Paid Leave is a hot topic in our country right now. The United States is the only industrialized nation in the world without a national paid leave policy, and C...
A Mother Raises Awareness and Advocates for Her Son and Others with Down Syndrome
In this episode of The Paid Leave Podcast, we speak with Kandi Pickard, the CEO of the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS). Down Syndrome Awareness Week is celebrated across the world from March 15 to March 21 every year. The purpose of the week is to create awareness about individuals with Down syndrome and the difficulties they might face in their lives. About 5,000 babies are born every year in the USA with Down syndrome. Due to advances in medical technology, individuals with Down syndrome are living longer than ever before. With 80 percent living past 60 years old. In March it is also National Developmental Disabilities Awareness month.Kandi Pickard provides vision and leadership, working collaboratively with individuals and organizations like CT Laid Leave, to support the entire Down syndrome community. Kandi’s involvement in the Down syndrome community first started as a local volunteer and advocate after her youngest son, Mason was born with Down syndrome. Ten years later, she leads NDSS with a focus on building community and keeping people with Down syndrome at the center of everything the organization does. Kandi says that CT Paid Leave is a great resource for caregivers, and for those with chronic health conditions. She says the flexibility to take time and be allowed varying lengths of leave aligns with the mission of the NDSS.To get in Touch with NDSS please go to their website: National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS)For questions or to apply for benefits please go to our website: CT Paid Leavehttps://ctpaidleave.org/s/?language=en_UShttps://www.facebook.com/CTPaidLeavehttps://www.instagram.com/ctpaidleave/https://twitter.com/CTPaidLeavehttps://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ct+paid+leave
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How The Connecticut Burn Center in Bridgeport Helps Burn Patients and Families Recover
National Burn Awareness Week is in February, and it's recognized by the American Burn Association. It is a chance to promote burn prevention and awareness in communities. With more than 3,000 members, the ABA dedicates their efforts and resources to promoting and supporting burn-related care, prevention, education, and research.The Connecticut Burn Center in Bridgeport Hospital is the only burn center in the state. Dr Roselle Crombie is a member of the ABA. She is a surgeon specializing in burn surgery and surgical critical care at several of the Yale New Haven Health Systems flagship hospitals in Southern Connecticut including the Bridgeport Burn Center. Her particular passion is a mix of burns, burn and trauma reconstruction, wounds, and general surgery. Dr. Crombie talked about the long road to recovery for some burn patients. She says the number of burn patients has decreased and many burns are preventable. The most common type of burn is a scald burn usually in the kitchen. Dr. Crombie says patients and their families can benefit from CT Paid leave, because it can help financially and emotionally, and it allows for caregiver leave.To get in touch with the ABA please go to their website: ameriburn.org American Burn Association – Improving the lives of those affected by burn injuryTo get in touch with the Bridgeport Burn Center go to their website at: The Connecticut Burn Center - Bridgeport HospitalFor information or to apply for benefits please go to: ctpaidleave.org https://www.ctpaidleave.org/https://ctpaidleave.org/s/?language=en_UShttps://www.facebook.com/CTPaidLeavehttps://www.instagram.com/ctpaidleave/https://twitter.com/CTPaidLeavehttps://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ct+paid+leave
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CT. Representative Corey Paris Gets Personal About His Mini Strokes and Serious Heart Health Journey
February is National Heart Month and It's also Congenital Heart Defect Week. I spoke with CT. Representative Corey Paris, who reps the 145th district, about his serious heart issues. He suffered from TIA's, also known as transient ischemic attacks or mini strokes. Upon further testing Rep. Corey was diagnosed with a hole in his heart known as patent foramen ovale (PFO). Rep. Paris emphasizes the importance of seeking medical specialists and advocating for oneself. He highlights the significance of paid leave for health recovery and family support, noting its impact on reducing poverty and increasing productivity. Corey also discusses his commitment to public service and community activism, and his vision for anti-poverty laws in Connecticut.To get in touch with Rep. Corey Paris please go to the website at: Paris | Connecticut House DemocratsFor more information or to apply for benefits please go to: ctpaidleave.org CT Paid Leavehttps://ctpaidleave.org/s/?language=en_UShttps://www.facebook.com/CTPaidLeavehttps://www.instagram.com/ctpaidleave/https://twitter.com/CTPaidLeavehttps://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ct+paid+leave
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The Bridge Project Expands to Connecticut to End Child Poverty and Create Prosperity.
