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PRESENTATIONS |
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Deborah Klane, author of An
Autumn Called Evan and advocate for the rights of children with special
needs, is available for speaking engagements. Deborah’s presentations,
based on her own experiences raising an exceptional child at Evan Klane’s umbrella diagnosis is cerebral palsy due to birth trauma, complicated by microcephaly and severe epilepsy. Evan has a tracheostomy, a gastrostomy, and requires one-on-one care around the clock. In spite of these challenges, Evan is a mainstream student at his local school and a well-received member of his community. Deborah is a lively speaker who is not afraid to ask – and answer – difficult questions. She offers presentation geared toward different audiences as outlined below, and will customize her sessions based on the needs of her audience. Presentations for PARENTSHappiness is an option! Beginning with a brief but detailed overview of Evan’s medical and education histories, Deborah gives participants an inside look at what life is really like for a mom – for a woman - like her. Using specific personal examples, Deborah talks about the profound grief, anger, and joylessness she functioned under during Evan’s early years, and how she discovered ways to put the joy back into her life and how to keep it there. Deborah’s
goal is to encourage, inspire, and empower other parents like herself This presentation was given in October 2003 at the 4th Annual Children with Special Health Needs Parents’ Conference. Presentations for MEDICAL PROFESSIONALSOh, But what a Wonderful Trip it has Been! No, it isn’t a travelogue from someone’s trip to the
Poconos or the Grand Canyon. Nor is it a plug for a time share in
Toledo. Instead, you’ll be taken on ambulance rides, visits
to the operating room, tours of all inclusive classrooms, and the Beginning with a brief but detailed overview of Evan’s medical and education histories, Deborah gives participants an inside look at what life is really like for a family like hers. Deborah’s goal is to provide a deeper understanding of the emotional upheaval – from profound grief, to frustration, to joy, to pride, and back again – that parents of an exceptional child can go through in any given day. With understanding comes acceptance and Deborah strives to foster that understanding with honest, from the heart examples from her own experiences. This presentation has been given in 2003 for KnoWaLin Homecare & Hospice and in 2004 for Home, Hope, & Healing. The First Step of the Staircase “I’ve been alongside Evan every step of the way, from the days spent in the NICU, to his tracheostomy operation at age 2-1/2, to his near fatal bout of pneumonititis at age 5. From Evan’s second gastrostomy operation at age 7 to his 10th birthday celebration, to his decision at 12-1/2 to change his medical status from “Full Code” to a “Do Not Resuscitate” status. We’ve been on many adventures together, my boy and I. But this
last adventure Beginning with a brief but detailed overview of Evan’s medical and personal histories, Deborah gives participants a parent’s perception on what it is like facing your child’s mortality. Deborah’s goal is to offer tips and suggestions to medical professionals and care providers as to how they can best help parents at this time in their child’s life. This presentation was given in 2004 as part of the Jason Program’s annual conference. What Can I Do to Help? To someone who has been awake for hours on end providing one-on-one personal and medical care to their child, the offer of assistance is like finding an oasis in the desert. Beginning with a brief but detailed
overview of Evan’s medical
and education histories, Deborah discusses the various things that
a hospital or home health This presentation was last given in October 2004 to PenBay Medical Center’s Special Care Unit. Presentations for EDUCATORSEvan the Student, the Patient, the Son, the Brother, the Friend Beginning with a brief but detailed overview of Evan’s medical
and education histories, Deborah provides participants with an in-depth
look at the various Deborah’s primary goal is to show her audience what a multi-dimensional person Evan truly is, and not just “the kid with special needs”. This presentation was given June 2004 at the University of Maine – Orono campus. If one plus one is supposed to be two, then how’d we get three (EVAN + NURSE+ TEACHER = 3) Beginning with a brief overview of Evan’s medical history and a more detailed account of Evan’s educational one, Deborah gives the participants an inside look at what life is really like for a student like Evan and the family that loves him. Deborah discusses her initial meeting with a Project PEDS representative, the value of mainstreaming, and how to set the child up for success. Based on her own positive experiences with Evan’s elementary and junior high schools, Deborah also discusses what teachers, education technicians, school administrators, and school counselors can do to make it work for everyone. Deborah’s goal is to enlighten and educate in a fun, constructive way, and to get professionals thinking about the special families they come in contact with and how they can better serve them. |
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