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We had a nice holiday surprise as BennettStrong was a recipient of a 2021 grant from The Wawa Foundation! Thank you to The Wawa Foundation for your generosity and support in the mission of BennettStrong! #wawa
DID YOU KNOW?! We're exactly two months away from BennettStrong: The Greatest Show gala! Have you gotten your tickets yet?! ![]()
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We're excited to be hosting our event at The Warrington on Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022! The gala features comedian Jesus Trejo with a special VIP experience and the musical talents of Philly's own The Big House Band! ![]()
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Visit bennettstrong.org for more information or click the direct link to this year's gala information page at bennettstrong.org/press-room/press-releases/2022galatickets/
Unfortunately, these things are said all too often. They're meant to be supportive and caring, but for parents of kids with disabilities, they're often the phrases that can make us cry in the privacy of our cars or homes after a tough day. Fortunately, resources like this are available to help us show our support in more helpful ways. 💜
5 Things Not to Say to a Parent of a Disabled Child
bit.ly
When you have a disabled child people often say the most ridiculous things. I’ve heard a few over the years and here are a few of my favourites and why...
When we talk about supporting families in the NICU and miracle babies, we're talking about some of the smallest babes on the planet. ![]()
We 'stole' this post from a fellow NICU family (our neighbors) who's daughter was just over 2 lbs when she was born - and smaller than this Elf. ![]()
Just for reference: Bennett was born weighing 1 lb 2 oz, 12" long - two inches shorter than your Elf! ![]()
Join us on 2/26 at the Warrington to find out about the BIG project we're doing to help these families and tiny elves. AND hear about where we're going! BennettStrong Gala: The Greatest ShowIt is hard to really appreciate how tiny micro-preemies are. ![]()
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If you are one of the 11+ Million families who have adopted an elf on the shelf, take a closer look at them tonight. Your elf is bigger than many micro-preemies.![]()
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Your elf is about 11.42" long, almost exactly the length of our twins. (11" & 11.2" long) With the hat the elf measures about 14" long. ![]()
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Perspective ❤![]()
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[Post updated to omit weight. Weight listed on the product site must have included other contents. Thank you to the person who notified us of the necessary correction. ]![]()
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#elfontheshelf #biggerthanpreemies #sharinghope #fromsmallbeginnings #smallbeginnings
This is so very true of NICU Moms, and also applies to parents of children with disabilities. We lie. We say we're fine. We can handle it. And we do - not because we're 'fine' but because we have no other choice.Confessions of a NICU Mom: I lied to you![]()
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When I told you my baby was "super sick," I lied to you. He was on the verge of death.![]()
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When I told you I was okay, I lied to you. I was anything and everything except okay.![]()
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When I told you we didn't need help, I lied to you. Our list of needs were so so very long. ![]()
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I lied to you because I couldn't handle the truth.![]()
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Speaking the truth outloud somehow made it more real and my reality was already too much to bear.![]()
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Speaking the truth required emotional capacity when I had none left to give.![]()
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Speaking the truth would change the way you looked at me and I couldn't handle one more of "those" looks. ![]()
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I lied, not to protect you but to protect me.![]()
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#prematurityawarenessmonth #confession #ilied #fromsmallbeginnings #smallbeginnings
This is pretty freaking cool. Westerly High School students have what it takes to make the world a better place for everyone!
Westerly High School students build bus stop to shelter boy who uses wheelchair
nbcnews.to
Getting on the bus in the morning is a lot more enjoyable for a Westerly boy who uses a wheelchair to get around thanks to the kindness of the construction class at Westerly High School. Every morning...
