Bridget Cella, e-Pro Realtor

For those of you who may not know that this program exists - let me sum it up for you!

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) are trained to look for a "vial", that looks like a prescription bottle, or a bag with a decal. This vial is placed in the top shelf of your refrigerator door in your home and often in the glove compartment of your vehical.

Follow this link for Gloucester County, NJ "Vial of Life" instruction sheet and form to include in you vial.

You can also order the decals for free from this website. Each kit contains two decals, simply fill out this form and they will send them to you.

Why is this important? If you or a loved one had any medical condition, the information provided in this vial will enable and emergency technicians to administer the proper care, in a split second they will have access to all of your pertinent helath information.

Why is it in the refrigerator? I have yet to see a home that didn't have a refrigerator, it is a common household item made of metal - therefor it is fire retardent.

How much does it cost? It costs you nothing, it's free!

How does it work? Originated in California, this website gives you a step process of how it works, please visit "Vial of Life" for more information. But here is the basic idea:

1. Fill out the "Vial of Life" form with all of your pertinent health information, Dr. names and numbers, the medication you are takingm and any health conditions. Nearest relaltive, emergency contact numbers etc.
2. Place the decal on the front of a plastic baggie or old pill bottle, also insert any documentation that may be helpful, EKG, living will etc.
3. Gloucester County EMS are trained to look for the vial in your refrigerator, on the top shelf of the door.
4. Place the additional decal on the door of your home so that EMS will know to look for it.

I think it is also a good idea to contact your local Fire Department, Police and EMS to advise them of the medical conditions that you may have.

For more information about the "Vial of Life" program in Gloucester County please visit their website at www.gloucestercountynj.org or call Gloucester County EMS at (856) 307-7120.

New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute - has a form to fill out on their website, follow this link.

"Things aren't always as they seem". You may have heard these words spoken in previous circumstances but just take a moment to really think about it.

As I was waiting for the bus with my son this morning we always chat about something that he is interested in. Honestly, he has a very eccentric personality so these conversations are usually very interesting.

This morning in particular we were enjoying what was left of the snow storm that had given us 10 inches of fluffy white snow. Yesterday we examined the shards of ice and how they were formed, which ones smashed easier than the others and why - my son will be 10 next week. Most 10 year old boys topics of conversation don't steer towards ice formation, but this is what I love about my son.

His imagination has always given me a new perspective.

Anyway, we start making footprints in the snow, not wanting to get my feet wet (as most adults do) played it safe and made a "rainbow" on the side of the driveway. When he asked what it was I told him, he then decided to make his own, but after he was finished thought it looked more like a footprint. He continued to make more, as though this fictional creature was taking a walk!

This is what makes life so interesting,

when you can view the world from another ones perspective.

You see my son has Aspergers, he struggles daily in social situations and has had to learn how to cope with his feelings without really knowing what they are. It has been difficult for him to form friendships, although he has many now, and he still doesn't ride a bike without training wheels. He is very emotional and speaks his mind, he is my son and I love him.

But this is just the tip of his iceberg, and mine! You see my younger son who is 7 has Angelman Syndrome. He communicates using a device that he can point to with predetermined pictures and words. Life as he knows it is one big party. His cognition is delayed greatly because of this syndrome and he suffers from epilepsy!

Yet, he is the happiest kid I know!

The littlest things give him great enjoyment and his littlest accomplishments make me proud. His life struggles are much more intense than his brothers but they both are driving on their own paths of life.

So celebrate each and every little accomplishment and remember

"It's the little things that count!"

So, if you find yourself in a grocery store or showing properties or in line at the bank, and you see a child or person acting a little differently - don't judge, but simply take a second to consider looking at life from their perspective.

Have a great day!

Having children whith special needs is overwhelming in itself, now imaging moving them! Here is my first installation of advice for those who are helping these families!

Although, I think you will find that most families that have children with special needs do not take the thought of moving lightly. It can be a very long and drawn out process. There are so many things to consider and here are just a few:

• Schools for "Special Needs" - or for older children and young adults with special needs "Medical Day Care" it is one of the most important components to consider.

When you are the guardian for a person with special needs you have many responsibilities, working is most likely still one of them. So who will care for your special someone when you are making the big bucks? Rest assured that most families have already done their homework in this area.

