DO YOU EVER WONDER WHY...
In 2008, parents of children with special needs must still work so much harder than many parents every single day just to ensure their child's rightful place in this world?
Just rambling...feel free to ramble back.
JudyWinter.com
Breakthrough Parenting for Children with Special Needs: Raising the Bar of Expectations
MySpace.com/judy_winter
Monday, March 31, 2008
Judy Winter's FAV Quote of the Month- April 2008
I've got two favorite quotes this month. Since I couldn't decide between them, you get a bonus dose of wisdom this month, along with a smile on your face, I hope.
"Cherish forever what makes you unique,
'cuz you're really a yawn if it goes."
-Bette Midler
"If you think you are too small to be effective,
you've never been in bed with a mosquito."
-Anita Roddick
Now go celebrate differences, and advocate for needed change!
JudyWinter.com
Breakthrough Parenting for Children with Special Needs: Raising the Bar of Expectations
MySpace.com/judy_winter
"Cherish forever what makes you unique,
'cuz you're really a yawn if it goes."
-Bette Midler
"If you think you are too small to be effective,
you've never been in bed with a mosquito."
-Anita Roddick
Now go celebrate differences, and advocate for needed change!
JudyWinter.com
Breakthrough Parenting for Children with Special Needs: Raising the Bar of Expectations
MySpace.com/judy_winter
Minute Vacations- April 2008
Judy's Minute Vacation for April 2008
The Bellagio Hotel
Las Vegas
What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. Unless you're armed with a camera to capture all those magical moments of pure escapism, as I was at this moment. G Rated.
Enjoy!
JudyWinter.com
Breakthrough Parenting for Children with Special Needs: Raising the Bar of Expectations
MySpace.com/judy_winter
DID YOU KNOW? World Autism Awareness Day is April 2nd, 2008
In addition to bringing us refreshing showers, threatening thunderstorms, gutsy little flowers that boldly stick their fragile little heads out of the mud, and other long-awaited promises of Spring, April 2008 will also include the first ever World Autism Awareness Day. The effort, being held on Wednesday, April 2nd, is the result of a resolution introduced by the nation of Qatar and approved by the United Nations on December 18, 2007.
That recognition, described at www.autismspeaks.org as an "unprecendented global effort...marked around the world with education, awareness and celebration," is expected to continue to raise awareness for autism to a whole new level. CNN is dedicating the day to mass coverage of this important topic with its programming entitled, 'The Myths of Autism.' One in 150 children is now diagnosed with autism, which is four times more common in boys than girls.
For more information on World Autism Awareness Day, visit www.autismspeaks.org, www.autism-society.org or www.cnn.com.
Awareness is key for all disabilities.
JudyWinter
Breakthrough Parenting for Children with Special Needs: Raising the Bar of Expectations
MySpace.com/judy_winter
That recognition, described at www.autismspeaks.org as an "unprecendented global effort...marked around the world with education, awareness and celebration," is expected to continue to raise awareness for autism to a whole new level. CNN is dedicating the day to mass coverage of this important topic with its programming entitled, 'The Myths of Autism.' One in 150 children is now diagnosed with autism, which is four times more common in boys than girls.
For more information on World Autism Awareness Day, visit www.autismspeaks.org, www.autism-society.org or www.cnn.com.
Awareness is key for all disabilities.
JudyWinter
Breakthrough Parenting for Children with Special Needs: Raising the Bar of Expectations
MySpace.com/judy_winter
Spring Has Sprung!
Spring is finally here and that means flowers!!!! I don't care how hard the Weather Channel tries to mess with my mind, including with those threats of late-season snow and single-digit wind chills. Well, I do care, but in less than twenty-four hours the calendar will proclaim that it's officially April anyway, and that means summer can't be far behind, right?
I am ever the eternal optimist- a handy survival tool when living in the Midwest, and when parenting children with special needs.
I LOVE flowers....and kids with/without special needs.
JudyWinter.com
Breakthrough Parenting for Children with Special Needs: Raising the Bar of Expectations
MySpace.com/judy_winter
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
DID YOU KNOW? March is National Reading Month
In case you needed a reason to read a book, here it is:
March is National Reading Month!
In honor of that reality, here's a photo of my son while very young sharing a good read with a good school buddy. I love this photo for so many reasons....
I'm a big supporter of reading for all children (and for adults) and I believe the earlier we begin the process of reading to them (think brain development), the greater the benefits. I especially believe in the value of reading to kids with special needs, regardless of a diagnosis (again, think brain development). You have no idea how this kind of effort may impact your child is positive ways down the road. Try to give it your best shot, no matter how tough.
