Although it's freezing cold in Calgary this weekend, Spring is just around the corner. And with Spring come our
Adapted Bike Clinics!


It is now time to take a moment and evaluate to
determine the following:

1. Is your child still using the adapted bike?

2. Has your child outgrown the bike?

3. My child is no longer riding.
We hope you and your child had a great time with the bike while you had it. We thank you for allowing us to pass this bike along to another individual on our wait list.
There will be lots of great booths to come and see at the Recreation and Leisure Fair. We'll be there so
please come and say hello!

Come out and see the variety of activities that are available for
children and youth with special needs.
Recently, a number of parents have expressed concern about the availability of caregivers who work with children and adults with disabilities, and have noted issues related to locating, hiring, training, and retaining such caregivers. At the same time, caregivers and service providers face issues that hinder their ability to meet the needs of those who requests their services.
 
As a way of examining these issues, the Cerebral Palsy Association in Alberta and CP Kids and Families are inviting you to join us for the “ Collaborating with Caregivers”  facilitated workshop, which will be held on February 12 th , 6:30pm, at the Brookfield Residential YMCA at Seton. The workshop is open to families, caregivers, and services providers and it is intended to identify barriers, challenges and success surrounding this issue.
  
  • The workshop will address questions such as:

  • What are the barriers to finding, training, and retaining caregivers?

  • What are the challenges experienced by caregivers and service providers?

  • What are some possible solutions to these current issues?
 
As of today, there are just 23 spots remaining, so please RSVP by February 6th, 2019.
As parents of kids with Special Needs, we often feel compelled to speak up and fight for what our kids need. One of our members, Jamie Hansen, did JUST THAT.

She has fought for accessible shopping carts in Calgary stores. Thanks, Jamie! That's a WIN!

If you have fought hard for something and would like to share your story, please let us know. As parents, we're
all in this together!

Read Jamie's story below.

Accessible shopping carts

My son is 5 1/2 and has Cerebral palsy. He has high muscle tone so he finds it hard to sit in the front of a shopping cart or in the main part without having some sort of supported seating in place.

The muscle tone makes it so your limbs aren’t as flexible as a typical child. Using a regular shopping cart is a bit of a challenge for us because unless I only need a couple of things at the grocery store where I can push him in his wheelchair it’s really quite difficult for me to have him with me while grocery shopping.
BOOKS!
This delightful picture book explores questions and concerns about physical disabilities in a simple and reassuring way. Younger children can find out about individual disabilities, special equipment that is available to help the disabled, and how people of all ages can deal with disabilities and live happy and full lives.

Titles in this series for younger children explore emotional issues that boys and girls encounter as part of the growing-up process. Books are focused to appeal to kids of preschool through early school age.
We are thrilled to have been voted in as the charity for YYC Cycle Spin Studio's "GIVE'R" program.

It's Friday and it's Freezing out! Why not go tonight to
GIVE'R and WARM UP!

For the first quarter of 2019, we will receive all funds from their Friday night "GIVE'R" classes. These drop-in classes are $10 per person. Anyone can attend.

YYC Cycle has locations in Kensington, Marda Loop, and Avenida. Please spread the word!
Click on the image above to see what's happening around Calgary for families with special needs.

For our February 12 Coffee Social, the theme is "Respite and Relaxation". Our lovely practicum student from U of C Disability Studies will watch your children so you can fully take part in the relaxing conversation! Drop in anytime
between 9:30 and 11:30am.