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Interesting read. Disabilities or not, this hurt a lot of families of students. It's just gross that disabilities will be 'faked' for the sake of opportunity, foresaking those whose diagnoses are real.
'A gut punch': How the college admissions scandal hurt families with disabled students
usatoday.com
Parents fear the scandal could jeopardize what is already a stressful process for students with legitimate need to get disability accommodations.Have a loved one with special needs and want to create a secure financial future for your family? Check out this FREE workshop! Having a child with special needs impacts all aspects of life planning - see what you can do to ensure your child is cared for financially while maintaining health benefits.
March is Developmental Disability Awareness Month in PA. It'll be fun finding ways to enhance the lives of those living with a developmental disability in our area!Governor Tom Wolf issued a ceremonial proclamation last month which declared March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Read the full proclamation below:
We've recently had to use a dirty bathroom floor for the first time to change Bennett's pants. It was degrading, embarassing, and disgusting (in an outpatient physical therapy clinic - we were shocked, too). Many tears followed this experience. Kudos to park developers for hearing the needs of families! Family restrooms can easily be adapted with benches for a variety of self care needs!
New disability-friendly toilets open in park after parent campaign
oxfordmail.co.uk
A DISABILITY-friendly toilet block campaigned for by parents has opened in Abingdon's Abbey Meadow park.Kangaroo care is so important for the development of babies, especially premature babies. It's also often described as the moment mothers feel like a 'mommy' and it can be a turning point in the boding process for families in the NICU. Our Helping Hearts work to help families before they can experience Kangaroo Care - message us for more information!
Make Women Great Again
Life is so very precious ❤️. Let’s fight for it.
We're excited to share two new fundraisers coming up this spring and summer. One channels your creative side while the other shows you what $330 million looks like in action! Stay tuned to our events page!🤩👩🎨⚾️
'I really hope that one day more people in the world learn some compassion and respect that people are different. What makes us different makes us beautiful.' 💗
Five Things I Want for my Daughter with Complex Needs
fireflyfriends.com
1. To know how much you matter. You are loved, important and valued. There are days feel an overwhelming guilt that you aren’t with me. You go to school, and...THIS is why BennettStrong is working to bring community resources to families of medically complex children. PTSD is a reality for these caregivers and their special children. The N/IICU parent survival kits are just the beginning of what we'd like to do to support happy, healthy, thriving families!
For Parents of Ill Children, a Growing Recognition of PTSD
wsj.com
Post-traumatic stress diagnoses have long focused on combat soldiers. Now, doctors are increasingly aware of those symptoms in another group: parents of children with life-threatening medical conditions.A big thank you to Samantha Bambino for this great article highlighting our project with CHOP's N/IICU!
uppersouthamptontimes.com/bennettstrong-gala-raises-7-000-at-northampton-country-club-da91c322f86f
BennettStrong Gala raises $7,000 at Northampton Country Club
uppersouthamptontimes.com
The funds will go to the creation of Parent Survival Kits, which are distributed to parents of micro preemie babies at the Children’s…A great article written by The Washington Post highlights the prevalence of PTSD and post partum in parents who's children are in the NICU. With increased mental health support, awareness, and resources (Journals, anyone?!) parents can have the tools needed to navigate the murky waters that is in the NICU.
‘Every 30 seconds another alarm is going off’: Neonatal ICUs can take their toll on parents
washingtonpost.com
They have higher rates of depression, anxiety and PTSD. Extended hospital stays can even make them less nurturing.It's been a week since the gala, and it's been fun seeing all of your memories! Share one of your favorites with us below!
If you weren't able to join us, check out the fun we had: tomweishaar.smugmug.com/Public-PRINTS/Bennett-Strong-Foundation-Gala/n-fRQjL9/
Bennett Strong Foundation Gala - 2019 - TomWeishaar
tomweishaar.smugmug.com
The photographs in this gallery are free to download. For the highest quality image use the download icon at the bottom of each image. If you have any problems or issues pleaes feel free to contact me: Tom Weishaar at 610-909-2000 or tom@OneMoreShot.comJennifer Wielgus is a great writer and reporter, and she's outdone herself this time! Mary had the pleasure of meeting with her a bit ago, and this article encapsulates a lot of our goals as a foundation, our focus of NICU families, and our feelings around the very real idea of 'living sorrow'. Thanks, Jen, for your beautiful words! WARNING: TISSUES NEEDED!
