Internet Buzz #1 – The loneliness of having a child with disabilities
In her article in Refinery29, Eliza Factor shares how lonely she felt when her son Felix was born. Felix has periventricular leukomalacia, a condition where significant areas of white matter in ones’s brain dies in utero.
“It wasn’t that I had been shunned; I had been surrounded by friends and family who wanted to help, and often did. Yet there was a gulf that couldn’t be broached. What I had needed when Felix was born, what I still needed, was the company of other parents who have kids with disabilities,” says Factor in her post.
Factor has two other daughters, and in 2011 she turned an empty classroom at her daughters’ coop preschool into a non-profit play centre for children with disabilities.
“Extreme Kids has grown over the years. Through it my world has expanded in ways I never would have imagined from that lonely afternoon when Felix was a floppy, heavy baby, and I a despairing young mother. It has unleashed something in me: a quiet joy, that deep down feeling of not being alone,” she says.
Support from friends and family is important for parents who have children with disabilities, and we hope you find this story inspiring.
Internet Buzz #2 – Kids’ 3D printer
Don’t know what to get for your little one? Have you run out of ideas, just like us?
We’re so excited to share the perfect gift idea with you, the kids 3D printer. The Toybox 3D Printer is available to pre-order on Indiegogo, with prices starting at just $249 (RM1,064) + shipping. The company is expected to start delivering orders in January 2018. Okay, we might be telling a fib- this gift looks like a lot of fun for us too!
Internet Buzz #3 – Why these parents are waiting to teach their 5-year-old son to read
“I’m not teaching my five-year-old how to read,” wrote comedian and writer, Crystal Lowery. “Don’t get me wrong, we read him books all the time. We’re teaching him to enjoy stories, to get lost in characters, but we’re not teaching him how to read. Not just yet. He’s too busy learning other things.”
She explains that these ‘other things’ are to be a good sport, build things, be physically active and to be creative.
Lowery received a lot of backlash after her piece in Huffington Post but has forgiven the ugly comments. She says she will teach him soon, just NOT YET.
“I was inspired to write this post after some friends told me how disheartened they were that reading had become a competitive sport for bragging rights among parents. I wanted to subvert this bragging culture and wanted to remind parents about all the other things pre-schoolers are learning aside from phonics.”
We have to agree with Lowery on this one. Each child should be able to learn and grow at their own pace, and kids should enjoy their childhood because they only get one.
What are your thoughts on this? We would love to hear from you.
Internet Buzz #4 – How one Houston mom is helping those affected by Hurricane Harvey
We’re sure many of you know about Hurricane Harvey and the path of destruction left in its wake. Here’s a story about Becca Quisenberry and how she helps flood victims. Her donations began with diapers, and currently she has four rooms piled with donations five to seven feet high.
She has urged anyone who wants to help to make donations to local organisations or to contact her directly on her FB account.
Click here to find out how you can make a difference: http://www.parents.com/health/parents-news-now/hurricane-harvey-victims-need-our-help-what-you-can-do-to-make-a-difference/
Our thoughts and prayers are with those in Texas affected by Hurricane Harvey.
Internet Buzz #5 – The 10 most important things I’ve learnt since losing my son
In this article, dad Richard Pringle shares his list of 10 most important things he has learnt since losing his son. It’ll be tough for you to read the article without crying but we recommend you do. The most important takeaway from Pringle’s experience is that it’s the little things that matter; every hug, every kiss and every photo is special.
Sending love and light to everyone we have loved and lost. We are grateful for the memories you shared with us.
Internet Buzz #6 – The Real Justice League
Mums and dads, we present to you the Real Justice League. Photographer Josh Rossi carried out this passion project with six amazing kids who have diseases and disabilities.
“The whole idea was to take the things that are weaknesses for the kids, such as cancer and other diseases, and turn them into strengths,” Rossi tells PetaPixel. “I worked with six kids under the age of eight, and completed a movie poster style image for each of them.”
Each of the costumes cost USD10,000, but were all donated.
Such an empowering image, and what an ode to their individual strengths.
As Rossi puts it, ‘It is exactly their weaknesses that make them strong. Together they form the Justice League’.
We couldn’t agree more.
Compiled by Elyza Noordeen
Did you come across anything interesting or shareable in the past week? Give us a heads-up and drop us an email at makchic@popdigital.my.
