11/14/2013

Founder’s Message

Dear Friends,

This month we mark the 20th anniversary of the Help A Little One Foundation.

H.A.L.O. was born after our beautiful, vibrant three-year-old daughter suffered irreversible brain damage and moved to a pediatric nursing home for 24-hour care.

Gayle and I had the resources to give Sarah all the material things she needed but we soon realized that kind-hearted staffers were spending their pocket money to buy “extras” to improve the quality of life for other residents. We decided to help.

H.A.L.O. quickly evolved from giving teddy bears and pajamas to supporting enrichment activities. In 1999 we established Family Circle to reach out to families caring at home for children with severe disabilities. Today our Sunday Swim and Sing activities relieve isolation and provide socialization for these individuals, and we continue to fulfill requests for items such as adaptive tricycles and wheelchair ramps for vans when they will make life easier for the families.

Our latest initiative, the Children’s Advisory Network (H.A.L.O. CAN) is helping families dealing with some of the confusing legal regulations that govern the care of their children.

We recognize, and pray, that few of you will ever have to live with the outcome of severe neurological impairment.

For this reason we celebrate your compassion and kindness over the past 20 years, and thank you for helping us give “little ones” the best life possible.

Sincerely,

Alan Pinshaw

H.A.L.O. Celebrates Sarah And 20th Anniversary

Sarah
Sarah, the inspiration for the Help A Little One Foundation, is 24 years old now. Since meningitis attacked her brain, her body has grown but her condition is unchanged.

She cannot walk or talk. She receives nutrition though a G-tube, takes many medications and endures frequent seizures. Because of her fragile medical condition and severe neurological impairment, Sarah lives at New England Pediatric Care, a skilled nursing facility for young people.

The family has come to terms with her condition.

Gayle Pinshaw, mother: “I will always wish things could have turned out differently for Sarah, but I have accepted that she is safe, well cared for and as comfortable as she can be.

Sarah is more responsive to us now than in the early years. We enjoy that interaction and her personality, although we don’t know how much she actually understands about the world around her. When I speak to her, she seems to recognize my voice and she smiles for me and other family members. When I read stories to her – pre-teen books with plots, now – she often seems focused and intent.

If Sarah didn’t get sick, she would probably have finished college and be working and living independently now. I will always be sad for what we all lost.”

Julia Wicoff, sister: “I live out of state so I only see Sarah a few times a year. She seems to know me, so I sometimes wonder: if Sarah knows when we are there, does she know when we are not? It’s hard to think about it.

“I don’t think anyone would have guessed that Sarah would be this strong almost 22 years later, or that H.A.L.O. would continue so long.”

Working in the non-profit world I know it is common for families to start a foundation in honor of a loved one. It comes from a loving place, but it is unusual for it to last more than four or five years. I’m really proud that after 20 years H.A.L.O. is still looking for opportunities to help children and their families.

Medical care is not always what you wish it to be, so I am thrilled that Sarah is at NEPC, a facility that will take great care of her, no matter what.

Dan Pinshaw, brother: “It is never easy to lose someone you love. Sarah’s case was further complicated by the fact that we never really lost her, just lost the potential for her to live a full and pain-free life. I believe my family refused to make this her lasting legacy.

Looking back over the last 20 years, I am proud to see that H.A.L.O has turned a bad situation into an opportunity to help. There is always an opportunity to turn dark to light. Sarah’s life and H.A.L.O.’s contribution is a reminder of this everyday.”

Gifts to Brian Help Him Play With Independence

Brian
Brian M. will be thirteen in December – a miracle since he was born at 26 weeks, had a stroke, is paralyzed on the left side and lives with epilepsy, a colostomy, and has had half his brain removed.

“The brain division was a hard choice (in 2009),” according to his mom, Brenda, “But when you have to do CPR on your child, you do what you can, even knowing there will be loss. No parent should have to lose their child to seizures,” she told H.A.L.O.

A second brain surgery in 2012 caused Brian to lose peripheral vision and worsened the already limited use of his paralyzed hand, causing difficulty in walking, even with a device.

“H.A.L.O.'s gift of an arm device helped Brian regain strength and make real gains,” Brenda said. “He uses it at home to supplement what he was doing in OT (occupational therapy).”

Brian is doing much better today. H.A.L.O.’s recent gift of a Flaghouse Roadstar II adaptive tricycle enables him to play alongside other children with some degree of independence, she said. This year he was able to attend a medical summer camp on Cape Cod with the family and play adaptive baseball in the Miracle League.

