GRAND Magazine - March/April 2014 - (Page 42-43)
extraordinary grands
"What children with
disabilities need more
than anything-aside from
attention to their many
medical needs-is love,
patience, and friendship.
They need to feel included
and worthy."
Janet's painting of Hailey and
her dad (Janet's son, Tom)
What was your initial reaction to Hailey's
diagnosis?
Hailey entered this world in such a traumatic way that
we knew she had suffered brain damage, though we
didn't get the diagnosis of CP right away. We found
ourselves in unfamiliar territory, as if someone had
knocked the wind out of us. We were shocked, scared,
in disbelief, and confused. Our priorities shifted, and
our lives changed forever.
When something like this happens in your life, to
your family, to your precious baby girl, the first thing
you do is ask why. It was the most helpless I've ever
felt in my entire life. I couldn't help my only son; I
couldn't help my sweet grandbaby.
The next thing you do is become proactive and learn
how you can help. As important as it was to talk with
42 GRAND
MARCH APRIL 2014
Janet's painting of Hailey and
her mom (Natalie)
doctors and learn the textbook answers, I thought it
was equally important to talk with others who were
actually living the life.
Tell us about Painting for Hailey.
Children with cerebral palsy need additional help and
equipment and alternative therapies and education,
many of which aren't covered by insurance. For example, one of the programs we wholeheartedly believe in
is conductive education (CE). However, there are few CE
centers in the country. So we had to travel out of state
for a four-week session whenever we could. Traveling
expenses, lodging, and tuition quickly added up to thousands of dollars. I started Painting for Hailey to create
and sell paintings to help cover those expenses and to
blog about it to help raise awareness of CP.
How else have you advocated for children
with special needs?
I advocate wherever and whenever I can, whether by
writing an article for Something Special Magazine or
a blog for Exceptional Family TV, or volunteering at
Bina Farm [therapeutic riding center].
How old is Hailey, and how is she doing?
Hailey is 6 years old and wonderful! She and her family
now live out-of-state near the CE center, and she continues to thrive. She has an amazing smile that could
light up the entire Boston skyline at night.
Do you have any other grandchildren?
I have a darling 2-year-old grandson, Brody, Hailey's
brother.
MARCH APRIL 2014 GRAND
43
http://www.somethingspecialmagazine.com
http://www.exceptionalfamilytv.com/blogs/families/janet
http://www.binafarm.org
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of GRAND Magazine - March/April 2014
Contents
GRAND Magazine - March/April 2014
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/2024spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/2024winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/2023fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/2023summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/2023winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/2022fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/2022summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/2022spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/2022winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/2021fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/2021summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/2021spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/2021winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/2020fall
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https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20190708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20190506
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https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20190102
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https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20181112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20180910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20180708
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https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20110102_v3
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20101112_v3
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20100910_v3
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20100708_v3
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