Author Archives: Nancy

About Nancy

I am a freelance writer focused on parenting children with special needs. My articles have been featured in numerous parenting publications and on www.parentingspecialneeds.org. I am the former editor and publisher of Vermont HomeStyle Magazine. I am a wife and mom to a two daughters, one with cystic fibrosis and one who is a carrier for cystic fibrosis.

With Cystic Fibrosis, First Illness is Scary

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When my daughter was first diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF) she was just a tiny, 6-day-old baby. I had all the fear in the world hanging over me regarding keeping her healthy. Even just a cold can be detrimental to a child who has a lung condition like CF. So when she got her first cold a few months ago, I was nervous. Luckily, that cold lasted about two days and she never developed a cough. The last two weeks, however, have been different. After developing a fever two weeks ago, she ended up with a very runny nose, an … Continue reading →

Early Intervention is Key when Treating Cerebral Palsy

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According to the United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) Foundation, about 800,000 Americans live with symptoms of cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder that appears in infancy or early childhood. It permanently affects body movement and muscle control, but isn’t caused by problems in the muscles themselves. Abnormalities in the part of the brain that controls the muscles occur before birth or within the first few years after birth. Early signs usually appear before the age of three and can include a lack of muscle coordination during voluntary movements, stiff muscles, spasticity, walking with one foot dragging, walking on toes, … Continue reading →

Early Intervention is Key to Success

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Young children with developmental delays are more successful in school and long-term when aided by early intervention programs. Whether the child’s delay is due to a genetic condition, premature birth or infections, early intervention can help your child progress at more age appropriate stages. The first few years of a child’s life, mainly from birth through age three, are a critical time in your child’s development. According to the National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY), what happens during those formative years stays with a child for life. That is why it is so vital to watch your child … Continue reading →

An App to Help Prevent Spina Bifida

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Technology has come an extremely long way in a very short amount of time. Just think of where we were even 20 years ago – Commodore 64, anyone? What about Zack Morris’ giant cell phone? Today we can access the world with our fingertips on devices that fit in our pockets. And those devices, more specifically the iPhone and all of its apps, can help us lead healthier lives and give our children a healthier start. We’ve all heard about how important folic acid is in a woman’s diet, especially a woman who is planning to become pregnant, or is … Continue reading →

Virus Linked to Hearing Loss in Children

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A new study in the Archives of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, has found that the virus cytomegalovirus (CMV) is to blame for hearing loss in some babies. Nine% of Children with hearing loss ranging from partial impairment in just one ear to complete deafness were found to also have CMV. CMV is a common virus that usually causes a small, harmless infection. However, women who contract CMV during their pregnancy have a higher chance of having a child with some degree of hearing loss according to this study. In addition, children with both CMV and hearing loss had a more … Continue reading →

Autism Speaks Announces Expansion of Their Autism Treatment Network

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Early treatment of autism and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has proven to be the best course of action in improving the lives of those with the condition. This month, Autism Speaks, the nation’s largest autism science and advocacy organization, announced the expansion of their Autism Treatment Network (ATN). According to the Autism Speaks web site, the ATN works to improve the health and healthcare of children and adolescents with ASD. Through evidence-based research and practice, ATN’s mission is to provide each child with access to high quality care within their own communities. The ATN was created as a response to … Continue reading →

The Media and Disabilities

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I don’t regularly watch Glee, mostly because my husband can’t handle all of the singing. But also, because I’m hooked on The Biggest Loser. But, last night I was flipping back and forth – Biggest Loser… Glee… Biggest Loser and so on. And it turns out Glee was a rerun but I had never seen it before. I happened to catch Jane Lynch’s character using the term “handicapable” when referring to her onscreen sister who has Down syndrome. I had never heard this term before, but a quick Google search revealed that it is everywhere, from handiCAPABLE Guide Service and … Continue reading →

A Sick Kid is a Sick Kid is a Sick Kid

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I am sitting here, listening to my almost seven-week-old little girl cough and wheeze. I hate it. What’s worse is that her big sister is sick too. She’s two-years-old and as many of you know, she has cystic fibrosis. I have kept her healthy for two years knowing that someday she would get sick. That day came last week when she started sneezing and coughing for the first time. But, I was so focused on her and her health because of CF, that I didn’t protect my non-CF child from the same germs. So now, my non-CF child is in … Continue reading →

Steps to Avoid Birth Defects

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January is National Birth Defect Prevention month and the perfect time to promote steps to a healthy pregnancy. One in 33 US children is born with a birth defect and The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention works with programs including the National Birth Defects Prevention Study to find the causes. According to the National Birth Defects Prevention Study, birth defects account for more than 20% of all infant deaths. These defects also contribute to illness and long-term disability. While the causes of most birth defects are still unknown, many happen early in pregnancy. Therefore, the National Birth Defects Prevention … Continue reading →

Student-to-Student Program Benefits All

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In Hudson, Wisconsin there’s a high school working to create a better educational and social environment for each of its students. The program, Student-to-Student is a partnership between Hudson High School and Bridge for Youth with Disabilities. It pairs students in the special education program with “mentor” students and is the brainchild of Margi Miller, who was on the board of Bridge for Youth With Disabilities when she thought of the idea. She is the mother to both a child without disabilities and a child with disabilities. Now in its fifth year, Student-to-Student has seen a huge increase in popularity. … Continue reading →