We would like to say thank you for the significant role you play in fulfilling our foundation’s mission & helping support families with medically complex children.![]()
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Celebrate #GivingTuesday with BennettStrong by making a tax-deductible donation today! ![]()
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bennettstrong.org/giving-tuesday-2021/
With today being #BlackFriday, what better gift to give this holiday season then tickets to our gala this February! We have a great lineup of entertainment, silent auction & raffle items & all for a great cause to help families in the N/ICU! ![]()
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bennettstrong.org/press-room/press-releases/2022galatickets/
Hey Bucks County people, check this out! We love this store for the voice and opportunity it gives people with disabilities in our area. This is a tradition that lots of families who have complex children just. don't. do. It's too stimulating, too warm, and awkward when Santa doesn't 'get it'. We'll be taking Mr. Bennett! Share this post and tag a family who needs to know!UPDATE !!!!! Due to this overwhelming response we will be posting an actual event so we can gauge how many friends will be shopping during this 2 hour shopping event ( 9-11am ) and a potential 2nd date to accommodate the non early birds 😊![]()
Be on the look out !!!!!![]()
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SPECIAL NEEDS private shopping event with Santa !!! It’s ok to stim ! It’s ok to jump ! It’s ok to flap ! It’s ok to scream ! It’s ok run ! ( we will lock the door ) we will turn down the lights , we will put on Disney plus on tv ! We will have a crash bean bag ready ! Whatever it takes to make your shopping experience comfortable and successful!!!![]()
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UPDATE !!!!!!![]()
We will have professional therapists in shop to help with your super hero’s too!!!!![]()
Thanks to Melanie Krevitz Bellissima and her crew at Great Start Therapy Associates LLC😊😊😊😊![]()
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YES !!!! All inclusive special needs shopping and meet and greet Santa for special needs families. ( we have a wheelchair ramp too ) ![]()
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When 12/4 Saturday ![]()
Time 9am -11am ![]()
Where 123 south main ( free private parking lot)![]()
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Private shopping event for families of special needs . Saturday 12/4 From 9-11 am we will be open for only families with special needs . ![]()
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Santa will be here too . This 2 hour time frame 9am -11 am doors will be closed to the general public so our special needs community can have a stress free shopping experience. ![]()
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Come on over 😊... if you need pictures of shop for a social story to prep your kids shoot me a message !
We are overwhelmed by the number of people that already purchased tickets to February's gala! It's going to be quite the event! If you haven't gotten yours yet, what are you waiting for?! ![]()
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bennettstrong.org/press-room/press-releases/2022galatickets/
Today is #WorldPrematurityDay and BennettStrong wants families in the NICU to know that they’re not alone. Thank you to all the doctors, nurses and support staff that care for these babies. 💜💜💜💜
We're proud to announce tickets for this year's gala are on sale now! Join us for a night of celebration and support at BennettStrong:The Greatest Show.![]()
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Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022 | The Warrington | ![]()
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For more information & to purchase tickets visit: bennettstrong.org/press-room/press-releases/2022galatickets/
bennettstrong.org
Welcome to the BennettStrong Foundation The BennettStrong Foundation honors the battles that micropreemies and pediatric cancer fighters face every day. Fo
Hey Phillies fans - last day to get your tickets for the Phillies game on 8/29 with BennettStrong is MONDAY 8/16! GET YOUR TRIBE TOGETHER AND JOIN US!!!! We'll celebrate the Phillies with a family friendly tailgate (we'll bring the food and beverages), BYOB/chair, cornhole, and free stuff! Click the link below!![]()
fb.me/e/2FoB668XK
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This is a great infographic on the basics of including students with special needs. What I love about this is that it can really apply to any situation - academic, social, community settings ... be informed and help advocate for the special kiddo in your life!💗
July is DisAbility Pride Month and we're thankful for the community that loves our special kiddos. Check out a note below from Mary!
This made us smile early on a Sunday morning!
NICU nurse pops question to former patient: ‘Will you be my flower girl?’
ow.ly
Camille was the first NICU patient Jamie Michetti had ever asked to be primary nurse for.
