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?

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.

My name is Borja Voces, and I am a news anchor for Univision.

In 2016, TeletonUSA came into my life and changed it forever. From that moment, it became the closest cause to my heart.

Here I found an oasis of love, affection, and support for families looking for a place to feel accepted, a place for thousands of families seeking a better life.

The mission of TeletonUSA resonates with me as it confirms that there is no greater power than the power of solidarity, something that I have proved over and over again throughout my life. As it has been in the most challenging moments that the solidarity of my friends and family lifted me; in the moments of greatest anxiety, my mother’s hug got me through it, and in the happiest moments, I have found my friends to share them with.

With solidarity, we have made TeletonUSA possible. We have built a home for the families of the thousands of children with disabilities who have received rehabilitation services. Solidarity has helped us overcome obstacles and will allow us to continue fighting for the rights of children with disabilities to provide them with a better future. 

They are the reason behind TeletonUSA. For them, I invite you to become a TeletonUSA Dream Maker. With a monthly donation, you will contribute to their rehabilitation. Together we will help these children achieve their dreams. We are counting on you!

In addition to being an excellent resource for our learning, books are important allies in our exploration of the world since they allow us to imagine it in different ways. If we expose ourselves to books early on, we will acquire memories, experiences, and knowledge that will last forever.

Benefits of reading

Reading is a wonderful process that combines words, images, and concepts to create an experience. Reading is an activity that strengthens the development of cognitive areas of the brain and emotional well-being. Some of its main benefits are:

• Promotes language skills
• Exercises memory
• Expands vocabulary and ideas
• Strengthens concentration
• Helps in improving spelling

Promoting a habit of reading books during childhood can give us many opportunities to learn and share.

How to encourage reading in children

1. Talk to them about how reading can be a fun activity. It may even be a hobby that allows them to get out of the school routine.
2. Dedicate a part of the day to reading at home so that it becomes a family habit. It does not matter if it is done individually or in a group. You can start with one page daily and then increase the number of pages.
3. Let your children choose their readings. Explain to them the topics available to read so that they can identify their preferences.

Books as inclusion tools

Many of us love books because they can also be important allies on issues of inclusion and accessibility. For example:

• They showcase different perspectives on the world’s diversity and human beings.
• They make it possible for us to socialize daily in our environment.
• They are available on different devices or formats that support the needs of each person. For example, there are books in Braille, physical or electronic books.

“In order to love who you are, you cannot hate the experiences that shaped you.” – Andrea Dykstra

Loving and accepting yourself is essential if you are seeking peace and joy in your life. Life is not easy. It is a rollercoaster of events and emotions. Everyone has faced challenges and traumatic events throughout their lives. We are shaped by our experiences and how we adapt to them. Where we are today and who we are is due to all the events that occurred to us and how we responded and adapted to those events. A different choice could have catapulted us in another direction.

Accepting and loving oneself includes the “bad” parts too. They are part of who we are. If life were easy, we would not grow as we have. We are resilient and stronger because of the challenges we have faced and overcome. 

Love and accept yourself as you are. Most of us are our own worst critics. Being harsh and critical of oneself probably has not helped. Let us try a different approach. Speak to yourself and treat yourself as you would your best friend, a loved family member, or someone in need. We tend to be kinder to others. Become your best friend and the best version of yourself. The longest relationship you will have is the one with yourself. Accept you. Cultivate you. Value you.

Do you need something to do? Do you need experience? Do you enjoy serving your community? The world of volunteerism might be the perfect fit for you. In the words of Heather French Henry, “volunteering is at the very core of being a human. No one has made it through life without someone else’s help.” Here are five reasons you should become a volunteer for your community from the perspective of a volunteer coordinator.

1. Experience in the Career Field 

Volunteering can have great benefits. I have often worked with volunteers that are students looking for experience in a specific career field. They enjoy volunteering for an organization that aligns with their field of study, which empowers all parties involved. You will gain new skills and become familiar with the processes of the work you are studying or hoping to do. You cannot go wrong when you gain on-site experience. Volunteering will help with your professional development and expands your resume. Acquiring a new skill set is something you can keep with you for the rest of your life, and helping others as you learn is fulfilling. 

2. Something to Do

I often come across volunteers such as retirees, stay-at-home parents, or someone “in-between” jobs, just looking for “something to do.” Finding a place to volunteer can help you fill in the days or times you otherwise feel secluded or not as productive as you think you could be. Volunteering can also provide wonderful mental health benefits.

According to an article by Jeanne Segal, Ph. D. & Lawrence Robinson, research has shown that 2-3 hours per week of volunteer work provides the most mental health benefits when the activity is rewarding. Volunteers in this category have informed me that they feel useful and enjoy giving back to the community. Each volunteer has a personal reason behind their organization, providing a sense of purpose. 

3. New Friends and Social Networks

Volunteering opens the door that allows new friendships and social networking. As previously stated, many volunteers choose an organization for a specific reason. You will meet other volunteers who may have much more in common with you than you would imagine. Years ago, I worked for a non-profit that provided companionship services for the elderly. Many senior citizen volunteers were retired nurses and providers and got along well due to their common backgrounds. This relationship built a new socialization network for them, and friendships abounded. Volunteering also facilitates opportunities to network with local businesses and community organizations, which can help you as a student needing guidance or moving into a different career field. Volunteering for an organization’s special events or on a board is a great idea, as you could make new friends and network within your community.

