News

As announced by Premier Ford Thursday, the province is gradually permitting services delivered by health professionals to resume as long as health and safety preconditions are met.

As part of stage 1 reopening of the province, regulated health professionals such as Speech-Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists, as well as Board Certified Behaviour Analysts (BCBAs), are considered health professionals.

Services delivered by these professionals may resume if specified pre-conditions are met, and provided they operate in compliance with the advice, recommendations and instructions of public health officials.

Grandview has been offering many services virtually since March 18th, through telepractice – telephone and video applications. The Government is encouraging us to continue to provide virtual and alternative service models, where appropriate.

As we begin to make thorough and thoughtful plans for resuming in-person services, we will continue to offer pragmatic and innovative approaches to keep Grandview families, clients, staff and volunteers safe and supported. We will follow the guidance of our local public health authorities to ensure compliance with health and safety precautions.

It is going to take time to plan full reopening. We need to ensure access to appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). We also need to organize the logistics of our staff resources, given schools and child care centres remain closed and many of your beloved clinicians (our talented staff) are also parents of young children.

We miss seeing you and your children in-person and Thursday’s news is welcomed and uplifting.

We ask for your ongoing patience as we finalize the safest plan to welcome you back into Grandview sites. For now, we will continue telepractice virtual services until we are confident that we are ready to resume safe in-person services. We do anticipate a phased approach. I commit to keeping you up to date over the next week.   Please know we will be working as hard as we can to “see” you soon.

Like each of you, the team at Grandview is processing the reality of the massive disruption/fear/anxiety COVID-19 has introduced into our lives. We now know that this is going to continue for longer than we initially imagined.

The projections for COVID impacts across Ontario that were shared during the April 3rd Provincial briefing are staggering. We must all do our part to help. In fact, knowing that each of us has the power to make a difference is part of what I am writing to you about today; power and freedom.

I am reflecting on the famous quote from Viktor Frankl,

“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”

In uncertain times when we feel so out of control, it is difficult to envision ourselves empowered or free.   It is important to remember what we are in control of.

I have had the distinct honour of knowing many Grandview families. I want to share what I would say are common and consistent “isms” about them

•       They love their kids, I mean LOVE their kids. The “walk through fire” kind of love

•       They KNOW their kids better than anyone. Every little nuance that others would take for granted or even miss has clear meaning for you about your child

•       They want the absolute BEST for their kids

•       They know when to just step back and take a break- when all the therapy and appointments and constant work gets to be too much

•       They take nothing for granted- every inch forward is reason to celebrate

•       They are not afraid to reach out and ask for help when needed to keep balance in turbulent times

•       They sometimes feel lonely, sad, overwhelmed and tired of fighting or advocating for what others easily access and need to dwell there for a bit and then move forward

…the list goes on and on

I mention these “isms” because THAT list of “isms” seems like the current required skill set to manage through this pandemic. The responses you have chosen along your child’s life journey have armed you with the power to thrive during difficult days ahead.

We are here at Grandview, establishing new ways to offer our services to you and working to be sure you can connect with us for support.

We feel that the most important thing for you and your family right now is your own mental and physical health.

We know you will make the best choices for your family in terms of what can be accomplished with school lessons and therapy. Give yourself a huge break.  I read a great article the other day that suggested when we look back on these times we won’t remember who got all the lessons completed or who used the time to learn something new (what a privilege!) but rather we will be measured on how we treated each other, how children, seniors and those living with vulnerabilities were cared for and how we reached out (virtually mostly) to stay connected.

We do have the freedom to choose how we control some of this. Grandview families you are POWERFUL!

Please stay connected with us through social media or the online parent support group on Facebook to discover the opportunities emerging to “Go to Grandview” virtually. Your Grandview team is here and will be here as we travel the weeks and months ahead together.

The Grandview staff feels fortunate to have each other and the opportunity and privilege to continue to work for and with Grandview kids and their families. The road ahead is uncertain and answers are not forthcoming in more than a few days at a time. That is our reality. A few things are certain, you have the skills, Grandview is here for you and we will continue to be.

With deep care,
Lorraine

Dear Grandview Community,

We continue to find ways in which to connect with you and work remotely during these uncertain times.

Thank you for doing your part to maintain physical distancing.

For those of you who are self-isolating at home, thank you for your vigilance. Many Grandview families have the added stress of caring for medically complex children and we know how much they need all of us to do our part to keep ALL kids healthy and safe.

Daily across social media sites, multiple tools, and resources are being posted offering online learning and supports for kids and families.

We know that for many Grandview families many of these resources are not accessible or appropriate.

We also know that many parents are stressed trying to fit in “school work “ and therapy in addition to working as essential services, working from home, managing care routines and responding to new behaviours that may be arising with all of this disruption.

It is okay to not be on top of all of this. It is okay to feel overwhelmed and scared.  It is okay to not be okay right now.

It is one of the reasons we will be reaching out to you in many ways to check in.

Grandview is working to share resources meant for kids with communication, physical and developmental needs.

We also want to share resources for parents and caregivers to support your self-care as a healthy YOU is critical for your child right now.

Here is a great parent/caregiver website we really like.
https://ontariocaregiver.ca/find-support/peer-support/?fbclid=IwAR2rBaSQHla36MkqEMg2SWOnkSwrceBcbpktmIQvTG80TZuvw22XuhHn9Po

You can also try the Care Mongers COVID-19 Response Phone Line at 1-888-573-0982 if you need help or are isolated during the pandemic.

