Family response to school reopening concerns in Euclid, Ohio
Dear Mr. Papouras, Thank you and the Euclid Board of Education for the presentation on this fall’s school reopening. I appreciate the thought and care that went into shifting the entire educational dynamic at short notice. As a parent in the district, I have some concerns that go beyond the 49-character maximum allowed in the…
Ohio’s school reopening plans must include family voices
I am the mother of a medically complex child, and I am concerned that the national and local plans to return children to school this fall fail to take into account the needs of families and communities like mine. As patient advocate and education advocate, I am fortunate to talk to many families about their…
An Open Letter to Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Interim Director of Health Lance Himes:
Reopening urban public schools will cause disproportionate harm to the Black and Latinx communities.
Medication Safety
In the hospital At home Kids and families can help with medication safety in the hospital in a few ways. First, know the medications you are taking, when you should take them, the dose, and what the medication is for. Kids can be medication checkers and serve as a double-checker in the safety process. It…
Avoiding Falls
Even during a short hospital stay, kids may feel unsteady on their feet because of inactivity or the medicines they are taking. Talk to the hospital staff about your child’s risk for falls, and find out how they decide what precautions to take. Some hospitals provide grippy socks or a special wristband for patients who…
Preventing Infections
Hospitals are where we go to get well, which also means there are lots of germs and the potential for infection. Hospitals do their best to reduce the risk of hospital-acquired infections, infections you can pick up in a hospital.Some common types of hospital infections can be prevented by washing your hands well and encouraging…
Preparing Kids for Spine Surgery
I wanted to explain, in simple terms, what spine surgery does and what the process of preparing for surgery and recovering from surgery looks like.
Engaged families make hospitals safer
No hospital is error-free. The most important partner in your child’s health and safety is you. You can help keep your child safer by sharing information and asking questions.
Collaborating and Planning for Respiratory Season
In our house, fall means changing leaves, homemade Halloween costumes, and a little nail-biting fear. Respiratory season is upon us, and that always adds an element of dread for families of kids who are medically complex.
Madvocator Educational and Healthcare Advocacy Training 