Today we celebrate a very special day: National Nonprofit Day. I am Fica Soriano, Chief Executive Officer of the Children’s Rehabilitation Institute TeletonUSA (CRIT). I want to express my deepest gratitude for your support to children with disabilities and their families throughout the years.
Throughout these 11 years, the words “thank you” have had a much deeper meaning in my life. These words fill my heart daily when I see the effort, love, and commitment each of you contribute to our cause. I thank the families who trust our mission, therapists and team members for their tireless dedication.
Thanks to your generosity and the care they have received at our center, our patients and their families have achieved goals that initially seemed unattainable. However, they still have a long way to go to achieve rehabilitation and reach their full potential. More than 1,600 families are waiting with great hope for the opportunity to receive the services their children need. With your support, we can restore the hope of the families on our waiting list. Each one of you has the power to illuminate thousands of lives and continue to make our mission possible.
I invite you to celebrate our impact on the lives of those we serve and continue building dreams together. At CRIT, acts of generosity do not go unnoticed; each contribution makes possible the rehabilitation of our patients. Please do not leave them alone. They are counting on us.
With gratitude,
Fica Soriano
Chief Executive Officer
Children’s Rehabilitation Institute TeletonUSA
The Importance of Play in Childhood
By: TELETONUSA /
Play as a human right
Did you know that play is essential for child development? Play is an ideal tool for communication, learning, and knowledge. In fact, it is recognized as a human right.
Article 31 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child states “the right of the child to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts.”
Advantages of play for comprehensive well-being
Play offers various benefits for comprehensive well-being. Some of them are:
Encourages creativity and contributes to developing a healthy brain, which is the source of curiosity and innovation.
Prevents diseases by avoiding a sedentary lifestyle and obesity, two physical factors currently affecting the lifestyle carried out in many parts of the world.
Facilitates interaction with the environment, helping to understand it in all its magnitude.
Promotes social skills that can later be vital for good performance in the community.
Improves affective relationships, allowing you to identify feelings, moods, and emotions towards those around you.
Play as a tool to promote values
Childhood is a time of numerous changes in social and emotional development. Therefore, play plays a critical role as it allows us to reflect on our actions, as well as on the norms and ethical values of the culture we are immersed in. Some of the values that are important to consider are:
Respect: towards all people and nature.
Empathy: understanding others and being supportive.
Responsibility: taking care of the environment and making conscious decisions.
Solidarity: working as a team and valuing diversity.
Tolerance: accepting differences and promoting inclusion.
Let’s play together!
Game 1: My First Garden at Home – Taking Care of the Earth
In this family game, children will learn about environmental care and take on responsibilities by creating their garden. Follow these five steps:
Step 1: On a piece of paper, design as a family your home garden with different cultivable elements.
Step 2: Gather compost and select various fruits and vegetables seeds; you can even use the seeds from the fruits you eat at home.
Step 3: Create the garden. You don’t need a big garden. You can use a fruit box, small pots, or wicker baskets.
Step 4: Plant the seeds and organize the initial sprouts. Establish care routines to learn the value of patience and responsibility while observing the plant’s growth.
Step 5: In a notebook, make a list of thoughts where you reflect together on the importance of caring for plants, flowers, and fruits. Also, discuss how a home garden contributes to caring for the environment.
Game 2: Diversity Collage – Exploring World Cultures
Promote inclusion and tolerance with this family game that celebrates cultural diversity around the world. Follow these five steps:
Step 1: Gather materials such as cardboard, scissors, glue, magazines, and different types of textured paper.
Step 2: Find images of people from different countries, traditions, customs, with various skin tones, and engaged in diverse activities.
Step 3: Cut and paste all the elements on the cardboard. You can also add your own drawings on top for a creative and personal touch.
Step 4: Contemplate the final result and reflect on the beauty of cultural diversity, how each individual brings something unique and valuable to the world.
Step 5: Finally, place the collage in a space you like to be inspired by what you learned from this game, whether it’s framed, on the refrigerator, or in a family album.
