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Rody Needs Support & Understanding

November 10, 2010 in Giveaways by Admin Dawn

As part of our Week Before The Week of the Great Big Wish List Giveaway we’re giving away two Rodys EVERY SINGLE DAY THIS WEEK!

This week’s giveaways are the only giveaways open to non-members!

Each day this week we’re giving TWO Rody Hop-A-Long toys from Gymnic! We want to get the word out about some of our great forums and so we’re letting Rody (and his friend, our site mascot Quinn) introduce you.

Mental Illness/Mood Disorder

Rody is talking to his therapist

Today we want to let you all know about our Mental Illness/Mood Disorder group. This is a group near and dear to our hearts because Julia has personal experience parenting a child struggling with mental health issues.

The front page of all our groups is a place for quick updates and to see what’s going on. It’s a little like a Facebook wall. Someone can post an announcement and other people can reply. But it’s not as handy for in-depth discussion as a messageboard, which is why all of our groups also host a forum. Here’s a direct link to the Mental Illness/Mood Disorder Forum

You can also see the event calendar, which is a great place to post workshops, webinars or livechats you want your fellow Mental Illness/Mood Disorder members to know about.

Want to meet the other members? Here’s the roster!

You can upload documents to the group, too, like a great hand-out a teacher has shared with you or a flyer you think might interest others in the group.

Finally, like every group, the Mental Illness/Mood Disorder group has its own livechat! You are welcome to use this anytime. You can schedule a chat (remember to post it to the event calendar!) or spontaneously check in if you realize other people are around.

Now here’s how to win a Gymnic Rody!

Rody is a fantastic Italian toy that a lot of therapists use for trunk work, balance, strength and fun. Rody isn’t just for kids with special needs — he’s fun for all, and well, he’s cute, too! Made of sturdy latex-free vinyl, Rody can hold up to 300 lbs, which means big brothers or sisters and even moms and dads can play with him, too. You’ll need a bike pump (or heck — the free air pump at the gas station) to inflate him but once you do he is ready to bounce!

The Rodys we’re giving away are all the pretty peach with red spots you see in the picture at the top of the entry and here’s how YOU can win him!

  • • First of all, have you already commented on a previous post? Then lucky you! Anyone who has already commented on a post from earlier in the week gets an automatic RE-ENTRY in every single subsequent Rody giveaway this week! That’s right, we’re rolling your entries over! (We decided to do this after consulting with some of our members and they said YES! DO THAT!)
  • Comment on this post! Commenting on this post lets us know that you want in on today’s Rody drawing!
  • Tweet this tweet (we’ll be tracking them so you can just copy and paste this):
  • I want to win a Rody! http://bit.ly/wish-list-giveaway #wishlistgiveaway
  • Blog it! If you have a blog, write a post about our Great Big Wish List Giveaway and link is up
  • Be a member! Members get an additional entry!
  • Answer this question at the forum!

After this week the giveaways are only open to members. That means if you want to enter to win an American Girl Doll, a light up Ferris Wheel from K’Nex, a set of six adorable Audubon birds beanies from Wild Republic or one of the other 70+ toys and gifts we’re giving away, you’ll need to be a member! Why not become one today and get ahead of the curve?

New MRI scan will help children with mental illness

November 4, 2010 in Special Needs News by Admin Dawn

By using state-of-the art imaging technology, new research at the Alberta Children’s Hospital aims to better understand and treat mental health disorders in children and teenagers.

Dr. Frank MacMaster, an American researcher known for his groundbreaking study of brain biology and chemistry, says he was drawn to Calgary by the prospect of continuing his work with a third-generation MRI the hospital will soon install.

“Without these imaging tools, the only way to study brain biology was during neurosurgery, when you’ve got the skull cracked open, or post mortem, when it’s too late,” MacMaster, the new chair in pediatric mental health at the hospital, said Friday.

“We just didn’t have the tools until now.”

via New MRI scan will help children with mental illness.

Did NPR “Psychiatrist” Remark Violate the Americans with Disabilities Act?

