Category Archives: special needs resources

Disney Planning Cont’d

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Well our numbers have decreased, but we are still going!  Flights are booked and the rest will be finalized next week, just waiting for confirmation invoices and info.

I must say I’m a little impressed with some of the information that is available on the Disney site regarding accessibility and information for multiple disability types.  I will also say, it involves ALOT of clicking to go through everything!  I’ve printed out over 60 pages of information to go over rather than having to click around and find my way back to it all.  Here are some of the pages on their site:

More clicking throughout these pages to get more detailed information is required, but these pages are a place to start.  They have printable guides for each of the parks, which when printed out, is quite small in font size.

You will read quite a bit about how you should plan ahead as much as possible, and I completely agree.  For myself, I like to be as prepared as possible, know exactly what we’re getting into and how to best organize things to make things as relaxing and enjoyable as possible for everyone.

We are fortunate enough to have both respite workers coming with us to help out.  It’s amazing how much arranging and planning you have to think about to pull a trip like this off.  I’ve been doing the bulk of it thus far with laying the ground work and making sure we will be in accomodations that will work for everyone, especially Patrick.  Mom has appreciated this very much.  It’s a little more stressful, for me anyway, having someone else do it when they don’t ‘live it’ like you do every day.  I’m sure many will agree, when it comes to things like this, you feel better knowing that the necessary things are in place to ensure a good time when you have had input.

We have a great travel agent!  Heather has contacts and has worked with the people who arrange the Sunshine Trips for the kids.  She has used those contacts to help plan our trip as well.

I would suggest, as would Heather, to make sure you double check your booking and explanations of what type of accommodations you need and are getting.  We have found Disney really needs to update their website and look at some of their terminology.  They also need to better train their agents.  Twice Heather has called to double check bookings and been given mis-information.  We had to change our accommodations this morning as the accessible room we were given at one resort was not what they told her yesterday and it didn’t work for us.  We are thankful she has been diligent and making sure everything we need is in place for us.

Medical insurance is another thing we needed to look at.  Patrick had done so well for about 6 years, but in the past year, his health has not improved back to what he was previously.  For those who don’t have coverage with other companys or through work, there are some fairly strict guidelines to go with the coverage.  It is wise to check into exactly what you are/will be covered for to make sure there are no surprises.  One of the girls has medical insurance through her work, but still needed to have the coverage added for this trip.  Basically for us, as long as Patrick doesn’t end up in the hospital or have any change in medication between now and the trip, AND it isn’t for the same reason’s he was just in for, he will be covered.  Keep your fingers crossed, because if there were to be issues, they would likely be for the same issues.  Send a few prayers up for him :)

Heather has also looked into extra luggage for us for some of the extra stuff needed to bring for Patrick, and also found out I’m able to bring the Chopper with us as long as it’s in the checked luggage.  With Patrick’s medication needing to be refridgerated and such, they are supplying a small fridge for us at no cost because it’s for medical needs.  They have arranged accessible transporation for us from the airport right to our resort and back again when we leave.

We are working on some other details while waiting for the final confirmation numbers, but things are moving along fairly well at this point.  Aside from the ‘hiccup’ with the accommodation (which has been sorted) and the particulars of the medical insurance (didn’t surprise me), we are quite happy with things so far.

Our travel time falls during a week that offers a free Dining Meal Plan, which is great, and as recommended MANY times about reserving your sit down meal as far ahead as possible as they fill up quickly, Heather will do that for us next week.

Next week is passport photos for Patrick and I, and going through the information I found and printed to see what attractions and rides are accessible, which require transfers and which one’s Patrick would be more interested in seeing.  We already know he’s very interested in Animal Kingdom, so that’s a given. :)

One more note before signing off for the night.  My sister’s SIL (sister-in-law), gave me a site to take a look at also.  They also have some great information and more photos of rooms and attractions and accessibility (Disney has very few accessible room photos, and I’ve not seen any accessible ride/attraction photos at all so far).   allears.net

It just so happens, when I shared this site with our travel agent, her contact with Sunshine Foundation, gave her the same site :)

Feel free to email any comments, suggestions/feedback.  I’ll be happy to reply.

