Fledglings News - Issue 7

Happy Holidays!

With term end in sight many of you will be looking forward to spending more time with your children and enjoying the fact that there will be no need to rush to catch the school bus each morning and evening. For others it will be more difficult - trying to balance work and child-care or looking for inexpensive ideas for occupying the youngsters. In this issue we will try to give everyone some ideas to make this time as enjoyable as possible.

Fledglings Receives the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service

On June 2nd, we learned that we are one of the 110 groups throughout the country to have been honoured with the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service. We are very grateful to all those involved in nominating or supporting our nomination for this award and to those who kindly judged us to be worthy of receiving it.

Fledglings on the World Wide Web

Fledglings has had a presence on the web from very early days but we have not had the time or money to develop it as we would like. However, our volunteer systems developer and IT consultant, has recently found time to update the website to include all previous newsletters.

Most products featured in past newsletters are still available. Please contact us if you want to place an order to check availability and current prices.

Can you help?

Fledglings has received a grant to produce a brochure (see below). We would welcome the help of families willing to share photographs of their children wearing our bibs or neckerchiefs, playing with toys or using items we have supplied which they think worthy of recommendation to others, for inclusion in our brochure. Comments you may wish to make about products would also be welcome. We may not be able to use everything supplied this time round but we feel sure any images or comments supplied will be of help to us. If you are able to do so, we would prefer images sent via email, but photographs would also be welcome. Thank you in anticipation of your support.

Our ‘Magical Trip’

Jane Godfrey, mother of Luke, writes about their very positive experience of a day trip via Eurostar to Disneyland Paris.

“Often, the thought of taking your child abroad, particularly if they have complex medical needs, is quite daunting. However if you are considering Disneyland Paris then you need not worry at all.

Our holiday began at Ashford International Station where we were met by a member of staff and escorted to the platform to await the arrival of the Eurostar train. A special ramp enabled us to get my son, Luke, safely onto the train in his wheelchair where he was positioned next to me, with my mum sitting across from us. Luke's view out of the windows was excellent and within exactly two hours we were pulling into Disneyland's station. Waiting on the platform was another member of staff with a ramp for Luke's wheelchair – then a 3 minute walk out of the station and a turn right found us at the entrance to Disneyland.

Disneyland has concessions for wheelchair users and one carer is able to enter the park completely free. Once inside the gates the ‘magic’ begins.

Luke Godfrey meets his favourite characters at Disneyland Paris

Your first post is ‘City Hall’ where you can get all the information you need concerning access to the rides and places to stand for the parades. You will also be given a blue pass which gives you unlimited access to all the rides with no need to queue. Several of the rides are wheelchair accessible, even a wonderful boat ride, where Luke was able to be seated right at the front of this specially adapted ride with ramps for safe access and my mum and myself were seated with Luke throughout. Often, if there are no other wheelchair users waiting, the Disneyland staff will allow you to stay on for another ride – we went around 3 times!

If you need to give your child any medication or, especially with a bigger child who needs to be laid down for changing, there is a first aid facility which is ideal as your child is given complete privacy.

The characters and parades are wonderful and Luke was made so welcome by everyone. As soon as you walk through the gates you really are in a fantasy world and the only negative side is that at some point you have to leave.”

Holiday Music

Whenever you are travelling it can be difficult to keep the children amused in the car. Music often makes the journey more enjoyable and will keep the children entertained, provided the quality of the sound is good. Rhythm and action songs also encourage mobility, concentration, sequencing and communication and may help the development of other skills such as reading. We recently discovered a set of children's CDs which we felt would make the holidays go with a swing.

• Action Songs contains 25 songs including Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes, The Wheels on the Bus, and I'm a Little Teapot.
• Travelling Songs contains 26 songs including Row, Row, Row your Boat and The Runaway Train.
• Bedtime Songs contains 26 songs including Golden Slumbers, Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star and Brahm's Lullaby.

All the CDs have 60 minutes playing time. They cost £4.99 each or £13.99 for all 3.

Action Songs, Travelling Songs, Bedtime Songs

More Products Available Through Fledglings

Many families call us after publication of the newsletter to ask where they are able to order the featured products. We find this puzzling as one of the aims of Fledglings is to help families gain easy access to products so, to this end, we are usually able to supply any featured product ourselves. We usually receive a small commission on these items but the main reason we supply the product is to help you, and the price quoted is usually the lowest price we can obtain.

Should you wish to order any of the items featured here, please return the order form enclosed or give us a call. All prices quoted are correct at the time of going to press. Postage will be charged as extra, unless otherwise indicated.

Developmental Toys and Learning Resources

The Frog Catch Game consists of two velcro ‘lily pads’ and a soft toy frog. The pads may be attached to a child's palm with a velcro strap across the back of the hand. The frog may then be thrown like a ball and caught on the ‘lily pad’. Two children may play ‘catch’ using one ‘lily pad’ each. An adult playing with one child alone may encourage the child to bring both hands together to catch the frog. Alternatively the child may be encouraged to throw the frog onto the ‘lily pad’ to help hand/eye co-ordination. The ‘lily pads’ may also be used like magnets to pick up objects which will easily attach to velcro. This ‘game’ is particularly suitable for young children or those with limited dexterity who have difficulties throwing and catching balls. Price: £3.00 per set of two ‘lily pads’ and one frog.