"H.A.L.O.’s generosity helps Brian be a part of things. Thank you H.A.L.O.”

A Sampling of Messages From Supporters and Recipients

“H.A.L.O. began by making direct gifts to the residents 20 years ago, then moved on to purchasing items
such as a portable ramp to enhance their visits home. The foundation has made our young adults' lives easier by providing duplicate positioning and ambulatory devices at their community day programs so they don’t have to bring them back and forth. It has contributed to our sensory room and several medically-supported vacations on Cape Cod for families to bond with their children. The legal advisors at H.A.L.O. CAN have helped several of our families. We at NEPC are grateful for the enduring support the H.A.L.O. Foundation has provided for the past two decades.” ~ Ellen O’Gorman, Executive Director, New England Pediatric Care

“At Seven Hills Pediatric Center, children and young adults with severe neurological disabilities are provided with an exceptional quality of care by our dedicated staff, who bring dignity to each person’s day. With the help of the HALO Foundation over the years, Seven Hills has partnered to provide memorable outings, bring special gifts and supply smiles.” ~ Dr. David A. Jordan, President/CEO, Seven Hills Foundation.

“Each year for as long as I can remember, the H.A.L.O. gift to Plymouth Pediatric Center has allowed staff to provide gifts to each pediatric resident at the holidays. Smiles and happy vocalizations abound at the party. One particular incident stands out in my mind.
Thomas, one of the very few residents who could move around independently, was watching Santa closely, laughing and clapping as each child opened his gift. When Santa left the room, Thomas wheeled himself to the tree, pulled out a present Santa had missed and wheeled himself to the one child who had not yet received a gift. I was truly surprised that he paid enough attention to know whose present it was but, not surprised by the thoughtfulness.” ~ Betty MacDuffee, Plymouth Rehabilitation/Athena Day School

“We are proud to be part of the first two decades of the unique and noble mission of H.A.L.O. to enhance the lives of the most needy of children, and hope that others will do so with us in the years ahead. " ~ Thomas R. Kline, Esquire.

"H.A.L.O. does vitally important work in advancing our common mission to advance the lives of those most in need. May the next 20 years be as productive as the last 20. ~ Shanin Specter, Esquire

Daniel C.
“I am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude. I have been using the laptop provided by H.A.L.O. to keep in close contact with the wheelchair rugby team I belong to at the University of New Hampshire in Durham. . . I will always remember your generosity." ~ Daniel C.

“It’s sad to think how quickly your life can change. You can come home at night to an upside down world. The Doyle classic started as a family thing, and now we give the raffle proceeds to H.A.L.O. We give because each of us has a responsibility to help and I know that every dime is going to what the kids need.” ~ Jack Doyle

A 20th anniversary is truly an accomplishment . . . in this age of Instagrams, texts, twitters. [H.A.L.O.’s longevity] signifies dedication and commitment on the part of the entire Pinshaw clan to this small but truly relevant charitable foundation. ~ David Goldwasser, MD

H.A.L.O Dispels Isolation And Embraces The Whole Family

Since the inception of its Family Circle program in 1999, H.A.L.O. has utilized the professional expertise of
Boston’s Jewish Family & Children’s Services to embrace families who are caring at home for children with complex disabilities.
Music therapist Claudia Eliza

H.A.L.O.’s Sunday Swim and Sing program has been the most welcomed and enduring activity. Since 2006 it has provided social and exercise programming to participants aged 6 to 35 who are socially isolated due to physical and communication challenges.

Music therapist Claudia Eliza elicits smiles as she rumbas with her bongos, guitar or tambourine in a room at the Jewish Community Center in Newton MA. Her magical voice engages 12 young people in call and response songs while their 12 professional buddies help them keep time with percussion instruments.

After a snack, most participants – even those in wheelchairs –enjoy an hour in the heated, accessible pool with their partners.

“This is the best three hours of my week,” says one social worker, who spends her days focused on other people’s problems. “It’s uplifting. We all look forward to it.”

JF&CS also operates the Sunday Swim and Sing in Stoughton MA under the Family Circle umbrella. H.A.L.O. programs are non-denominational and focused primarily on individuals with severe neurological impairment. Newton serves 15 families, 30 Sundays a year. Stoughton hosts 8 to 10 families on 20 Sundays.

