Tag: "special needs"

Heads Up On New SafetyTat Designs For National Safety Month And Giveaway

Back in January I did a SafetyTat review on Val’s Views. SafetyTats are colorful kids temporary safety tattoos. I found them to be a terrific, valuable and useful product for any family with children, especially families with special needs children. Safety Tats waterproof temporary tattoos for children. They can be ordered with your phone number preprinted or blank so you can write your phone number yourself. There’s a large selection of designs including ones for allergies, diabetes, autism, non-verbal and diabetes.

June is National Safety Month. What better time for SafetyTat to release 9 new Quick Stick Write-on! Designs! These designs were launched today. Check out the press release.

Parents Find SafetyTat A “Must-Have” During National Safety Month

SafetyTat’s products are to be worn on a child’s arm or hand, and simply feature a parent’s mobile telephone number, making the child easily findable should they become separated. The product line also expands to other safety alerts for allergies, Autism and special needs. New to the product line is the proprietary waterless “Quick Stick” tattoo, allowing immediate, on-the-go safety–perfect for when a child is with a caregiver other than the parent.

Parents love them for their convenience and practicality and kids love them–not just for the cool designs–but for the empowerment and sense of security they provide.

Krug, age 5, became separated from his family at a crowded beach, while wearing his SafetyTat. Krug’s mom, Jennifer, recounts, “As I started to panic, I heard my cell phone ringing back on my towel. I ran to get the phone, and it was a lifeguard calling me. He said, ‘Your son is here with me. He couldn’t find your spot on the beach.’” Jennifer adds, “I was so relieved. And better yet, my son didn’t panic. He told me, ‘Mommy, I got lost, but I knew just what to do. I told the life guard to call you.’”

According to statistics from The Center to Prevent Lost Children, 90% of all parents will experience an unplanned separation from a child at some point. That separation–no matter how brief–is gut-wrenching for parents.

Michele Welsh, mother of three children and Founder of SafetyTat said, “There is no better feeling than to know your product has helped reunite hundreds of wandering children with their caregivers.”

SafetyTat products are sold online at www.safetytat.com, and are also available at numerous water parks, theme parks, museums and specialty children’s retailers nationwide.

During National Safety Month and the height of the travel season, there is no better time to equip parents and caregivers than with “The Tat That Brings Kids BackTM.”

BUY IT NOW AND SAVE

Want to buy some now? You can get a discount of 15% off your $15 or more purchase of SafetyTats. Just use code VALMG09 ( this is a case sensitive code) when you check out. This coupon is valid until 07/04/09.

WIN IT!

Three winners will each receive one package of SafetyTat’s new 6 multi design pack.

HOW TO ENTER. (MANDATORY)

To enter visit the Safety Tat website and take a look around. Then come back here and leave a comment on this post telling me which design you like and who you’d use these on.

BONUS ENTRIES - LOTS OF THEM!

1 - Subscribe to my RSS feed.
1 - Follow me on Twitter AND leave your Twitter name here.
1 - Tweet this giveaway.
1 - Fave this blog at Technorati AND leave your Technorati name here.
1 - Stumble this giveaway AND leave your Stumble name here.
1 - Blog about this giveaway, including a link here.
1 - Place my button on your blog.
1 - Visit  HereAndThere.US (my Mom) and leave a comment on any post (except a giveaway post) there. Then return here and leave a comment on this post telling me one thing you read or learned on my Mom’s blog. (That’s two comments you need to leave for this bonus entry, one there and one here.) Unlimited entries for this method of entry.

Leave an additional comment for each entry you qualify for. You must have completed the first entry according to the instructions to be eligible for any bonus entries.

THE SMALL PRINT.

US addresses only please. This contest will end on Thursday 06/11/09 at 11:59 pm est.  If you’ve entered any of my giveaways before then you know that only comments containing all of the requested information will be eligible for entry. The winner must contact me to confirm they wish to receive the prize within two days of my email notifying them they’ve won.  Good luck to everyone! Members of my own family are not eligible to win but are still welcome to leave a comment.

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.

Jun 05, 2009 | 10 comments | View Post

World Down Syndrome Day

In a day where people use the word retarded all too easily it is obvious that our society could benefit from more advocacy, education and positive exposure of special needs. To that end, today - World Down Syndrome Day - I would like to tell you about my nine year old son, who has Down Syndrome. You may think because he has Down Syndrome that he’s very different from other children. In many ways he’s the same. See for yourself.

FOOD

My son likes yogurt, just like many “typical” children.

My son likes corn on the cob, just like “typical” children.

BIRTHDAY CAKE

My son likes to blow the candles out, just like “typical” children.

