Update on Advocacy for Early Intervention Services

As many of you may recall, I am involved in advocating for improved "early intervention" services for children with special needs aged 0 - 6 years.  Malcolm has benefited greatly from these services and would have realized even greater benefits had more been available to him.

This has become an election issue here in Nova Scotia.  Earlier this month, the Liberals pledged $2.6 million in new money to reduce wait times and fund core early intervention services (which currently rely heavily on fundraising to supplement government grants).

Today, the NDP announced a $6 million campaign commitment to improve early intervention services. They will also reduce wait times and better fund core services.  In addition, they will pilot a project to help families navigate the system, provide easier access to respite care and better coordinate service delivery for families who have more than one child with special needs. 

I was at both announcements.  I was quoted in the Halifax Chronicle Herald regarding the Liberal announcement and our whole family Jan and I were shown on the CTV coverage as well.  Fast forward to 1:32 if you don't want to watch the whole clip about the election.  was shown on the Global TV coverge tonight.  We are hoping there will be some newspaper stories tomorrow.

We are thrilled that this has become an election issue and are hopeful that, regardless of who is elected, significant improvements will result.

Mary Ellen

Big Events in September

This month is flying by.  I wanted to share a few photos...

The boys on their first day of school.  It was a very wet day so Malcolm was able to wear his yellow boots, which he loves.

Happy Birthday Malcolm!  Malcolm turned 5 on September 13 and we had a little party for some of his little friends.  It was a Mickey Mouse themed party as Mickey (or Kick-ee as Malcolm says) is his current favourite...

Donovan holding Kieran on Kieran's one-month birthday.

Mary Ellen

Terry Fox 2013

On Sunday Team Malcolm participated in the Terry Fox Run in Halifax.  It was another great day at Point Pleasant.  We raised more this year than the two previous years so were very pleased about that.  Malcolm, Kieran and I did the 1 km route and Jan and Donovan did one loop around the route, which I believe was 3.3km.  Both sets of grandparents were there to help out.  Lauryn and her friend Amanda also ran with Jan and Donovan which was great.

Everyone had a good time and we plan to do it again next year.  A HUGE thank you to all who supported the cause by donating to Team Malcolm.  For those of you who support cancer research in other ways, big thanks to you as well. 

Terry Fox had a big dream and we're happy to support it.  Families of kids who are journeying through cancer need us all to dream big.

Mary Ellen

Introducing Kieran George...

As you can see in the following photos, he has two very proud and very excited big brothers....

In the hospital, Donovan had some time with Mommy and Kieran before Malcolm arrived.  He was so excited to hold his new brother!

That look pretty much sums up how Malcolm felt about his short hospital visit - a bit freaked out by the whole thing.  

 

Here's Kieran at about one week old.  Such a handsome fellow!

 Both boys enjoyed giving Kieran a bath on the day he turned one week old.

Look closely and you can see Malcolm with his finger to his lips shushing the baby (who was crying as he was getting dressed after his bath).   Malcolm doesn't appreciate a noisy baby and frequently tries to shush Kieran if he has the nerve to be too loud.

 These photos show how excited Malcolm can get to 'help' with Kieran.  Little Kieran is so lucky to have two such wonderful brothers that are so happy to help look after him!

We are all doing well and enjoying baby.  He will be two weeks old tomorrow (evening).  How time flies!

Mary Ellen