Till next time…. :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wish Granting Organizations/Programs – What do you know?

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The Funding Process – What you should know!

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Technically, I should have started writing about this last summer when I first started doing this.  It’s been a year now, and with all I have learned, especially the past few months, I felt this should be shared; so anyone else going through the same processes could possibly have that extra information before-hand and know what will BE expected and what TO expect.

I am speaking about getting an accessible vehicle and going through the processes of applying for the grants that are available to help.  Who would have thought this would take so much and give you stress?  This is supposed to help make things easier, isn’t it?

I am in the middle of all this, so to speak.  I have approvals from 2 of the 3 main grants offered.  What I have learned in, more so in the past month, is unreal!  I thank a couple of gentlemen, Renaud from Motion Specialties and Glen from Goldline Mobility and Conversions, for being so great and forth-coming with information about these processes, that no one else seems to tell you.  I’ve learned a lot from these guys in the past month or so.  Thank you!

Let me begin by giving the top 3 main grants available that one can apply to for an accessible vehicle.

Easter Seals – up to a maximum $3000 – strictly for modification.  Also note, individuals are only entitled to $3000 a year through Easter Seals to cover whatever needs/equipment there might be.  If anything totals more than that maximum, other funding sources will need to be looked at.

President’s Choice Children’s Charity – up to a maximum of $20,000 – PC is a little more lenient in that once modifications are paid for, any remaining of that can be put towards the purchase of the vehicle.

Let me interject a very important point here before I carry on:  Modifications come FIRST!!

March of Dimes – up to a maximum of $15,000 – again, strictly for modifications.  (March of Dimes has the HVMP – Home/Vehicle Modification Program.  The amounts are the same for both, $15,000 for Home modifications and $15,000 for Vehicle modifications)

To apply for any of these, you will be asked if you have applied to any other funding that is available to you.  If you haven’t, you must, for your application to be considered.

Follow along as I update you and take you through this process.  I will be adding what has happened thus far and what I’ve learned and continue to be learning about this process.  It’s a lot I must say and much I’m sure many aren’t aware of!

Stay tuned….

Special Olympics

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Special Olympics is humanity’s greatest classroom, where lessons of ability, acceptance and inclusion are taught on the fields of competition by our greatest teachers – the athletes”

 

Special Olympics Canada

http://www.specialolympics.ca/en/

Special Olympics International

http://specialolympics.org/

Special Olympics Ontario

http://www.specialolympicsontario.com/

 

MISSION STATEMENT

To provide year-round sports training and athletic competition for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Special Olympics promotes opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and develop skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympic athletes and the community.

Over the past 40 years Special Olympics has grown from a modest program serving local athletes to become the world’s largest movement dedicated to promoting respect, acceptance, inclusion, and human dignity for people with intellectual disabilities through sports.

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The purpose of this article is to bring attention and information of this great program that is available in most communities.  The benefits are great whether you are an athlete, coach, support staff or volunteer.  Your life will be enriched and forever changed.

Last summer, I had the wonderful opportunity to volunteer for the 2010 Special Olympics Summer Games held here in London, ON.  It was a time I’ll never forget!

London did an amazing job hosting and it showed in the faces and comments of the coaches, athletes and support staff.

The games created fun times and proud moments for the athletes, their teams and friends and family.  Many achieved goals, broke personal records and made new records for themselves and/or their teams.

Meeting so many wonderful people, athletes, coaches, support staff and other volunteers made this experience so amazing!  The athletes were the best!!

An Uncle of mine coaches a couple of the teams in Halifax.  When we have our family reunions they always consist of a softball game between the family and the athletes.  It’s something everyone looks forward to every year.  On top of that is a yearly BBQ my Uncle holds for them and many of the family are there to lend a hand in the preparations and happenings of the day.