November 2, 2010 in Special Needs News by Admin Dawn

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has warned National Public Radio (NPR) that a remark made by NPR’s CEO in the firing of senior correspondent Juan Williams may violate the letter or spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

In this week’s NAMI Blog, NAMI Executive Director Michael Fitzpatrick shares the text of a letter sent to NPR president and CEO Vivian Schiller, calling on NPR to adopt a plan no later than its board meeting scheduled in November to “educate and reassure” managers and employees about ADA protections in the workplace for people with mental health concerns.

After firing Williams for talking about Muslims during a Fox TV News program, Schiller told news media that Williams’ personal feelings should have been kept between himself and his “psychiatrist or publicist—take your pick.” Williams responded that he did not have a psychiatrist.

Schiller later apologized for the “thoughtless remark,” but NAMI called it an “outrageous” statement.

via Did NPR “Psychiatrist” Remark about Juan Williams Violate the Americans with Disabilities Act?.

Georgia settles suit on confinement of the developmentally disabled

October 27, 2010 in Special Needs News by Admin Dawn

In a settlement that will serve as a model for enforcing the rights of the disabled, the Justice Department reached an agreement with Georgia to move many patients with mental illnesses and developmental disabilities out of the state’s notoriously dangerous psychiatric hospitals and into the community.

The agreement, announced Tuesday, resolves a Justice Department lawsuit brought in January under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

It also caps a federal investigation that began after more than 100 suspicious deaths of patients in state mental hospitals were documented over a five-year period in a 2007 series in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Read more here: Georgia settles suit on confinement of the developmentally disabled – latimes.com.

This Week Around the Community

October 22, 2010 in Around the Site by Admin Dawn

Welcome to new members!

Becca: “Mom to incredible six year old triplets. One of whom happens to have PVL, mild cp, microcephaly, bilateral hearing loss, vision impairment, is nonverbal, and has an amazing ability to make you smile and laugh just when you need it the most. I am also an SLP in the schools and strive on a daily basis to provide the best programming possible for all students. I am so lucky to have had the opportunity to watch many students find “their voice” and it is amazing to hear all they have to say.”

Tzvi Schectman: “My Name is Tzvi Schectman. I work at an organization called Friendship Circle (Chapter located in Michigan. Friendship Circle provides assistance and support to the families of children with special needs as well as to individuals and families struggling with addiction, isolation, and other crises.” (We are so happy to have Tzvi here! Friendship Circle was the very first organization we wrote about on the site — we are such big fans!)

What’s happening around the site

Remember that our Book Club is reading Now I See the Moon! Barb will be scheduling the chat soon!

Speaking of Barb, she’s looking for book recommendations for more book club reads. Have a suggestion? Let her know here! And she’s collecting links to faith-related resources in the Faith & Disability Group. There’s an impressive list so far!

Please please please go give Andy some hugs. She needs to have a much better week next week!!!

While you’re at it, Jo-ann is struggling. Check out her new blog site here and offer your support on this tough entry.

Mental health meds and puberty? Julia is asking in the Mental Illness/Moods Disorder Group and wants to hear from parents who know about tweaking meds as kids hit their hormonal surge.

Thanks to the good folks at Dino Cave Kids who are lending a hand (and some much welcomed insight) over in the Speech and Hearing Delays forum!

Believe it or not calm mornings are not an oxymoron! Check out these tips on the Celebrate Calm group. Be sure to visit Kirk’s group at Celebrate Calm to check out his blog radio program and his speaking schedule. You want to see him in person if he’s coming to your town!

Jolene is sharing 7 Common Myths of child mental health over at her blog, please check it out!

Also Julia is putting together her Walk for PKD team at her blog. By the way, remember you can add events to group calendars — let us know about your local fundraisers and events!

We’re happy to announce all the companies that our making our wishes come true by helping us bring gifts to you, our community. Check out the companies partnering with us for our The Great Big Wish List Giveaway and start checking out our hints about the promotion for mid-November through the end of November…nearly two weeks telling you about wish list gifts then giving you a chance to win them! Thanks to all of our great partners!

Thanks to all of you that are in the community…we are absolutely thrilled you are here!

