Palsy journey – countless treatments, therapies,...
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