There are 14 sports, and many Athletes do more than one!

http://info.specialolympicsontario.ca/programs-policies-procedures/14-sports

  • 5 Pin Bowling
  • 10 Pin Bowling
  • Alpine Skiing
  • Athletics (Track and Field)
  • Basketball
  • Bocce
  • Curling
  • Figure Skating
  • Floor Hockey
  • Golf
  • Nordic Skiing
  • Power-lifting
  • Rhythmic Gymnastics
  • Snowshoeing
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Speed Skating
  • Swimming

There are Regional, Provincial, National and World Games held.  Provincial Games are held on a rotating basis over a four-year period.  National Games are held every 2 years on a rotating basis. Athletes are selected from national competition to advance to World Games also held every two years on a rotating winter and summer basis.

Listed below are links to the District sites for Special Olympics, followed by a link to find Special Olympic programs by Community.

 

Central Ontario District - http://central.specialolympicsontario.ca/

Eastern Ontario District - http://east.specialolympicsontario.ca/

GTA District Site – http://gta.specialolympicsontario.ca/

Northern Ontario District - http://north.specialolympicsontario.ca/

South Central District - http://southcentral.specialolympicsontario.ca/

South West District - http://southwest.specialolympicsontario.ca/

 

Special Olympic Programs by Community - http://directory.specialolympicsontario.ca/Community-Programs/

 

 

Special Olympics are proud to be affiliated with The Ontario Law Enforcement Torch Run.

http://www.torchrunontario.com/

The Ontario Law Enforcement Torch Run is a community-based, province-wide event that sees the “Flame of Hope” carried across Ontario by members of law enforcement agencies from across the province.  The objective of this and other events is to raise funds for and awareness of the Special Olympics movement in Ontario.

The Ontario Law Enforcement Torch Run is making a difference by raising funds for Special Olympics Ontario, and all funds raised are directed into community Special Olympics programs.  As well, the torch run involves law enforcement personnel in a community based, province wide program.  The torch run sets up community partnerships with sponsors, Special Olympics volunteers and local supporters, to reach a shared vision of helping athletes.

Special Olympics Ontario uses the funds raised to support three major initiatives:

  • Competition funding for communities hosting provincial and regional competitions, including travel and registration costs
  • Staff support, including SOO field staff
  • Support grants to new programs, competitions such as Hometown Games and programs in need, which amounts to approximately $250,000 per year

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The Special Olympics Programs are an amazing opportunity for youth and young adults to participate in a sport of their liking (some more than 1 or 2), make some great friendships, feel pride and accomplishment, attend some great social events, and enjoy new opportunities.

The joy and smiles on all of the Athletes faces is infectious and you can’t help but be taken in as you are surrounded by the warmth, happiness and pride!

Take a few moments to read some of the testimonials from the Athletes, coaches and family at the following link.

http://www.specialolympicsontario.com/default.asp?contentID=48

 

If you would like to become a volunteer for Special Olympics, here is where to start!

http://www.specialolympicsontario.com/default.asp?contentID=21

 

Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/specialolympicsontario

Youtube – http://www.youtube.com/specialolympicson

 

Augmentative Communication

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*Did you know….

  • that 1 in 10 Canadians has a speech, language or hearing problem
  • an estimated 4% of the preschool population has a significant speech or language disorder
  • 8% to 12% of school children have some form of speech or language impairment
  • communication disorders in school-aged children are often misdiagnosed as learning disabilities or behavioural problems, and can be very difficult to treat in later years.  Children with behavioural problems are ten times more likely than other children to have language disorders
  • a child should use 200 or more words by the time they are 2-3 years old and by the age of 4 1/2 their vocabulary should consist of approximately 2000 words
  • speech and language disorders are strongly related to failure in reading and writing
  • drop our rates in students with communication disorders is 43% compared to 23% in non-impaired students

    *The Ontario Association for Families of Children with Communication Disorders: http://www.oafccd.com/

 

What is Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and who uses it?