When I speak at BennettStrong events or at other engagements, I spend a lot of time talking about our family's experience in the NICU and raising a medically complex child. What I don't often talk about, and perhaps I should, is how I came to terms with having a child with a disability. ![]()
Below is the obituary for my great Aunt Kay. She passed during the height of the pandemic last summer. She is my grandmother's sister. She grew up in the era in which 'retarded persons' were institutionalized, abused, and forgotten. My great grandmother kept her at home. As she grew up she obtained a job at a special needs facility and rode a bus with her colleagues to work every day. She had a cell phone and loved to call us on it while she was on the bus, passing it around so we could talk to all of her friends. She came to my high school events: homecomings, proms, graduation, football games, even dress shopping. She attended one of my college courses to talk about disabilities and its impact on our social welfare system as life expectancy increases. She loved a good party - food, dancing, the works. ![]()
She was always a part of my life. It was a given that she would be included in everything we could safely do. She was included and became an important member of her community. ![]()
I distinctly remember a day when we were checking out at a grocery store and Aunt Kay was talking to a guy bagging our groceries. I was wary, unsure of who this person was. I heard her talking about our plans for the day and when she would be at work next. I gently reminded her of our rules of talking to strangers. The two of them became offended, and Kay firmly told me that he was her friend. He then told me all the ways he knows 'Katie' (bowling club, work, family, etc). I was SO embarrassed, BUT also SUPER proud. Aunt Kay has a life that I was unaware of - she was loved and cared for, not simply because she was 'family', but because she was 'Katie'. ![]()
As I've come to terms with Bennett's life and his disabilities, I've often reflected on this moment in the grocery store. We had a time in Physical Therapy when we were waiting for Bennett's session. His PT was finishing her session with another child and I could hear her through the door, yelling: "Bennett?! You have him next? I know him! He's my friend! We go to school together!" Apparently, she knew him from school, and there was only ONE Bennett in her world. She quickly ran out of the room, excitedly greeting him. I realized, in that moment, that Bennett has a life - a life that has an impact on others that I don't yet understand. He is loved and cared for, not simply because he was 'family', but because he was 'Bennett'. ![]()
It's moments like those that I'm thankful for my childhood with Aunt Kay. She was a primer for what I'd need in my life, and God made sure I got the message. I'm honored to have known and loved this woman for my entire life, and I'm forever grateful for that privilege. ![]()
xo, ![]()
Mary
Katie Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information
www.currygiordanofh.com
Share Memories of Mary & Support the Burns Family
We'd like to thank the Eastern Athletics Communications Association for choosing Greg for the Bob Kentworthy Award! Check out this great feature! ![]()
east-comm.com/news/2021/6/15/general-get-to-know-award-winner-greg-pellegrino.aspx
Get to know honoree Greg Pellegrino - East-Comm
east-comm.com
Check out the third of six features in our "Getting to Know the 2021 EAST-COMM Award Winners" with this look at Bob Kenworthy Award winner Greg Pellegrino.
Mark your calendars! ![]()
8/29 at 1: Phunraiser at CBP. Phillies vs. Diamondbacks, catered tailgate for tickets purchased through our event link (TBA - stay tuned)!!![]()
2/26/22: GALA! It's going to be a BIG event with tons of surprises and extras you don't want to miss! We're making a HUGE announcement regarding a new initiative! Ticket sales will go up in July! ![]()
We're currently looking for sponsors for the event. If you're a business owner and want to support a great cause we'd love to hear from you! email: Bennettstrongfoundation@gmail.com
We are SO excited to finally be back at the ballpark! Join us on 8/29 for a family friendly tailgate and game vs the Diamondbacks. A proceeds of your ticket sales supports BennettStrong! ![]()
(Ticket sales link is forthcoming - the Phillies will be sending us a personalized link for us)!
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That's a wrap for this year's virtual gala! Stay tuned for our raffle winners and congratulations to our auction winners!
Bidding and raffle is open until 9 pm! We still have a signed Wentz jersey available (you Philly fans are rough!), a final four championship experience (COVID delayed, too), AND a ton of sports memorabilia and experiences (all with COVID provisions)! ![]()
Good luck, everyone! Thanks again for your awesome support of BennettStrong.
We are a few short hours away from our virtual gala! Raffle and auction items are LIVE so you can bid now! We'll be live chatting starting at 6 and the event starts at 7!!!!!! Fill up your BennettStrong wine glass, toast your appetizers, and join us!! ![]()
bennettstrong.afrogs.org/#/index
BennettStrong Foundation | Auction Frogs
bennettstrong.afrogs.org
Check out some amazing items we have on our raffle/auction site for this weekend's gala!