Things to remember before enjoying the hot weatherHealth in Motion director Natan Gendelman discusses bug bites, allergies and how you can minimize their appearances to make the most of the summer weather

Good morning everyone and welcome to summer! With the warm weather well on its way, many of us are taking the time to slow down, relax and take advantage of what this season has to offer. To fully enjoy the next few months however, there are a few precautions that you and your family should consider taking. As a result, in our summer newsletter I will focus on ways that you and your family can stay comfortable, healthy and happy in the sunny days to come.

Combating mosquito bites. As one of the first things you notice with the change in seasons, mosquito bites are a common concern both for their annoying itch and possible health effects. While harmless in most cases, mosquito bites may lead to the spread of diseases such as West Nile and can be responsible for triggering severe allergic reactions. To deal with this problem, many families use sprays and other insect repellents to keep bugs away. However, the majority of these repellents work due to the addition of DEET and other toxic chemicals, which make these products unsafe for use on young children. This can be an issue, as their application can lead to irritation, severe allergic reactions and other serious side effects.

Protection against the sun. It's important to note that bug sprays and insect repellants are not the only summertime products that can be harmful to your health. Sunscreen is another big culprit, as many people are unaware of the risks associated with using these kinds of products. While they may protect you from sunburn, the use of sunscreen has been linked to an increased risk of cancer, and many debate just how effective and safe these creams and lotions may be (EWG 2012).

As an alternative, I suggest wearing light-coloured long-sleeved shirts and pants whenever possible. Stay in the shade, wear a hat and avoid going outside at noon. While some of these precautions may seem less convenient and effective than what you may be used to, in the end they will be more beneficial to the health and wellbeing of you and your family.

If you have any questions, feel free to email me at natan@healthrehab.ca. For more information and to see the safety rating of different sun products, visit breakingnews.ewg.org/2012sunscreen/

Good Health NewsSUMMER • 2012

Volume 5 Number 5

Things to remember before enjoying the hot weather ...................................................Page 1

This summer's hottest produce ...................................................Page 2

Subscribe to our Youtube Channel ...................................................Page 2

Traveling with your child with special needs ...................................................Page 3

Here's What People Have to Say About LIFE ...................................................Page 4

IN THIS ISSUE

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With warmer days upon us, fresh fruits and vegetables have become abundant and very easy to find. Here are some of our top summer picks perfect for your next patio get-together!

Tomatoes. A good source of Vitamin C, Vitamin A and folacin, tomatoes are a popular summer staple. Try using organic, vine-ripened tomatoes in bruschetta, salsa or to top a homemade pizza margherita.

Spinach. A versatile vegetable, spinach is a good source of Vitamin A, folacin, fibre, Vitamin C and potassium. It tastes great in salads, baked into quiches and pastries, in omelets or alongside pasta dishes.

Lettuce. Lettuce is well known as a summer must-have. Used most often as salad greens, it is a good source of Vitamin C, Vitamin A and folacin. Popular varieties

include Iceberg and Romaine lettuce, which taste great in wraps, sandwiches and a wide variety of different salads.

Zucchini. Rich in Vitaminc C, Vitamin A and a good source of fibre, zucchini and other summer squash varieties taste great in tarts, baked into breads and as quick skillets and stir fries.

General Health This summer's hottest produce

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Good Health News • Summer • 2012

Traveling can be a great opportunityto learn about and experience new things together with your child. When the process goes smoothly, it is also a good way to develop closer ties among family and friends. However, this process can also be challenging, especially when traveling with a child that has special needs. Many of the patients and families I treat from overseas have experienced issues with arranging transportation, finding the right food and booking the right accommodations. All of these items need to be arranged well in advance in order for the whole process to run smoothly. As a result, I would like to cover a few things to keep in mind when you’re preparing to travel with your child. Hopefully this will aid you in plans for your own trip with your child, and also generate a discussion about what you’d like to share and learn more about in regards to traveling and accessibility.