jenwielgusjournalism.blog
Today – Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019 – is the day of the second annual black-tie fundraiser gala for the BennettStrong Foundation at Northampton Valley Country Club. Approximately two month…Check out our latest press release AND download your favorite memories from a great evening!
bennettstrong.org/press-room/press-releases/gala2019recap/
Second Annual BennettStrong Foundation Gala A Huge Success
bennettstrong.org
Click to View Photos from the 2nd Annual BennettStrong Foundation Gala (Photos Courtesy of OneMoreShot.com) The BennettStrong Foundation held itsWe are two days away from the gala! A special thanks to Amanda Bradley, Groveland Elementary School, Kathy Masterson, and Amy Grosso for their generous donations! Our raffle and silent auction tables are going to be beautiful and ready for some winners!
Tomorrow's weather brings uncertainty to many households with children tonight. While we aren't sure if we'll be heading off to school in the morning, we do know one thing: Saturday's party to celebrate NICU parents is ON! Grab your tickets at www.bennettstrong.org - sales close at NOON TOMORROW! 💃💃
bennettstrong.org
Purchase your tickets by noon tomorrow for a chance to win a vacation to St. Pete's Beach, Florida! www.bennettstrong.orgWe're 9 days away from our gala! This year we'll be raffling a 1 week stay (+airfare voucher) at a condo in St. Pete Beach, Florida in the town of Pass A Grille! Join us on 2/16 for your chance to win. Gala tickets are available until 2/12! 🌴👙
Unconditional love comes in many different forms. A lifetime of love and support doesn't always mean your child will be independent.
Fears of a Special Needs Parent
fireflyfriends.com
In an ideal world, every mum and dad plan to raise their children for 18 years they then watch them live their own independent life for about 30 years and...We're a week away from the big day! It's not too late to join us - head over to our website to pick up your tickets. Need a single ticket? email: bennettstrongfoundation@gmail.com. We can't wait to dance the night away with New Solutions Entertainment and hear how journaling impacted the Tretola Family's NICU journey! (And seriously - their daughter, Harper, is the most adorable miracle you'll ever see)! bennettstrong.org/
bennettstrong.org
We're 9 days away from our gala! This year we'll be raffling a 1 week stay (+airfare voucher) at a condo in St. Pete Beach, Florida in the town of Pass A Grille! Join us on 2/16 for your chance to win. Gala tickets are available until 2/12! 🌴👙
It's long overdue and very exciting! Emojis should be inclusive of all abilities!
New Emoji Include People With Disabilities
disabilityscoop.com
A dozen icons depicting the experiences of people with disabilities are coming to smartphones and other devices later this year.NICU snugglers help babies in SO many developmental ways. They also help moms who need to pump or just grab dinner and parents who can't be at the bedside 24/7.
You'll often find NICU snugglers mentioned by name in parents' journals. Their special care for babies and the sweet moments they share with our children is cherished and appreciated by stressed out parents.
They're one more important piece to the 'NICU Parent Survival Kit'!
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
Every Tuesday, Joan Hart walks the halls of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital's Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit, providing love and a soothing touch to the tiniest of patients. Joan is not a nurse, parent or relative, she is a volunteer “cuddler.”
See how #NYP’s very own “Grandma Cuddler” comforts our most fragile patients, whom she calls her “little angels”: bit.ly/2vouN2y #NationalVolunteerWeek
Check out The Intell's feature on our event, coming up SOON! Shout out to our guest speaker, Brian Tretola - we can't wait to hear about your beautiful Harper! It's not too late to join us.
BennettStrong Foundation set to host 2nd Annual Gala
theintell.com
The gala, set for Feb. 16 at the Northampton Valley Country Club, will support the BennettStrong Foundation’s N/IICU project at Children’sCheck out some of the awesome items we have available at our gala! Thanks to the Philadelphia Union, Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, Lehigh Iron Pigs, Drexel Dragons, Buckingham Winery, Penn Taproom, Hampton Inn and Suites, Wawa, Chik Fil A, Station Taphouse, Diane O'Connor Cibelli, and Kathleen Stinson Buchanan!!!
BennettStrong Foundation
Check out some items available at this year's gala!