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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!
Check out this great article highlighting our VIRTUAL GALA ON MARCH 27TH at 7 PM!
BennettStrong Foundation to host virtual gala March 27
lowerbuckstimes.com
Proceeds will help raise funds for N/IICU parent survival kits for families of medically complex children at CHOP
We are already missing seeing our amazing supports at our annual gala. Please tune in here on 3/27 for our Virtual Gala supporting our NICU parent survival kits! ![]()
Auctions and raffles will be online and we've got staple items and some unique items! (Hello signed Eagles jersey, McCutchen signed baseball, Bennett Bags, and vacations)!
3/27 at 7 pm is our Virtual Gala! Our raffle and auction is unique this year, and we're excited to share some inspiring messages!![]()
Share and tag a friend who should join us on our big night!
STAY TUNED! Our virtual gala is happening! 3/27 at 7 pm - It's free to check out. There will be video highlights from previous galas, speakers for this year's event, AND a TON of awesome auction and raffle items. We'll share our link via our website (bennettstrong.org), Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and our mailing list! ![]()
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Want to join our mailing list? Message us or comment below!![]()
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2020 was a year unlike any other and our event will be just as unique!
Today is #GivingTuesday! We want to thank you for making a contribution to BennettStrong as we continue to raise funds to enhance our N/IICU parent survival kits with Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. This season is especially challenging for our families who are experiencing higher levels of isolation and fear. We want to help bring them joy, togetherness, and HOPE. These kits have made a huge difference over the past year, and it's with YOUR generosity and support that these families are getting resources they so desperately need this holiday season! ![]()
To donate, please visit this link: bennettstrong.org/donate/![]()
100% of this month's proceeds go directly to NICU families.
bennettstrong.org
Thank you for considering a donation to the BennettStrong Foundation! All donations are tax-deductible. Please use the form below to make your donation.
Students with disabilities are receiving unequal education in remote learning - Investigate TV
www.investigatetv.com
By: Erin Snodgrass and Lee Zurik Originally Published: May 20, 2020 (InvestigateTV) – Educating first-grader Bennett Pellegrino requires four hands. Born with cerebral palsy and legally blind, Benne...
We've been quiet, but super busy! With the end of the school year came additional changes at home and a focus on wrapping up a crazy spring and getting ready for an enjoyable summer at home. ![]()
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We celebrated a 7th birthday of a certain special someone who inspired this foundation, and we've been shedding some light on the struggles of distance learning with disabilities. Districts are working to navigate special education and distance learning, but unfortunately, state and federal government has missed the mark in supporting districts in doing what's right for kids with disabilities. ![]()
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Parents with disabilities are putting life changing medical interventions on hold. They're participating in virtual doctor's appointments. They ARE the physical therapist, occupational therapist, feeding specialist, and special education teacher. They're working their full time job, providing hand over hand 1:1 instruction on Zoom with their child's teacher, and NOT sleeping at night because there is no nurse to come to the their home. Grandparents can't visit to help because of COVID. ![]()
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Take a look at Mary's interview, published a few weeks ago, and shared across the country. We have a chance to make changes in how we provide instruction in the fall, and we're hoping legislators are seeing what our special needs families are navigating to help districts make changes. Hospitals and outpatient service providers have created some awesome ways to connect with patients, provide critical interventions, and meet the needs of struggling families. We can't wait to see how districts adapt!![]()
www.investigatetv.com/unequal-education/
Students with disabilities are receiving unequal education in remote learning - Investigate TV
www.investigatetv.com
By: Erin Snodgrass and Lee Zurik Originally Published: May 20, 2020 (InvestigateTV) – Educating first-grader Bennett Pellegrino requires four hands. Born with cerebral palsy and legally blind, Benne...
Wow. What a crazy year/spring/week it's been. I've found myself having more moments of introspection and longer prayers - not about our journey or health, but about our country, our neighbors, fellow families. I'm trying to focus on the GOOD we bring to this world and how, through small gestures and intentional relationships, we can make the world a little brighter for someone else. If you're finding yourself crying a little more, hugging your children a little tighter, and turning off the news, you're not alone. Find something you love to do, and bring that joy to someone you know. Reach out, spread your love, and embrace the love of others. (and if you need a virtual hug or some encouragement, we've got you)! xo - Mary
A special Happy Mother's Day shout out to mothers of their children with special needs. (just the website name resonates with us: singing through the rain .. how perfect is that)?!![]()
singingthroughtherain.net/2014/05/special-needs-mom-on-mothers-day.html
Being a Special Needs Mom on Mother's Day | Singing Through the Rain
singingthroughtherain.net
What being a special needs mom on Mother's Day means to me.