My Time with Ability Online by Shandi Pace

Over the past three months, I’ve been interning for Michelle at Ability Online. As mostly anyone associated with Ability Online knows, Michelle works extremely hard every single day to ensure that this organization runs smoothly.

For most, Ability Online is a safe space where those with special needs can get the support they need in various parts of their life. They feel welcome and have the ability to connect with so many people going through the same issues that they are. Most places online are not regulated for anti-bullying and don’t offer the same protection that Ability Online does. Not only that, but it’s a place where people turn to when they need guidance, support and to build healthy relationships. Everyone supports each other, and everyone supports Michelle.

Personally, it has felt like these past few months have flown by incredibly fast. I’m graduating university now, as are the other interns that have helped Ability Online grow this year. Our time has been short, but unforgettable to say the least.

To start off January, a small group of us interning attended the Abilities Expo in Mississauga for the weekend. I had the chance to meet some of the members Ability Online has helped in the past, and possible members for the future. Ability Gives plays an important part in younger children’s lives and having the opportunity to meet Alex and to see where people’s helpful donations went to was incredible. We were also introduced to Rishi, the engineer behind Avra Labs Eye Control. He presented us with the technology of typing on a computer using just your eyes. Getting to see Sarah – a member of Ability Online – use the system was an unbelievable experience I could never forget.

The theme of my school’s magazine this year was success. Along the way, I’ve learned that success can have many different definitions.

Success doesn't rely on numbers. All that matters is if a product or organization can make a difference in people’s lives. Ability Online isn’t the largest charity, but the effect they’ve had on so many individuals has been touching to experience first hand. Whether it’s from participating in the live chat every Monday night or getting to meet members from the past and present at expos, meeting the real people behind the organization was inspiring.

Thank you to the Ability Online community for introducing me to new people and for putting up with my blog posts over the last few months. Thank you to Michelle for taking me on as an intern.

I'm not sure what I’ll do after graduation, but I do know I’ll always have a home with Ability Online.

Mindful Parenting by Jennifer L. Gibson, PharmD

Mindfulness is critical for personal well-being. Mindfulness is essentially a moment-by-moment awareness of thoughts, feelings, and sensations. By committing to this focus on the present, people can reduce stress and improve health. Mindfulness is usually an inward-focused practice, concerning an individual and his or her own self-awareness. Now, however, attention is being focused on mindfulness in parenting and, more specifically, mindful parenting for parents who have children with disabilities.

Mindfulness involves purposefully paying attention to how we feel and what we think, but without judgment or criticism. We tune our thoughts to the present moment and ignore calls to the past or imaginations of the future. Mindfulness is often developed through meditation, but even being mindful during simple, mundane tasks (like washing the dishes) can reduce stress and improve positive feelings.

Parents of children with disabilities face increased risks for acute and chronic stress, and many physical and psychological variables affect parenting decisions and behaviours. A parenting couple’s relationship is also strained when a child has disabilities. These stresses can be mitigated with mindfulness, and mindfulness can promote positive outcomes for the child and strengthen all familial relationships. Not surprisingly, parents who focus on such present-centred attention are more involved in the care and support of their children. Parents who practice mindfulness in caregiving also report greater satisfaction with parenting, more social interactions with their children, and lower levels of stress.

Mindful parenting does not only affect parents, though. Parents who mindfully attend to the care of their children with disabilities improve the lives and health of the children. Mindfulness of parents who are caring for their own children with disabilities leads to greater happiness for the children. Mindful parenting also reduces aggression and increases social behaviour in children with disabilities, including developmental and intellectual disabilities. Additionally, children whose parents practice mindfulness have increased positive and decreased negative interactions with their siblings.

Mindfulness training and interventions might help prepare parents for delivering the necessary care to their children. Whether you practice formal mindfulness, simply set aside a few minutes a day to calm and quiet your mind, or commit to paying attention to yourself on purpose throughout your day, mindfulness may be a path to transforming how you care for your child. Teaching your mind to ignore distractions and focus on your thoughts and feelings can be difficult – especially for tired, overworked, multi-tasking parents – but what is better to focus on than caring for your child?

Jennifer Gibson is a pharmacist and medical communicator. Dr. Gibson trained as a hospital pharmacist specializing in internal medicine and acute care, and, in this role, helped to implement patient safety initiatives and investigate medication errors and adverse drug reactions in hospital settings. She evaluates and consults on clinical performance and risk reduction in the health care industry and in other high-reliability organizations, and she regularly presents medication and patient safety education and training sessions for health care professionals, as well as parents, children, and caregivers. Find out more about Dr. Gibson at ExcaliburScientific.com.

Living Mindfully by Sarah Evans

Improving health is a goal many of us try to achieve as part of our New Years resolutions. Most people focus on improving their physical health, but looking after our mental health can also help us achieve better physical health. Did you know that mindfulness can help us both mentally and physically?

Being mindful means living in the present and focusing on the moment. When you are able to master mindfulness, you automatically reduce stress and the physical and emotional complications it causes. This is something that I struggle with. My mind is constantly wandering. I always have to keep my mind occupied or else it goes off in a million different directions. This can be very frustrating. I end up dwelling on things I don't really want to think about and I am not paying attention to what I am doing. Sometimes it takes me a while to re-focus my attention.

Meditation is a popular way to help improve our ability to be aware of how we are affected by our surroundings, feelings and emotions. It also helps to have something to focus on, like an interesting activity or pleasant music. I know that mindfulness will lead to more peace and health in the end. Personally, I feel better when I'm paying attention to what I'm doing. I feel calmer mentally and I am more confident. It is not easy to be mindful, but there are many resources available online to help you get started on a healthier way of interpreting the world around you.

Visit the following links to learn more about mindfulness:

• http://life.gaiam.com/article/6-ways-live-moment 
• http://www.positivityblog.com/index.php/2008/02/15/8-ways-to-return-to-the-present-moment/
• http://www.howtolive.com/be-present/#.VpfoJko8KK0