7.3 million students were living with disabilities in the U.S. public school system in the 2021-22 school year, making up 15% of national public school enrollment, according to data from the Pew Research Center. This number includes pre-k students through 12th graders. However, teenagers living with a disability, in particular, face unique challenges that…
In a couple days, it’ll be Thanksgiving. And in my house, that means we sit down for… a home screening of legendary director John Hughes‘ 1987 film Planes, Trains and Automobiles. I love to keep track of the classic comedy tropes on offer, and ever since I heard that the original script was for a…
The coming weekend is one that many have looked forward to since March! It’s not relief that Halloween is over, or excitement for the upcoming holiday season. It’s not breaking out the autumn sweaters and warm boots. It’s not even the oversized mug of pumpkin spiced latte they’re planning. It’s the extra hour of sleep!…
By Dr. Jonathan Torres, Medical Director, UnitedHealthcare Specialty Benefits Like many other people, I was going through life busy raising children, working and making time for hobbies and travel when possible. I had completed medical school, residency training and served as a physician in the U.S. Air Force. During those more than 27 years as…
How does spending time in nature make you feel? Relaxed? Refreshed? Perhaps even a little giddy at the prospect of an afternoon spent swimming in a pool or playing at a local park? The stress-busting benefits of outdoor activities have recently been confirmed by research published in JAMA. Researchers found that spending time in…
An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) is any pet that is legally certified to offer support for emotional of psychological conditions. They help people by providing support during difficult times and are mostly commonly utilized by people suffering from conditions such as anxiety or depression. Usually dogs are trained for this task. However, diversity of ESAs…
Taking care of yourself is an important aspect of maintaining both physical and mental well being. By making adjustments to your daily routine, you can start seeing positive changes in your overall health and even inspire your loved ones to do the same. In this article, we will explore five habits that contribute to a…
By Holly Devine Editor’s Note: Holly Devine grew up knowing how to advocate for herself and what she needed – as it related to being a person with a physical disability. But it wasn’t until she was working at her first job after college that she learned how to ask for support with a mental…
By Nigel Robert Editor’s Note: The prevalence of mental health conditions (most commonly anxiety and depression) accelerated during the COVID pandemic and has been on the rise in many places. Some people may find that letting a reptile into their life can help combat some of the effects of their condition – and this…
As we celebrate Pride Month this June, the world’s LGBTQ+ communities have many hard-won achievements to recognize. In the United States, where the Pride movement began, acceptance of LGBTQ+ people is greater than in many other countries. Yet, the weight of continued discrimination and poor physical health and mental distress is taking a unique toll…