Food in foreign countries. Now whether or not a child or adult has special needs, what a person eats can have a huge impact on their health, behaviour and cogni-tive function. When traveling, this becomes even more important as food sensitivities, allergies and intoler-ances can all pose risks during your child’s mealtime. As a result, it is important to pay attention to what you and your child are eating, and to ask questions about ingredients and preparation wherever you go. Since the regulations regarding food production change from country to country, even foods which are familiar to you and your family may be grown, produced and processed according to different standards.

For this reason, offer your child items that are light and easy to digest such as plenty of fresh (preferably organic) fruits and vegetables throughout the first few days of your trip. As well, certain foods may contain different ingredients than your child is used to, such as dyes or preservatives. As always, read the labels on

the products you buy and eat, and try not to switch drastically from the kinds of foods your child is used to eating.

Accessibility challenges. Another aspect of travel that you will need to consider is accessibility, especially if your child uses a wheelchair or other specialized equipment on a regular basis. Many countries have facilities that are said to be accessible, but this may be different from what you actually encounter while you are there. Last year when I visited Cuba, I found it very hard to watch an elderly couple struggle to climb a steep flight of stairs, as the plane they were trying to board didn’t have any other means of access. Think-ing about what a person using a walker or wheelchair might encounter, it is extremely important to check with your travel agent whether the place you are going will meet your child’s accommodation needs, includ-ing facilitating ramps, elevators and a roll-in shower.

Of course, when you decide to go on a trip with your child, it is important to speak with him and help him understand where you all will be going, and what for. There are some great articles by about.com and Friendship Circle I’ve linked to below that give great tips on ways to prepare your child for traveling. By getting him used to the idea of going on the trip ahead of time, you can reduce any anxiety he may have, and prevent him from becoming overwhelmed and overexcited by the experience. I think that is an important step towards a fun and successful travelling experience.

For more information, check out the articles on traveling with your child from these great sites:

http://specialchildren.about.comhttp://blog.friendshipcircle.org

www.enabledkids .ca

Traveling with your child with special needs

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Good Health News • Summer • 2012

Want to subscribe?Good Health News publishes articles about current health issues. The material in this newsletter is not copyrighted, and may be reproduced and shared with family and friends. Articles in GHN are for informational purposes only. If you have a health condition, please consult your physician or health care provid-er before following any advice. Good Health News is published by the Health in Motion Rehabilitation Clinic, Toronto, Ontario, (416) 250-1904, info@health-inmotionrehab.com. Previous issues of Good Health News are posted at: www.healthinmotionrehab.com. If you would like a subscription, or a copy of past issues, feel free to contact us. We hope you enjoyed this issue!

-The Health in Motion Team

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Health in Motion Rehabilitation

Learning Independent Function Everyday. That's LIFE.

Here's what people have to say about our LIFE Program:

“Blake was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and global developmental

disability when he was 10 months old. At one year, we brought him to

Health in Motion. At this time he could not roll over, or sit, and had very

little neck movement and eye contact.

Within weeks we saw huge changes in Blake. His tone, eye contact and

range of movement had significantly improved, and he was overall

much happier and aware.

The staff are all very supportive and will take the time to explain any

questions or concerns. They have given us hope that he will be able to

sit up and walk one day. They have truly changed his life and we are

excited to continue on this journey with them!"

Kim Colwell, Alliston, ON

LIFE MINI PROGRAMFor: kids 0-12 & 12-15 with CP, ABI, or stroke Frequency: 1-3 times a week, 2-3 hours/dayDuration: Ongoing as needed

LIFE MAXI PROGRAMFor: kids 0-12 & 12-15 with CP, ABI or stroke Frequency: 5 times a week, 3-5 hours/dayDuration: 4 weeks

Contact us if you are interested in booking for 2012. Limited spots avail-able. Call or email us for information about our adult LIFE Program.

For more information, visit our website: www.healthinmotionrehab.com.

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