5 toy-shopping tips from an expert: a mom!

by Beth Finke

Guest blogger Robin McReynolds is back with another post about life with her two children, Hope and Alek, and her husband Alexander.

by Robin McReynolds

Alek

It’s that wonderful time of year: holiday music, parties, family and yes…toys! If you have children in your life, it’s so wonderful to be able to buy them that perfect toy that will make them smile. If you have a child in your life with any special needs, you may not know where to start.

Some people wonder if they need to buy a child with special needs something sold only for children with disabilities. As a rule, I would say no. I drove myself crazy looking for special toys when my son Alek was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and bought him something from just about every special needs catalog available.

He rarely played with any of those special toys for more than a few minutes. If you want to see a child smile, find something they like, not something they “need.”

Kids with special needs, like children without special needs, like toys that interest them. Is the special child in your life in love with a special character? Does he or she like basketball? Soccer? Hockey? If you don’t see the child often, ask Mom or Dad. If the child has siblings, ask them. Siblings are always a great resource.

As a parent, I am always thrilled that someone takes an interest in my son and wants to find a toy that will be one of his holiday favorites. Here are a few helpful tips on shopping for a child with special needs:

• Remember that they have likes and dislikes like every child.
• You can find great ideas looking through award-winning toy lists – award-winning toys are always great fun and have added educational value.
• When looking at toy lists by age and interest, adjust for age based on parent recommendations.
• Fun, not expensive, is my motto.
• If you are truly at a loss for what a child might like, give a gift card to the toy store they love the most.

Of course the holidays are about so much more than toys, but nothing compares to the sounds of joy and laughter from children opening their presents. As a parent, I appreciate those who give from their hearts. Happy Holidays!

Give a Holiday Gift that celebrates girls with disabilities and Easter Seals families

by Rachel Talen

Miss You Can Do It is on DVD!

Sure hope my sister doesn’t see this post — I just have to tell you all  about the amazing Christmas present I bought her for Christmas! You might remember the three blog posts we published here when the Miss You Can Do It pageant was going on:I left my heart in Kewanee and I should have worn waterproof mascara and Miss You Can Do It portrays ability in an empowering way. Well, I’m writing about “Miss You Can Do It” again because the documentary is available for sale from HBO now.

I saw the “Miss You Can Do It” documentary when it premiered on HBO on June 24, 2013, and it’s such a fun and moving documentary about possibilities and what girls can do when given a chance that you’ll want to see it again, and again, and again!

Filmmaker Ron Davis was inspired to create a movie from a photo he saw in a magazine that showed six young girls with disabilities holding up medals.  He learned the girls in the photo were participants in the Miss You Can Do It pageant and went on to write and direct “Miss You Can Do It,” an HBO Documentary Film that chronicles the efforts of Abbey Curran, Miss Iowa 2008, the first woman with a disability to compete in the Miss USA Pageant, and founder of Miss You Can Do It.

The documentary tells Curran’s story and follows eight young girls with physical and intellectual disabilities as they participate in the program. It also celebrates the heroism of their parents. The families openly describe how the heartbreak of learning their child’s diagnosis eventually gave way to loving patience, dedication and a new appreciation for the joys and challenges of raising a child with special needs. Easter Seals worked with Ron Davis to help him find and film the girls and the families in the film.

My sister works with adults with disabilities, and I know she will think “Miss You Can Do It” is as great as we do here at Easter Seals. I can’t wait to watch the DVD with her.

Don’t Let Grandma Get Run Over By A Reindeer: 3 things to look for when you’re home for the holidays

by Beth Finke

My mother, Flo, is 97 years old and, believe it or not, she still lives on her own. One of my sisters lives nearby and checks on her often, and the rest of us come when we can, especially at Christmas.

Going home for the holidays to spend time with family can be the best part of the holiday season. HomeFinder.com is supporting Easter Seals this holiday season to help raise awareness and support the education of caring for aging family members. Through December 28, HomeFinder.com will donate $1 to Easter Seals for every new “Like” on their HomeFinder.com consumer Facebook page, And, this week they are raising the donation to $5 per like! “Like” HomeFinder.com on Facebook here.

