E048 Linda Kenny of KidsAbility on Kids Reaching Potential
Let’s Be Well Together Podcast - Episode 48
Date: December 27, 2022
Participants: John Webster, Julie Wilson, Cameron Earnshaw and Sheila Webster
Guest: Linda Kenny (Expanding Minds) and Sydney Stortini (Move That Body)
Start times and Segment Segments:
[0:00:38] What’s On Your Mind: Julie and John chat about a post by Mental Health Commission of Canada on 5 quick tips to reduce anxiety. These are tips about what you can do immediately to try and release the pressure a bit (breathe, ground yourself in the present, remember that the feeling is temporary, redirect your mind to a positive thought or activity, and move your body), then more tips on what to do when you have more time (reframe your thoughts, talk to someone, engage in leisure time and pleasurable activities, practice relaxation methods and cultivate healthy habits).
[0:11:44] Expanding Minds Interview: We interview Linda Kenny, the CEO of KidsAbility – a leading provider of children’s rehabilitation services in Waterloo Region and Wellington County. It provides a great opportunity for families to see what kids can achieve when they just need a little help. The job of people at KidsAbility is to see the ability and look for the potential in every child. It’s an amazing organization that helps thousands of children and youth to reach their communication, social, physical and behavioural goals, and to achieve great things at home, at school and in their community.
[0:28:10] Adventures of the Starving Artist: As an artist, Cameron is continually putting himself out there, making pitches. He chats about a hit and a miss along the way. The hit the City of Ottawa adding Cameron’s new song, It’s All the Same, to its City Sounds Playlist for 2022.
[0:31:32] Move That Body: Sydney Stortini talks about the fun of wakeboarding and paddleboarding. Each is enjoyable in a different way – the rush of wakeboarding and the peacefulness of paddleboarding.
[0:35:53] Running Popup: John describes another breakthrough in advancing his theory that came from chatting with a podcast guest. This time it’s the discussion of Stephen Covey’s four quadrants from episode 43. It helps to explain a difference between the whack-a-mole approach to wellness John was stuck on for most of his life, compared to the more thoughtful approach he’s working on now.
[0:40:15] Flipside of the Coin: Sheila and John discuss an interesting article about the need to quit sometimes. It goes against the grain to quit, but sometimes refusing to stop is worse than stopping.
Quotes and Take-Aways:
John – We all face anxiety. If you listen to this show and you don’t face anxiety, then you are really lucky, because almost all of us have periods of anxiety.
Linda – I think I’m really lucky when I get to talk about KidsAbility, because it really is a treasure in our community.
Linda –The last thing that we really want to think about when we become parents is that maybe our children have some needs. When that happens and we recognize that a child is missing some developmental milestones, or maybe their speech isn’t developing properly, or they’ve been born with some sort of condition, that’s the worst feeling as a parent: to feel that you have a child who needs help and you don’t know where to turn. I think the fact that we have KidsAbility in this community brings a sense of wellbeing to so many kids and families.
Linda – I often see families walking through the door, for the very first time, really quite scared, because they don’t know why they are there and they don’t know what’s wrong with their child. Often I get to witness that they walk out the door with a sense of hope that they didn’t come in with. It doesn’t always happen in one visit.
Linda – KidsAbility is a great opportunity for families to see what kids can achieve when they just need a little help sometimes.
Linda – Our job at KidsAbility is to see the ability and look for the potential in every child.
Linda – The part that’s hard about my job is seeing the kids that are sitting on a wait list, the kids that need to come through the door and we just can’t let them in because we don’t have the resources. We are continually talking about the government and the community about the need, and to stretch every dollar to make sure it gets as many kids through the door as possible.
Bulletin Board Quote brought to you by Sydney: It just wipes you out.
Guest Information: Linda Kenny is the Chief Executive Officer of KidsAbility Centre for Child Development. KidsAbility is a leading provider of children’s rehabilitation services in Waterloo Region and Wellington County. Prior to her appointment to KidsAbility in April 2013, Linda was CEO of the Ontario Association of Children’s Rehabilitation Services, the provincial umbrella group representing all 20 Children’s Treatment Centres. A Social Worker by profession, Linda has worked extensively the community services sector, having held positions with SCI Ontario, March of Dimes Canada and Independent Living Services of Simcoe County. She has built considerable experience in service delivery, client affairs, government relations and community and organizational development. She’s dedicated to improving the lives and experiences of those who benefit from community services. Welcome Linda.
Website: KidsAbility
Website for the Foundation (including donation link): KidsAbility Foundation
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Thanks for joining us,
(-(-_(-_-)_-)-) Your wellness check-in team
John, Sammy, Cameron, Sheila and Julie