My son gets icing from his birthday cake all over his face, just like “typical” children.

HOLIDAYS

My son likes to trick or treat in costume, just like “typical” children.

My son likes to open Christmas presents, just like “typical” children.

CLOTHES

My son wears clothes, just like “typical” children.

PLAY

My son likes Ernie and Sesame Street, just like “typical” children.

My son likes Blue’s Clues, just like “typical” children. Ok I lie. He LOVED Blue’s Clues.

VIDEO GAMES

My son likes to play video games, just like “typical” children. (This picture isn’t great but it’s him playing his Vmotion.)

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

My son likes to ride his bicycle, just like “typical” children. Actually he LOVES that to.

WONDER

My son is amazed by certain things, in the same innocent way that “typical” children have.

NOISE AND SOUND

My son likes noisy toys, just like “typical” children.

MUSIC

My son likes music, just like “typical” children. He prefers rock and roll, like his mother. His favorite band is Hinder and if he hears it he’ll sing along with you and when you’re done say “you rock”.

SLEEP

My son falls asleep right in the middle of doing something, just like “typical” children do.

Even in the middle of a game of cards with the adults.

FUNNY

My son has his funny moments, just like “typical” children.
Ok, maybe some aren’t so typical. Some are amazing. Seriously. Not all children want to be sure the family cat wipes their ass.

My son is amazing and he’s made us better people. He represents everything we were missing and never knew we wanted before he was born. I love him with every bit of my being (as I do my typical son) and am thankful for all of the joys he has brought us. His smile can light up a room. He’s happy and loving.

In case you’re wondering why I put quotes around the word typical it’s because every child is typical. Typical for themselves. Children are children, no matter what their needs are. Society places too many labels on people and too much importance on the labels. Every child is special and has special needs - the needs of being cherished and loved and provided the opportunity to reach their full potential, whatever that may be. Children can learn from each other. Children can learn from us. We can learn from children. Everyone in this world is a person of value and deserves to be treated with respect.

There’s a great article on World Down Syndrome Day over on 5 Minutes For Special Needs, as well as a Mr Linky for anyone that’s written about the day or their family.

Mar 21, 2009 | 9 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!

Mar 10, 2009 | 10 comments | View Post

A special baseball game at Yankee Stadium

I found a terrific story this week that I want to share. Recently the Bronx NY Little League Challenger baseball team and the New Jersey District 8 Challenger baseball team from Newark got a once in a life time opportunity. They were given the chance to play an exhibition game in Yankee Stadium during MLB All Star Week. Both teams had 14 players for the one inning game. Each team got a chance at bat and to play defense. What a terrific opportunity to have some fun and make a terrific memory. There’s a nice piece of video up on the NBC website.

Challenger leagues are sports leagues for children with special needs or disabilities. My 9 year old son has participated in several Challenger events in our town over the years, and I can’t think of a program more worthwhile. Children can be paired with buddies if needed, and every child gets a chance to play in the game. Challenger sports are a wonderful opportunity for these children to participate in sports with other children and have some fun no matter what their abilities may be.

Jul 19, 2008 | 0 comments | View Post

Best Day offers special needs kids an opportunity to have their best day

Time to Share Some Good Stuff!

The good news that I found this week and want to share is taking place in Sea Bright, NJ which is not far from me, about a half an hour away. The nonprofit organization called the Best Day Foundation has announced that it is holding a two day beach camp especially for special needs children. To some that might not sound like a big deal, but for many of these children it’s the first time they’ll ever get to be on the beach or in the water.
The two day camp will be held July 19-20 at Monmouth County’s 7 Presidents Oceanfront Park. Planned activities include a marine safety demonstration, stretching, sand obstacle course, body boarding, kayaking, tandem surfing, a hot lunch, and an awards ceremony. Registration must be done on the Best Day Foundation website by clicking the Get Involved - Participate link.

The Best Day Foundation’s mission is to provide “safe, life-changing beach days to children with special needs, regardless of their challenges.”  The Foundation set up it’s first chapter here in Sea Bright, NJ which is in Monmouth County. The Sea Bright chapter will be run by Alexis Leaman, a special education teacher, and Lake Downham, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer and life-long surfer, both of whom reside in the area.

If you want to get an idea what Best Day is all about you’ve got to watch the video. It brought tears to my eyes to see what these people are doing for the kids. Equipment was donated by Ride A Wave. A starter crew of twelve volunteers from Ride A Wave is coming in from California (most at their own expense) to help man the events and train the rest of the volunteers. Area residents are encouraged to volunteer by going to the Best Day website and clicking on the Get Involved - Volunteer link. If you aren’t in the area but would like to help you can make a donation on the website. These programs are free for all special needs children and they aren’t cheap to keep going.