“The Sunday program has been great, especially the one-on-one attention, says Linda G., mother of Jess, 34. “For kids who are as low functioning as my daughter there are not a lot of things appropriate for her to do. Jess is isolated from people her own age, so it’s nice that she gets to interact with others.”

Ralph V.’s 12-year-old son Jake is on the autism spectrum and needs close attention on a regular basis. “He can’t do things typically developing children do, so he is challenged socially and doesn't have a circle of friends. It’s nice to see him engaged with the music, doing what makes him happy.”

Sue V., Jake’s mom, also praises the highly-qualified professional staff, who are mostly master’s degree candidates in psychology, special education, physical therapy or similar fields. “Jake’s partners develop a relationship with him over the course of the year and really know how to interact with him.”

“We duplicated the program in Stoughton because the need on the South Shore was so large, and some families were traveling over an hour to Newton,” said Sara Freedman, Director of JFCS community Programs and Services for People with Disabilities. State budget cuts have reduced the number of available alternatives, so there is little attrition in either program and the wait list is long, she said. It takes weeks for partners to establish a trusting relationship, especially with non-verbal young people, so alternating attendance or substitutions during absences doesn't work well.

JF&CS offers a “Family Swim and Sing” in Stoughton once a month so that families on the waiting list have at least one activity with their child.

“H.A.L.O.’ Swim & Sing Program serves one of the most vulnerable populations, people with severe disabilities,” according to Doreen Cummings, JF&CS Director of Program Development. “H.A.L.O.’s continued and generous support provides this under-served population with vital access to the community and enriches their quality of life.”

Young Adult Placement Process Still ‘Gaping Black Hole’

Abby
First, the happy outcome:
Abby, a medically fragile 20-year old with complex needs, has successfully transitioned from Cedarcrest
Center for Children to a medical group home for adults at Crotched Mountain in New Hampshire.

Now, the stark reality: It took six years to find an appropriate setting, and it is the ONLY one of its kind in New Hampshire.

This story’s happy ending was due in large part to the persistence of Abby’s mother. The team at the Keene, NH pediatric center said Karen advocated, begged, cajoled, negotiated and mediated with a web of state agencies and organizations.

Abby went to live at Cedarcrest at age three after a health crisis. She was medically fragile, dependent on gastroenteral tube feedings for nutrition, needed round-the-clock nursing and was unable to walk. She also had complex developmental needs. Her life expectancy was uncertain, and her family’s main concern was ensuring the best possible quality of life.

Seventeen years later, with advances in medical treatment, exceptional medical support, diligent therapy, and consistent routines and expectations each day, Abby’s G-tube has been removed and she has learned to walk, unlike many children with severe neurological impairment.

Those huge milestones brought new concerns about her future care and safety.

Cedarcrest staff and other transition team members began a multi-year planning process for Abby’s future. As they explored housing, education and service options for young people with complex needs they discovered that no age-appropriate group home, foster care or individualized service option in the state provided the level of ongoing medical oversight and round-the-clock personal supervision Abby needed, and no single agency coordinated the complex funding and legal issues for life care for severely impaired younger adults.

“It was scary. A parent’s biggest fear is that there will be no one to take care of their child, and there was this gaping black hole between pediatric care and adult care,” Karen said. The family also wanted Abby to live with people her own age. Since Cedarcrest was a two hour drive from their home they also hoped for a closer location.

“We had to compromise,” Karen said. Reluctantly the family considered a geriatric nursing home with a young adult unit, and even looked into facilities for patients with dementia and Alzheimer’s, since the level of care closely parallels what Abby requires, but none provided everything she needed.

Just when the outlook appeared bleakest, Crotched Mountain Foundation of Greenfield, NH announced the opening of the state’s first medically-supervised adult group home. At age 20, even though she had not yet “aged-out” of Cedarcrest’s pediatric services, Abby’s family allowed her to become the first of five residents at the customized ranch-style home.

Unlike typical community-based group homes, Abby’s is overseen by an RN program manager, has “awake” overnight staff, and provides on-site medical services.

“Abby is thriving. It is still scary for us, because we are both adjusting to new staff and a different situation, but I am confident Abby will live safely and as independently as she is able with exceptional care and the supervision she needs,” Karen said.

Crotched Mountain is still a two-hour drive from the family home.

“It’s a struggle, it’s never the best, but it’s the best it can be,” said Karen.

Learn more about Cedarcrest Center for Children at www.cedarcrest4kids.org.