|
Integrative Pediatrics |
 A new book recently hit the shelves. Our sought after Executive Director, Shay Beider, completed a chapter on pediatric massage that appears in a new book titled 'Integrative Pediatrics'. The book was published as part of Andrew Weil's Integrative Medicine Library and is on sale now at amazon.com. The book is full of great information about Pediatric Integrative Medicine and includes work from experts across the field. |
| Special Memory Book |
|
A commemorative book about Integrative Touch for Kids' first healing retreat has been created with pictures and details of our 1st Healing Retreat. The books are available for any donation of $100.00 or more. Checks can be sent to Integrative Touch for Kids, 8340 North Thornydale Rd #110-153, Tucson AZ, 85741. Simply write "memory book" in the memo section of your check. All proceeds will go toward funding our next retreat for families. These make wonderful gifts for the holidays and can be given with a special gift card saying "A donation was made on your behalf to Integrative Touch for Kids to support children with special needs and their families." |
| Click Here to Support Us Now! |
| Invite your friends to become fans of Integrative Touch for Kids on Facebook and help spread the word. We will be adding new pictures, articles and open discussions to our facebook page. It's a great way to get involved!
|
| Host a House Party for Integrative Touch for Kids |
Interested in hosting a holiday party at your house for a great cause? We are looking for hosts to invite friends to come out in support of Integrative Touch for Kids. We'll have fun items for sale for the holidays and 100% of the proceeds will go toward furthering our efforts! If you'd like to host a party or find out more email info@integrativetouch.com
|
|
A New Film About Integrative Touch for Kids |
|
Watch us in action! A new film about Integrative Touch for Kids' first healing retreat was just created that includes live footage from the week at the White Stallion Ranch. Medical professionals, family members and others share their experiences and talk about why this was so important. The film will be added to the website along with lots of other important updates in the coming weeks. If you'd like us to mail you a copy, please contact us for a DVD. |
| JOIN OUR LIST |
 |
| Kidz Bytes |
Eliana Turell
Ellie is a happy 4 year old who joined us for our first Healing Retreat this last July. Her father said the retreat was "a game changer." Since then she has been hard at work in Physical Therapy, Hyperbaric
Treatments and Intensive Suit Therapy. Ellie has hypotonia, global developmental delays & the physical symptoms of Cerebral Palsy. Her muscles are very 'floppy', and her mother Elaine explains her head control as being like 'a bobble head'. Ellie started her therapies on October 6th. By her 4th session, she was able to hold her trunk upright for 30-60sec. If she falls over on the couch, Ellie is pushing herself back up into a seated postion. She is also able to sit with her head straight in her wheelchair without her harness in place and is learning to take steps. The suit works with her nervous system, simulating the upright position, and works the muscles that she will need for standing and walking. Anyone who has met Ellie and seen that infectious smile knows the strides she is making. The Turell family is happy with the way things are going since th retreat. We are proud of you Ellie. Keep up the great work!
|
| Magic Sock Treatment |
This treatment goes along with our Healthy Tips for Healthy Living Article
Indications:
Treats all the symptoms resulting from Infections of the Upper Respiratory System, and Inflammation
Contraindications:
Use with caution in conditions with poor circulation. Please consult your physician.
Supplies:
* 1 pair white cotton socks
* 1 pair thick wool socks
* Towel
* Warm bath or footbath
Directions:
1. Take a pair of cotton socks & soak them completely with cold water.
2. Wring the socks out so they do not drip.
3. Warm your feet first.
a. This ensures effectiveness & safety of the treatment.
b. Soak your feet in warm water for at least 5-10 minutes or take a warm bath for 5-10 minutes.
4. Dry off feet & body with a dry towel.
5. Put cold wet socks on feet.
6. Put thick wool socks on over cold wet socks.
7. Go directly to bed. Avoid getting chilled.
8. Keep the socks on overnight. You will find that the wet cotton socks will be dry in the morning.
The Magic Sock Treatment is best if repeated for three nights in a row.
