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What’s happening around the community

March 4, 2011 in Around the Site, Featured by Admin Dawn

Remember tomorrow is our first ever In Real Life event but it won’t be our last! Our goal is to give you opportunities to build your support network on AND off-site. We are working on more events for laster this year so stay tuned!

March & April Book Club Book

We’re very proud to announce that we’ve chosen site member Suzanne Kamata‘s anthology Love You to Pieces: Creative Writers on Raising a Child with Special Needs.

The first collection of literary writing on raising a child with special needs, Love You to Pieces features caregivers’ perspectives at every stage in the lives of children with mental or physical difficulties, from premature birth to middle age. In this rich blend of short stories, essays, and poems, families cope with autism, deafness, muscular dystrophy, Down syndrome, other forms of retardation, and more, laying bare the moments of rage, disappointment, and guilt that can color their relationships. Parent-child communication can be a challenge at the best of times,b ut here we see the epic struggles and triumphs of those who speak their own language – or don’t speak at all – and those who love them dearly. Together, the authors paint a beautiful, wrenchingly honest portrait of what it means to care for a child who does not experience the world as we do.

We hope you will join us!

Welcome to our New Members

Aubrey L.: “I have a support group for others affected by premature birth (I was born three months premature) called www.precious-miracles.org as well as special needs (I work as a Care Aide within a school district). I want my website to be a place of support, encouraging words, a listening ear, a shoulder to lean on. Please visit my site to find out all the interesting offerings it has!”

Danielle: “I work in special education and am the proud mother of a child with special needs!”

Heather: “My daughter is 5 1/2 years old, and was diagnosed with CP around 10 months. It has been a long road and just intersted in meeting others with simillar life stories.”

Beth: “I am the very happy mom and 2 boys! Matthew is two and perfectly happy, healthy! Grant is going to be 1 in March and he is perfectly happy and for the most part healthy besides his CP he has! He is doing great and accomplishing so much! These boys bring so much joy to my life!”

Pat Boyle England: “Advocating for kids” and who blogs at septanorthbellmore.blogspot.com

Chaney who blogs at Here’s My Voice

Ann Rounseville: “I am currently a stay at home mom of an adorable 3.5 year old little boy who is diagnosed with PDD-NOS, Global Developmental Delay and Hypotonia. He is non-verbal but has the best belly laugh in the world! I am also expecting a baby in May. Life with our little guy has not been easy and I find meeting other parents of kids with special needs to be so very helpful and important!”

Jaymi Griesmeyer: “I am the mother of three amazing children. My oldest is 7, he is gifted and has generalized anxiety disorder. My second son is 6 and was born with a congenital heart defect and had open heart surgery when he was 5 days old. My youngest is a 3 year old girl who has epilepsy and developmental delays.”

Ginger Adams

Tisha Libbey: “i have a 5 yr old daughter with CP. she is legally blind, has a VP shunt and a G tube for all meals”

Kristy Allen: “Mom of son with developmental delay.”

Jenny: “I have mild Autism. I may even be Aspergers but I dunno. I have a little brother with sever Autism. I’m also a Christian. I’m a greatful believer and follower of Jesus Christ.” Jenny blogs at The World of Mismatched Socks

Deanne Webber: “I am the mom of 2 incredible children”

Have you added your blog yet?

There are lots of ways to help us discover your blog or website:

• You can add your blog feed to our site. Every time you update, we will pull in an excerpt and post it to our Blogging Our Lives Group. It will also show up in our activity feed that updates here and on our front page.

• You can add your blog address to your signature file on your profile.

• Next time you write a great blog post let us all know about it by sharing it as Community News. It will update to the Community News page and go out on our Twitter stream.

 

Hasbro Wish List Giveaway

November 27, 2010 in Giveaways by Admin Dawn

Hasbro was the first company to come on board for our Great Big Wish List Giveaway. They were so excited and so supportive of us and of our community and we are just thrilled to feature them during this very busy shopping week! We have five toys for the younger kids and they offer tons of play value!

Mr. Potato Head — The classic, face-changing friend for kids! Comes with lots of accessories for mix-and-match play.  (Store extra accessories in a compartment built into the potato body!)

Explore ‘n Grow Activity Ball — Here’s a fun toy that “grows” with your child! The rattle beads and spinners on the outside of this colorful and smiley-faced ball fascinate babies and are sure to draw rapt attention! Later, little ones will giggle with delight at the ball-drop play, spinners and more once they’re old enough to open the ball and discover these fun secrets inside! Toy “grows” with your child by featuring activities for different developmental levels. Activity ball comes with 2 smaller balls. Ages 6 months and up.

