The Compass

Stacy and Nathaniel’s Story Nathaniel is a joyful, independent, fun-loving four-and-a-half-year-old boy despite having gone through more medical treatments than most of us will experience in a lifetime. He is also legally blind. He has some light perception in one eye and the bone marrow transplant that saved his life also spared his hearing from… Read more Two Babies Born Blind Lead to Two Moms on a Mission

If having a baby amidst a global pandemic isn’t strenuous enough, imagine being told during your pregnancy that your baby has a developmental disability and may not thrive. Natalie Gilbert, just like any expectant mother, was preparing for her baby’s arrival. She was excited about her pregnancy and was looking forward to when she would… Read more Having Marvelous Miss Marley

Can a child with developmental disabilities (DD) learn a second language? Over the years, as we have become more generalized, the perception that learning multiple languages can be difficult has increased, and even harder when it comes to a child with a disability. We generally believe that bilingualism is a long way from special education, and… Read more Developmental Disabilities and a Second Language

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month Each March, the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD), partners with other disability organizations, advocates, DD Councils, UCEEDS, P&As, and many others to create a campaign that highlights the many ways in which people with and without disabilities come together to form strong, diverse communities. The campaign… Read more Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

It’s National Nutrition Month! This yearly campaign was created to invite everyone to learn about making healthy food and eating choices, and to create physical activity habits. This year’s theme is Personalize Your Plate, a highly individualized approach unique to every individual because we all have different bodies, goals, backgrounds, interests and tastes. The four… Read more Celebrating National Nutrition Month

It’s National Nutrition Month and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month! So, during this special month, I thought I’d share my experience as a LEND Dietetic trainee. As a Vanderbilt Consortium Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) trainee, I serve those with neurodevelopmental and related disabilities (NDRDs). The LEND program prepares future health professionals to assume leadership… Read more My Experience as a LEND Trainee

CALLER: I never ever thought I would be going hungry or that my family would be one of the families without enough food. This pandemic has really hurt us in so many ways. My hours were cut in half. My neighbor said to call Pathfinder, that you had helped her find financial assistance for her… Read more Call Pathfinder: Pathfinder Finds Food Assistance Programs

For these and other events visit our Community Calendar or follow us on social media. March 24: Navigating a New Normal Workshop: Managing Your Plan Care March 25: Families First Workshop: Developing Successful Sleep Habits Part 2 April 1: The Challenge of Health Equity in Clinical Research April 19-21:  Disability Policy Seminar