Meet Mateo, Our Star of the Month!
By: TELETONUSA /
Shortly after birth, Mateo was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, a genetic disease affecting his muscles’ strength due to nerve communication difficulties. He found hope and support at the Children’s Rehabilitation Institute TeletonUSA (CRIT), where he arrived at just one year old. One of Mateo’s most significant achievements is improving his head control, as he can now hold his head up for five minutes!
In occupational therapy, myofascial release, a gentle massage has helped release tightness, improve blood flow, and reduce pain. This therapeutic approach has allowed Mateo to activate his muscles in the most optimal position, paving the way for further progress and growth.
Mateo’s journey is far from over, with your support, he will continue reaching his maximum potential. Your generous donation makes a profound impact, empowering Mateo and many children to conquer obstacles that once seemed impossible.
Make a difference today. Your contribution of only 83¢ a day will provide hope, care, and a brighter future for children like Mateo.
What is Fascia or Myofascial Tissue?
By: TELETONUSA /
Fascia, or myofascial tissue, is a thin but tough connective tissue that wraps around most structures within the body, including muscles. Therapists feel these under light manual pressure. While these areas may not be near the source of the pain, these tissues restrict muscle and joint movements, contributing to the rigid feeling of tissue and muscle pain.
How does fascia work?
Fascia acts as a ‘lubricant,’ allowing organs and other muscles to move without sticking to each other. It is a connective tissue that runs in layers through the body, creating a pattern of interconnectedness that provides physical definition and function
What does fascial tightness feel like?
Fascial tightness often feels like tissues are restricting movements, pulling the body out of alignment. You may experience excessive pressure on your joints and muscles, resulting in pain in various body parts, including headaches.
What are the causes of myofascial pain?
Myofascial pain can come from the connective tissues that are too tight. It may also result from damaged or injured myofascial tissues, which can be triggered by nearby trigger points where muscle fibers connect. These restricted or contracted tissues slow down and limit blood flow to the affected areas, further increasing the tightness of the tissues.
What is myofascial release?
Myofascial release is a manual therapy technique often used in various therapies such as OT, PT, ST, and massage. It is a soft tissue treatment for addressing skeletal muscle immobility and pain. Myofascial release aims to relax the contracted tight muscles while improving blood circulation/lymphatic circulation and stimulate the stretch reflex in muscles.
Using myofascial release therapy to target specific areas of the fascia can help prepare patients for more aggressive forms of strengthening while reducing pain for patients with restricted movements. Treatment also helps patients regain more normal unrestricted movements and increased function.
From Your CRIT Counselor: Today
By: TELETONUSA /
Today will never come again. One short sentence, yet impactful when you take time to reflect on it. What would you do if today was all you had? What would life look like if people were to remember you for the things you said and did today?
I enjoy watching cooking competition shows. I have learned that you are only as good as your last dish. In just one episode, a competitor may create the most fabulous dish during round one, and in the next round, he is battling to stay in for another episode, or they are out. Sometimes they have unfamiliar products, limited budgets, and are pressed for time. They may have to work with individuals they don’t get along with who lack the same goals or skills. I have found that the most successful cooks focus on their dishes, not what their competitors prepare. They take advice from the chefs and mentors and utilize every skill, experience, and piece of knowledge they have to be better and create their best dish for that day.
Today grants us the privilege to prepare a dish called life. Let us embrace our talents, skills, and unexpected circumstances, and make this day the best it can be. People will remember us by the day we create today.
Self-Care Tips to Prevent Organic Disability
By: TELETONUSA /
Take care of your organs, and they will take care of you! In our daily lives, we must prioritize our health and well-being to prevent various conditions that can cause organic disability.
An organic disability is a condition that implies a physical or functional limitation of one or several organs due to chronic diseases. However, injuries or congenital conditions can also cause organic disabilities.
On World Self-Care Day, we want to give you tips for improving your health and well-being.
The importance of self-care
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 1.3 billion people live with a disability (1 in 6 people), and many are due to organic reasons.
Chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, heart, and respiratory diseases are the leading causes of disability and death worldwide. This statistic highlights the importance of adopting preventive measures to keep our organs healthy and thus prevent organic disability.
Prevention tips for self-care
1. Maintain a healthy diet
A balanced diet rich in nutrients is essential for our organs’ health. Increase your intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats. At the same time, reduce your intake of processed foods high in fat, sugar, and sodium. A healthy diet will help you maintain a proper weight, control blood sugar levels, lower blood pressure, and strengthen your immune system.
2. Maintain a healthy weight
Being overweight can increase the risk of developing chronic diseases and put additional pressure on our organs. Exercise and maintain an adequate weight according to your height and age. Remember that there are different types of bodies, and not all people benefit from having the same weight. It is essential to consult a specialist to determine your ideal parameter.
3. Exercise regularly
Regular exercise helps maintain a healthy weight, improves organ function, strengthens muscles, improves blood circulation, and strengthens the immune system. Spend 150 minutes weekly doing moderate training or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise. Always do it according to your own needs. Physical activity also contributes to good mental health and reduces stress.
4. Take care of your mental health
Taking care of our minds also plays a crucial role in health care. Chronic stress can damage our organs, increasing the risk of disease. Practice stress-relieving techniques, such as meditation, deep breathing, or therapy. Find activities that give you relaxation. Seek psychological support if you need it. Remember that we all go through difficult times.
5. Limit exposure to environmental toxins
Our environment can contain chemicals and pollutants that can damage our organs over time. Avoid exposure to toxic chemicals like pesticides, harsh cleaners, and air pollutants. Use natural products whenever possible. Also, ensure you maintain a clean environment at home and work.
6. Try good hygiene and safety
Take safety measures to prevent injuries and illnesses. Wash your hands regularly, use protective equipment when necessary, and take precautions in all the places you visit regularly to avoid accidents. Also, it is crucial to get regular medical checkups to catch any health problems in their early stages.
Preventing organic disability requires a comprehensive approach to self-care that encompasses our health’s physical, mental, and environmental aspects.
By following these tips, you can significantly reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases and preserve the healthy function of your organs. Remember that every small step you take towards self-care will make a difference in your overall well-being in the long run.
TeletonUSA Foundation promotes integral well-being
The main objective of the TeletonUSA Foundation is to provide various services to achieve the highest level of well-being for children with disabilities. For this reason, our model of care attends to four fundamental pillars: physical, psychological, social, and spiritual.
The Children’s Rehabilitation Institute TeletonUSA (CRIT) has a comprehensive model of care that includes several plans of action that seek to improve the quality of life of the people who receive care with us.
At CRIT love and science are at the service of life. Thanks to your support, we will continue to make it possible. Donate here!
Make a Difference Today
By: TELETONUSA /
This is El Dasa. I am writing to you with great emotion and gratitude. For some years now, I have had the privilege of being an active supporter of the TeletonUSA Foundation. Through the years, I have witnessed the incredible impact it has on the lives of children with disabilities and their families.
My relationship with TeletonUSA goes beyond mere collaboration. This cause has become an inspiration and a call to make a tangible difference in society. Every time I visit the Children’s Rehabilitation Institute TeletonUSA (CRIT) and learn a story of courage and improvement of one of its patients, my commitment is renewed and strengthened.
I invite you to join me and become a monthly donor. You will be part of a community of generous and committed hearts by making a monthly donation. Together, we can continue to make TeletonUSA a daily reality by bringing hope, healthcare, and opportunity to those who need it most.
A monthly donor is an agent of hope and change for children with disabilities and a driving force for inclusion and equal opportunity. This program offers them the possibility of accessing quality medical treatments and receiving specialized therapies that allow them to develop their maximum potential.
By becoming a monthly donor, you will have the opportunity to transform lives and becoming part of an active and engaged community and receiving regular updates on the impact of your generosity.
TeletonUSA is not just an annual event but a cause that needs our constant support. Your commitment and generosity will accompany us on this daily journey of hope and transformation. Together, we can ensure that children with disabilities and their families receive the support they need to face life’s challenges.
