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 … Continue reading Family response to school reopening concerns in Euclid, Ohio
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 … Continue reading Ohio’s school reopening plans must include family voices
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.
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.
The Informed Caregiver
As a caregiver, I feel most empowered when I am informed enough to do more. Learning and sharing have become essential to my role as a caregiver. Finding out what works best is most effective when I can crowdsource helpful tips, reviews and advice from others who have walked this path.
Life after the Trach: Not So Simple
At two months old, my son Richie received his trach, and he was ventilator dependent until he was 18 months old. Gradually, he was able to tolerate a speaking valve and capping, all working toward decannulation. It seemed to us that things would be easier once he no longer had a trach, but it isn’t quite that simple.
Parent or Advocate? Wearing Both Hats for the Best Outcomes
Both parenting and advocacy focus on creating the best possible future: for our children to thrive and to be accepted and understood. It can be a heavy load, and it’s easy to mix up which role we need and when.
A Shared Vision: Partnering with Therapists
Therapy is a necessary part of our lives as parents of children with special needs, and sometimes it can feel like a chore. When therapy goes badly, it can be disruptive, at best. We have experienced therapists who seemed unsure of themselves and didn’t understand the importance of partnership. We had a therapist tell us … Continue reading A Shared Vision: Partnering with Therapists