 

Augmentative, sometimes referred to as alternative communication (AAC) is a method of communication used by individuals with severe speech and language disabilities, those who have cerebral palsy, autism, ALS, suffered from a stroke, etc.

Some people have complex communication needs associated with a wide range of physical, sensory and environmental causes which restrict/limit their ability to participate independently in society. They and their communication partners may benefit from using AAC methods.

Having a severe speech problem affects many aspects of a person’s life. It may affect one’s ability to live in the community, direct one’s care, find employment, discuss sexual matters and report or prevent abuse

AAC is for those individuals who are unable to use verbal speech yet are cognitively able or when speech is extremely difficult to understand. These individuals will use gestures, communications boards, pictures, symbols, drawings or a combination of all of these. An individual would point to a single meaning picture – for instance if the individual was hungry, the picture may look like somebody eating. If the individual is also physically impaired, a head pointer may be worn to indicate the picture, which would relay the feeling.

The methods of AAC will vary and be personalized to meet the needs of the individual. Many forms of AAC will have an Assistive technology component, which will come in both high-tech and low-tech strategies. You don’t need special skills for understanding an individual who is using ACC, as the processes are self-explanatory.

AAC refers to ways other than speech that are used to communicate. Most people who use AAC have a variety of communication systems. Depending on their needs and skills they usually include a number of aided and unaided communication systems.

Unaided AAC systems might include:
Voice; nodding and shaking one’s head; facial expression; pointing or looking at desired objects; gestures; sign languages.

Aided AAC systems might include:
Communication displays (comprised of written words, letters or phrases, pictures or symbols); devices which speak or print out messages; call bells etc.

There are specialized AAC Services available to assist people in determining the AAC systems which best meet their needs and skills.

Here is a list of centres in Ontario for Augmentative Communication, http://www.accpc.ca/aboutaac-ontarioservices.htm

 

This information is for just that, information purposes only.   If you have questions and want more information, consult your Speech and Augmentative Communication Therapists.

Accomodating students with disabilities

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For many parents of special needs children, the school year can seem intimidating  at times.  Whether it be the child’s first time starting school, their first day of school and/or even their transition and entrance into highschool.

Some parents wonder what exactly goes on with their child(ren) at school.  Are all the services and criteria being met for my child to get the best education?  How involved should I be?  Can I be?

Communication between yourselves and those involved with your child at school is important and key!  You are the best advocate for your child(ren).  The school staff and yourself should work together on the plan that best fits and meets the requirements for your child.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions.  If you are unsure of some of the language/terms they use pertaining to your child, step up and ask for an explanation, they will be happy to explain and walk you through it.

Some terms you may hear:

SEAC – Special Education Advisory Committee

  • makes recommendations to the board with respect to any matter affecting the establishment, development, and delivery of special education programs and services for exceptional pupils of the board;
  • participates in the board’s annual review of its special education plan;
  • participates in the board’s annual budget process as it relates to special education;
  • reviews the financial statements of the board as they relate to special education;
  • provides information to parents, as requested.

IPRC – Identification, Placement Review Committee

  • The IPRC will decide whether the student is an exceptional pupil and, if so, what type of educational placement is appropriate.
  • The parent(s)/guardian(s), as well as a student who is sixteen years of age or older, have the right to attend the IPRC meeting and may request that the IPRC discuss potential programs that would meet the student’s needs.

For more information on IPRC check here.

IEP – Individual Education Plan

  • An IEP identifies the student’s specific learning expectations and outlines how the school will address these expectations through appropriate accommodations, program modifications and/or alternative programs as well as specific instructional and assessment strategies.
  • The learning program provided for the student is modified on the basis of the results obtained through continuous assessment and evaluation.

For more information on the IEP, check here.

 

Unfortunately some of the frustration is going to come in the form of the barriers and stigmas that still tend to be attached to persons with disabilities.  We, as advocates for our children, must make sure these barriers and stigmas continue to be broken down, by using our voices, the resources available to us and the help and support of those who work with our child(ren).

Here is more information and details on the main barriers to education for students with disabilities.