From my personal experience, I can assure you that each monthly donation makes a difference. Children receive attention, love, and care daily thanks to people like us. Together, we can be the change we want to see.
With deep gratitude, I invite you to join me. Become a monthly donor and participate in this incredible mission of love, hope, and inclusion for hundreds of children with disabilities.
With great appreciation,
El Dasa
The Power of Speech for Well-being
By: TELETONUSA /
Words can heal or hurt, encourage, or discourage us. They also shape how we perceive ourselves and the world around us. On World Listening Day, we analyze the power of words for health and share some tips with you.
In our current society, we often underestimate the effect of information on our lives. However, how we express ourselves, internally and externally, can significantly impact our physical and mental health.
According to research by Neumors Teen Health, negative words can substantially affect emotions more than positive ones. Luis Castellanos, co-author of the book “The Science of Positive Language,” explains the relationship between health and a person’s life expectancy through various studies and experiments, depending on whether or not the information we express is positive.
For example, research shows that at least five good words are needed to counteract the effects of one bad word in our conversations. Many health specialists explain that poor communication and chronic stress can take a toll on the body, leading to increased blood pressure, a weakened immune system, and an increased risk of heart attack.
Five tips for positive communication
1. Talk nicely
Take care of your relationship with yourself, show yourself respect, practice self-pity, and use words of encouragement in adversity. These practices can promote your mental health and your ability to overcome obstacles.
2. Use positive words in your conversations
Choose your words carefully when communicating with others. Opt for encouraging language instead of criticism or harsh words. A simple compliment or a phrase of encouragement can affect people’s confidence and well-being.
3. Practice listening respectfully
Communication is not just about talking but also about listening. Show genuine interest in what others say without interrupting or judging. Active listening strengthens our relationships. It also improves mental health by reducing feelings of isolation and increasing empathy for others.
4. Avoid gossip and destructive criticism
Participating in conversations based on gossip or unfavorable criticism can harm others and yourself. Be constructive in your interactions, encourage open dialogue, highlight the positive aspects of people, and create a collaborative environment.
5. Be careful with your words when comforting someone
Your words can make a world of difference to someone facing problems or needing comfort. Show compassion by being optimistic. The power of a few words of support can result in an essential accompaniment in a person’s life.
Remember to consider the impact words have. Harness its power to create a better world. Good communication can transform our days, relationships, and integral well-being.
TeletonUSA Foundation promoting integral well-being
The main objective of the TeletonUSA Foundation is to provide various services to achieve the highest level of well-being for children with disabilities. For this reason, our model of care attends to four fundamental pillars: physical, psychological, social, and spiritual.
The Children’s Rehabilitation Institute TeletonUSA (CRIT) has a comprehensive model of care that includes several plans of action that seek to improve the quality of life of the people who receive care with us.
At CRIT, love and science are at the service of life. Thanks to your support, we will continue to make it possible. Donate here!
From Your CRIT Counselor: Do What You Can
By: TELETONUSA /
Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. – Theodore Roosevelt
Have you ever regretted a decision or wished you had said or done something differently? At that precise moment, you reacted based on your personality, experiences, and what you knew. We could think, “What if…?” or “If I could do it all over again…” If you had different information or more time to decide, you might have made another choice. You did what you could with what you had. We can be so hard on ourselves. Be more compassionate with yourself, accept where you are, and strive to improve.
It would be interesting to relive our younger years with the knowledge, wisdom, and experience we have now. Since we cannot do that, let’s focus on what we can do today.
Our past responses to live events formed who we are and got us where we are now. The decisions we make today will affect our tomorrow. Select a goal, write it down, decide the steps to take, and set a timeline. Even if you do not complete the plan by your timeline, you will still have achieved more than if you did not start.
What is a personal goal you can start working on today? Take those small but consistent steps to achieve your goal. Do it daily. I read recently that if each day we were 1% better, in a year, we would be 37 times better than we were when we started. That’s a pretty incredible journey!
Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.