Effects of the Magic Socks:
This treatment is effective for pain relief & increases the healing response during acute infections. It increases circulation & decrease congestion in the upper respiratory passages, head, & throat. It has a sedating action & many patients report that they sleep much better during the treatment. |
Integrative Touch for Kids |
|
"Integrative Touch for Kids is committed to creating a state-of-the-art healing retreat center that will offer the best available integrative therapies from around the world in a safe and nurturing environment where children with special needs and their families can come to rest, rejuvenate, and heal. The intention is to provide families with a healing program that utilizes an integrative, 'whole systems' approach to healing. This unique model is what sets Integrative Touch for Kids apart from other programs available to children with special needs. Integrative Touch for Kids supports each family member's physical, emotional, and spiritual needs, while seeking to explore and improve family dynamics and interpersonal relationships." Executive Director Shay Beider |
| OUR CORPORATE SPONSORS FOR THE
FIRST RETREAT |
|
 Tucson Federal Credit Union
|
| WEBSITE UPDATES |
 |
|
There's so much to say since the first retreat, we're working to update our website with new photos, content, stories and more! It's under construction now and exciting changes will be coming soon!
| |
|
| Letter from the Editor |
 Our 1st retreat has ended, and we find ourselves getting back into the day to day workings of everyday life. I personally have moved across the country to be closer to my family in Chicago and yet in order to do so I have moved further away from my Tucson Integrative Touch for Kids family. It has made me think about the definition of family. My work with Integrative Touch for Kids and the retreat experience have fostered a sense that we "build our family" and that it reaches far and wide.
So what's on our minds for this newsletter? We had a fundraising event in Chicago, a new chapter on pediatric massage for children written by our own Executive Director Shay Beider is out in publication, and research findings from our healing retreat are starting to roll in!
We are spreading our wings with plans for our family to grow exponentially over the coming years. With love--
Integrative Communications Editor |
Thoughts From Shay |
We have accomplished another milestone in the course of our year--we completed our 4th Annual Chicago Benefit. Donors to Integrative Touch for Kids may never fully know how important their contributions are but I'd like to take a moment to say thank you. What we have been able to accomplish is no small miracle and that has been possible because of your generous donations of time and money.
Here are a few highlights from this year...
- We built a team of more than 60 healing arts practitioners, respite care providers and general volunteers to provide services free of charge to children and families.
- We had one of the most highly rated guest ranches in the country, White Stallion Ranch, open their doors to us in their off season when they are typically closed and offer us a substantial reduction off their normal rates.
- We developed a diverse, interdisciplinary pilot planning committee that worked for 9 months to plan this inaugural effort.
- We developed a medical advisory committee to advise us for the 1st retreat and we had 24hr a day nursing care for the entire retreat week.
- We received more than $5000 of pro bono work from a top law firm in Arizona, Snell and Wilmer, LLP.
- We developed a national evaluation team that included a medical doctor and three PhD level researchers. This team spearheaded two bodies of research; one study that went through the Institutional Review Board at the University of Iowa and one study that was part of a larger National Institutes of Health trial through the University of Arizona.
- We have been featured on ABC News, NBC news, three radio programs and in several magazines and newspapers .
And these are just a few of the highlights! Over the next few years, Integrative Touch for Kids has laid out some fairly ambitious goals. We would like to expand our infrasturcture, enhance our capacity, hold a series of healing retreats, and begin the process of developing a future center. Our primary challenges right now are financial. We have a fundraising goal of $250,000 for 2010 .This goal is only attainable through a community of support and we need your help. To each of you who has become a part of the community of support that is helping us to take flight, I thank you. And to the families from around the country with serious medical issues, who are waiting to recieve these services, I want you to know that my heart rests in the knowledge that we can inspire more and more people to support this cause. I believe as people become aware of the struggle and the solution, the more committed they will be to lending a dollar and a hand.
May we continue to grow and learn from one another.
Founder and Executive Director, Integrative Touch for Kids |
| In the News |
Fourth Annual Benefit Event in the Windy City!
The 4th Annual Chicago Benefit was held on October 18th at the Standard Club. Another amazing success by our Chicago events planning committee, chaired by Lesley Beider! Over 100 people showed up to hear Shay and the families from our first retreat speak about our growth, success and plans for the future. A call to action was made asking everyone to participate in helping us to acheive our fundraising goal of $250,000 for 2010. With the success of the first retreat, we now know we have created something impactful in the community & there is much work to be done.
 Family members came from far and wide to participate in the benefit event. They spoke from their hearts, sharing their stories and describing the change that has occured in their lives since participating in the healing retreat. The families honored Shay with a butterfly plaque for her courage, love, understanding and support. One day, it will hang on the wall of our retreat center as a reminder of this milestone in our journey.
Focus Group Summary Report
On the last day of our July healing retreat, a focus group for families was conducted by researchers from the Universtity of Arizona. A summary report has been created. Some important findings:
- Meaningful connections were made between the individual families. "None of us felt like strangers...and even the kids-the kids just connected...I mean, it was just like they were all brothers and sisters...It was just a magic bond with those kids."
- When the families were asked if a big change had resulted from attending the retreat, the responses were unanimous:
"A game changer." "Extreme change." "...two things..relief and acceptance.."
Summing it all up, "At the end of the day, these therapists were giving gifts..."
