Do you want to get really close to some amazing animals? Would you like to touch some of your favorites? Then join us on a Silly Safaris Friday, July 20th during our 2012 National Conference.

Amazon John, Coyote Chris and all of our other funologists are lively, interactive    characters so unique and refreshing you will be amazed how they appeal to all  ages.   A Silly Safaris Show is a high-energy and zany theatrical performance.  We are    the most interactive performers around.  You’ll see all the animals and everything  they do.  Children and volunteers join them on-stage in games and various fun  activities.  Everybody is entertained and engaged in the action.  Each animal, each  game, every interaction teaches something simple about nature and the world  around us.  Children crave to be close to animals and you never know what to  expect when you go on safari.  You’ll be having so much fun you won’t notice that  you’re learning facts about animals.

Silly Safaris Shows bring a variety of animals–mammals, reptiles, birds, amphibians, and yes, BUGS. Our approach is warm, inviting, and playful which leads to effective and rewarding entertainment. Our philosophy celebrates the children who help us on stage and the audience joins in the fun.  Become a lizard, smell a ferret, hypnotize an alligator, and hug a rabbit.  Everyone is entertained together as lasting positive memories are created.  The trained animals always offer their best and every audience responds as they share in the gift of interactive play.  Join Amazon John, Coyote Chris or one of our other funologists on a Silly Safaris soon — it’s fun for everyone and a wonderful experience to share with friends, family, and animals.

Prior to the conference, I had only briefly met one other child with WHS, and my husband had not met anyone, and the one thing we were most hoping to come away from the conference with was a “snapshot” of what our son’s future would look like.  I was unprepared for the emotion that overcame me when I walked into the banquet room the first night to see so very many precious faces of people who were loved enough by their families to be flown or driven there for the weekend.  Most of the families we talked with over the next couple of days were so encouraging and positive.  It really caught me off guard to be perfectly honest.  I don’t know if I was expecting some sort of survival mode or what exactly, but the upbeat spirit of the families is what I think of first when friends ask me, “How was the conference?”

We saw a wide range of physical and developmental abilities, and although it was great to see the reality of this syndrome, the reality is that the developmental abilities are quite varied.  So although we were hoping to get a snapshot of our son’s future, we instead got a snapshot of our own.  I am much more confident that we can handle this, and not just handle it but continue to thrive as a family.

*Article appeared in our 3rd Quarter 2010 Newsletter.

You won’t believe what I‘m about to share with you, I barely do! My husband, daughter Elizabeth and I went out to lunch yesterday, a place we go to once every few weeks. They usually give us the same table which has a big space by the side for us to place our pram (estate is precious/expensive here) but yesterday it was occupied.

I happened to look at the two people sitting at that table and something told me instantly that the boy has WHS. It’s not the first time I’ve seen a boy and wondered if he had WHS, having the common facial features, but to approach someone and not only takes courage but not everyone likes to be approached about personal and private matters.

My husband thought I was right, and he agreed with my compelling hunch that I should go over and ask. I didn’t want to interrupt their lunch or if she got angry at my approach and shouted at me I wanted it to be in a less crowded place so I waited until they paid the bill and asked them on their way out.

“Excuse me, I was sitting across the way from you and would like to know, does your son have special needs?”, “Yes”, she replied, “why?”. “Does he happen to have 4P-?” and she said “4P what?”. Immediately I thought, “oh no she has no idea what I’m talking about and I’m so embarrassingly wrong, I should just turn around and politely say thank you and goodbye”. So I repeated myself and the hairs on my face stood on end when she said “oh yes, how did you know?”. Amazing or what?????

I was holding Elizabeth, I thought I’d arm myself with her so I didn’t seem like a crazy woman and could explain myself! She said her docs had told her there were no other 4P- children in Hong Kong but I don’t know when they told her, her son is 11yrs. We swapped much info, mainly talking about the well-being of our children and agreeing about our concerns. All along I was trying to figure out if she would mind me asking her for her number so we could keep in touch but before I could she asked me.

She invited me over to their home when we’re all free, saying she has no “job” and has lots of free time. Her son went to the same school as Elizabeth’s but in a different location, he now goes to the only English speaking school in Hong Kong for special kids (I was told it’s private). Her son, Jimi, is pretty high functioning. He can feed himself with a fork or may be even chopsticks, can chew and swallows with no problem and sits quietly looking around at his surroundings.

Had I not looked at our “usual table” I don’t think I would have noticed him. After meeting him I noticed that his body and face gestures are very much like other WHS kids of that age that I met at the US conference and the UK conference. He answered simple questions and said hello despite being very shy, he wanted to hide behind his mum but was intrigued by Elizabeth and wanted to hold her hand.

As you might imagine I was astonished to have met this other 4P- family and in the manner that we did. We have met so many doctors (since having Elizabeth and dealing with her many symptoms) but yet only two of them have told me they had met another 4P- child in Hong Kong but had not seen them in recent years. Our geneticist said in his 20yr career he has seen about ten 4P- children in Hong Kong.

We’ve never met any other 4P- families in Hong Kong but we’re so grateful for all the other 4P- families who are able to make it to US and UK conferences, having not met all of you I wouldn’t have had the experience to have recognized this family and now I feel we have our own tiny support group!

Yin, Robby and Elizabeth (Oct’ 2008)
Hong Kong

Sibshops acknowledge that being the brother or sister of a person with special needs is for some a good thing, others a not-so-good thing, and for many, somewhere in-between. They reflect a belief that brothers and sisters have much to offer one another — if they are given a chance. Sibshops are a spirited mix of new games (designed to be unique, off-beat, and appealing to a wide ability range), new friends, and discussion activities.

The Sibshop curriculum is used throughout the United States, Canada, England, Ireland, Iceland, Japan, New Zealand, Guatemala, Turkey, and Argentina.

The Arc of King County in Seattle produced an excellent video about sibling issues and Sibshops.  It’s almost 15 minutes long, but provides great insights from sibs of different ages and cultural backgrounds.  So grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and check it out!

If you are interested in locating a SibShop near you, go to http://www.siblingsupport.org/sibshops/find-a-sibshop.

Teen and adult siblings can connect with other siblings through FaceBook and Yahoo.  Go to http://www.siblingsupport.org/connect/sibteen-facebook-group-and-yahoogroup to find out how.

cookie for a koz!

4P- Support Group Holiday Fundraiser, 10% of purchases will go to our group!

This season we’re partnering with Cookies for a Koz, in a fund raising effort for the 4p- SG, to supplement the expenses of our upcoming 2012 National Conference.  Visit http://www.cookiesforakoz.com to purchase delicious “fresh baked homemade” cookies this holiday season.  A portion of the proceeds will go to the 4P- Support Group and a portion goes to the Starlight Children’s Foundation.

Just note in the personalized note/comment section of the order process:  “4P- Support Group.”

The cookies come individually wrapped and beautifully packaged in gift boxes.  The cookies make great gifts for teachers, therapists, family and friends.  Because they are individually wrapped, they also make great holiday party favors! 

Thank you for your support!  We wish you and yours a very happy holiday season!