Holiday visits with aging parents or grandparents may offer the first opportunity in several months to evaluate changes in older family members’ lives; signs that could indicate a need for increased support. When home for the holidays, it is important to assess the needs of your aging loved ones, so you can ensure their safety and security at home.

1. Make sure your loved one is eating regularly and maintaining a clean household. Ensure all food is fresh and edible and that the pantry is fully stocked. Also, check that the house is tidy, in good shape and not a safety hazard to your relative.

2. Be aware of any changes in your loved one’s personal hygiene and medication schedule. Watch for changes in personal habits such as infrequent bathing, not shaving or dressing inappropriately for the weather. Also, familiarize yourself with any medications your loved one might be taking on a regular basis and make sure they’re taking them on schedule.

3. Check to see that your loved one is maintaining their typical routines and activities with ease. Does your loved one still attend their weekly bingo game, visit with friends and run necessary errands? Check with neighbors and friends to see if they’ve noticed any differences in behavior. Also, if your loved one still drives, take a drive with them and make sure they are able to drive safely and comfortably in the local area.

If you can’t make it home this holiday season, here are a few ways to care for your aging loved ones while far away:

1. Create a support network within the community to help you care for your loved one. Work with neighbors, friends and medical providers to set up a schedule where someone can check on your loved one consistently and provide them with anything they might need and are unable to get themselves.

2. Consider working with a geriatric care manager. Many long-distance caregivers find it helpful to work with geriatric care managers to arrange caregiving services. These eldercare professionals can help assess needs and coordinate services in your loved one’s area, whether it be arranging a one-time move or a long-term care relationship.

3. Create a caregiving plan and involve your loved one as much as possible. Include other family members, friends and care managers while creating a plan for your loved one. Establishing a firm schedule will help your loved one adjust and will spread responsibility between all parties involved.

Learn more about caring for your aging relatives by downloading Easter Seals’ Loving Conversations, an online guide full of resources for adult day services and solutions for common transportation challenges.

Does becoming disabled make you strong?

by Beth Finke

Sometimes people I meet for the first time feel the need to point out there are benefits to becoming disabled. They tell me hardship can make you strong. Compassionate. Thoughtful.

I lost my sight in my 20s, and I know firsthand that becoming blind changes the way a person moves through space, how they read, and the ways they perform other daily living skills. Isn’t that enough? Does it have to change one’s character, too?

A Fresh Air interview with journalist James Tobin I happen to catch on NPR last month reassured me that I am not alone in trying to make sense of this change-of-character concept. Tobin was being interviewed about his new book The Man He Became: How FDR Defied Polio to Win the Presidency, and the interviewer, Dave Davies, said contracting polio as a man and losing the use of one’s legs must have been a shattering experience. Then he asked Tobin, “Do you think it made him a different president?”

Tobin said that after contracting polio, President Roosevelt was still the man he had been before. People close to Roosevelt said it tempered him, and his wife Eleanor herself said it made him stronger and more courageous, but the author said, “That doesn’t quite make sense to me. I think people have those innate capacities or they don’t. The crisis draws it out of them. It allows them to see who they really are.”

The way James Tobin talked about disability in this interview is helping me put some of my own thoughts about becoming blind into words. Maybe becoming disabled can give a person a kind of confidence in the strengths that were already there, and a person just can’t get that kind of confidence until they’re tested. If that’s true, it’s one upside to becoming disabled that I actually can embrace.

Because who is perfect?

by MacKenzie Olsberg

Dearest readers, I feel I must admit something: I do not like to shop.

I don’t like crowds, and I especially don’t like dealing with the crowds at malls. If I could just shove money at someone to buy me jeans that fit (since I seem to not do a great job at that on my own), I would. But of all the things that annoy me about shopping, I have to say: I especially do not like spending money on clothing that doesn’t look anything on me like it did on the mannequin.

The use of mannequins is an age old practice in stores to show off clothing at its very best — tiny waists, clothing pinned behind the back, blank painted faces and looking the epitome of fashion perfection. I, like many people, come nowhere close to those measurements and ideals.

Should this make me feel bad? Not at all. My body may not be perfect, but it does what I need it to do and I am grateful for what I have.

