Update from Ezreinu #50 – Vents and Trachs: Info, Advice, and Tips
When people hear the word “ventilator”, the first thing that comes to mind is often an ICU hospital room, complete with a disproportionate number of medical staff, a spider web of tubes and wires, and an eerie silence punctured by beeping machines. But for quite a few families, things like vents and trachs are de […]
Update from Ezreinu #49 – Improving Accessibility at Home
Several years ago, or maybe more than several, a cute little baby was born. The baby had more needs than the average infant, and as the child grew, the needs grew proportionally. And suddenly, (it didn’t happen suddenly, of course, but the realization stuck you suddenly) the baby was no longer a baby, and the lifting, […]
Update from Ezreinu #48 – Managing in Mainstream
As a society, we’ve truly come a long way in accommodating special needs in the educational framework. 30 years ago, the average class in any given school had a handful of kids who were considered by teachers and peers alike as “wild”, “weird”, or just plain “not the brightest”. Kids in this category were often […]
Update from Ezreinu #47 – Is Craniosacral therapy legit?
The therapy market is made up of a varied and colorful mix of both the traditional, scientifically-proven treatment methods and the slightly more esoteric modalities, often referred to as “alternative therapies”. While seeking intervention for their children with special needs, some parents prefer to remain within the parameters of the safe, tried-and-true, PT-OT-SLP regimen, while […]
Update from Ezreinu #46 – Are you eligible for services through SCN?
Have you heard the buzz about the Social Care Networks program (a.k.a. SCN)? You might know people who are receiving ready-made food, or assistance with other household expenses, through this program. So, what’s it all about? Who’s it for? Can you get it, too? Read on to learn what SCN offers and whether you are […]
Update from Ezreinu #45 – The Guardianship Process
Happy birthday! Your child is turning 18… Yikes! What do you need to know about your cutie becoming an adult? In New York, kids with special needs can usually continue going to school until the age of 21 and receive all board of ed services. But even if your child is still a schoolkid, he […]
Ezreinu Update #44 – Winter Wear
It’s official: Winter has arrived! Coats, scarves, hats, gloves… Winter brings a whole bunch of paraphernalia unique to the season. For some families, the greatest winter gear-related challenge is keeping their coat closets organized. Not to minimize anyone else’s struggles, of course, but families of children with special needs may be accustomed to dealing with slightly more […]
Update from Ezreinu #43 – The Enrollment Process for NJ State’s DDD
Once upon a time, there was a nice family by the name of Steinerman who lived in Brooklyn, somewhere in the ambiguous neighborhood between Boro Park and Flatbush. The Steinermans raised their seven wonderful children in Brooklyn and married off the first six, all of whom settled in Lakewood and the surrounding areas. Left at […]
Update from Ezreinu #42 – Incontinence Supplies: Tips, Recs, and Resources
If you didn’t cringe when reading the title of this newsletter, then you are probably a member of the club. Welcome! This exclusive group is made up of the parents who continue to deal with diaper-related matters long after toddlerhood, providing a level of love and devotion for their children which is simply unmatched. While […]