As we move through the month of May, planning transitions and preparing for graduations at the end of the school year may add an extra layer of excitement and stress. Most families are making arrangements for summer travel, vacation care, and dealing with changes in routines as well as changes in the weather. Don't put off relaxation or fun until those days on your calendar - practice for a few minutes longer each day so you will be an expert when the time comes.

Please look for the BellaOnline Special Needs Children Facebook page at
http://tinyurl.com/FBpg4SNC - I would love to be part of your Facebook community. I also post links to events and articles of interest about childhood disabilities, advocacy, and family support that I find via Twitter and post at
http://www.twitter.com/DownSynAdvocacy
You do not need to have a Twitter account to see messages posted by advocates and families via Twitter.

Here's the latest article from the Special Needs Children site at BellaOnline.com.

Sickle Cell Disease in Children
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art170939.asp
Sickle Cell Disease is a genetic anomaly that is more common in families with certain ethnic backgrounds, predominantly those of African descent but also those of Hispanic, Native American & Mediterranean heritage . Research, information and support for children and families affected by Sickle Cell has never been greater than it is today, but more needs to be done to understand and treat this disease. Sickle Cell Disease affects an estimated 72,000 Americans. The condition was recently featured on the television show, Grey's Anatomy, raising awareness in the general population that will benefit individuals with sickle cell and their loved ones. Recent studies have shown Hydroxyurea helps prevent pain in even the youngest subject, and another suggests that nitric oxide gas impacts the source of the classic, disabling pain crises of sickle cell disease.
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art170939.asp

Please visit specialneedschildren.bellaonline.com for even more great content about Special Needs Children. Whether your child has an 'invisible' condition or an easily recognizable childhood disability, we stand together stronger as a community when we learn about the diversity in the disability community as our mainstream community learns about the true diversity our families represent. My son was born with Down syndrome and developed Type One diabetes when he was seven years old. Raising awareness of a diagnosis in particular and creating better opportunities, support and accommodations for all our children has made an amazing difference for them as well as their brothers, sisters and mainstream peers. Thank you for all you do on behalf of your child.

To participate in free, fun online discussions, this site has a community forum all about Special Needs Children located here -

http://forums.bellaonline.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=57

I hope to hear from you sometime soon, either in the forum or in response to this email message. I thrive on your feedback!

Have fun passing this message along to family and friends, because we all love free knowledge!

Pamela Wilson, Special Needs Children Editor
http://specialneedschildren.bellaonline.com

Let me know if you would like to share an article in your
newsletter, local parenting magazine or newspaper.
Email: SpecialNeedsChildren@BellaOnline.com

Communication and Summer Activities
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art44161.asp

Sunblocking Clothing and Laundry Rinses
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art33851.asp

Car Safety Issues - Prevention is the Key
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art34902.asp

Child Safety - Pills, Purses, and Suitcases
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art62309.as

Interviewing Caregivers for Your Child
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art62519.asp

Severe Weather Events and Children
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art48466.asp

Avoiding Heat-related Illnesses in Children
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art32522.asp

Thoughts from the Middle of the Night
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art32533.asp

Teacher Appreciation and Childhood Disability
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art62183.asp

Brothers and Sisters of Children with Disabilities
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art56919.asp

Gardening with Children
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art171221.asp

Pain Management for Children with Disabilities
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art51895.asp

Teddy Bear Hospital Events for Children
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art66880.asp

Pain, Childhood Blood Draws, Injections, IV Lines
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art51944.asp

A Brand New Baby w/ Down Syndrome
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art51264

Letter to Myself on Diagnosis Day
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art171469.asp

Elementary School Transition
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art50637.asp

Wearing Glasses in Early Childhood
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art54721.asp

Cataracts and Down Syndrome
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art65415.asp

Neurological Conditions and Disabilities
http://www.bellaonline.com/subjects/965.asp

Transition to Preschool from Early Intervention
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art49696.asp

Transition to Kindergarten
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art49718.asp

Preparing for Emergencies with Children
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art50320.asp

Art and Self Expression for Children
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art17513.asp

Private Schools and Children w/ Special Needs
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art52889.asp

Homeschooling Children with Special Needs
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art45894.asp

Twins and Childhood Disabilities
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art171211.asp

Gifts 2: How People with Down Syndrome Enrich the World
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art63458.asp

Grandparents and Childhood Disabilities
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art60481.asp

Inclusive PE and Childhood Disabilities
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art46155.asp

Recess Skills - Childhood Disabilities
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art432.asp

Explaining Disabilities to Classmates
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art70228.asp

Down Syndrome and Diabetes Dual Diagnosis
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art32543.asp

Celiac Disease and Juvenile Diabetes
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art48740.asp

Celiac Disease and Down Syndrome
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art48739.asp

Down Syndrome and Autism Dual Diagnosis
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art33178.asp

Thoughts from the Middle of the Night
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art32533.asp

Symptoms of Childhood Onset Diabetes
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art32583.asp

Type One Diabetes Information for Classmates
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art32541.asp

Down Syndrome and Juvenile Diabetes Dual Diagnosis
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art32543.asp

Parenting Children with Mental Health Issues
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art170784.asp

Mental Wellness in Pregnancy and Motherhood
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art170925.asp

Anxiety and Childhood Disability
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art59924.asp

Depression and Down Syndrome Dual Diagnosis
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art60685.asp

Disability and Future Planning for Parents
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art59032.asp

Advocating in Multicultural Communities - Childhood Disabilities
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art11304.asp

Bienvenidos Bebés con Síndrome de Down
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art32537.asp

Welcoming Babies with Down Syndrome
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art32534.asp

Accueillir les bébé trisomiques
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art32538.asp
French Welcoming Babies with Down Syndrome

Samples from http://www.twitter.com/DownSynAdvocacy:

Holland: All Down Syndrome actors
Downistie, episode 3, with subtitles
http://t.co/LC5FhEj

How to Be a Sister
Love Story w/ a Twist of Autism by Eileen Garvin
http://tinyurl.com/6dygwyy

Colin Farrell on The Ellen Show talks about his
son having Angelman syndrome, misdiagnosed as CP
http://goo.gl/fb/KCrZu

Being Safe Around Water http://tinyurl.com/63t6t6n
Being Safe w/ Weather http://tinyurl.com/6zropke
Series for elementary/middle school kids

Sun blocking clothing
http://tinyurl.com/3eop86m
Rit Sun Guard Laundry UV Treatment; shirts, hats,
umbrellas - Browse, then shop locally

Flood Safety Check List from the American Red Cross
http://ow.ly/4U6gs

Heat safety for kids & teens:
http://www.childrensmercy.org/SummerSafety

Browsing or buying at amazon.com from a link in an SNC article slightly benefits the website - thank you for your support! Browsing online and buying locally or using your public library to find excellent books benefits our communities.