When it comes to explaining the disease and its consequences, younger children may require fewer details and broader concepts, while older kids may need more comprehensive answers to their questions. A 5-year-old is going to have different concerns than a 16-year-old, so your approach must be different. However, regardless of your child’s age, always tell the truth. FOCUS ON PREVENTION EDUCATION A loved one doesn’t have to be diagnosed with cancer for you to educate your family about the disease and its prevention. Studies have linked prevention efforts, including anti-smoking campaigns and healthy lifestyle programs, to actually preventing cancer. (In fact, half of all cancers can be prevented!) Teach your child about the dangers of tobacco, alcohol, and excessive sun exposure to foster healthy habits and lifestyles. Organizations that host walks, benefits, and other events for cancer prevention and research can be great sources of education for families, too. A Difficult Discussion TALKING TO YOUR KIDS ABOUT CANCER
As pink-clad products line store shelves this October in honor of Breast Cancer
Awareness Month, children are bound to be curious. Since they rationalize the world around them with what they already know, kids may
ask silly questions like, “Is cancer contagious?” Whether you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer, or you just feel it’s time to educate your children about the disease, answering questions can be difficult. These tips can help you prepare. ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH Telling a child you or a loved one has cancer can be complicated. To start, the American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends giving yourself time after hearing the news of a cancer diagnosis to process this new reality. Two-parent households should tell their children together, while single parents are encouraged to ask an adult with a positive influence on the child’s life to join the conversation. Remember, your child will be experiencing the same emotions as you but in a kid’s body, where hormones and developmental changes are already wreaking havoc. Monitor their emotions and offer them space and opportunities to discuss their feelings with a professional.
The ACS has resources for families living with cancer or those wanting to learn more. Visit Cancer.org for more information.
October Is Emotional Wellness Month
Stress can have many adverse effects on your physical and mental health, and, when left unchecked, it can lead to several chronic conditions. It’s for this reason that October was deemed National Emotional Wellness Month. By raising awareness about the importance of emotional well- being, millions of Americans across the country have spent a little more time focusing on ways to reduce their stress levels. In your quest to focus on your emotional health, you might start wondering how mental illnesses factor into applications for disability benefits. While it is possible to receive benefits for mental disorders, it’s typically more difficult due to the fact that claims examiners working for the Social Security Administration (SSA) are not psychiatrists and often don’t understand how certain mental
illnesses can be limiting and how the symptoms can go through cycles in severity. When evaluating a claimant’s condition, the disability examiner consults the list of impairments, which is often referred to as the blue book. The blue book has different categories for disorders, and, within each of the different categories, a statement describes the disorder and criteria that would allow the examiner to determine if the claimant fits the category according to diagnosis and severity based on the claimant’s functional limitations. If you are unsure if your diagnosis will meet the medical conditions listed in the SSA’s blue book, then you need to reach out to our office for help. While the process of submitting a successful application for disability benefits is complicated no matter your condition,
it gets exponentially more complex when discussing matters related to mental illnesses. Call us today to talk to an advocate or attorney for your FREE Social Security disability evaluation, so we can help you get the help you deserve!
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