One of the researchers, when finishing the focus group came out in tears and said "You have no idea how deeply you have effected these families. I wish the National Institutes of Health could know about this..." To read the detailed summary report please contact us at info@integrativetouch.org.
Evaluation and Research
Retreat participants are being contacted on a monthly basis for six months post retreat and the findings from a second research study conducted through the University of Iowa are being analyzed. This information will help ensure the families recieve the attention they need post retreat as well as provide us valuable information on enhancing the experience for future families. We will update you as these findings become available!
- Our board of directors will be increasing in size to accomodate our new growth. Board members are essential to building the infrastructure necessary for a program of this magnitude.
- Plans are also underway to bring in a development consultant to assist with our short and long term development needs.
- We are beginning to plan for our 2nd annual benefit event this spring in Tucson, AZ. If you are interested in serving on the planning committee or donating items or services for the auction, please contact our Tucson event chair, Jamie Lakin Kelley.
Every bit of involvement increases our future potential so we can build something extraordinary together! |
| Community Member Spotlight |
Lesley Beider
Our 4th Annual Chicago Benefit was a smashing success! In this issue we spotlight one of the the master-minds behind it's success. A woman who started out making invitations for the first event only to find herself very passionate about the cause!
Lesley Beider Chairs our Event Planning Committee in Chicago. She is an amazing woman and someone we think you should know.
As a stay at home mom to 2 beautiful children, Payton (16mos) and Noah (6 1/2 years), married to Dan Beider (founder, principal and managing director for Paramount Lodging Advisors), she is no stranger to busy schedules and perfect party planning skills. Her studies in early childhood education and psychology set her on her path toward working with children and subsequently Integrative Touch for Kids. Lesley knew she wanted to find a way to "give back" to the community. Her father, Nathan Shapiro, she says is the most generous, giving and charitable man she has ever met. "He has always been a great role model and I found myself wanting to find a charity to give to early on." Dan, Lesley's husband, came home asking if she could do the invitations for the 1st Chicago benefit event for Integrative Touch for Kids. Lesley jumped at the idea, being told there would only be about 25 to complete. One hundred invitations later, Lesley attended that 1st benefit event with approximately 60 other people in a small conference room inside the Days Inn Hotel at Clark & Diversey. The stories from the Marder family, whose daughter Stephaine had cancer, moved Lesley in profound ways and she knew she had to be more involved. "What if that were my family? What if my children were sick or had a chronic illness?" These are questions Lesley asked herself. "The pressures the families must deal with on a daily basis... I want these services to be available to all families going through these very things."
A challenging scenario came up for Lesley and Dan this last year when their son Noah started having migraine headaches. There were many doctor visits, an MRI and all the worries that come with having a sick child. Why was he having migraines every 2-3 weeks? Was it an aneurysm? A tumor? The worst thoughts crossed their minds. Doctors wanted to try the Migraine Clinic, which would mean blood tests and trial medications. Because of her work with Integrative Touch for Kids, Lesley knew there were other options to consider. She called up Dana Sackar, a friend and co-participant on the event planning committee who practices crainosacral therapy. Dana got to work right away with Noah and he has not had another migraine for the past 3 months now! "I'm not saying we won't have to give Noah the medications later, but for now this is working and that is wonderful."
We thank Lesley for her tireless work and support on behalf of Integrative Touch for Kids. For the last 4 years we have been the honored recipient of Lesley's creative mind and attention to detail. If you have not been to one of the grand Chicago benefits, you'll definetely want to make it in the future. It's a first class affair. Keep a look out for Lesley as she joins our Tucson Events Committee!
|
|
Healthy Tips for... Healthy Living |
Shoo Flu, don't bother me.
School is in full swing & the seasons are beginning to change. Fall brings cooler weather & the excitement of the coming holidays. It is also a time when families are concerned about the flu & cold seasons. This year is especially concerning with all the news of the H1N1 flu.
Let's focus on the Education, Prevention & Treatment of flu.
Education
The Basics:
*Flu's & Cold's are Viral
*Viruses are quick to Change
*Antibiotics do NOT kill viruses
In general:
Cold: Gradual Onset Congestion, Runny Nose, Sneezing
Flu: Sudden Onset High Fever, Headache, Cough Sore Throat
In the Flu pandemic of 1918, most deaths were caused by a secondary infection causing pneumonia in people with a depressed immune system. Prevention & Treatment were the key factors in an abrupt stop to the Flu pandemic of 1918.
Prevention
Strengthen the Immune System
* Cleanliness
Dirty Hands Spread Germs
Wash your hands often!!!!!! Front, back & under nails.
