Growing up as a young girl, summer camp was a typical affair. Packed lunches kept cold with frozen freezer packs, seemingly endless slip n' slides, activities, games, contests. Every morning, the author was eager to wake up and head off to hours and hours of fun with friends and counselors. However, one may think the camping experience could not…

While parents with disabilities may face big challenges, with appropriate supports, many can be great parents. Just like other parents, they do not have to be responsible for every part of childrearing all by themselves. All parents rely on supports to help raise their children, such as day care, carpools, schools, babysitting co-ops, or advice…

Hundreds of thousands of children and youth with disabilities across the country are receiving secondary transition services. Secondary transition is the process of preparing students with disabilities for life after they leave high school, including participation in post-secondary education or training, employment and independent living.…

For most people, their major concern when running errands or shopping is whether they can fit all they need to do into the time available. For people with disabilities, however, particularly for those who have physical disabilities, their major concern is whether they can get into the stores or buildings in the first place and, once in, whether…

The reality is sobering. According to a report published on the online site of Children's Hospital Boston, about 57,000 babies weighing less than 1,500 grams (3 pounds, 4 ounces) are born annually in the United States. With medical advances, as of 2005, survival of these frail infants has increased from about 20 percent 15 years ago to nearly 90…

In the past, people with disabilities were largely segregated from mainstream society. Medical psychotherapy was a niche discipline, located mostly in hospitals and nursing homes. However, things are changing. There are more people with disabilities, and they are more integrated into society. General Practicing Psychotherapists need to know how to…

When a person who has a disability takes that big step of transitioning out of the home and into some type of residential living, it may not always be easy but it is definitely possible. There are different types of residential living, but anyone who is living in an apartment--whether they are an individual with a disability or not--is in…

Parents of children with special needs are beginning to realize that a home designed for their child who might now use a wheelchair may benefit them as well in the future as they "Age in Place". As the boomers age and Medicare and Medicaid seem to possibly decline in the not so distant future as a source of funding for elderly and special needs…

As a coach, this author likes to share some thoughts on children and sports. After 42 years in athletics in all capacities--coach, athletic director, official, parent, athlete, and observer--he can easily say he has seen, heard, or experienced it all. Each experience has helped him gain some insights on youth and interscholastic sports. Parent of…

In this article, the author shares how Haylee Hunt, an 18-year-old who was diagnosed to have cerebral palsy, proves that she can still live a normal life and be successful despite her disabilities, and narrates how Haylee develops her passion for horses. Friendly, outgoing and very determined, and bolstered by a supportive, nurturing family, Hunt…

Many parents say that when they are told that their child has some condition, it is almost as shocking as hearing the child had died. Some parents go into a state of grieving because their perception of that child's life is changed dramatically. Their hopes and dreams for their baby being successful in the way that they envisioned success to be…

Vacations allow the mind and body to recharge from stress and fatigue; and it's nice to escape everyday busyness. Children need vacation time too: school can be hard work! Vacation is a great time to enjoy good food, fun, and bonding, whether it takes one to the beach, an amusement park, camping, or cruising rivers, lakes, and oceans. This article…

The telephone has to be one of the greatest inventions in history. Most children are fascinated by the prospect of learning to use the telephone to "reach out and touch someone." Getting connected has never been easier or more rewarding thanks to an innovative state program that provides a selection of specialized phones and services…

After the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, thousands of families across the U.S. breathed a sigh of relief at the White House's reassurance: "Reform will eliminate health insurance discrimination against people with disabilities." However, the actual language of the law and the proposed implementation timeline of the…

Ginger Blalock is an educational consultant in the area of career development and transition for youth with special needs, currently serving as facilitator for the NMPED-funded Transition Outcomes Project and Statewide Transition Coordinating Council, educational consultant for Technet's administration of the NMDWS WIRED Project (Workforce…