Play-Doh Mega Fun Factory — Keep it moving and keep the fun coming with this awesome moving MEGA FUN FACTORY conveyor belt set! Load your PLAY-DOH compound in one end and turn on your conveyor belt to stamp out pretend toys or food from one of the two gear molds. Keep your conveyor belt running and you can stamp out tons and tons of fun creations — it’s non-stop imaginative action! Plus, when you’re ready to “shut down” the “factory” for the day, you can even store up to six cans of PLAY-DOH modeling compound right in the set so they’re all ready for the next time you turn it on. MEGA FUN FACTORY conveyor belt set comes with two gears with 15+ molds, playmat and four three-ounce cans of PLAY-DOH modeling compound. Requires 2 “C” batteries (not included). Ages 3 and up.

Play-Doh Puppies Playset — Help this momma dog figure care for her puppies — but first, you have to create them! Mold cute little puppies out of PLAY-DOH modeling compound and use the basket and bowl molds to create pretend food and toys for them. Give your momma dog a mop of “hair”, help her make “paw prints” and then use your KIBBLE KRANKER tool to make lots and lots of pretend puppy food! This cool playset is definitely grrrrrrreat fun! Set includes four two-ounce cans of PLAY-DOH compound, KIBBLE KRANKER tool, momma dog figure, basket mold and bowl mold. Ages 3 and up.

Tonka Chuck & Friends Rumblin’ Chuck — “Work” time is play time with this fun electronic dump truck pal! Your RUMBLIN’ CHUCK vehicle has lots of loads to haul and he needs your help. Load up his dump bed and he’ll actually “know” when he’s full and “tell” you all about it! With over 50 phrases and sounds, this hard-working little friend has lots to “say” and share, but he’s definitely not all business. He loves to “pop wheelies” and even “plays games” — as you try to load him up, he tries to shake it all out! Read from his storybook and then create some “heavy-lifting” adventures of your own! Vehicle comes with storybook. Includes 4 “C” batteries. Ages 3 and up.

You can connect with your favorite Hasbro toys through social media, too:

Facebook/MrPotatoHead
Facebook.com/playskool
Facebook.com/playdoh
Twitter.com/playskool

Here’s how to enter

Our Organizing … Specialized group host, Julie Hough, was recently interviewed by her St. Louis news station about getting organized for the holidays. Check it out for some great tips! Then to enter to win, head over to the group and comment on this thread with your own ideas or questions about getting your house prepared for the guests and the gifts the next month will be bringing!

Etsy Giveaway for YOU

November 15, 2010 in Giveaways by Admin Dawn

Our first giveaway isn’t just for the kids — it’s got terrific stuff for you, too. After all, who’s going to have to do all the running around for the holidays? Bake all the cookies? Fry all the latkes? Wrap all these presents? Exactly! You! So these gifts are either for you to treat yourself or to share with a loved teacher, therapist, hostess or other grown-up person who will appreciate some fine hand-made goods.

We will be giving away the following prize packs (in alphabetical order):

Chicalookate

Free the Gnomes (or at least welcome them in to your home) Coaster set from chicalookate. (That’s a link to her Etsy site. You can also find her blogging, and on Facebook and on Twitter.

Coaster Stats:
~Set of 4
~size: 3.5 inches (9 cm)
~Cork bottom to keep your coaster from flying off the table
~Mylar covered image
~Comes with a round plastic box for when you need to store your coasters
Plus a Pirate Robot Magnet and Easy Street Photo Notepad

Crankypants

Boo Boo Ninja from Crankypants.

From the time you learn to crawl, bumps and bruises are a fact of life. We might as well make them as fun as possible! These Boo Boo Ninjas are made from a 100% cotton and are filled with organic barley. They can be kept in the freezer to be used as a cold compress whenever one of those inevitable bumps or bruises comes your way. This little guy will use his super ninja powers to distract wee patients as the compress relieves pain from mild bumps.

Here she is on Facebook and on Twitter.