UCC Widening The Welcome Conference Affirms Disabilities Ministries

October 20, 2010 in Special Needs News by Admin Dawn

A groundbreaking conference built on years of ministry focusing on disabilities, mental illnesses and other brain disorders, “Widening the Welcome: Inclusion for All” was presented by the UCC Mental Illness Network and UCC Disabilities Ministries Sept. 23-25 in St. Louis. “People came from Maine to Hawaii,” said the Rev. Alan Johnson, retired UCC pastor and chair of the UCC Mental Illness Network. “It was a strong affirmation of this frontier of ministry in the UCC building on all the hard work that has been done in the past.” More than 230 people participated in the conference held as a lead-in to Access Sunday, Oct. 10 ? which also marked the beginning of Disabilities Awareness Week. (Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) was observed Oct. 3-9.)

Read more here: wfn.org | UCC Widening The Welcome Conference Affirms Disabilities Ministries.

Children’s Mental Health Information Hard to Find

October 15, 2010 in Special Needs News by Admin Dawn

Although most Canadian parents are concerned about their children’s mental health, they cannot find a definitive source of information to learn more about the related issues, according to a survey released just before Mental Health Awareness Week (Oct. 3-9).

The Ipsos Reid online survey, commissioned by the RBC Children’s Mental Heath Project, reveals that 54 percent of parents who have a child showing signs of or diagnosed with a mental illness find it “terrible” to go through the health and social services sector for help and information.

Among those parents, about 40 percent say they are “frustrated” that not one central place exists to obtain all the information on children’s mental health.

“As parents, we’re quick to take action if our child breaks a limb or has a physical illness. We know what to do and where to go for information,” said Jamie Anderson, deputy chair of RBC Capital Markets and executive champion of the RBC Children’s Mental Health Project.

Read more here: Children’s Mental Health Information Hard to Find, Survey Shows | Canada | Epoch Times.

A big victory for people who need mental health care

October 11, 2010 in Special Needs News by Admin Dawn

Two federal laws that provide better insurance coverage for more people with mental health and substance abuse conditions are just beginning to take effect, and advocates describe the changes as a huge win for consumers that will greatly improve treatment.

As anyone who has ever sought help for addiction, depression or any other mental illness knows, insurance coverage is often skimpier than for a physical malady. Plans typically limit the number of therapy visits they’ll pay for, and they may also impose separate deductibles for mental health and substance abuse services and require higher out-of-pocket contributions from patients as well.

Under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, which took effect this year, the mental health and substance abuse benefits that a health plan provides have to be just as generous as its coverage for medical and surgical treatments. The law does away with different co-payments, deductibles and visit restrictions.

“These financial equalizers will be very helpful to families that have not been able to access care before,” says Katherine Nordal, executive director for professional practice at the American Psychological Association.

Read more here: A big victory for people who need mental health care.

Child Mental Health Rally in Richmond

October 11, 2010 in Special Needs News by Admin Dawn

Parents, caregivers and doctors are pushing for sweeping reforms to Virginia’s mental health system – changes, they say, that could save lives.

Tuesday, members of a coalition of non-profits rallied outside the Capitol Building in Richmond. During the event, Alex Slusher held up a picture of her son, Stuart.

“This is what depression looks like,” she said.

Last year, as he was beginning to fill out college applications, Stuart committed suicide. His mother had tried to get him help, but they were told the waiting list to see a counselor was months long. Now, she’s among those pushing for more services to help children with mental illness.

“We need to do something about it before it’s beyond our control,” she said.

One out of every five children in the United States suffers from a mental illness. Folks at the rally claim services in Virginia are woefully inadequate.

Read more here: Child Mental Health Rally – NBC29.

Parents struggle to get information on children’s mental health

October 7, 2010 in Special Needs News by Admin Dawn

Parents with children thought to be suffering from mental illness are frustrated in their efforts to track down the resources needed to deal with the problem, a study released Monday shows.

An Ipsos Reid survey of 2,075 Canadian parents with children aged 18 years or younger showed that 22 per cent have concerns about the mental health of at least one of their own children.

But 54 per cent of parents who had children diagnosed with a mental illness — or showing signs of such — agreed it was “terrible” to sort through the various agencies and resources to find the appropriate assistance. About 40 per cent of these parents said there was no single place to get the help and information they need.

Read more here: Parents struggle to get information on children’s mental health: Survey.

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