This is by far the best news I’ve heard today. I think it’s awesome what Best Day is trying to do here. I hope the first beach day is a huge success and the kids have a lot of fun.  I hope the time at the beach does turn out to be “the best day” for all of the families.

Jul 11, 2008 | 0 comments | View Post

Training wheels question

CJ is going to be nine in a month. He’s very small for his age, he’s only in size 6 clothes. He got a bike last year, a little two wheeler Thomas The Train bike with training wheels. He whips around on this thing like you wouldn’t believe. He’s gotten really good at riding it. As I watched him ride today I started wondering at what point we should take the training wheels off. He’s very steady on the bike, but my worry is one of those motherly ones. Being limited verbally, it isn’t as simple as asking him if he wants them off or not. So, how does one know when it’s a good time to take the training wheels off?

Jun 01, 2008 | 0 comments | View Post

You never know who you’re standing next to.

I received this yesterday. I had one of these type of moments with a thoughtless person a few years ago, and I reacted very badly. My son has Down Syndrome not Autism, but I totally get it. I’ve come a way since then.

THE LITTLE BUS
Carolyn Curran

I never knew anyone disabled until my son was diagnosed six years ago with Autism. When he was just two, I remember asking my husband how kids get to ride the little buses - they seemed so child friendly - I couldn’t picture my `baby’ riding the big bus. Talk about living in a vacuum. What a laugh that story’s become. I now have four sons and three get to ride the little bus.
A few years ago, I was picking up my typical son from preschool and another mother complained to me that the boy next door gets a bus, while she has to drive her child back and forth every day. “And he hardly seems disabled, ” She said. I felt a twisting of my gut and my left eye probably twitched uncontrollably, but I kept my mouth shut. Unfortunately she started to seek me out, two or three times a week for this same discussion. Since I was PTA president then, she believed I could influence the district transportation policy.

Finally, on a day where 11:30 am felt like 10 pm, I looked her in the eye and said, “I know it seems unfair, so why don’t we trade? I’ll take a typical child and drive back and forth and you can have an autistic child who gets to take the bus.” I didn’t speak with her much after that. In that short conversation, I couldn’t possibly pry open her world to what the little bus really means.

Personally, on the `down side’ that little bus means:
watching typical children run and play and laugh while my child floats alone in his own world,
spending over 15 hours each spring developing and Individualized Education Plan for each of my three children,
meeting every 4-6 weeks with each of those child study teams to exchange notes, support each other and maybe switch strategies,
the silence of the phone - no calls for play dates here,
huge meltdowns of pure panic because my son can’t comprehend that today we are going to stop at Super G before going home,
trying to explain to my sobbing 10 year old why he can’t go on the big bus with his little brother, because he needs a different school,
Concerta, Prozac, ear tubes, echo-cardiograms, EKGs, bloodwork, genetics, pediatric: cardiologists, ENTs, and GIs, intestinal biopsies, tonsillectomies, adenoidectomies, emergency surgery, special diets, picture schedules, sign language, social skills programs, sensory integration, evaluations, ABA, Verbal Behavior, DIR, physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy, and waiting, hoping and praying for the miracle of achieving an ordinary developmental milestone.

On the `up side’ free transportation means
a heart that soars each time I hear “Mom” because it took four years to hear it,
always believing in Santa Claus,
finding joy in an unexpected kiss from my child who doesn’t like to be touched,
laughter that is genuine and deep,
finding peace, understanding, tolerance and patience where I had none,
unbelievable happiness when I hear “I did it” after weeks and months of trying,
joy and gratitude for every inch of achievement because no one works harder than a child learning to walk while his peers run by, a child learning to talk while his peers tell stories and a child learning his ABCs while his peers read books.

I confess to have been ignorant and frightened of disabled people. Once after church, an altar server caressed my oldest son’s cheek. He couldn’t speak, he had Down Syndrome. I felt nervous and uncomfortable. What a shame! I had spent thirty years in darkness about disabilities and now I could write a book. Now, I live on the other side of the fence. I love my four sons, three disabled, one typical and for them, I am giving my life, so that there is a place in our community for them as happy contributing adults.
Would I trade for the big bus? I don’t think so, I’d rather
we all ride the same bus - of comprehension of walking in another’s shoes. Thank God, the little bus has taught me that.

So, dear mother, whose angst is caused by unfair school transportation. I’m sorry I `snapped’ at you years ago. I wish for you a discovery: that the chambers of the heart become infinite when you know and love someone with special needs and that what matters most is not what you get, but what you give.

Carolyn Curran
President
Cherry Hill NJ Special Education PTO

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