Welcome to the H.A.L.O. Foundation Web Site
Helping Children |
Helping Families |
The H.A.L.O. Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for children with neurological impairments.
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H.A.L.O.'s Family Circle division is a resource & support center for Massachusetts families who care for children with special needs at home.
H.A.L.O. CAN helps struggling families deal with the complicated maze of regulations governing care of people with disabilities in Massachusetts. |
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Stories of H.A.L.O.'s Impact |
Siblings Need Attention and Support
What is it like to be the sibling of a person with complex medical conditions?
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| Stacey MacLean |
Brothers and sisters express a range of emotions: compassion, love, pride, responsibility, guilt, anger and frustration among them.
Social workers are paying more attention to family dynamics and addressing the whole family that supports a medically fragile child, according to Stacey MacLean, LSW, "because everyone is affected." She addressed this topic at the annual meeting of the Association for Providers of Children with Complex Medical Needs (APCCMN) in October. [Read more]
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When Katie Frost sees her red travel bag she gets pretty excited. She loves spending time at New England Pediatric Care. Her family calls it “Katie Camp.”
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| Katie Frost enjoys watching her siblings perform in the marching band. |
Her mother Sue says she uses short term stays at the NEPC to balance the needs of all four children: Andrew, 18 Katie, 16, Emily,15 and Carly,10.
Doctors told the family Katie would not survive after being born with fluid on the brain, but after multiple shunt revisions she is able to live in the family home. However, she experiences frequent seizures, is non-ambulatory and totally dependent on others for everything. [ Read more] |
Cedarcrest 'Walk & Roll' Draws Crowd of Supporters
Nearly 200 family members, physicians, nurses, friends and community members participated in Cedarcrest Center's First Annual KIDS CARE Walk & Roll in Keene, New Hampshire recently. Through a grassroots, on-line fundraising effort, the event generated $15,000 to benefit children with complex medical and developmental needs at the Center.
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N.H. Home Provides Backup Ventilator Care
On a Monday morning a little more than a year ago, Cedarcrest Center had a watershed moment.
A young girl whose breathing is supported by a ventilator arrived to stay for a few days. Her admission and discharge home after a short-term stay might have been considered routine, except that she was "ventilator-dependent."
It was the first time Cedarcrest Center, New Hampshire's only pediatric intermediate care facility, was able to respond to the growing need for post-acute care options for children who are ventilator-dependent. This historic occasion was the culmination of a strong collaboration among members of the New Hampshire healthcare and disabilities communities. [Read more]
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H.A.L.O.'s Gift Helps Matt Stay Fit and Engaged
Fifteen- year-old Matthew sat around a lot after he outgrew his customized stroller. He can't walk long distances or run due to Spinal Muscular Atrophy, but he is able to enjoy swimming in the family pool and occasionally using an exercise ball, according to his father, Bill.
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| Susan Maltz observes Matt as he rides his bike at the BEST Program. |
So when Susan Maltz, physical therapist at the BEST Program in the Boston Public Schools, saw Matt's enthusiasm for the Rifton adaptive tricycle she arranged for his family to borrow it over the summer.
"Riding the bike gave Matt a feeling of independence and the exercise was good for him," said his dad. "He loved it." But when the family went shopping they realized it was going to take years to save up for this expensive bike.
"We are so grateful Susan helped us apply to H.A.L.O. for financial assistance," said Bill.
"Matt rides the bike all the time. . We take it to Castle Island and Arnold Arboretum. Thank you H.A.L.O. Your help was much appreciated." |
Seven Hills Offers Alternative Care For Medically Intensive Individuals
No sign, no front desk, no announcements over the intercom.
Nothing identifies the neat grey, one level house on a bucolic lane in Groton, MA as a home for individuals who have complex medical conditions and physical or cognitive disabilities.
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| Seven Hills Community Services has built a home for medically-intensive individuals in Groton, MA. Residents enjoy all the comforts of a traditional home in rooms adapted to their needs. |
But inside the Great Room, five bedrooms and spacious tub and shower rooms there are overhead lifts to move the five young adult residents from wheel chair to sofa, or bed, or bath. The kitchen is handicapped-accessible, even though only one current resident can manipulate utensils and participate in cooking. Wheelchair arms slide easily beneath the table top and medical equipment is tucked next to clothes in the closet in each resident's private room. [ Read on]
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iPads Help Children Communicate
When the Parent Association offered iPads to residents at Athena Day School at Plymouth Rehabilitation and Health Care Center (formerly Radius), the staff and families were skeptical.
"My son was never very aware of his surroundings before; he never reached for things or moved his hands in a purposeful way," said Cindy Murray, mother of a 20-year-old who lives at thePediatric Center and attends the school.
"Then I saw how he reacted to it!" The iPad captivates him, Cindy said.
“I'm there every day. I was in tears for the first few months. I could not believe it. When the teachers even mention the iPad, he anticipates that it is coming and reaches for it.” [ Read on]
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