Water Therapy?

Sofia and her PT Christie, enjoying therapy in the pool.

I recently came across a nonprofit organization, dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of kids with Autism and their families. And, well, that is right up our alley! 

Izzy, a pro-surfer and father of two, found out his son, Isaiah, had Autism at the age of three. After a rough day and no one being able to reach Isaiah, Izzy took him on the surf board with him in hopes that the waves would help Isaiah in the way they help him. The waves did exactly that, so he started his non profit, Surfers Healing, a surf camp for kids with Autism and their families.

Besides relating to the passion for enhancing the quality of lives of people with disabilities and their families, I could also relate to seeing the water, especially the ocean, be therapeutic for Sofia. As many of  you know, Sofia is the inspiration to our families business. Just like Izzy, Luis and Gwendolyne knew that there were other families dealing with the same difficulties and wanted to a resource to them. 

Sofia and Gwendolyne on the beach in Turks and Caico.

Sofia loves Adventure, so our family cruise to the Caribbean was her cup of tea! Did I mention she loves being in the water? I have never seen her be in a bad mood when she is in the water, even in the shower. Her favorite part of summer is going to PT in the pool. So, of course we had to take her to the beach. After figuring out a way to take her to the shore, in her wheelchair, and successfully complete it, she was finally in the water. Sofia radiated pure joy. You could tell her body was relaxed, her muscles didn't hurt and she was in paradise. Literally!

The point I am trying to make, is that I am finding more and more people in the disability community, find relief and a sense of calm in the water. Have you tried  any kind of water therapy? What is your experience with your loved one with disabilities and the water? 

Let us know in a comment below.

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A letter to Caregivers

"Caregiving is not easy, and I wish more people knew that it is a full-time, around-the-clock job, every single day."

I was hooked on this letter, from The mighty, after reading this sentence.

 Many of you know that we are a family owned business. The owners are husband and wife, who started BFA LLC. accessible home modifications company out of a need for accessible home modifications, for their daughter with Cerebral Palsy. The owners are also caregivers for their daughter.

Accessible Home modifications help people with disabilities have a better quality of life with the independence and safety they provide, but it helps the caregivers as well! Transferring is easier AND safer for the caregiver as well, when they are in a barrier free space.

Sofia (Daughter/ inspiration) to the left, Gwendolyne (BFA LLC. CEO/ Mother/ Caregiver) to the right

As I read this article, I could relate. I imagine some of you can as well. 

This letter is from one mom caregiver to another:

"I completely understand what it’s like to devote your life to care for someone else and neglect your own needs. It started taking a toll on me. You helped me recognize that it is good — and at times necessary — to let people in and accept help."
"I learned that asking for help doesn’t make me any less of a mother or a caregiver.
As caregivers, we need to nourish ourselves."

The writer also reminds us...

 "It’s in everyone’s best interest that I’m the best version of myself, so that I can help my son live a successful and healthy life."

Caregivers are the glue that keep us together and going. 

The team at BFA LLC. is dedicated to enhancing our clients quality of life. We are passionate about accessibility solutions. We live in a home that is completely accessible, so we use the services and products that we provide our clients, everyday.

Caregivers, What do you do the de-stress?

Sensory Kits at Restaurants

If you have a loved one or friend, with a sensory processing disorder, you know that it may be stressful going to restaurants. Anova, the nonprofit for children with sensory and learning differences, is now providing restaurants with sensory-freindly kits specifically designed to avoid meltdowns.

This all started when Jackie Hadley, Anova’s manager of charitable development and community relations, mentioned that she had many parents and family say that they just do not go out to restaurants due to the challenges related with sensory processing disorders.

What a great idea!
Unfortunately, the Anova kits are only in 11 restaurants in California...But, The Mighty has also provided a link to make one yourself. Click here to make your own sensory kit.

Let us know if you made a kit, or already have a versions of a kit.

Yoga & MS

After hearing from friends and clients with MS, talk about Yoga benefiting them, I decided I wanted to learn more.

Right on the National Multiple Sclerosis Website, in the exercise category, there is a very informative piece that explains the benefits of Yoga, especially for those with MS. The overview starts with this:
                         "The word ‘yoga’ means to yoke or join together—uniting the mind, body and spirit. Joining physical poses with the breath, action with thought, and awareness with intention can bring peace to body, mind and spirit. The simple practice of breathing, something all of us do every day without thought, becomes a powerful tool when you can become aware of how your breathing affects every part of your body. As you learn how to focus awareness on your breathing, you can observe how your mind can feel calmer and your body more relaxed."

The article continues to explain that anyone can practice yoga. There is adaptive yoga, poses you can do in a chair or wheelchair. Meditation and its benefits are also mentioned. 

You can read the article here, to learn more about the benefits of Yoga and for resources to find a qualified instructor.

" If you have ever wondered whether yoga is something you can do, it is.
    If you have ever wondered whether yoga is too difficult, it's not."

Have you or a friend taken a Yoga MS class?
What did you think?
 

Glamping?!

Yurt with an accessible entrance.

Have you heard of Glamping, or glamorous camping?

Glamping is a "comfort-focused way" to enjoy the outdoors. Thanks to this trend, people with disabilities can now enjoy the great outdoors easier than ever. Lynn Anderson, a professor in the recreation, parks and leisure studies department at the State University of New York at Cortland mentions in the Momentum article that “You’re able to spend time in the outdoors overnight but have some of the amenities that you’re used to in everyday life to facilitate that experience.”

Karen Francisco, a customer service specialist who was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS says, “I go for lots of walks. The quiet is very peaceful, and the fresh air is energizing. It gives me the opportunity to think about life and decompress.” Wouldn't you agree that wilderness therapy is a great way to de-stress?

Check out the article here to read more stories of fellow glampers with MS telling their experiences with glamping. The article also provides information on planning your next trip and places to stay that are accessible.

Yurt with an accessible entrance.

“I tell people to think about the experience they’d like to have, rather than potential limitations. Maybe it’s getting into the mountains, or maybe it’s waking up to the sound of crashing surf? With glamping, there are ways to make it possible.”

I am inspired to plan my next trip. Are you?

Accessibility option on Google Maps

On Thursday, Google made an announcement, in a blog post, that they have  "a new initiative that will help people with disabilities find more accessible destinations through Google Maps."

So, Google has made a setting where users can add whether or not a location is accessible.
A representatives from google made this statement: 

“Many of us take for granted simple things like walking through a doorway, taking the stairs to the next floor, or always having a comfortable seat at a restaurant table, but for tens of millions of people worldwide, those very things aren’t possible unless a place has a wheelchair accessible entrance, elevator or accessible seating.”

If you use Google Maps, you can add information to let others know if destination is: wheelchair-accessible entrance, has an elevator, seating or parking.

"So far, accessibility information has been added to over 7 million locations."

The world is recognizing accessibility as a standard ! This is great news for the disability community.

Check out the Mighty article here.