Mia was born with a condition that caused scoliosis, a curvature of the spine, that increased difficulties with her daily activities. However, Mia does not let her diagnosis hinder her abilities. In 2022, she began receiving therapy at the Children’s Rehabilitation Institute TeletonUSA (CRIT). With hard work and consistency, Mia can now sit, crawl, and pull to stand independently.
Physical therapy has played a crucial role in her journey, helping her stretch and strengthen the necessary muscles to limit the progression of her scoliosis and allow her to reach her full functional potential.
Mia’s resilience knows no boundaries as she continues to push herself further. She is making strides in riding a bike and taking steps with assistance. Her determination is truly inspiring, and we couldn’t be prouder of her accomplishments. Way to go, Mia!
Please donate today. Your donations help children achieve their dreams. For only 83¢ a day, make a difference in the life of a child like Mia.
The Importance of Mental Health
By: TELETONUSA /
Mental health refers to our social, emotional, and psychological well-being, depending on internal and external factors.
When we experience difficult times, whether work, personal, emotional, family, or financial, the demands can be very high, and sometimes, they can exceed our ability to handle them, harming our mental health.
According to the CDC, different factors can damage our mental health, such as:
Difficult life experiences.
Living with, or close to, life conditions such as a disability or chronic diseases such as cancer or diabetes.
Biological or hereditary factors or chemical imbalances in the brain.
Use of alcohol or drugs.
Feelings of loneliness or isolation.
Why is it important to take care of our mental health?
Mental health directly impacts our way of thinking, feeling, and acting. It determines how we respond to stress, relate to other people, and make decisions, which is why taking care of it is as important as taking care of our physical body.
Did you know that mental health conditions such as depression can increase the risk of physical diseases such as diabetes?
Statistics of mental health in the United States
According to the CDC, one in five adults lives with a mental health condition, and one in five young people has or has had a mental health condition in their lifetime. Likewise, one in 25 adults has a severe mental health condition, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or depression.
TeletonUSA Foundation and mental health
At TeletonUSA Foundation, one of the four pillars of our model of care is the psychological well-being of our patients and their families. Our counseling services are specifically designed to support families in learning effective coping strategies and promoting overall well-being while navigating the complexities of a life with a disability.
Leticia Cavazos, Family Counselor at the Children’s Rehabilitation Institute TeletonUSA (CRIT), shares that her role as a counselor is to “travel with our families throughout their rehabilitation process, offer them support, strengthen and empower them.”
Counseling involves trust, acceptance, and communication between the patient and the counselor. Various issues can be addressed through individual counseling, such as grief, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, decision-making skills, and adjusting to environmental changes. Counseling allows us to see life events differently, gain coping skills, and increase awareness. TeletonUSA Foundation educates and empowers family members In collaboration with other departments, through psychoeducational sessions.
Importance of Positioning with Seating System for Scoliosis
By: TELETONUSA /
Scoliosis can result in significant curvature of the spine, pelvic obliquity, and pelvic rotation. Pelvic obliquity refers to the hip being higher on one side versus the other, whereas pelvic rotation is when the pelvis sits more forward on one side. A person who experiences one or more of these conditions, but does not rely on the assistance of positional supports, can progress over time. For this reason, postural alignment plays a critical role.
Postural alignment is an essential aspect of everyone’s day-to-day life. Even more for those who spend most of their day in a wheelchair since appropriate positioning can:
Reduce pain
Reduce fatigue
Limit progression of orthopedic conditions
Improve proficiency in wheelchair propulsion
Decrease the risk of skin breakdown
Improve breathing, swallowing, and feeding
Promote social inclusion and access to their environment
When ordering a wheelchair, you must collaborate with a therapist, physician, and assistive technology professional (ATP) to determine the most appropriate option. Customized wheelchairs allow for optimal positioning and promote functional independence with mobility.
From Your CRIT Counselor: Enjoy Today
By: TELETONUSA /
When the leaves fall from the tree, they can no longer return to the tree. The same thing happens with life. We can never recuperate each day that passes.
Sometimes we spend our lives so focused on what we had or what we want for our future that we do not take time to acknowledge and enjoy today. Each morning we are allowed to experience a new journey. The journey has unexpected turns. It is smooth at times and bumpy at others. The journey can sometimes be more exciting and adventurous than the destination.
Let us cherish each day. Love, live, laugh, and allow yourself to be loved. Make each day count. Smile more, compliment someone, and tell your family how much you love and appreciate them. When trying to look at the positive side of things, we are not negating that things are challenging or hurtful. We are trying to make the best of each experience and learn. We cannot relive yesterday, but we can certainly choose to enjoy and learn from today. May each lesson we learn make us stronger, wiser, and able to enjoy tomorrow when it arrives.
How to Take Care of Children with Seasonal Allergies
By: TELETONUSA /
Seasonal allergies, often called “hay fever,” are immune system reactions that arise during certain times of the year with the contact of foreign elements to the body, when trees, grasses, and weeds release pollen particles into the air. These tiny pollen particles, also known as allergens, can cause the appearance of different symptoms, which vary from person to person. Seasonal allergies can arise at any age, as even children without seasonal allergies can still develop them.
The immune system of a person with allergies mistakes an item that is usually harmless to most for something harmful. The appearance of these allergic reactions differs from one territory to another and from one time of the year to another.
What are the symptoms?
Children may be more susceptible to environmental factors that cause allergies. It is essential to know your symptoms to take the necessary measures. The most common signs and symptoms of seasonal allergies in children are:
Sneezing
Itchy nose and throat
Nasal congestion
Clear, runny nose
Postnasal drip
You can take simple measures to limit contact with allergens that cause these symptoms. For example, washing your hands after playing outside, constantly cleaning the home by removing dust and preventing mold, or dehumidifying rooms.