Lemons with a Pea

Look at what Robin Plemmons made with her hands for you! These inspiring words by Goethe are nestled underneath a sweet little trellis of trees. It is hand painted & hand scripted in hopes that it would find it’s place in the world. Maybe it’s meant to be hanging on your wall so you can see it every day & get a much needed dose of motivation. Maybe it would be the perfect gift for someone you know who could use a little self affirmation. All of her block paintings are 6″x6″ & are painted on salvaged wood. There is a hole in the back for hanging. Here is her shop. Here is her blog. Of course Facebook. And also Twitter.

Mimi & Boo & Me

Pet Hedgehogs in Scarves: This little pair of hedgehogs would love to help with your holiday decorating, or just hang around looking cute. Hand-crocheted from sturdy cotton-blend yarn, they are approximately 3″ tall and come with removable red scarves (’cause it’s chilly!). They have plastic safety eyes that are safe for kids 3 and up. Here’s a direct link to Jen’s shop, Mimi & Boo & Me. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter and blogging.

StudioJewel

Lisa was commissioned to create a necklace for the Make A Wish Foundation and their Every Penny Counts campaign. These pieces were purchased by the Michigan Division of Make A Wish and given to their employees and friends during the campaign to raise money. For every piece she sells she has made a commitment to give back 20% of the proceeds to further their quest to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy. The star was carved in wax then cast in sterling silver. Each penny is a new and never circulated, it is suspended in a sterling silver coin mounting and each is hung on a 16″ chain.

You can find Lisa at her Etsy shop, on Facebook, on Twitter and blogging.

So how do you win?

You’ll notice the comments are closed on this post. That’s because in order to be entered, we need you to come and introduce yourself right here in our Anything Goes group.

This week around the community

October 29, 2010 in Around the Site by Admin Dawn

Our big news this week is that we changed servers! It was a HUGE move (this is a huge complicated installation) and we’re still squashing bugs but we did it because we are growing so quickly and we needed a stronger server to bolster us up. Our goal was to get the move done before November 1st since we are launching our first annual Great Big Wish List Giveaway on November 8th! On Monday we will have a schedule and a list of the toys we’re giving away. It’s going to be huge, people!

Meanwhile, if you do find bugs as you are getting around the site, please let me know.

Welcome to New Members

Jeff Stimpson: I speak and write about autism parenting (my son Alex, 12, is PDD-NOS). Twitter name is Jeffslife, and I have two books about my son: “Alex: The Fathering of a Preemie” (at Amazon and from academychicago.com) and “Alex the Boy: Episodes From A Family’s Life With Autism” (available at vervante.com).

Nick: I serve many parents of children with disabilities. I have cerebral palsy myself as well as my fiance. I have been an activist in Berkeley for many years. I have a degree in Social Welfare and a minor in education.

JerseyMilo9

Paula

Mireya Teran: i am a wife and mother of three blessings. i love god and love helping people!

Melanie Adams

Paul: Father of a special needs daughter born with a heart defect, caudal regression, and Pierre Robin, among other things.

James

Community Happenings

We want to thank member Janet Callahan for writing We Live This Life to Experience It about how her Paganism has impacted her experience as a mother to a child with special needs for our Faith series. Do you want to share your story of faith and special needs with us? We would love to hear it and share it with the community!

Nick is looking for feedback for his Dare to Dream project in the group Anything Goes. Check out the documents he uploaded and let him know what you think in this thread.

Andy has a challenge for you in Anything Goes — anyone know where she can get one of those nutcrackers like the one in the ballet that actually cracks nuts? She’s seen them for show but she wants one that works! If you know where she can find one, head over there and let her know.

Julia started the topic Celebrations in Behavior over in the Behavior Issues group. We really want to hear any bragging you want to do on your kid and on YOU!

Michelle Howard posted a terrific list she calls The Somewhat Humorous but Mostly Helpful Hospital Away from Home Checklist over in Organizing … Specialized. Check it out!

Beth started a new group, Down Syndrome Awareness and added her blog feed, Our Typical Life, to the group. Wondering how you can do that? Here are instructions.

Did you catch the Calm Mornings post over in Celebrate Calm? It’s a can’t miss post!

November is National Adoption Month and we have a Special Needs Adoption group. Andy wanted to let folks know about the Open Adoption Roundtable post, which is about Siblings in Adoption.

Our activity stream is a great way to stay up to date on what’s happening all around the site but it can be confusing especially with people’s Twitter posts keeping thing busy there. But you can filter posts by using the drop down menu on the right. It allows you to see only certain kinds of activity like blog posts, forum topics or group updates.