~ Use plain Soap. (Improper use of Antibacterial causes Resistant/Super Bugs)
~Cover your nose when sneezing or coughing in the crook of the arm.
*The 8 Z's:
~Sleep 8 hours/night; more for kids. The body builds the immune system while you sleep. For every hour you lose of sleep, you are also losing valuable immune strength.
*Immune Boosting
~ Homeopathy: Safe for all ages (no Drug interactions & no Side Effects). Influenzinum 200C: 2 pills Once a week.
*You are what you Eat & Drink
~ Sugar & Acidic foods are stress forming & immune suppressing. Avoid: sugar, caffeine, alcohol, white flours & hydrogenated fats...
~ EAT: Alkaline= Whole foods. Veggies, Whole Grains & Fruits. These build up the body & decrease stress & inflammation.
~ Hydrate: drink ½ your body weight in ounces of water a day (60 lb kid, drink 30 oz H2O per day).
Treatment
There is no "cure" for the common cold or any Flu... That said there is a lot we can do at the first sign of symptoms to boost the immune system and recover quickly...
1) Homeopathy An added dose of à Influenzinum (see dosing above)
à Oscillococcinum @ 1/3rd of a tube every 8 hours for 3 doses
2) Rest 7-10 days for full recovery
3) Electrolytes:
Homemade Gatorade Recipe (Better for you, not better tasting)
1. Fill a soup pot with Water
2. Add 1 cup chopped carrots
3. Add 1 cup chopped celery
4. Boil until veggies are soft.
5. Let cool and store in the fridge.
6. Sip the broth throughout the day. When feeling well enough eat as a soup.
Another great home remedy is the Magic socks (see left)
Angela Wojtowicz
|
| Modality Awareness |
|
|
| Acupuncture
The Magic of Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture for Children
Viewing the human body as a garden or landscape is a great metaphor for demonstrating the ideas behind Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Thousands of years ago, the Chinese used their relationship to nature and the landscape to understand the workings of the human body and how to promote health and create healing. This understanding gave birth to the concepts that initiated this ancient healing modality.
The Ancient Chinese Healers believed that all things contain a mysterious power source or life force called Qi (Chee). The Qi circulates throughout our human bodies in channels, which are rivers of energy called meridians. These meridians carry the Qi to every cell, tissue, organ, and gland in the body to nourish and energize. Qi is the vital life force that helps us to thrive and promotes the body's natural powers of regeneration and healing.
Think of the Acupuncturist as the Caretaker or Gardener of this fleshy landscape, with the prime objective being to promote vitality, harmony, health, balance and beauty. In Chinese there is a saying, "If there is pain, there is no free flow; if there is free flow, there is no pain." To achieve these objectives it is critical that certain elements are included in the care. In this case, the Caretakers tools are needles, cups, moxa, Tuina massage, herbal formulas, and nutritional counseling. All of, which nurture the tender garden and provide nourishment, care, and healing. The needles are typically not much thicker than a strand of human hair and their insertion is practically painless. Some are even unaware that the needles are in place, others report a tingling, warmth, a sense of heaviness or a feeling of the Qi moving up and down the channels. Most find it quite relaxing and often fall asleep during treatment.
The World Health Organization and the National Institutes of Health recognize Acupuncture as effective for treating many conditions including sore throats, common colds, migraines, menstrual irregularities and discomfort, Morning sickness/nausea, fatigue, inability to focus, knee and other musculoskeletal or joint pains, carpal tunnel, TMJ, anxiety, insomnia, circulation issues, arteriosclerosis and hypertension among many others.
Just like adults, kids are Qi machines. Maintaining adequate and balanced Qi in their system is just as important as in the adult body. There are factors that effect the natural flow of Qi in all of us. Our environment, emotions, accidents, and diet are some of the factors that can affect the balance and flow of your child's Qi. The work with children requires making sure they understand what is happening every step of the way. You work as a team, making sure they are not afraid to speak their minds. The theory and folkloric history go a long way in exciting them to participate in their care. It is great too if a parent can also participate in the treatment, this supports the child's ability to feel safe and open to what Acupuncture has to offer.
You many not think of including Acupuncture as an important part of your child's health care. However, Acupuncture can be an essential therapy to maintain and heal your child over time. Your Acupuncturist will be able to access your child's condition and create a treatment plan appropriate to the specific situation. Toning and balancing your child's Qi can greatly enhance their well being now, and set them up for a vital, healthy future.
Kym Kleiman M.Ac., L.Ac., Diplomat in Acupuncture
Kym was a provider for our first healing retreat. For more information view her website at www.LiferootAcupuncture.com | |
|
|
|
|
|
