Going to a theme park with any young kid can be stressful, overwhelming, and exhausting. In fact, I don’t even enjoy them, but when you have kids, you end up doing a lot of things that you would not normally do. Kelcie kept asking to go to Universal Studios and Kayla really wanted to go to Disney World. Since we vacation in Florida every June, I decided to bite the bullet and go to both parks. We went to Universal Studios for two days. The good thing was that Kelcie’s friend came along so they could enjoy the theme parks together. I was stuck with Kayla. And my husband was smart and stayed home! After doing some research and having experienced Universal previously, I had a game plan for Kayla. Universal Studios offers a “Disability Pass” for individuals who need accommodations for any reason. Although some people think of this pass as a way to “cut” the line, it is not meant for that. For Kayla, the pass was used to access … [Read more...]
As the school year comes to an end…
My friends, many of my colleague, and of course my kids are excited that the school year is about to come to an end. I share some of their enthusiasm, but I am a little hesitant for the summer to approach as well. The professional side wants are excited for summer; the mother in me is a little on the fence! From a professional standpoint, I am ecstatic to finish work! Don’t get me wrong- I love my job and the people I work with. However, I do need a break from refereeing kickball, explaining to kids repeatedly not to go UP the slide, being called stupid or liar daily, and reminding children that I have good hearing and do not need to be yelled at. It will be refreshing to get a long break and see the children’s smiling faces in the fall. From a parent’s standpoint, the summer can tend to have a lot of bumps in the road. Kayla functions better with routine and structure. Although school can be stressful for her at times, the … [Read more...]
“Friends on the Go”
Last September, Kristen Lee, an incredible teacher and mother of two amazing children, created “Friends on the Go”. Kristen’s vision was to have a group where her son could enhance his social skills, get out in the community, make some new friends and build his connection. Her hope was to have monthly outings to “support kids ages four and older who have social challenges and wish to make friends in a low stress environment”. “Friends on the Go” is much more than enhancing social challenges for kids; it is slowly building a community. “Friends on the Go” has attended Wildflower Studio, Essex Speedway, two painting classes held at Davis Studio and Shelburne Farms. Each event attracts different families. Some come with siblings, some without. Some come with one parent, some with two. As the months have passed, the number of families attending events continue to grow. It is amazing to watch the relationships that have … [Read more...]
Making the community more accessible
Did you know that one part of Kayla’s Directory's goal is to have adaptive equipment available for families in our community? The purpose is to make things a little easier for families to venture out when they have a child with special needs. The general population probably doesn’t think about bringing their child to a restaurant, going on a hike, or going for a bike ride. But if you have a child who has limitations or special needs, you are always thinking about things you might need when going out. Kayla's Directory has purchased the following adaptive equipment for our community. ECHO Lake and Aquarium Science Center has an adaptive stroller which families can access for use on the Burlington Waterfront or walking around the Burlington area. Families just need to ask the front desk to borrow the stroller. ECHO Center also has two pairs of noise cancelling headphones available for children to access if needed. … [Read more...]
Fun times at Kids’ RehabGYM
Kids' RehabGYM offers physical and occupational therapy to children with various disabilities. We have been going to Kid’s Rehab for over 5 years now. Throughout this time, we have seen the staff change and have experienced different providers. However, the service has never changed. All the staff members at Kid’s Rehab are remarkable. They are not only knowledgeable and help children progress in treatment, but they are outgoing, flexible, and friendly. Every time that we are there I see providers working diligently with children. They are so creative in how to get children to move and perform a particular task; they are patient when a child is struggling and offer encouragement throughout the session. Children seem engaged and happy to be there. Every time that I walk into Kid’s Rehab and leave, I know that the staff members care about my daughter’s wellness and about our family. They go above and beyond to make children … [Read more...]