Meet Pierrette, living The Coffee Klatch adventure

October 20, 2010 in Around the Web, Resources by Admin Dawn

Can you introduce yourself and let us know your involvement in the special needs community?

My name is Pierrette d’Entremont. I am the mother of three girls, our middle daughter has Tourette Syndrome and sensory issues. I have Tourette Syndrome and I am bipolar. I have also had sensory issues my whole life. These diagnoses only came at the age of 19, after many awfully hard school years. As a result, I designed a special needs tool to help with sensory motor issues, the Kid Companions chewelry tool. It lets kids chew or fidget discreetly and can double as a parent-worn teether or nursing necklace for infants. This became clear while breastfeeding our yougest! (Note: Pierette sponsored one of our first giveaways! We are big fans of her chewelry!)

How did you get involved in The Coffee Klatch? Do you have a specific role there?

I got a Direct Message from Marianne Russo asking if I would be interested in such an adventure. It’s right up my alley since I communicate much better via “live typing” versus “live talking” ;) It comes as no surprise then, that my role is mostly behind the scenes. I helped design the logo and twitter background and tend to be online via tweetchat or the message board during blogradio sessions. This summer I was tremendously busy with our Kid Companions business and have had to take some time off, but with fall and back to school, I should be a more regular moderator.

What are your goals in your work at TCK? What do you hope people get out of it?

I hope that parents of special needs children can see that their child can have a succesful and productive life. If my own mother (@lornadent on twitter btw) had labeled me and put me in a special needs “box”, I may not be who I am today. I do have Tourette Syndrome. I have both motor and verbal tics. As a young adult this, along with an unmanaged bipolar disorder was intensely painful and difficult. Many times due to adults and peers misunderstanding my situation. These disorders do not affect me cognitively, in fact just the opposite, and this can make things challenging too. By educating and supporting parents, like we do via TCK, I hope to indirectly reach some of the kids out there. Children that are suffering with mental health issues and sensory issues that are often hard to explain and hard to understand.

How has being part of TCK changed your personal life? Do you have an anecdote to share about that?

I find that I can, by a few keystrokes, reach someone else in a similar situation. The world seems very small in our network and borders non-existant. Issues and challenges facing kids with special needs are certainly not unique to countries. Certainly our laws and school systems are different but we all have common ground and this parent forum alows us to share ideas and solutions that work (or don’t work) in our areas.

Is there a particular show you’d really like to call our attention to? Why was that one you want to make sure your readers don’t miss?

Well, the Temple Grandin blog radio interview was certainly a not-to-be missed edition. I listened to it with our 7 y/o daughter and she listened intensely ;) I liked the second session with Dr. Duncan McKinlay, perhaps because there were many people with Tourette Syndrome online at the same time and we could all communicate easily and quickly.That is often not the case with us, we tend to make each other tic ;) . It is also a relatively rare disorder, so speaking with others that have TS is always interesting. Dr. McKinlay is also very easy to speak with and has a wealth of readily available information. Many of the shows I’ve enjoyed the most are open actually forums. We have a set topic and then the ball rolls along with parents and health professionals joining in throughout the hour.

Squag: Connecting Kids with Autism through Social Networking

October 14, 2010 in Around the Web by Admin Dawn

Inside a Squag account

You know we’re all about connecting here at Support for Special Needs, which is why we were so intrigued when we learned about Squag™, which is a social networking site specifically for kids with autism. We checked out their web site and walked away knowing we wanted to interview the founder to learn more. The following is our Q&A with Squag™ founder Sara Winter. (You’ll love the story behind how the site got its name!)

Can you tell us how you got the idea for Squag™?

I have a spectacular eleven-year-old nephew with autism. I’ve been his aide at home and at school almost every day for the past nine years. One day at recess, something happened on the basketball court; I could see that there was a social “mishap”, and things were moving too fast for him to process. It was heartbreaking to watch him fall apart in front of his friends. Once the bell rang, and we had a chance to be alone, I suggested that he try to use my blackberry to articulate his feelings to his father. It was incredible to see how differently he was able to express himself! Not only was he able to communicate his version of what had happened, but he was also able to process his father’s responses enough to calm down on his own. At that moment, I realized that a unique technology should be developed to support kids on the autism spectrum (and their families and support networks) to help them break down the big idea of friendship and to let them know that they are not alone.

I did an immense amount of research on depression in kids on the autism spectrum, particularly the catastrophic and long term effects of bullying. I’ve been lucky enough to work with so many unbelievable, inspiring and engaged people in the ASD community these past nine years. I reached out to all of them, and together, we built Squag™.

