Tonight, Iām heading to my friendās for dinner and a movie. Do you know whatās funny? I can almost hear my momās voice, āShannon, donāt go empty-handed.ā Mom will be pleased; Iāll come bearing ginger snap tea, a simple holiday treat, for my host. The season of all seasons is upon us (finally!) and plans … Continued
Imagine you are shopping for groceries, safely crossing a street, playing with your child at the park, utilizing an elevator, or completing a routine job task. Youāre accomplishing what you have successfully accomplished for so many days and years. Your arm is clutched by a well-meaning individual wanting to ārescueā you, or you hear, āIāve … Continued
Perhaps you are here today with apprehension or concern, eager to learn how your child will travel when blind or visually impaired and using a wheelchair (whether full-time or part-time). You arenāt sure how orientation and mobility (travel training for individuals who are blind or visually impaired) will work when your child isnāt walking. Is … Continued
Hello, October, arguably the most magnificent monthānot (only) because of the sensational scents, sights, and sips of fall, but (also) because October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, NDEAM for short. In celebration: We stop and remember. We educate others. We plan and gear up for the future. Why? Because, as is the 2021 NDEAM … Continued
Editorās Note: In 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson established October 15th as White Cane Safety Day to raise awareness of people who use a white cane. This post is the first in our series leading up to White Cane Day on October 15th. Stabilization. Strength. Motor function and control. Balance. Coordination. Awareness of oneās body and … Continued
Parents and family members of children with cerebral visual impairment, a brain-based visual processing disorder, are far from alone. According to the Boston Childrenās Hospital, cerebral/ cortical visual impairment (CVI) is the most common cause of permanent vision loss in children.Despite its prevalence, it isnāt widely understood. Advocating for Your Child Because CVI research is … Continued
Your child has likely sunk their teeth into a crisp apple bursting with sweet juices or taken spoonfuls of sugary, smooth applesauce with notes of warm cinnamon, but do they know how their snack came to be? Do they know how apples are grown and harvested? Do they truly know what an apple tree is? Have they run their fingers over the scaly bark, wrapped their arms around the girth … Continued
by Shannon Carollo Do you remember your first experience with a school locker? Itās often equal parts exciting, surprisingly convenient, and anxiety-producing. Locker use is exciting because itās a rite of passage leaving one feeling like a mature studentāand how wonderful that, unlike driving, it is an accessible rite of passage for our children who … Continued
It sure is getting hot outside! The temperature isnāt the only thing risingāso is our desire to have a little summer fun. Why not gather the family to make and eat ice lollies?!āthatās the endearing name for popsicles here in the United Kingdom. Iām all ināin fact, today I purchased silicone popsicle molds. While theyāre not necessary for popsicle making, they sure simplify the task. If you arenāt quite sure how to safely involve your … Continued
Toilet training is often viewed as a looming hurdle, a giant obstacle, and an exhausting feat. One requiring patience upon patience. We parents arm ourselves with a litany of literature, hoping to prepare our children for success and ourselves with realistic expectations, but most toilet-training literature is written for children who are fully sighted. While … Continued