The Frog and Catch Game

The Activity Cube. This wooden cube offers children a wide range of fun play activities - a bead frame and a wooden maze to encourage fine motor skills, a xylophone for musical fun, a counting frame to encourage number skills and a chalkboard for drawing. It is particularly suitable for inclusive play and for use in family homes or small playgroups who have limited storage, as the bead frame top is stored inside the cube when not in use. Price: £37.50 inc p & p. N.B. For safety please secure the bead frame safely.

The Activity Cube

Summer Playthings Form Board with Knobs. Six toys – a trike, a pedal car, a dump truck, a slide, a bouncy playground activity horse and a bucket and spade are featured in this brightly coloured wooden puzzle, with handles for easy manoeuvrability. This toy may help children to develop shape recognition and hand/eye co-ordination. The individual pieces may also be used to help children within the autistic spectrum to understand which activity is being planned for them. Non-verbal children may also select from the pieces to indicate their preferred activity. Price: £5.00

Summer Playthings Form Board with Knobs

Colour and Shape Snap. Snap seems to be a universally popular game with simple enough rules for most children to understand – or they can be adapted a little to accommodate a range of players. This educational Snap game may help children learn colours and shapes while having fun. The pack of 52 cards contains 10 different colours or patterns and 10 different shapes. Two games of Snap may be played – one matching just colours, the other matching just shapes. The cards may also be used to play Pairs. Just place the cards face down on the table, then take turns to pick up 2 cards each until all the cards are used up. The aim is to find as many matching pairs as possible. The game can be played with just a few pairs initially, building up to the full set when the players acquire more skills. Price: £3.99

Colour and Shape Snap

Sensory Development Aids

Double Wind Wheel. This bright wind wheel in primary colours may be hand held or placed in sand or soil and will help children to observe the power of the wind. Children who have restricted mobility will enjoy watching the effects as the light coloured wheels spin at speed in opposite directions. The more lively children will enjoy turning the wheels to catch the wind and those with strong lungs may help to make the wheels spin by blowing, in effect making their own wind! A great beach or garden toy. Price: £2.99

Double Wind Wheel

Water Bobbing Sprites. These 3 little characters will attach by suction to a bowl or to the bottom of the bath, and when the basin or bath is filled up to their ‘chin’ their cheeky heads will float above the water. Then, by gently pressing on their heads, they will bob up and down as if dancing while at the same time producing a variety of rattling sounds. In a transparent bowl it is most effective and can be used on tray or table. This toy can be used to teach children about the properties of water and about flotation. It will encourage water play and may encourage children who dislike bathing to enjoy their time in the tub. Price: £5.99

Water Bobbing Sprites

Books and Videos

My First Signs is a most delightful board book, designed for all young children and their families. It contains clearly illustrated signs, based on British Sign Language, for more than 40 key words. Parents of a child who has hearing loss may find this book useful as an aid to signing for themselves or as a teaching aid for their child. However, if you have a child who has hearing loss which has been detected early, please discuss the use of signing with her/his specialist teacher.

This book helps children to develop signing as a means of communication before speech develops. As research seems to indicate that signing may help speech development, use of this book may encourage speech development while at the same time making communication through signing with children who do not subsequently develop speech to become adopted universally. As the book's illustrations of facial expressions are so clear it may also help children who have difficulties understanding body language and expressions. We believe this to be a truly ‘inclusive’ book and we commend it to all who care for young children. Price: £4.99

Four Sign and Sing Nursery Rhyme Books in the same series are also available at the same price.

My First Signs

Kids with Arthritis – A Guide for Families. This excellent handbook is written by Dr. Carrie Britton, a senior occupational therapist in the field of childhood rheumatology. At the age of 2 years, Carrie's daughter, Bethany, developed severe systemic onset Juvenile Ideopathic Arthritis, so Carrie has experience of the condition both as a parent and as a professional. Over a period of almost 10 years she has researched the effects of the condition on 60 other families who care for a child with arthritis. As a result of her research she has written this award winning guide – a mine of information with clear summaries - which has been made available free of charge to families who have a child with arthritis. If you would like a copy of this book please let us know.

Continence Products

The ‘Snoozy’ absorbent waterproof sheet protector is one of the most highly successful of Fledglings' products. With its bright cheery design featuring Snoozy, the white rabbit, it has helped very many children who have had long-term bedwetting problems, sometimes with immediate effect, to become dry at night. Placed on top of the sheet, it will absorb 1.5 litres of fluid so preventing the need for sheet changing after an ‘accident’. The feedback we have received from thankful parents is quite exceptional. It is especially handy at holiday time when sleeping away from home. The ‘Snoozy’ is machine washable and dries quite quickly. It may be tumble-dried. It can be used in many other situations to protect from spills – in the car, on furniture, on the floor as a play or bath mat, or outdoors when having a picnic. Also useful as a travelling changing mat. Price: £16.99. An alternative in white is also available at the same price.