How did the name came about?

Squag [skwag] was one of my nephew’s first words back in the earliest days of ABA therapy. It was the word he used for “square”. My sister was the one who thought of it during our earliest brainstorm sessions. It conjured up such a vivid memory of where he had once been and how far he’s come – we’ve never even considered another name.

What did you know would be vital to make it what you wanted it to be?

Security. Security. Security. It was our first, and still remains the most paramount priority for our company. We addressed it on every level in order to make Squag™ work – from the way we engineered the software, to the way we advertise and reach out to our community. All of our security features are listed on our site, in an accessible, easy-to-understand way:

How does Squag™ work? What is the parental component?

The parental component is 50% of the entire piece; the app does not work without parent involvement and vice versa. The parents are the members, and create an account for their child. They add content for their child (and only their child) to see in their own personal Squagpad™. Parents can update it as often as they want, and their son or daughter uses this content to create original thoughts about themselves.

Once their child is using the app, there is a reporting section where parents have access to the details from every conversation. Parents can monitor everything easily; it is very organized and easy to understand.

Why do you feel children should have the chance to understand and utilize online social networking?

Whether we like it or not, the social media train has left the station. As kids get older, there is a lot of pressure to be part of a social network. I am the least tech savvy mom there is (I could barely send an email before I started this process two years ago!) but I strongly believe that in order to keep up with our kids we have a responsibility to familiarize ourselves with this “beast”.

Social networking has become a lifeline for this new generation of ASD parents; it’s put them in touch with the latest resources and ideas in autism, but more than that, it’s given them connectivity to someone else going through the same thing in real time. We feel out kids should have the opportunity to benefit from that support system as well, in a safe, monitored environment where they are free to be themselves and to know that they are not alone.

In what ways is Squag™ different from traditional platforms (facebook, twitter)?

In a lot of ways, Squag™ is the opposite of Facebook or Twitter. To me, the latter is more about acquisition and sharing, while Squag™ has been designed specifically to slow things down and reflect privately. Squag™ is always one to one, with no file sharing of any kind; they never leave the app, much like a video game. The idea was to take the best parts of social networking, customize them for our kids, and leave the rest.

What kinds of things can kids do in Squag™? How do they connect with other kids?

Each user has their own individual Squagpad™ where they can listen to music, look at photos, and keep a journal. As they scroll over their room, they see tangible and encouraging messages from their parents to use as a springboard to create original thoughts about themselves. There’s a mirror in the pad where they (and only they) can see themselves; the idea is to take the time to self-reflect and remember who they are; their likes and dislikes, hopes and dreams, things they’re proud of etc. before reaching out to find a peer who shares common interests.

Very soon, we will be adding yoga videos and music lessons in the privacy of the Squagpad™, all to promote regulation, mind/body connection, and sense of self.
Once their Squagpad™ is the way they like it, they open the door to find a friend with common interests. They request to “squag”, the two pads pop up on the same screen, and all of the original thoughts they’ve added about themselves become available to spark conversation.

How much is a Squag ™membership? Are there different levels?

The Squag™ membership is $7.99 per month with 10% of the profits going directly to local and global ASD charities.

If there’s anything else you’d like to let us know, that would be great.

We built this application because we believe that kids on the autism spectrum are capable of anything if they have access to the proper support system and an environment that reflects their needs. As we build our community, we look forward to having member involvement, so that as we evolve, we will continue to offer a fluid dynamic little corner of the web that reflects a group of kids living in a world that isn’t always as exceptional as they are.

You can also follow Squag™ on Twitter: @squagdotcom

And like them on Facebook.

Autistic Teenager Finds Voice Through Social Networking

July 6, 2010 in Special Needs News by Admin Dawn

Carly Fleischmann — a young woman whose autism left her mute — has found her voice through the use of the Internet.

Fleischmann is able to type her thoughts into a computer, and now communicates with thousands of people through her Twitter and Facebook pages. She has found a way to use the social networking phenomenon, along with e-mail, to communicate with people all over the world — many of whom are curious about autism or have a friend or family member with the disorder. Carly says she does what she can to teach others about autism and what it is like for her — a message that she says comes “straight from the horse’s mouth.”

via Autistic Teenager Finds Voice Through Social Networking | GlobalShift.

We’re already fans of Carly! Click through to the article to learn more and get the links to her site.