Even if the child or young adult is attending a "typical (public) school" as opposed to a Private Special Education Facility they all vary greatly from district to district. Much diligence is required to research each individual district and each individual school to find out their policies.

• Family or Support - Moving towards family members or people who will be supporting them is very important.

Although you will find that most families are moving towards their support system, you will also find that Relocation will sometimes present the opposite for these families. Honestly, knowing many families who have children with special needs it would have to be a pretty darn good career move to uproot their child. Consistence is the key for all children with special needs. If a family has made the decision to make a move it came with many sleepless nights.

• Medical Needs - There are many great hospitals in the United States today and most of them have specialties that draw people from all over the world to them.

With many diagnosis comes the need for constant medical follow up. Hospitals and medical professionals will be very high on the priority list when choosing a new home town.

• People first language - This is very important!!!! Please take the time to read up on the proper use of language when you are speaking about a person with disabilities.

Here is a great website to reference

I currently have two children with unique or "special needs". One in each setting private and public schools. I would be happy to assist you with any questions you may have about the prospect of moving a family that includes a person with "special needs"

UPDATE!!

Later this afternoon I was contacted by a representative from the Angellman Syndrome Foundation (www.angelman.org) who asked me to write an article to post on the foundations website. Tips for families who are moving and how to make it easier for those families.

My son has Angelman Syndrome and I currently hold the position of Chair person for the National Walk-a-thon Philadelphia location.

Needless to say I was honored to have been asked and will try my best to put this together for them. If you, or anyone you know has some tips and tricks they used when assisting a family in need, please feel free to post a comment.

Thanks in advance!!!

Spotlight of the Month for February

Family Clay Time

110 Greentree Rd., Turnersville, NJ 08012

http://www.familyclaytime.com

Owned and operated by Carolyn D'Agostino Family Claytime is only a little over a year old. I have chosen to highlight this business because I feel that it offers something for everyone!

• Paint Pottery

Pick your piece, they offer many different types of pottery including holiday themed pieces that make great gifts. You can choose to paint in acrylic (and take the piece home that day) or a glaze (must be left for about 1 week to be fired). The paints brushes and advice are all included in the $3 per person studio fee which is added to the price of your piece. Prices range from $8 to $35.

• Create a clay project of your own

Feel like being creative? How about a big slab of clay to spark your creativity? Th eonly thing holding you back here is you. This is a great opportunity to create a unique piece! A one of a kind!

Of course, if you imagination is not that stimulated there are many different pieces throughout the store that you can borrow ideas from. Capture those tiny little hand prints, or foot prints to make a great stepping stone for the grandparents!

Open daily, just stop by at your leisure - for days and hours visit their website at www.familyclaytime.com

Family Clay Time is great for:

• Family Night
• Girls Night
• Summer Camp
• Play Groups
• Scouts
• Field trips
• Moms Groups
• Birthday Parties
• Parties to go!

Check out What's New!

For some great gift ideas check out the following link to their Photo Gallery

I have enjoyed many sessions at Family Claytime, from vsiting with the girls on girls night, to making personalized plates as settlment gifts for my clients to just spending time with my family!

There is always something new at Family Clay Time!

I hope you enjoy your visit - By the way tell them Bridget sent you!

And remember for all of your Southern New Jersey Real Estate needs

contact Bridget Cella, Weichert Realtors

You may or may not have noticed that there are a lot less balloons blowing in the wind on any given Saturday or Sunday between 1 and 4 pm. 

Don't fear - the Open Houses are STILL HERE!

I passed by an open house this weekend that had a flag on the sign that read "OPEN".  Very smart, very economical, very environmentally conscious!

I personally have purchased one of the newest (I think) forms of advertising my open houses.  It's called Simuloon.  They enable me to reuse them and aslo put them out a few days before the open house for additional advertising!

So the next time you see these balloons stuck to my open house sign, stop in and say hello!

Intersted in purchasing these for your business?  Check out their website by clicking on the picture above!

or follow this link http://www.simuloon.com/gogreen.htm

Enjoy!

Bridget Cella

Weichert Realtors, Washington Twp

609-352-1667 cell

www.sjrealestateonline.com