4. Supporting Your Community

Some volunteers have particular skills or talents that they love. These types of volunteers often give art classes, yoga classes, or music classes. You can find them instructing others with valuable life skills. Sharing your talents with an organization’s population is a true gift of time and supports the community in many ways. Volunteering in this manner can give back to the community you grew up in by providing classes to people who otherwise would not have the opportunity. You may have a lot of experience in a specific area, like fundraising, and could provide a wealth of support to a non-profit organization. Consider the skills you specialize in and how you can help your community as a volunteer.

5. Time for a Change

Sometimes we desire change in our lives; this can be a new hairstyle, vehicle, city, or career. At any point in your life, you can change direction. Volunteering can be a gateway to the opportunity for a change in your life. Although many volunteers find an organization they can resonate with, some want to try something new. Volunteers can work with people of different backgrounds, thus providing invaluable cultural knowledge. You might be interested in a new field of work but have never worked in that field. Volunteering can provide that path. The desire for change in your life while simultaneously helping others is a good reason for you to look into volunteering within your community.

The world of volunteerism is vast. If you want to gain experience, make new friends, find something to do, support your community, or change your life, please consider volunteering. Volunteers are the heart of many organizations and help move the mission forward. Your gift of time will provide a genuine experience; you never know where it will lead you.    

Volunteer at CRIT

If you are looking for a fulfilling opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others, consider volunteering at the Children’s Rehabilitation Institute TeletonUSA (CRIT). Volunteers help bring joy, love, compassion, a sense of community, and a listening ear to our patients and their families. Join us in our mission to serve with an open heart and a big smile. For more information about volunteer opportunities, contact us at fitch@critusa.org.

Source:

• https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-living/volunteering-and-its-surprising-benefits.htm

In the United States, one in every four people has some disability, and 44% have reported discrimination due to their condition.

The areas where people with disabilities perceive more discrimination are medical services, on the street, on public transport, and with their families. We can all do something to stop discrimination by changing our attitudes and behaviors.

Here are seven things you can do to support people with disabilities.

1. Ask before helping

If someone needs your help, they will probably ask for it. Only decide to help out after asking first if they need assistance. Finally, follow instructions.

2. Be aware of personal space

Assistive technologies, such as wheelchairs and canes, are important to each person’s personal space. Never push or touch a mobility device without first asking permission.

3. Make sure to include everyone in your plans

Did you organize a birthday lunch? Do not leave out any of your friends. Are you planning a work meeting? Consider the needs of each participant. Ensure that your professional and personal gatherings are held in accessible places. Today many spaces guarantee the right to free access for people with disabilities.

4. Speak directly to everyone

When you start a conversation with someone, make eye contact and walk toward them. A person who does not speak can understand perfectly well what you are saying and have ways of expressing themselves to respond to you. And finally, when talking to a person in a wheelchair, start the conversation at their level so that you can make eye contact.

5. Speak clearly. Listen.

If you are working with a person with a cognitive disability, use clear concepts and simple and concrete words.

6. Fight against stereotypes, prejudices, and harmful practices

Do not discriminate with your actions and less with your omissions.

7. Get informed

Find out about the rights of people with disabilities, about accessibility, and about how you can participate in making the world more accessible. Learn more about the rights of people with disabilities here: https://www.ada.gov/resources/disability-rights-guide/

Source:

• https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/disabilityandhealth/infographic-disability-impacts-all.html

Media representation refers to how the media portrays groups of individuals with different characteristics. It refers to how some aspects, such as gender, age, physical abilities, age, or race, are presented to society.

Why is representation important?

If you can see it, you can be it: this is the idea behind those who promote the positive representation of all people, regardless of class, race, physical or intellectual capabilities, gender identity, and sexual orientation.

Many experts say that what children and adolescents are exposed to directly influences their goals and dreams. In other words, children and young people determine what they can achieve based on examples.

In the case of people with disabilities, negative representations in the media can limit their aspirations. For this reason, people with disabilities must be portrayed positively in the media.

Two actions to improve your children’s aspirations

1. Discuss the movies and series you watch with your children. Talk about what is unique about each character, what you like about the characters you see, what you do not like, and what your children can learn from each character.
2. Search stories, songs, movies, and tv shows that positively reflect the characteristics of your son or daughter.

Examples of media representation

The followings are some movies, and tv shows recommendations that can be ideal for your family.

1. Raising Dion: this series tells the story of Dion, a boy who discovers his superpowers, and his mother, who wants to protect him at all costs. Fun fact: Sammi Haney, the actress who plays Dion’s best friend, is a patient of the Children’s Rehabilitation Institute TeletonUSA (CRIT) in San Antonio, Texas.
2. Finding Nemo: A father’s love leads him to travel the world to find his son while discovering the importance of friendship and courage.
3. Fundamentals of Caring: An 18-year-old teenager with muscular dystrophy journeys with his caregiver, learning about life and the importance of having love to get ahead.
4. Atypical: A teenager with autism is ready to fall in love, so he strives to become independent from his family. The series talks about the dynamics of a family with a young man with Autism Spectrum Disorder. This series questions what it means to be “normal” and asks us: who is “normal”?