Girl Scouts Participate in Workshop at Learn About Challenges Facing Individuals with Disabilities

Nov. 13, 2009 - PRLog -- VALHALLA, NY – More than 100 Girl Scouts from troops in Westchester, Putnam, Rockland and Dutchess counties recently took part in a unique workshop at Blythedale Children’s Hospital where they learned first hand about the physical and mental challenges facing people with disabilities.

The Girl Scouts participating in the November 11th workshop met with physical, occupational and speech therapists from Blythedale to learn about the physical and cognitive challenges of disabled individuals. Activities included working with therapeutic equipment and attending talks on topics such as injury prevention.

The workshop, which is the third to be held at Blythedale, is part of a program the Girl Scouts must complete in order to earn a badge called “Challenges to Opportunities.”  The badge, which is available to Junior-level Girl Scouts throughout the nation, was created and designed by the Girls Scouts of Troop 2746 from Chappaqua.

“Blythedale is very pleased to once again host this exciting and worthwhile workshop for the Girl Scouts. Since our first workshop in 2007, the interest from Girl Scout troops in our region has grown tremendously,” said Lena Cavanna, Director of Community Relations at Blythedale Children‘s Hospital.        

“The Girls Scouts who participate in this workshop leave with a fuller understanding of the daily challenges of being disabled. It’s a wonderful experience and we thank Blythedale for their commitment to this important program,” said Laura Desmarais, Troop 2746 Leader from Chappaqua.

The Girl Scouts’ involvement with Blythedale dates back to 2001 when Troop 2746 visited the hospital as Daisy Girl Scouts to plant flowers outside the hospital. As they moved up to the Brownie and Junior levels of Girl Scouting, the Girl Scouts continued their volunteer work at Blythedale reading books to the preschoolers, decorating for the holidays and  making blankets for the infants.  

Founded more than 100 years ago, Blythedale Children's Hospital has been a leader in developing innovative, multi-disciplinary inpatient and ambulatory programs, as well as a community resource for children with a variety of medical concerns and their families. Through its inpatient, day hospital and outpatient programs, Blythedale Children's Hospital treats more than 300 children daily, making it one of the largest children's services in New York State. In addition, the Hospital provides diagnosis and treatment for hundreds of outpatients with a wide range of medical difficulties. For more information about Blythedale Children's Hospital, visit www.blythedale.org

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About Blythedale Children's Hospital: Founded more than 100 years ago, Blythedale Children's Hospital has been a leader in developing innovative, multi-disciplinary inpatient and ambulatory programs, as well as a community resource for children with a variety of medical concerns and their families. Through its inpatient, day hospital and outpatient programs, Blythedale Children's Hospital treats more than 300 children daily, making it one of the largest children's services in New York State. In addition, the Hospital provides diagnosis and treatment for hundreds of outpatients with a wide range of medical difficulties. For more information about Blythedale Children's Hospital, visit www.blythedale.org