Dec Enews: A Second Generation Tichenor Family, Holiday Party, New Class!

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Dear friends of Tichenor, 

This is my smart, beautiful daughter Skylar. She turns three in January. She was born at Long Beach Memorial at 41 weeks but arrived struggling to breathe due to an infection. She thankfully recovered after two weeks intubated in the NICU, but it wasn’t until a few months later that I noticed she was having trouble with mobility. I immediately knew what it could be: Nail-patella syndrome, or congenital elbow malformations, a painful condition that I had as a child and still have to a degree.

Indya with daughter Skylar

When specialists confirmed bilateral elbow contractures, we were referred for physical therapy at Tichenor. I clearly remember that first day walking towards the clinic holding my 7-month-old. I was nervous about what life would be like for Skylar, but the emotion that overcame me at Tichenor’s doors was a flood of happy memories:

20 years ago, my granny brought me to Tichenor Clinic for therapy. I couldn’t believe that life had brought me back to the place I never wanted to leave.

Indya with Granny in 2001

I needed a lot of therapy as a child. It was painful, but what felt worse was the pain of feeling different and not having many friends my age. It wasn’t until I joined Tichenor Clinic’s preschool [early intervention Development Program] that I felt a sense of belonging for the first time. I loved going to class and having friends and teachers who loved and cared for me. When my granny told me that I was being discharged, I was crushed. I didn’t want to go to a regular school where I’d be treated differently.

What a blessing that Tichenor has been open all this time, helping more kids like me and their caregivers feel less alone.

Skylar with occupational therapist Mindy 

Skylar now participates in both physical and occupational therapy at Tichenor. They make it fun for her and have really helped prepare her for school and life. Not just how to hold a pencil to minimize stress on her elbow or how to strengthen her back muscles to support her walking, but most importantly: how to love with open hearts and minds.

Indya & Skylar with occupational therapist Mindy 

Skylar with physical therapist Mayra 

At Tichenor, every child with differences feels like part of the family. Two decades later, two Tichenor staff members stopped me in the hallway, recognizing me! I can’t fully express what that means to me.

As a full-time student at LBCC and working parent, I am incredibly grateful for Tichenor Clinic providing us access to therapy, family support, and most of all, community. This holiday season, please help me in thanking Tichenor Clinic for Children!

Indya Bluford

PS: Here's Granny with her great granddaughter :-)

Thank you to our Holiday Party Donors & Volunteers!

If you happened to drive by Termino Ave. this past Saturday, December 18, you would have been filled to the brim with holiday cheer!

Almost 300 kiddos drove through the Tichenor Clinic lot with their families, receiving toys, snacks, groceries, and that Tichenor love.

We are so grateful to our holiday party donors!

BBSI
Vanessa Cota & Team at Asplundh

Jesse F Moreno, CPA
GoFETCH 

Mary Jo McBride Rockenbach and St. Barnabus School

McBride High School Student Council 
Moose Toys

Signal Hill Police Department
Collins Neighborhood Association
State Council on Developmental Disabilities

Rocio Martinez & Friends 
Linda Silver

BBSI Team Members wrapping gifts for children!

Snow in Long Beach! ;-)

Big thanks to all our volunteers!

Irit, Jocelyn, Rosario, Martha, Brenda, Jackie, Maxine, Katherine, Laura, Jeff, Joseph & Michael, Jose, Joejo, Bryan, the Escobars, Lisa & family, and our super fun friends at Zafiro the Clown and best DJ Carlos Hernandez, @iluminacionysonidoverzatil! 

And our continuing appreciation to our partner agency, Miller Children's & Women's Hospital's Family Resource Centers for co-hosting this annual event with us and all the ways you support our community!

Zafiro & Friends!

Board President Lisa Carrick & her son volunteering!

More Than Words® Program - Free Orientation!

Our next Hanen® More Than Words® Program is starting in January 2022! 

More Than Words® is an evidence-based training class for parents of children who have autism or have difficulties with social communication (i.e., poor eye contact, lack of engagement/play). Parents learn strategies that can be implemented at home to help grow your child's social interactions and desire to communicate. Learn more about the program on the Hanen website here. 

Have questions or want to hear more? Join our free virtual orientation on January 13, 2022 at 5:30pm. Email Speech-Language Pathologist Karen Kleker to register for the orientation at Karen.kleker@tichenorclinic.org. 

The class will be held January 27 - April 7, 2022 and will be on Thursday evenings from 5:30pm-8:00pm via Zoom. 

Feel free to share widely!