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Flu Shot in 2020: If you haven’t gotten one, now is the time to do it!
Have you and your family gotten your flu shot this year? If not, here’s why it’s crucial! We are still in the middle of a pandemic and the consequences of Influenza and Coronavirus coexisting in the same season is an uncertainty. Health officials are speculating that it could be catastrophic. Why is that so? First, the public health issue of being in a pandemic remains. The additive effect of hospitalizations from the flu on top of hospitalizations from increasing numbers from COVID-19 can overburden our health care system this winter. Things may be stable now, but this can change very quickly. Second, we do not know what co-infection with the…
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Getting your child to wear a mask
The scheduled start of the new school year is approaching quicker than we realize. Some of us are still anxiously awaiting the announcement from our school districts about what this is actually going to look like during these COVID times. What can we do to prepare our children with this uncertainty lingering into August? As we learn more about COVID-19, it has been established that wearing masks can significantly reduce the spread of this easily proliferating virus. If your school district decides on in-person instruction, it’s likely that masks will be required or “strongly encouraged”. “Easier said than done” is what many of us will say, as parents of children…
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What does “opening up” after the pandemic mean for our vulnerable children?
You will usually find that posts on this site more factual or experience-based, so this post may seem uncharacteristic. Then again, 2020 certainly has not been a typical with the presence of the Coronavirus pandemic. None of us would question that as parents of medically fragile children, we are on high-alert when it comes to illnesses. We are ultra-careful in keeping any bugs away from them because we know the impact. We fear that an illness like COVID-19 that threatens even the healthiest people could certainly become catastrophic for our kids. Reducing risk for our children In the past few months, our lives have changed into something none of us…
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Looking for home physical therapy activities for your young child?
We are all just doing the best we can during this pandemic. Parents across the country are wearing so many different hats right now, leaving our heads spinning. But, remember, we are parents of children with SO many needs. I can almost guarantee that you are ALREADY wearing these hats to some extent or have done this at some point in your child’s life. Don’t get me wrong, I am not suggesting that we have figured out everything our children need on our own. In my own experience over the years, various talented therapists and special education teachers taught me how to help my child at home. I am sure…
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Parents’ favorite pediatric specialists in Westchester County, New York
Are you new to Westchester County, NY? Perhaps you’ve lived here forever but suddenly your child needs a specialist. Where do you start? You want the best doctors for your child but how do you find the best pediatric specialists? When we first moved to Westchester with our son, we left our established relationships with over 10 specialists in our previous state. We had to start all over again. It was a time-consuming process and was daunting wondering whether the new physicians would be good matches for our son and his care. I could only hope I would find the best pediatric specialists. Take advantage of the resources you have…
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What you need to know about buying a wheelchair accessible van
Are you at the stage in which lifting your child into and out of a car seat is becoming difficult? Are you exhausted after folding and lifting that bulky wheelchair in and out of the trunk during every outing? If so, it might be time to consider a wheelchair-accessible vehicle. I was there, just like you. I lifted our son into and out of a Honda Pilot until he was 8 years old. I loaded his KidKart, Convaid Cruiser and even his gait trainer into the trunk on a regular basis. But he was getting heavier, his equipment was getting bigger, and my 5’0″ frame was struggling. It was time…
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Thinking about a wheelchair-costume for Halloween?
Halloween is next week! EEK! This is hard to believe since it feels like kids just went back to school yesterday. I do realize this post probably should have been a little sooner but nevertheless, here we are. Plus, I’m sure there folks out there looking for last-minute costume ideas. I am currently in the process of making my son’s wheelchair costume for this year so I thought, “Why not share how to make one?”. There are literally tons of ideas out there on wheelchair costumes (thanks to some highly creative parents). I am the parent that is guilty of searching for these ideas on Pinterest and creating either a…
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Getting skilled nursing care for your medically fragile child
Has your child recently been diagnosed with a condition that requires a certain level of medical care at home? Does he/she need medical equipment at home or need medical intervention throughout the day? Does he or she need care throughout the night? Is this beyond the scope of most typical babysitters? If so, it is possible that your child could qualify for skilled nursing care either at home or at school. Skilled nursing care at home Does your child have a medical need? First, let’s talk about skilled nursing care at home. Perhaps the best way to start is to talk to your child’s pediatrician about whether he or she…
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Finding the right house when your child is wheelchair-dependent
It is difficult to accept that your child may be wheelchair-dependent. When our little ones are babies or toddlers they are not much different from typical children in that they can fit in most regular car seats and strollers. We can easily carry them around the home and up the stairs just like other parents. The fact that stairs could be such a barrier may not even cross your mind. We moved into our first single-family home when our son was 20 months old. Most homes in the area were multi-level homes so a one-level ranch was not even an option at the time. Truthfully, I don’t even think we…
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How to advocate for your child during hospital stays
Medically complex children are exactly that…medically complex. This is why hospitalizations can be particularly challenging and stressful for us. We know our children best. When our children are hospitalized we must find a balance between advocating for our children and allowing the medical team to treat our child’s condition. We have been through many hospitalizations with our son, some just overnight and some as long as many weeks. Short stays are usually a breeze but longer stays tend to increase our anxiety levels. We have learned some strategies along the way that have helped create a smoother experience for us and might do the same for you: 10 Tips on…