The Ontario Human Rights Code guarantees the right to equal treatment in education, without discrimination on the ground of disability, as part of the protection for equal treatment in services. Education providers have a duty to accommodate students with disabilities up to the point of undue hardship. Students with disabilities are not always being provided with appropriate accommodation, and, in some cases, are falling victim to disputes between the various parties responsible for accommodation. The accommodation process is a shared responsibility. Each party has a duty to co-operatively engage in the process, share information, and canvass potential accommodation solutions. In this regard each party has a specific role to play:

Click here to read what each role is.

Respect for dignity, individualized accomodation and inclusion & full participation are the principles involved with accomodating, once a need has been identified.  Accommodation is a means of preventing and removing barriers that impede students with disabilities from participating fully in the educational environment.

For more information on these principle, click here.

Just a few resources to help you begin to understand, and to help you along this important journey of education for our children.  I hope these are helpful and informative for you.

More resources and information coming soon.

Have a great evening! :)

 

 

 

And the process begins…

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Well it was a good day!

I went to the open house this afternoon at the Shoppers Home Health Automotive Division.  It was very interesting and informative.  I found everyone  quite knowledgeable, helpful and very nice.

We got to see a variety of different modifications on some vans and how they worked.

Q Straint was there, gave a bit of history and some information on the tie downs for wheelchairs, types and wheelchair transportation safety.  It’s amazing how many people who travel in wheelchairs are not properly secured in the vehicles.  Wheelchair saftey certainly needs and deserves more ‘exposure’.  We need to get the word out to everyone, wheelchair transportation saftey is important, necessary and mandatory!

I am seriously considering travelling to FL in the fall to get certification with Q Straint.  The certification will be:

What will you experience?
Our comprehensive training seminars provides in-depth, hands-on learning experience that will educate you how to properly use and operate Q’Straint’s systems, and show you how to teach others to properly use them as well.  In addition, each person will:

  • Tour our facility, meet the Q’Straint family and see how our products are made.
  • Learn about the inspection and maintenance of wheelchair securement systems.
  • View crash tests of our wheelchair securement systems and components.
  • Learn rules, standards and regulations that govern the testing and use of wheelchair securement systems.
  • Acquire in-depth knowledge about Q’Straint products for writing specifications.
  • Interact and share your experiences, tips and ideas with other attendees.

To be able to share, help, teach and provide this important resource would be wonderful.

Manufacturer’s and those who actually do the modifications were there on hand to answers questions, show you how things work, different ideas and possibilities and help give you information with regards to your needs.

Many who attended were OT’s and others who provide information, and/or prescribe equipment.  My attendance was two-fold.  I, myself am in need of an accessible vehicle for transporting my son and his powerchair, as well, getting as much information and knowledge that may be beneficial to someone else who may not know where to start.

I do, after all, want to be able to help everyone I can with knowing and finding the information and resources they may need/want.

And so begins this part of the journey for us.  We have received funding help in previous years with other sources for equipment and the like, such as Easter Seals.  This accesible vehicle will be our biggest yet.  It is truely needed and will be such a blessing for us, especially my son!

I’ll keep you posted as to how the process is going :)

Feel free to drop a line, ask a question..etc…anytime!

Have a great evening!

:)

Information and resources you need for accessible transportation – London,ON

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**Clarification on this Post**

This blog entry is intended to inform you of an opportunity to get a great deal of information regarding the processes, funding and wheelchair safety if you are in need of an accessible vehicle, or going to be needing one in the future, for your family.

This afternoon of information is a great place to start and get much of the information you need, and be able to ask your questions directly to those who are providing it.


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Time: 12 noon – whenever

Date:  Mar. 4th/10

Where:  2028 Dundas St. E. – London, ON – Shoppers Home Health Automotive Division

Who will be at the open house?

-OT’s (occupational therapists)

-March Of Dimes

-Manufacturers of accessible vehicles and those who modify them

-Q’Straint – (For 25 years, Q’Straint has remained focused on one vision: to develop, manufacture, test and support the world’s most effective wheelchair passenger safety solutions)

There will be 65 vehicles on site you’ll be able to check out, see the different type of modifications and ask questions.

