H.A.L.O.’s Gifts Help Kids Feel Included In Activities

It’s the little things that make life meaningful for children - with or without neurological impairments.

H.A.L.O.’s mission continues to be enhancement of quality life for young people with severe neurological challenges. Here is a sampling of recent gifts to families and nursing homes:

Brayden, 6, received a red (his favorite color) adaptive tricycle. Riding it makes his face “light up” at school, according to his program coordinator at the Family Partnerships of the Southeast. Brayden has a long list of neurological impairments. His mother, a single parent in poor health, takes excellent care of him but can’t afford “extras.”

Rebekkah, 4, has had five surgeries for spina bifida. She gets around in a wheelchair or with braces and a walker. The Radio Flyer wagon H.A.L.O. purchased enables her to participate in outdoor activities with her family. “She loves riding in her wagon. It will make life much easier when we take our kids out on family adventures,” said her dad.

Brian, 15, born at 26 weeks, has left-sided hemiplegia, a form of cerebral palsy. He received a MusicGlove hand rehabilitation device that doctors and his family hope will improve his hand function through musical game therapy.

H.A.L.O. funded the Spooktacular Carnival at New England Pediatric Center in Billerica MA this year. Children, staff and family members enjoyed themed games while a DJ played music. The residents were delighted to handle live animals from Animal Adventures. The photos (below) show sisters Leah and Melanie enjoying their costumes and Brian interacting with an alligator.

“The H.A.L.O. Foundation continues to be instrumental in enabling us to provide residents with a beautiful tapestry of new experiences that stimulate the imagination, put a smile in their hearts, enhance their sensory experience and simply provide a platform for good clean fun! “ said NEPC Recreation Director Laura Kirk. “Thank you, H.A.L.O.”

H.A.L.O. also funded the purchase of two SMART boards for a new transition classroom at Ivy Street School in Brookline, MA.

Ivy Street educates a broad range of children with brain based challenges, including traumatic brain injury, congenital brain malformation, and conditions such as Dandy-Walker Syndrome. Teachers say the visual nature and interactivity of the technology keep students’ focus on the lesson and increase motivation.