Category: Community

The Yellow Light Project

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A HUGE thank you to The Yellow Light Project for donating one of their awesome anxiety packs to Aubrey Psychological Services. The Yellow Light Project is a Kelowna-based community organization helping kids under the age of 12 to stay in the yellow zone. The organization was started by a Janine Rayburn, a mom who has a young son with anxiety. Janine is raising money though her Go Fund Me page to help continue to make these packages available to children in the Okanagan who need them. Below is Janine’s story:

My son suffers from anxiety. So much so he wanted to end his life. He just had his ninth birthday. We were told in the hospital that there’s stages to anxiety. Kids need help when they are in the yellow zone because once they hit the red zone they become impulsive, defiant and have one way thinking, suicide is their out. We were told that putting together a pack of little things he could play with when he feels he’s in the yellow zone could help him not go to the red zone. So we did. He now brings it everywhere. No it’s not a solution and we still have so much work to do. But for right now, it works. We feel like other kids can benefit from these packs. That is what this project is about. Putting together these packs and giving them out to kids in our community that are suffering from anxiety. Thank you for all your love and support. We are in this together.

Thank you Janine for creating this wonderful initiative in honour of your son.

An Afternoon with Dr. Amanda, Pediatric Chiropractor

Dr. Amanda Stevens invited me to shadow her during one of her busy clinic days at Altavie Integrated Family Health. Dr. Amanda is a Doctor of Chiropractic whose practice focuses on pediatric and maternity health. I met Dr. Amanda last year as we both work with children and families in Kelowna. Having never been to a chiropractor myself I knew next to nothing about chiropractics, let alone chiro. for kids!

Dr. Amanda provides support to patients with a wide range of difficulties. She works with expecting moms, new moms, infants, and children/teens. For infants, I learned that families might seek out chiropractic care for colic, reflux, constipation or birth injuries. In older children, Dr. Amanda sees kids with ear infections, sinus problems, pain, bed wetting, allergies, asthma, ADHD, and ASD.

I enjoyed watching Dr. Amanda spend time with moms and adorable babies; she certainly has a way with kids. Her practice is much more fast paced than mine and I particularly liked how no one wears shoes in Dr. Amanda’s office.

Thanks to Dr. Amanda for allowing me to take a peek into the world of pediatric chiropractics. Thank you also to the wonderful families who let me sit in on their sessions, ask questions, and take photos for this blog post!

YMCA Healthy Kids Day 2017

Had a blast with all the kids and families at this year’s YMCA Healthy Kids Day, a national day dedicated to improving the health and well-being of kids.

Kelowna Autism Awareness Walk 2017

April 2nd is World Autism Day! I had so much fun participating in Kelowna’s fourth annual Autism Awareness Walk. Did you know an estimated 1 in 68 diagnosed children is on the autism spectrum? Thanks to all the families who came out to support children with autism. See you next year!