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When Carl Met George A new storyline in the PBS show Arthur features Carl, above left, a new friend of George's who has Asperger syndrome.
A small clinical trial shows reduced hyperactivity, repetitive motions and social withdrawal with experimental drug.
Dolphin boy!A British boy who's blind learns to see using Dolphin-like sonar clicks.
A beautiful, animated documentary about the lives of four adult artists who have Down syndrome. |
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Bringing visibility to disability
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Budding
filmmakers of all ages and abilities: On
June 17th, Bloorview will launch filmpossible, an online video contest that challenges filmmakers to create a video under two minutes
that will bring visibility to disability. Terrific prizes will be awarded including a first prize of $5000 cash.
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Dad wins disability funding appeal |  In February, an Ontario tribunal ruled in favour of Peterborough resident John Wood after funding for his daughter's medical needs was cut based on an income cap related to the Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities benefit. John's daughter Grace (left) has life-threatening heart, lung and airway problems. Costs for her care totalled almost $23,000 in 2009. More |
| Neckband turns sounds into computer clicks |  Corvin Cioata (left) is many things: An explorer, a skier, a Scooby Doo fan. Like his mother - a software developer - he's nuts about computers. But until last year, the nine-year-old couldn't use one.Corvin has involuntary movements related to cerebral palsy that make using a mouse impossible. He tried finger and eyebrow switches but couldn't control them consistently. More |
| U.S. funds Bloorview trial of Oxytocin in autism |  Bloorview has received an $805,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Defense to conduct a randomized clinical trial to see if Oxytocin - a hormone released during women's labour and milk let-down - improves social functioning in teens with autism. Animal research and pilot studies in adults with autism suggest Oxytocin plays a role in social memory, trust and attachment. More |
| 'He's trying to tell you something!' |  When your child doesn't speak, he can't talk back. And you always have someone to confide in, someone who will keep your secrets. It may seem odd to joke about something so serious, and I don't mean to be flippant about an issue that affects my son Carter (left) so greatly. But to quote Bill Cosby: "Through humour, you can soften some of the worst blows that life delivers." More |
| Surgery number 2 |  This is a photo I took of Ben waiting for his surgery this morning. For a brief moment he forgot about it and laughed at the movie he was watching. He didn't look anything like this in the recovery room. He lost blood during the surgery and was white, puffy and fragile. Luckily things improved and he avoided a blood transfusion. More |
| 'Thank you' will never be enough | 
In 2008, Ontario gymnast Taylor Lindsay-Noel was on track to compete with the Canadian team in the 2012 Olympics when she broke her neck while attempting a difficult dismount. Taylor, now 16 left, spent 18 months in rehabilitation at Bloorview Kids Rehab and recently wrote and read this tribute to the nurses who worked with her as a goodbye gift. It speaks to the invaluable role our nurses play! More |
| Sweet sixteen | 
My son turned 16 on Friday. His party was at ChuckECheese. An odd location for a teenager, but my son's developmental age is much younger. I wish it hadn't bothered me. I was happy to see Ben happy. He loved the games, the pizza, and seeing ChuckECheese in costume. But a part of me was embarrassed that my 16-year-old wanted to go to ChuckECheese. More |
| When negative attitudes compromise care |
Today we have a guest blog from Dr. Dick Sobsey, a professor of educational psychology at the University of Alberta, where he's also associate director of the JP Das Developmental Disabilities Centre and director of the John Dossetor Health Ethics Centre. Dick's son Dave, 19, has multiple disabilities. Dick's research looks at violence against people with disability; ethical issues related to disability; families of children with disabilities; and inclusion. More |
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Articles in BLOOM are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Community and web resources listed in BLOOM do not necessarily signify endorsement by Bloorview Kids Rehab. Where appropriate, please consult your physician.
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