Healthy Mom, Healthy Family:

The health, development, and opportunities enjoyed by children with a disability depend on the availability and support of a healthy, capable, and well-resourced care giver. In 95% of families, that person is Mom!. Mothers play a crucial role in supporting their child while managing a multitude of additional care responsibilities. Research shows that caring for a child with a disability over the long-term can have negative repercussions of the mother in terms of financial, physical, and mental health, as well as family relationship. Studies also report that mothers of children with disabilities suffer from lack of support, stress related to aspects of their child's behavior or emotional well-being, lack of sleep, lack of time to care for their own health and well-being, and an inability to work as desired.

In order to ensure a healthy child and healthy family, mom must be healthy herself! The good news is mothers who learn to manage their own stress can improve their own health as well. Healthy moms experience a greater sense of personal empowerment about their child's special needs, and manage family, work, and their social life more easily.

This one-day conference aims to inform mothers about the research and empower them to use innovation strategies to improve their own health, wellness, and network of support.

Mothers are very important people the in the lives of children with disabilities and their families!

Objectives of this education day:

Inform mothers about the most recent research regarding the health and situation of mothers raising a child with a disability

Discuss factors that challenge and factors that support mothers.

Enable mothers to evaluate their own set of challenges and supports.

  Help mothers identify ways to strengthen supports and minimize challenges.

Provide mothers with healthy lifestyle options to facilitate better health and well-being.

Presenters: Dr. Helen Bourke-Taylor, occupational therapist and published researcher in the health of mothers of children with disabilities, and Ms. Patricia Herbst, mother of a young adult with a disability and Executive Director for the Center for Independence through Conductive Education.

Sunday, April 22nd, 2012, 9:00am - 4:00pm

Helping Hand Center | 9649 W. 55th Street, Countryside, IL

$50.00, includes continental breakfast and lunch

Registration forms can be completed online at www.center-for-independence.org.

Space is limited! Please register soon.