There will be people available to answer your questions regarding funding, the process, vehicles, safety and more…

Wondering about accessible vehicles?  Haven’t thought about it yet, but know you’ll need one soon?  What type will best suit the needs of your family?

If there is funding available, if so, where? from who?  Do I qualify for it?  How to I apply?  What do I need to apply?

Wondering about wheelchair safety during transportation?

You might be thinking…..Shoppers Home Health?  Accessible Vehicles?

Every year Shoppers Home Health Automotive Dept put this open house on.  It is open to the public.

Please confirm attendance if at all possible.  For more information, please call or email:

Mike Blow

Shoppers Home Health Automotive Division

519-455-4488





Buying for a child with special needs & preparing for Christmas!

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It’s that time of year again.  It’s come upon us pretty quick this year, I think. :)

Many people, family and friends, as well as us as parents, sometimes have a hard time thinking what to get for Christmas, Birthdays etc.

This particular post on the blog will be a ‘working post’, in other words, as I find more information that will be helpful and useful, I will continue to add to it.

There are many articles available for viewing online about preparing your child for Christmas.  I will be sharing some of those with you also.

To begin with, I have a couple links to some toy guides that are aimed at children with different abilities.

Toys R Us Toy guide for differently-abled children

Toy Industry Foundation – Let’s Play Guide – A guide to toys for children with special needs (give this a min to open, it will open in Adobe)  If you don’t have Adobe you can go the site here and click on Play Guide.

 

 

I will also be adding my own personal ideas and thoughts to help you have a wonderful holiday with your children.

Stay tuned for more!

Is your child getting the calories needed to get through the day?

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I don’t think we really think about this question often, unless a reason appears.

We just figure, hey! our child is eating, all is good!…right?  We sometimes don’t see the signs, and the ‘hidden’ signs that perhaps are indicating there may be an issue.

I am not a nutritionist, I am a Mom with a special needs child and this is my little story with some information I have found out as well.  My hope is that perhaps it may make you take a second look at your children and see that they indeed are getting the proper nutrients and calories to give them good growth.

I will start with a little information regarding my son and how this came about.

My son is 12yrs old.  He has a rare syndrome called Meckel Syndrome, as some of you have read on the ‘About Me’ page here on my blog.  We all have witnessed and are witnessing the growth of our children.  We have seen the growth spurts and plateaus over the years.  It’s almost as if one day you wake up, and wow! all of sudden they have grown out of everything they own, they have advanced in mind, body and spirit, and we wonder and realize…When did this happen? You just had that on the other day and now it won’t fit?  What did you say to me?  Where did you learn that word?  lol

Our ‘babies’ are growing! :)

My son had been on a plateau for so long.  Until a year ago, he had pretty much worn the same size clothes for about 3yrs, had some advances in communication, had no interest in trying to do some of the things I’d been trying to work with him on and really didn’t seem to care if he tried or did something himself, he was content to let/have someone else help him or do it for him.  Don’t misunderstand me, he is a happy boy and of course we didn’t ‘fold’ into him all the time.

As parents of special needs children, it’s frustrating at times with all the things we have/need/should do with our children.  We all have those days where we just don’t want the frustration and upset that sometimes goes with getting them to learn/do what they must.

This past year, my son has made leaps in a number of areas!  Communication, growth, drinking and much more.  He has always been small/short for his age, and is still considered small for his age, but he is now 4′ 1.5″!  He weighs between 60-65lbs, likely closer to 65lbs now.

Until this past summer, growth and nutrition seemed to still be on that plateau.  After a holiday out to Nova Scotia to visit family, most of them had only seen pictures of Patrick, not met him, he started to mention that he was tired all the time. (It was also his first plane ride)

I didn’t think to much of it at first, perhaps it was just the pace of the our first big holiday together and seeing everyone and keeping busy.  A little bit later, come mid to late afternoon, he’s looking pale and would rather lie down to watch TV or do whatever.