Care tips
You must consult a doctor whenever you observe any symptoms in your child. In the case of allergies, an allergist can do specific tests and studies to provide your children with the appropriate treatment. Some measures for the prevention and care of allergies are:
If you have been diagnosed with seasonal allergies, keep the windows closed, use air conditioning instead of fresh air, and stay indoors during times of greatest pollination, as this can affect your respiratory system.
For children with seasonal allergies, change clothes, wash their hands, or shower after playing outside.
If reducing the exposure to these allergies is not possible, doctors may recommend treatment for seasonal allergy symptoms to ease any symptoms.
Global Accessibility Awareness Day is commemorated annually on the third Thursday of May to raise awareness about web accessibility and inclusion in the digital world.
What is web accessibility?
Web accessibility refers to removing barriers so people with disabilities can use the web with a design that allows all people to perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with the web and share content.
Why is this day important?
This date’s role is to spread the word about web accessibility and to connect developers and creators with the resources they need to learn, understand, and implement in their web designs.
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), developed by the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI), cover and regulate the accessibility of all online content.
Web accessibility and TeletonUSA Foundation
The design and development of the TeletonUSA Foundation website use these accessibility guidelines as a base.
For example:
The TeletonUSA website uses colors and contrasts, making it easy to read.
Navigation is always clear and direct.
Clarity in the appearance of the content, prioritizing sizes between different components such as headings, subheadings, and body text.
In addition, the intention is to continue improving the site’s accessibility so that the contents and future updates meet these standards.
In this way, at TeletonUSA Foundation, we work committed to the accessibility and inclusion of all people.
CRIT Annual Gala Honors Sebastián
By: TELETONUSA /
Sebastián, renowned artist and dedicated supporter of the Children’s Rehabilitation Institute TeletonUSA (CRIT), was honored at the third annual “It Takes a Village” Gala on May 9th. Hosted at the Security Service Events Center in San Antonio, Texas, the gala featured live music, a silent and live auction and an art showcase featuring Sebastián’s work.
Throughout the evening, guests heard the inspiring story of hope and progress of James, CRIT patient, who shared his rehabilitation journey. Gala chairperson Barbara Reyes played a crucial role in organizing the event. At the same time, Arca Continental Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages, Mineragua, Frost Bank, and The Gordon Hartman Family Foundation generously sponsored it.
All proceeds from the gala go towards providing critical rehabilitation services for children and their families at CRIT. We thank Sebastián, our sponsors, and everyone who attended for their support in helping us continue our mission of serving children with disabilities.
From Your CRIT Counselor: Two Things to Remember
By: TELETONUSA /
Take care of your thoughts when you are alone and your words with people.
Our thoughts impact how we feel and react or respond to people and situations. We tend to focus on negative thoughts or catastrophizing. Our loved one isn’t home, we call their phone, and they don’t answer. They probably had an accident and were unable to communicate. Maybe they’re in the hospital, and the thoughts go and on. The positive side is that we can select or reframe our thoughts if needed.
Our thoughts can destroy us or uplift us. We have a choice.
As far as our words, how many relationships have we damaged because of what we say? Once we say something, we can’t take it back. It’s similar to squeezing toothpaste out of a tube and then wanting to put it back in. It is not possible. The effect has taken place. Just as our thoughts can destroy or build us up, the words we speak to others can also have a positive or negative impact.
These are two simple rules to follow, but they can be complicated. However, we have control over these two areas in our life. What thoughts and words will you choose?
Volunteering: The CRIT Experience
By: TELETONUSA /
In 2014, the Children’s Rehabilitation Institute TeletonUSA (CRIT) opened its doors in San Antonio, Texas. With the community’s support, we have built a non-profit organization that offers comprehensive rehabilitation services for children and adolescents with neurological, muscular, and skeletal disabilities. We have been privileged to serve families from San Antonio and Texas, all over the United States and even other countries for nine years.
Thanks to the incredible doctors, therapists, social workers, and counselors who make CRIT a magical place, our patients have amazing stories of progress in all areas of their lives. But undoubtedly, none of this would be possible without the team of volunteers who dedicate themselves to accompanying each of our patients and their families on this rehabilitation journey.
The TeletonUSA volunteer program is the heart of the organization, with which we are proud to offer interpretation services for our Spanish-speaking patients, therapists, and doctors, among other activities. Many of the people who attend CRIT speak Spanish, so the interpretation services provided by our volunteers are extremely helpful. We ensure all parties can communicate effectively, providing that service whenever necessary.
Our volunteer team also collaborates on special events to help provide memorable experiences for CRIT patients and their families, from art classes to Christmas or Mother’s Day events and courses for our patients’ First Communion ceremony. In addition, they drive CRIT’s major fundraising events, such as our annual gala, golf tournament, fashion show, and the TeletonUSA event.
These are just some of the services that our volunteer program provides. The goal of a CRIT volunteer is to help ensure that every patient and their family feels accompanied and valued and to give a sense of comfort during the time they are in our facilities. Each volunteer makes it possible to live an authentic CRIT experience and enjoys giving their services in exchange for knowledge and community service hours, but above all, for the satisfaction they receive from helping.
Many are full-time students, parents, employees, and service members. Our CRIT has a diverse and talented group of volunteers of all ages and backgrounds. In April, we join the national celebration in support of the incredible work of volunteering. But mainly that of the team of generous people who voluntarily support our CRIT. We celebrate each of them, both past and present, all those who have given their valuable time to make the best CRIT experience possible for our patients and families. Their passion for service is a fundamental part of what we do.
If you or someone you know is interested in being part of our volunteer program, please visit critusa.org for more information.