If more companies had practiced body diversity while I was in high school, it would have saved me several angst-ridden teenage years feeling uncomfortable in my body. But change is in the air. Earlier this year, Swedish store Åhlens revealed new mannequins much closer to the average woman’s body shape, and H&M has stated they are considering following suit.

It’s a wonderful step towards celebrating all types of bodies, but what’s really amazing is Pro Infirmis in Switzerland. Pro Infirmis is an organization for people with disabilities, and they created a series of mannequins based on real people. Jasmine Rechsteiner, for instance. She’s a Miss Handicap winner who has spine malformations. Or how about Erwin Aljukić, an actor with brittle bone disease.

Models and their mannequins. Picture from www.ProInfirmis.ch

Last week, the mannequins were placed in the front windows of shops on Zurich’s main downtown street, Bahnhofstrasse, in honor of International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3. The campaign was called “Because Who Is Perfect? Get Closer,” and it’s exciting to see the beginning of an open dialogue about what really is a perfect body

Click here to see the process that went into making these unique mannequins. Perhaps one day in the near future, we won’t be disappointed when we try to look like the mannequin in the shop window.

Five short films you don’t want to miss

by Rachel Talen

ABC worked with our friends at Veterans in Film and Television (VFT) to shaped five scripts written by veterans into short films that are airing on television stations across the country. I’ve seen three of the five Home for the Holidays digital short films already and wanted to let you know about them:

• THE LETTER by CAPTAIN REBECCA MURGA Rebecca’s film tells the heartwarming story of a little girl who writes a letter to Santa. She is angry at Santa because every Christmas she doesn’t get what she asks for. This year, the only thing she wants is for her mother, who is deployed to Afghanistan, to come back home for Christmas.
• YELLOW RIBBON by SERGEANT DONRE WALKER Inspired by his relationship with his daughter, Donre’s heartwarming, emotional, scripted story celebrates the power of hope, starring Tamala Jones.
• LAUGHTER UNDER FIRE by SPECIALIST COLIN WELLS A documentary short told from the filmmakers’ experience in Afghanistan, his time served in the Army, and how laughter brought his battalion together. SPC Wells’ documentary short shows firsthand the power of laughter under extreme conditions.

If you missed seeing any of those three on TV, you can watch them on line at the ABC web site.

Tune in to ABC tonight, December 9, to catch the debut of the fourth film, “The Dance” by Staff Sergeant Ryan Curtis. From what I’ve been told, it’s a touching story about a young soldier, severely injured in action, who’s determined to surprise the girl he loves with the dance they never had.

The final film, “A Homecoming” by Donna Bachelor, debuts this Friday, December 13. Donna’s film is the story of a young veteran who excitedly awaits the return of his best friend, the warrior and hero he served with. Word has it that this film is an emotional reunion with a surprise ending when these best friends are reunited.

Don’t miss this chance to see five short films written, directed, and produced by U.S. Veterans with aspirations to work in the entertainment industry.

Meet eight military families treated to private Lady A concerts

by Rachel Talen

The Haire Family with Lady Antebellum

A post published here Monday described what it felt like to accompany Sgt. Tommy Haire and his family to a private Lady Antebellum concert. Now it’s my pleasure to introduce you to seven other families Lady A honored with a private concert as well.

The Gaither Family and Lady Antebellum

You might remember our 2008 child representative Scott—well, his dad, Shannon Gaither, is a 30-year veteran and was honored by Lady A in Atlanta. Scott even got to perform with Lady A! A couple minutes in to the song, Charles Kelley asked Scott to join them on stage to play a cajon drum. The Gaithers said it was a thrilling moment to say the least!

Join the #GivingTuesday generation

by Beth Finke

After spending last Thursday being thankful, we’ve all had two days to shop for deals. Now, today, #GivingTuesday is our chance to show that holidays can be both about gift-giving and giving back, too. The mission statement on the #GivingTuesday web site explains:

#GivingTuesday™ is a campaign to create a national day of giving at the start of the annual holiday season. It celebrates and encourages charitable activities that support nonprofit organizations.