Featured Blogger: Meet Janis of Sneak Peek at Me

June 25, 2010 in Around the Web, Latest Articles by Julia Roberts

We discovered Janis’s blog, Sneak Peek at Me, via her Twitter and immediately became fans of her friendly, generous tone and her terrific pictures. We knew she was all over the online special needs community connecting people and speaking out about the joys and challenges of raising a child with special needs. Her son, Austin, is 2.5 and is clinically diagnosed with Branchio-Oto-Renal (Melnick-Fraser) syndrome and has several complex medical needs. You can read more about him here.

Can you provide the basics about yourself?

I’m a single mom born & raised in Los Angeles. After graduating from college I spent some time living in NYC, Guadalajara, MX and eventually Dallas, TX – where Austin was born. Before having Austin I focused full time on my career as an Office Manager, those skills have served me well in dealing with Austin’s medical care. I can coordinate the heck out of his doctors. (I think I might scare them just a little bit.)

Can you tell us when you started blogging? And what was the focus in the beginning?

I officially started my blog just over a year ago in May 2009. I started writing regularly in 2007, during my pregnancy on a website for pregnant women, then I moved to email updates. I sent out a mass emails to family and friends with pictures etc. Finally I decided to put all the info and pics in one spot, it made more sense for people to come to me. My blog was basically started on a whim. But it was the best decision I made, I’ve met so many wonderful people through our blog.

Tell us about Austin, how is he doing?

Right now Austin is stable *knock on wood*. The good news he hasn’t needed surgery for over two years, but that is about to end. This summer he will be having his first major craniofacial surgery. This will be the first real “crisis” I’ve ever had to blog through and I am still trying to figure out how I will balance his privacy and the public’s curiosity throughout his recovery.

What is the best thing about blogging about your son and your journey? And what is your worst?

The best thing about blogging about Austin’s journey is that I can help bring awareness to others about the issues faced by families dealing with Special Needs. Hopefully that will eventually lead to a wider understanding and acceptance for those with Special Needs. The worst part of blogging is worrying about people thinking that I am exploiting my child. Also there is that worry about how he will feel about this 10, 20 years from now and feel about his every move being broadcast to the world.

What’s your biggest challenge with raising a son with special needs?

My biggest challenge…wow I feel like I have so many big challenges. Probably two biggest challenges are related and they are the financial strain and the fact that I am a single parent. Those two things would still be present even without Austin’s medical needs, but knowing that I carry the entire show alone is a struggle.

You recently wrote an excellent post on acceptance and tolerance …tell us why.

I recently wrote a post about our visit to a local barnyard petting zoo. Let me preface this by saying that during most of the year my son only leaves the house to visit family or go to the doctor. During the summer I tend to let my guard down about germs and their carries (other kids) and we do more stuff outdoors. This was our first summer outing to the petting zoo. He had a blast, but it was apparent that he was an “attraction” for the other kids. I noticed that parents were either oblivious to it or saw it and chose to ignore it. When I got home I wrote that post our of frustration. Before I hit Publish I reflected on how this could be used as a teaching moment. Once I got that perspective I was able to reword it and add some helpful links & resources. So far it has been well received by the mom blogging community and for that I am grateful.

You write for other sites, please provide links so we can share them with our community.

I also contribute to 5 Minutes for Special Needs Moms,  Complex Child, ShePosts and last but not least Kidz.

Besides special needs tell us what else you are an advocate for?

I’m also an advocate for breast cancer research, as my grandmother died 11 years ago from breast cancer. But generally my focus these days is on topics surrounding families affected by special medical needs and rare disease diagnoses.

What do you do for fun?

Before Austin was born I had an entire room devoted to my scrapbooking hobby, but that activity has been seriously curtailed in the past two years. Now I collect scrapbooking supplies! ;) In my spare time I enjoy reading…books, fiction mostly. I also spend a lot of time with my family.

Please tell us anything else you’d like to share with our readers.

While the content and focus of our blog is awareness and acceptance of medical issues, I would love for people to understand that through all of that Austin is a fairly typical toddler and we do have fun. It’s not all gloom and doom every day….just maybe every other day. ;) Oh also I tend to use some humor to get through tough situations.

We hope you will check out Janice’s blog and see what an uplifting and entertaining resource it is. We thank her for being our first featured blogger in our Around the Web series! Do you know a blogger or have a blog you’d like to see featured? Contact us!

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