My son and I spent hours reading books from the beginning of his life, from Mercer Mayer to Dr. Seuss, to Sesame Street to Captain Underpants, to books about rockstars and guitars and the solar system. Early on, Eric wiggled and squirmed and seemed unable to be easily immersed in the magic of words and pictures. But with time, persistance, maturity, (and adding lots of fun), reading soon became one of our favorite things to do together.
In fact, once Eric learned that I could do the voices of Elmo, Cookie Monster, Grover and Barney, and also mix up all the crazy Dr. Seuss rhymes and make up great kids' tales, reading became an exciting adventure that was never boring.
To my son, I was the coolest mom in the land.
Eric grew to love books as much as his big sister, Jenna, mainly because we didn't deny him the chance to experience reading because of his cerebral palsy. Today, I believe strongly that our commitment to reading to both of our children had positive impact on their development in many ways.
Plus, it was a great way for us to escape the on-going daily demands of addressing Eric's special needs and just be together, mother and child. I will always treasure those priceless moments and memories reading with both of my children.
Special Note: I know it's tough, if not impossible, to read to your kids if you're struggling with your own literacy issues. The good news is there is help available, so what are you waiting for!! Seek out the support you need; then watch your own world (and that of your children) open up in big ways. There are some terrific resources to help you make that magic happen.
Here's a good place to start: National Institute for Literacy: http://www.nifl.gov/
March is National Reading Month!
In honor of that reality, here's a photo of my son while very young sharing a good read with a good school buddy. I love this photo for so many reasons....I'm a big supporter of reading for all children (and for adults) and I believe the earlier we begin the process of reading to them (think brain development), the greater the benefits. I especially believe in the value of reading to kids with special needs, regardless of a diagnosis (again, think brain development). You have no idea how this kind of effort may impact your child is positive ways down the road. Try to give it your best shot, no matter how tough.
My son and I spent hours reading books from the beginning of his life, from Mercer Mayer to Dr. Seuss, to Sesame Street to Captain Underpants, to books about rockstars and guitars and the solar system. Early on, Eric wiggled and squirmed and seemed unable to be easily immersed in the magic of words and pictures. But with time, persistance, maturity, (and adding lots of fun), reading soon became one of our favorite things to do together.
In fact, once Eric learned that I could do the voices of Elmo, Cookie Monster, Grover and Barney, and also mix up all the crazy Dr. Seuss rhymes and make up great kids' tales, reading became an exciting adventure that was never boring.
To my son, I was the coolest mom in the land.
Eric grew to love books as much as his big sister, Jenna, mainly because we didn't deny him the chance to experience reading because of his cerebral palsy. Today, I believe strongly that our commitment to reading to both of our children had positive impact on their development in many ways.
Plus, it was a great way for us to escape the on-going daily demands of addressing Eric's special needs and just be together, mother and child. I will always treasure those priceless moments and memories reading with both of my children.
Special Note: I know it's tough, if not impossible, to read to your kids if you're struggling with your own literacy issues. The good news is there is help available, so what are you waiting for!! Seek out the support you need; then watch your own world (and that of your children) open up in big ways. There are some terrific resources to help you make that magic happen.
Here's a good place to start: National Institute for Literacy: http://www.nifl.gov/
Now give all those hi-tech gadgets a rest, turn off the TV, and go pick up a book and READ!!
It will change your life, and the lives of your children.
No technology required.
JudyWinter.com
Breakthrough Parenting for Children with Special Needs: Raising the Bar of Expectations
MySpace.com/judy_winter
Oprah and OCD
Heads up to all those facing the challenges of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Oprah producer's have a call out for stories for a possible upcoming program entitled: Has Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Touched You?
To read more program details and submit your story, use the following link or visit Oprah.com and click on 'Tell Us Your Story':
https://www.oprah.com/plugger/templates/BeOnTheShow.jhtml?action=respond&plugId=315500001
Let me know if the show happens and if it includes you.
Good luck!
JudyWinter.com
Breakthrough Parenting for Children with Special Needs: Raising the Bar of Expectations
MySpace.com/judy_winter
To read more program details and submit your story, use the following link or visit Oprah.com and click on 'Tell Us Your Story':
https://www.oprah.com/plugger/templates/BeOnTheShow.jhtml?action=respond&plugId=315500001
Let me know if the show happens and if it includes you.
Good luck!
JudyWinter.com
Breakthrough Parenting for Children with Special Needs: Raising the Bar of Expectations
MySpace.com/judy_winter
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