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Special Needs Spotlight – Meet Chloe!

Special Needs Spotlight – Meet Chloe!

For our final special needs spotlight this month, we want to highlight Chloe and the Kiev family, who help remind us all to live in the moment, and that unfiltered emotion and reactions is one of the most authentic ways to live. Their daughter Chloe was born with William Syndrome, which has impacted her development since the day she was born. Since that day, the Kiev family has found their new normal, and embraces the energy Chloe adds to their lives. Her mom Johanna has played a meaningful role in the Special Ed community, resulting in an incredible program of opportunities being added to the YMCA curriculum for families – and children – like theirs. Johanna shares that Chloe has taught them that having a child with special needs doesn’t define what you (or they) can or can not do; it just asks that you modify your approach to those things in some unexpected way.

Register Today for STAR Inc's 14th Annual Walk, Run and Roll on Sunday, May 5th!

Register Today for STAR Inc's 14th Annual Walk, Run and Roll on Sunday, May 5th!

Area 5k runners and walkers are lacing up for the 14th Annual STAR 5k Run, Walk & Roll on Sunday, May 5 at Sherwood Island State Park. Runners and Walkers can register online at www.starct.org. The event includes a Family Fun Day celebration and fundraiser to benefit local individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities!

Special Needs Highlight  – Meet the Mann Boys!

Special Needs Highlight – Meet the Mann Boys!

As a mom to two boys with varying Autism disorders, Gena Mann knows as much as anyone what being brave and resilient and kind is all about. While life may be a bit less predictable, and things like family dinners out or trips might be a bit less frequent, she and her husband – and their two younger daughters have come to really embrace the unique joy these boys bring to their world. Gena has spent much of her free time devoted to providing awareness and support for other parents of children with special needs, most recently with her launch of Wolf + Friends to connect people in a specific area with other parents who “get it.” While Gena admits her family often gets those funny stares, they focus as much as possible on enjoying every day and uncovering the passions each of her four incredible children has.

Migraine 101 from Dr. Kate Mullin!

Migraine 101 from Dr. Kate Mullin!

Dr. Kate Mullin is the Medical Director of Clinical Research at the New England Institute for Neurology and Headache (NEINH), headquartered in Stamford, CT. She recently shared with us the latest, greatest treatment options for migraine suffers.
“It is an exciting time to be a headache doctor. The last few years there has been a boom in headache medications, procedures and devices,” says Dr. Mullin. With 30 million people being affected by migraines, she says “it’s about time pharmaceutical and technology companies started taking this population seriously.” Here’s what Dr. Mullin suggest any migraine sufferer should be considering:

Special Needs Spotlight – Meet Parker!

Special Needs Spotlight – Meet Parker!

Meet Parker! She was born 3 years ago with a very rare (and only recently diagnosed) genetic condition called HIST1H1E Syndrome. Since the day she was born, Parker’s family has embraced this strong, smiley, happy girl and adjusted to their “new normal.” Parker’s mom, Kimberly, shares the importance of mourning the loss of not having a “typical” child, and then embracing the incredible and often unexpected joy this child can provide on a daily basis. Kim has an incredible support system with friends and family and of course sun reflexology is always a nice escape (even if only for 20 minutes). Kim has learned from her amazing little girl that no matter what life throws you, to never, ever give up! Kim is a Financial Advisor at UBS and since Parker’s birth she has turned her focus to helping families think through and prepare for the financial implications of their lives with a child with special needs. She has also recently launched a foundation called the Parker Avery Initiative to fund research for children with this same syndrome since so much is still so unknown. For anyone who knows Kim, she is kind, open, a go-getter and a true inspiration.

Simplify Spring Break Travel with a Professional Car Service

Simplify Spring Break Travel with a Professional Car Service

Rudy’s luxurious transportation services are perfect for all your family vacation travel needs. Rudy’s car service will help you get to any tri-state area airports or your exact destination. Their top-of-the-line vehicles are equipped with carseats by request and their professional chauffeurs make them the smart choice for your family! Spring break and Summer vacations are coming up, book today. Mention Local Moms for 10% off your first ride!

Buying, Selling (or organizing!) a House? It's time for the pre-listing Purge!

Buying, Selling (or organizing!) a House? It's time for the pre-listing Purge!

Tis the season – the spring real estate season! Buying or selling or just considering your options? It’s time for the Pre-Listing Purge! Sounds overwhelming? Let our new blogpost get you started and finished so you’re ready to list. 3 steps dedicated to maximizing your home’s value without spending any money – clean closets, solid staging, clear counter tops – you can do this!

Meet Melissa!

Meet Melissa!

Mom of 6 (YES, 6!) kids, Melissa is a therapist focused on Sensory Process Disorder and the therapeutic treatments availability for kids. After founding the Sensory Kids clinic in Stamford years ago, she just opened a clinic in Wilton (which she helped design!) in partnership with The Southfield Center, offering a multi-disciplinary treatment center with access to specialists of all types. In her spare time, Melissa loves family hikes at Devil’s Den, admits to being quite shy deep down, and claims her new Dyson hairdryer was worth the splurge! In another life she’d be a full-time mom or ski bum, and places tremendous value on screen-free time for her and her kids to enjoy this fleeting time in life! Thank you Melissa for all that you do for this community!

Special Needs Spotlight – Meet Theo!

Special Needs Spotlight – Meet Theo!

On Autism Awareness Day, we would like to celebrate another amazing child with special needs in our community – and the family who supports and loves him. Meet Theo – an amazing 9 year old boy on the Autism Spectrum. As his mom Amy so poignantly shares: “If you’ve met one person with Autism, you’ve met one person with Autism.” Every child – and family’s journey is different, but Theo’s boundless energy (with all it’s joys and challenges), his sweet demeanor, and his curiosity make him incredibly special and someone his parents and siblings learn from on a daily basis. Though life may be less predictable, the Falkenstein family is along for the ride, and what an incredible one it has been.

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