It still hadn’t dawned on me, that with his growth this past year, I should perhaps look at his food and calorie intake.

After returning from NS, I missed all the home cooking.  The great meals and the ‘way of cooking’ as well.  Getting back to basics again.  I started buying fresh meat again, veggies and the like, to provide good, nutritious home cooked meals.  It’s not always easy cooking for one.

As Patrick was only able to eat baby food, I decided to start seeing if I could get him to try suppers with me.  Stick with me here now.  Patrick has always had an issue with textures of things.  He has a lot of gum in his mouth and it covers a good portion of some of his teeth.  He doesn’t chew much at all.  Therefore, most of his food was close to pureed.  He was able to handle small ‘lumps’, as he could ‘break them down’.

I had a mini chopper that had been stored in the closet for many years, not using it much except the odd time when I didn’t want to physically do onions by hand ;)   I decided to give it a try.  Suppers I cooked, I would put in the chopper for him.  ‘Chop’ it down to a consistency that I felt he would tolerate and eat.  He loves it, doesn’t like the sound of the chopper, but he knows it’s supper lol

He now likes to have more choice and variety for his meals and everything has to have either ketchup or parmasan cheese on it!!

It’s better for him, more work for me, but he’s getting ‘better’ vitamins and that’s what’s important.  But…

He’s still tired!!  By mid afternoon he’s tired and some days pretty pale.  Call me slow, maybe it was a Monday…who knows, but I started thinking…  His diet has been the same for the past 3 years!! Pretty much exactly!!  He’s grown so much this past year, maybe he’s NOT getting enough calories in a day to get him through it without getting tired.

A trip to the Pediatrition, some bloodwork and a call to CCAC (Community Care Access Centre) to have a Dietition come out and review his nutrition and calorie intake had given us some answers that hopefully will relinquish the problem.

We are awaiting a return visit of the Dietition, she will be coming this Friday.  In the meantime, some information she has passed on to me, based on the information she had collected from me, was that his Vitamin C & E are not enough, neither is Fibre and he’s only getting 30% of his Iron requirements.  Ding, Ding, Ding!!  Tiredness, paleness can be symptoms of low iron.  Bloodwork has been faxed to the Nephrologist and the Dietition, I’m curious to see what it reads.

Tiredness and paleness doesn’t always mean low iron.  There are other symptoms that can be a result of not getting enough nutrition and/or calories.  Some you may not see so clearly.

Take a look at your children, think about how much they have grown, or haven’t grown in the recent past.  Look at their food intake, what are they eating?  Is it the good stuff?  Are they eating balanced meals?  Getting all the food groups covered.  It seems difficult to do, and may even seem like a lot of food, but it’s not.  Combine good, healthy food and exercise, you have the makings of a strong, healthy child in body and mind!  Good nutrition helps the mind as well, helps children learn and absorb much more.

I KNOW it’s going to be tough trying to get all the required nutrition and food groups into a days worth of meals in the beginning.  In the long run, it will be so much better for Patrick, and it’s good for us too.  He will be a healthy young boy ready to take on his teens next year and all the changes that will come with that!  It’s already started LOL

If you notice or are concerned about your childs(rens) nutrition and/or calorie intake, consult your family Dr. or Ped.  For older children, talk to them first about their meals, find out how they’re feeling over all, do they find they have enough energy to get through the day?  Do they find it hard to absorb things at school? Do they feel hungry all the time or not hungry at all?  Are they just eating, because they know they have to or should?  Sometimes there are underlying disorders that our children may try to hide as well (Anorexia, Bulimia etc).  There are many questions you can ask.  If you have good communication with your child(ren), that’s awesome, things should go well and easily.  If not, speak with your Dr. about your concerns and perhaps what you could/should do to help them.

It should be interesting over the next while with the changes coming for us here.  I’m looking forward to the visit this Friday.  I’ll keep you posted! :)