More than 84 thousand children live in poverty in Connecticut, and 122 thousand in near poverty. In this episode, we talk about a new program that has expanded into Connecticut that gives unconditional cash to expecting moms or new mothers. It takes them from pregnancy to prosperity and helps them invest in their baby's future. The program is aimed at stopping child poverty.Laura Clancy, Executive Director of the Bridge Project, explains the program's mission to provide unconditional cash to low-income pregnant women for the first 1,000 days of their baby's life. She says giving the unconditional cash to spend the money as they want to, can empower the moms. She says the program can also improve babies social, emotional and mental development, and long-term well-being. The program, funded by philanthropists offers a prenatal stipend of $1,125 and monthly stipends of $750 for 15 months and $375 for 21 months. Clancy highlights the program's success in reducing stress, improving health outcomes, and supporting financial security. The Bridge Project has received over 2,000 applications for 500 slots in Connecticut but continues to accept more applications. They have filled 150 of the slots already and are hoping to expand into rural areas of the state.For more information or to apply for The Bridge Project please go to bridgeproject.orgFor more information or to apply for benefits go to ctpaidleave.orghttps://ctpaidleave.org/s/?language=en_UShttps://www.facebook.com/CTPaidLeavehttps://www.instagram.com/ctpaidleave/https://twitter.com/CTPaidLeavehttps://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ct+paid+leave
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How a Mother Helped Her Daughter Rebuild a Different Life After a Traumatic Brain Injury.
In this episode of the podcast, we are talking about Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). TBI’s happens when a sudden, external, physical assault damages the brain. It is one of the most common causes of disability and death in adults. TBI is a broad term that describes a vast array of injuries that happen to the brain. The damage can be focal (confined to one area of the brain) or diffuse (happens in more than one area of the brain). The severity of a brain injury can range from a mild concussion to a severe injury that results in coma or even death.Barbara Rubin is the author of a book about her daughter Jennifer, called More Than You Can See: A Mother’s Memoir. Barbara discusses her daughter Jenn's traumatic brain injury (TBI), sustained at age 17 which led to a prolonged coma and severe communication and mobility issues. Jenn required extensive rehabilitation, including relearning basic life skills. The family benefited from a supportive therapy center and later transitioned Jenn to a group home in Danbury, Connecticut called Abilities Beyond. Barbara emphasizes the importance of utilizing available resources and advocating for care, highlighting the impact of her book on helping others in similar situations. Barbara also says parents in the same situation today need to take advantage of any programs made available to them including CT Paid Leave.To get a copy of Barbara Rubin's book, More than You Can See: A Mother's Memoir: More Than You Can See: A Mother's Memoir: Rubin, Barbara: 9781647422493: Amazon.com: BooksTo learn more about Ability Beyond in Danbury please go to their website at: Ability BeyondFor more information or to apply for benefits please go to ctpaidleave.org: CT Paid Leavehttps://ctpaidleave.org/s/?language=en_UShttps://www.facebook.com/CTPaidLeavehttps://www.instagram.com/ctpaidleave/https://twitter.com/CTPaidLeavehttps://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ct+paid+leave
Paid Leave is a hot topic in our country right now. The United States is the only industrialized nation in the world without a national paid leave policy, and Connecticut is one of only 13 states and the District of Columbia to have a state program in place. Other cities and states are working to join the paid leave movement. The Paid Leave Podcast examines the state of Connecticut's paid leave program and the impact it has on various groups and diverse communities. Radio veteran Nancy Barrow interviews the people who fought to make paid leave a reality in Connecticut, and those who will ultimately benefit from the program. The states with paid leave include Connecticut, Rhode Island, California, New Jersey, New York, Washington, Massachusetts, Oregon, Maryland, Delaware, Minnesota, Colorado, Vermont, New Hampshire, Illinois, Minnesota and the district of Washington, D.C.
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