The ‘Snoozy’

The ‘Duette’ waterproof wipe clean duvet is now available in a 4.5 tog summer weight. Price: £47.50 including delivery. Single Size only.

Safety Products

Sun and Rain protection for buggies of all shapes and sizes

We are grateful to Paula Rickerby who contacted us to tell us about a “wonderful company” who act as the sole British agent for an Australian sunshade which is endorsed by the Cancer Council of Australia (apparently Australian charities, unlike charities in Britain, are allowed to endorse products). This company was willing to make a special sunshade for her daughter's buggy (her daughter has to be kept completely out of the sun's rays) and they did this at little extra cost of the standard price. Standard Single £25, Deluxe Full Cover Single £30, Delivery £2.00. Allow an extra £10 for special requirements.

We have spoken to the company concerned who have confirmed that they are happy to make sunshades for any non-standard buggy from their special breathable fabric which has UPF 50+ protection that is maintained even after prolonged sun exposure and stretching of the fabric. Provided the buggy has a hood of some kind, a sunshade can be made to fit.

As concern for the effects of strong sunlight on our skin grows, we thought many families would be interested to know that protection for special buggies is available

Through this same company Fledglings is also able to supply quality nylon waterproof storm covers with a window of PVC, which, like the sun protectors, can be made to fit all hooded buggies or wheelchairs. Colours: Navy or Black. Price: Standard £20-£30 Delivery £2. Allow an extra £10 for special requirements.

If your buggy or wheelchair is not provided with a hood Fledglings may also be able to help you to obtain one. For further information or if you wish to place an order, please contact Fledglings.

Clothing

T-shirts for ‘Kids with Attitude’. We at Fledglings keep our eyes open for fashionable items that we believe will appeal to the young - and not just to their parents. We thought these T-shirts might fit the bill. The sage green shirt bears the logo ‘Wicked on Wheels’ and the pink ‘There's No Need to Stare – I know I'm Fab’. Sizes: Age 3-5, & 6-7 Price: £12 Age 9-11 & 11-14 Price: £14. Despatch costs £3.95 extra, direct from our supplier.

Swimwear and Swimming Aids

Buoyancy jackets to help children gain confidence in the water (with flotation blocks that may be removed as the child's confidence and ability improves) are available from Fledglings. Until recently we were only able to supply these for very young children but we can now supply them for children up to approximately 12 years or 50 kilograms in weight. Price: £26.99

Buoyancy Jacket

Eating and Drinking Equipment

The Handy Cup. This large transparent cup with two chunky handles is angled to make transfer from a cup with a spout easier for children. This cup has already proved very successful with a number of our young ‘customers’ so we thought more families may like to know about it. Price: £5.25

The Handy Cup

Feedback

Thank you to all those who responded to the request for information about cleaning velcro. Many suggestions were received mostly involving the use of sharp objects, e.g. a metal comb or an old toothbrush, after the muddy velcro is dry. Dawn Holmes uses a thick needle or pin to take out fluff or hair which builds up, but she also had the sensible suggestion to ask for extra velcro and/or elastic when picking up new splints so you can change it yourself!

Thank You

These past few months have brought more awards for our service. We are grateful to the Local Network Fund which has awarded us a grant to produce a brochure for families living in Cambridgeshire. Ruth has also received an Unltd Millennium Award to help further develop the service.

We also wish to thank Sara Cooke, a user of our service, who recommended us to a family Trust, the D G Lynall Foundation. We have received a generous donation of £500 from this Trust which has helped us once again to publish this newsletter completely free of charge to our readers.

Donations of £5 and above have also been received from the following: Antonella Hawes, Pat Hudson, Diane Hughes, Mrs Jones, Hazel Morrison, Valerie Murphy, Liz Olive, Janet Sharp, and Margaret Lambton. We so appreciate these donations – thank you all.

Thanks also to all those parents and professionals who support us by passing on information about our service or sharing/photocopying their newsletters with others who may benefit. It means a lot to us.

Large Equipment - Trampolines

Increasingly trampolining has become a sport enjoyed by everyone and children with a wide range of special needs can benefit. Trampolining can improve self confidence, posture, balance, co-ordination and spatial awareness as well as helping to keep individuals fit and physically healthy. These trampolines are suitable for all weathers and are guaranteed for 5 years against structural failure caused by rust or rot. Delivery is usually within a week of order and prices, which start from around £250 include VAT and delivery. Fledglings has been supplying trampolines for some time and we have had good feedback from the families about the trampoline and about the reliability of our supplier.

Jennie Hudson says: “the trampoline we purchased through Fledglings is one of the best things we have ever bought for our daughter, and although it is an expensive item we feel it is well worth the money. She uses it most days when it's dry as she loves to be outdoors and she really benefits from it. Gina has difficulties with balance, stiff joints, low muscle tone and circulation difficulties - trampolining helps with all these. We do physio exercises on the trampoline and lots of singing. Gina bounces on her knees to the music which helps her balance. She also loves the sensation. All the rest of the family love the trampoline, too - it helps us get rid of stress, keeps us fit and it's also great fun. If anyone would like to know more, I am very happy to talk to them.”

Gina with mum, Jenny, on the trampoline