Tag: "inclusion"

I’m A CVS Caremark All Kids Can Grant Winner!

I recently received some very exciting news. Back in March, TwitterMoms gave me a heads up on the CVS Caremark All Kids Can campaign. My youngest son has Down Syndrome. I thought it was perfect timing for a campaign like this and I wrote a post about the importance of inclusion. The title was “With Inclusion, All Kids Can“.

I’ve learned that I am one of five bloggers that CVS chose to receive a $1,000 grant to the nonprofit of my choice that supports children with disabilities. When I read the email I had such mixed emotions. It made me happy, sad and very proud all at once. I am totally thrilled to have been selected as one of the winners.

I’ve chosen the National Down Syndrome Society to receive the money. I chose them because their mission statement parallels my own beliefs. Their vision is what I wish for my son. “The mission of the National Down Syndrome Society is to be the national advocate for the value, acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome. The National Down Syndrome Society envisions a world in which all people with Down syndrome have the opportunity to enhance their quality of life, realize their life aspirations, and become valued members of welcoming communities.”

A big thanks to CVS Caremark All Kids Can for selecting me as a winner and to TwitterMoms for giving me a heads up about the CVS Caremark All Kids Can campaign in the first place.

Jun 11, 2009 | 3 comments | View Post

With inclusion, All Kids Can

You might or might not know that my youngest CJ has Down Syndrome, heart disease, Celiac disease, Alopecia areata, orthopedic problems, learning disabilities, severe speech delays and a hearing problem. Some would say he’s disabled, I prefer the terms differently abled and special needs. No matter what you call it, we as a society have an overwhelming need to increase awareness for all children with disabilities and special needs.

March is Disability Awareness Month. With the goal of making the lives of children with disabilities easier, CVS Caremark has created a program called All Kids Can. CVS Caremark All Kids Can is a five year, $25 million commitment to donate money to community nonprofit organizations that offer programs and services focused on helping children with disabilities learn, play and succeed in life. The money is to help achieve three goals -
1 - to educate the public and increase awareness about matters such as the importance of inclusion
2 - enable all children to play together regardless of ability by promoting the building of barrier free playgrounds
3 - ensuring that necessary medical services and rehabilitation programs are in place

Children are so precious and they deserve to be able to make the most of every day in life. Imagine what a child with disabilities must feel like when they are not able to participate with other children in some way. Inclusion would go a long way towards making these children feel good about themselves, no matter whether it be in the school or at home. I think parents talking more with their children about inclusion and disabilities would really help.

We as parents have a responsibility to teach our children what’s right and wrong. Our children aren’t born with values, they learn them from what they’re taught and from what they see. We teach our children that racial prejudice is wrong. Why aren’t more people teaching their children that all people are of value regardless of their abilities and appearance? My October article on the New Jersey Moms Blog touched upon this very subject.

A tip for parents. Open conversation with your children. Let them know that disabilities aren’t anything to fear. Teach them not to label others. Teach them to think before they speak. Teach your children to be open minded and compassionate. Teach them that disabled children are people that have value and feelings. Teach your child to be a person you’ll be proud of – the kind of child that is able to see past the differences and see that everyone has feelings and a right to feel valued, happy to help someone who needs a little assistance, and willing to stand up for someone who needs a friend. Teach them that with inclusion, all kids can.

Thanks to Twitter Moms for spreading the word about the All Kids Can campaign!