#Giving Tuesday started last year as a way to focus attention on the spirit of giving throughout the holiday season, and it’s back again this year. Join in the spirit and donate to Easter Seals today. Every year, with your support, Easter Seals helps nearly 1.8 million children and adults with disabilities live more independent and fulfilling lives.

Your generosity today will allow us to meet the growing demand for our critical services this winter and in the year ahead. Your donation will provide early intervention therapies for children, physical rehabilitation programs, job training for veterans and young adults with disabilities, and so much more. Please make a gift to Easter Seals today and spread the word.

Easter Seals joins Lady Antebellum and ABC News welcoming veterans home

by Rachel Talen

Lady Antebellum giving a private concert honoring veteran Tommy Haire.

It happens every once in a while in our office — someone comes back from a mission-fused experience and cannot stop gushing about our wonderful client families and about how much they love working here. I had one of those “my job totally rocks” days when I accompanied Sgt. Tommy Haire and his family to a private Lady Antebellum concert in Chicago. Singer Hillary Scott explained that the country music trio wanted to give back to our veterans and honor them through music.

The Haires are such a sweet and deserving family. I had so much fun getting to know them and it was touching to see them recognized and thanked by celebrities!

I’m a huge country music fan. I was starstruck to meet Lady A, and the coolest thing of all was to personally thank them for everything they’re doing for veterans.

To kick off the holiday season, Lady Antebellum toured local markets, giving private radio concerts to an Easter Seals-connected veteran and his or her family. It’s all part of ABC’s annual “Home For the Holidays” campaign to showcase the talents of veterans currently working or aspiring to work in the entertainment industry. And it helps support Disney’s company-wide “Heroes Work Here” initiative, which served as the foundation for a recent veterans-hiring event at Walt Disney World.

With the help of Easter Seals’ partner Veterans in Film & Television (VFT), ABC chose five scripts written by veterans that describe what being home for the holidays means to them. The stories have been shaped into short films that will premiere each Monday.

The theme of coming home for the holiday season is a theme that hits close to home for Lady Antebellum’s Hillary Scott. Her best friend’s husband serves in the Navy, and he recently came home to surprise his wife and their son for the boy’s first birthday.

The band recorded a cover of Kenny Loggins’ “Celebrate Me Home” for the campaign and is performing it in sets for Easter Seals veterans and their families in select markets.

Gathering to celebrate and reconnect with family and friends for the holidays is a highlight for all. Be sure to recognize our veterans and thank them for their service — not just during the holiday season, but all year long!<

Adjusting to holidays and ASD

by Beth Finke

I am pleased to introduce Robin McReynolds as a guest blogger today. Robin is an attorney who volunteers here at Easter Seals in Chicago. She is the proud mother of two wonderful children, Hope and Alek, and is married to her best friend, Alexander.

Having a “normal” Thanksgiving

by Robin McReynolds

Alek

Thanksgiving is definitely the holiday that brings our family together. Although we are scattered across the Continental U.S., Canada and Europe, everyone makes an effort to get together.

It’s a time to catch up on all that’s happened in the past year. Everyone shares pictures of children, grandchildren and stories of travels. Children run through the house laughing and yelling. The only one you don’t hear asking for treats before dinner is my son, Alek. He was diagnosed with ASD at age two, and does not speak.

At first, the other children had no idea how to interact with him. He would shy away from physical contact and games. He often stood far away from the other children and just watch them play. I’d look over to my husband and see such sadness on his face. I knew adjustment to the diagnosis would be difficult for our family. It would take time.

Holidays became very stressful, as we were consumed with how to manage meltdowns, exit strategies, and special diets. How many times would we be asked, “Is he alright?” I’d answer yes. “He’s just fine,” I’d say, although I wasn’t sure if my husband and I were.

Time has changed so many things. Alek has grown into a friendly, athletic, six year old who is a star with his cousins. They all include him in games and want to try out his “very cool” communication device. He loves the attention. I love our very “normal” Thanksgiving. I am very thankful for the understanding from our loved ones and the comfort I feel with Alek’s progress. Alek’s early diagnosis granted our family time to give him the best supports. Time to adjust, time to take advantage of therapy services, and time to learn about assistive technology. Now I look forward to Thanksgiving tomorrow, when we’ll take time to be together with family. We have a lot to be thankful for.