In addition, the Grandview Online Parent Support (OPS) Facebook page is a tremendous parent resource for Grandview families.  If you are not already a member here is how to sign up:  Please visit  https://www.facebook.com/groups/Grandview.OPS/ and click join. Then check your Facebook Messenger for some identifying questions or email andrea.belanger@grandviewkids.ca with your child’s name or client ID and your Facebook profile name so your information can be verified.

We will continue to reach out to you and do everything we can to help.

You are in my thoughts and the thoughts of the entire team at Grandview

With care,
Lorraine

For many teens across Durham Region, the recent PA Day meant extra time to sleep in, hang out with friends, or maybe play some sports or video games. For Grandview kid Kurt, 13, it meant testing out a dream job.

A plan was devised back in October at the Grandview Youth Advisory Committee’s Halloween event to have Kurt step in as CEO for the day; job shadowing Grandview Children’s Centre CEO Lorraine Sunstrum-Mann.

Diagnosed with hydrocephalus at birth, Kurt spent much of his childhood at Grandview, participating in physiotherapy and occupational therapy treatments. He also attended senior kindergarten at Grandview’s co-located educational partner, Campbell Children’s School. Needless to say, getting the chance to come back to Grandview as CEO was a “cool experience.”

During his time as boss, Kurt took part in meetings with Lorraine.

“There are so many people that Lorraine has to talk to, report to and talk about the centre with. She’s busy!” said Kurt.

One of the main highlights of his day was meeting with Grandview Kids and Campbell Children’s School’s Technology Lead Shaun Maddock and the Grandview robot Joy.

“I liked the fact that Joy can drive around,” Kurt explained. “I took Joy to see other kids and got her to talk to them and if they wanted her to dance, I’d make her dance.”

Kurt also attended the official opening of Lakeridge Health’s new 22-bed Mental Health Unit at the Ajax-Pickering Hospital, meeting the Minister of Health, The Minister of Finance and the President of the Treasury Board along with Durham MPP Lorne Coe and hospital dignitaries. Lorraine describe how heartwarming it was to watch the group treat Kurt as a VIP, going so far as introducing him to the crowd as a special guest.

Kurt made the most of his opportunity to speak to political leaders by advocating for Grandview.

“I told them the wait times are too long,” Kurt said. “They seemed to understand that there are many Grandview kids who need help.”

His time spent with Lorraine and at Grandview made Kurt more confident in choosing his future career.

“I know I want to do something with the community, helping people,” he said.

“Spending the day with Kurt was wonderful. What was supposed to be a rich day of learning for him turned out to be all about learning for me,” Lorraine explained. “Kurt impressed me with his curiosity about the work we do at Grandview and especially about why we do it. His excitement about helping other Grandview kids was touching and impressive.”

Does your Grandview kid have a dream job they’d like to give a try? Email communications@grandviewkids.ca

Grandview Kids welcomed three grade nine students to #TeamGrandview on November 6, 2019 for Take Your Kid to Work Day.

Ethan, Noah and Kyra joined their moms on the job to see what goes on at Grandview Children’s Centre. Ethan and Noah spent their day at the Oshawa headquarters, getting a chance to sit in on therapy appointments, spend time volunteering in the classes at Campbell Children’s School (Grandview’s co-located educational partner) and they were able to get their hands on some of the latest technology gadgets Grandview kids has to help children with physical, developmental and communication needs.

Kyra spent her day up in our north satellite in Port Perry. It is a smaller location but still busy and full of laughter and life like the other sites.

Reflecting on his time spent at Grandview, Ethan said he felt welcomed. “Everyone was very nice,” he explained. “It was cool to see Tulip the therapy pony and learn how to program the Campbell Children’s School iPal. I see how my mom loves going to work everyday!”

Noah commented on the skill set the staff had, noting “they all seemed to know what they were doing and how to do it.”

Thanks for joining us Ethan, Noah and Kyra! You are welcome back anytime.

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Congratulations to Dr. Shannon Knights! We are thrilled to announce that she has been appointed as the new Head of the Community Section of Developmental Pediatrics. This section brings together Developmental Pediatricians across the GTA and allows us to collaborate, learn and advocate together.  We are so happy to have Shannon as the leader of this group, representing the needs and voices of our Durham Region community and #TeamGrandview.

I attach the announcement from the Head of the Academic Centre based leader, Dr. Darcy Fehlings.

From Dr. Fehlings:

It is with great pleasure that I would like to announce that Dr. Shannon Knights has accepted the position as head of the Community Section of Developmental Paediatrics in the Division of Developmental Paediatrics.  Shannon is an excellent community based Developmental Paediatrician working at Grandview Children’s Treatment Centre.  I know she will provide excellent leadership for the community section in this role.  I would also like to acknowledge the excellence that Dr. Cynthia Goldfarb has brought to the role.  I know that all of Dr. Goldfarb’s hard work and initiative will help Shannon be successful in the role going forward.  Please join me in congratulating Shannon!

Don’t worry – Shannon will still be here with us at Grandview in her current role, continuing to see lots of GrandviewKids and supporting medical services in our goals for an inclusive and broad range of medical services for children in Durham Region.  This appointment raises our profile with our academic community and we look forward to seeing what further opportunities this brings.

Congratulations again Shannon on this terrific leadership opportunity.

Dr. Carolyn Hunt

Developmental Pediatrician

Medical Director, Grandview Children’s Centre

Research Chair

Associate professor, University of Toronto, Department of Pediatrics