Integrative Touch for Kids' desire is to see that integrative healing therapies are available for every child with chronic or acute illness who could benefit from these services. To that end, the board has determined to create a healing retreat center for children with special needs and their family members to rest, rejuvenate, and heal. The pressures financially, physically, spiritually and emotionally that are placed on families with children with special needs are extensive. Few programs exist utilizing a “whole systems approach” to support these families. The goal of the healing retreat center is to create a safe, nurturing place where families and children with special needs can come to rest, rejuvenate and heal. It will combine the best available integrative therapies along with appropriate medical supervision and care. The intention is to provide an environment in which both children’s and caregiver’s physical, psychological and spiritual needs will be met and where healing work addressing personal and family dynamics and interpersonal relationships can be explored.
The healing center will be located in the beautiful desert climate of Tucson, Arizona. The Tucson community has established a unique niche as one of the leading areas in the country for wellness and Integrative Medicine. Programs developed through the University of Arizona have been pivotal in shaping the field as a whole. Tucson has been a leader in developing treatment and wellness centers and lays claim to world class resorts and destination spas. Additional community resources provide a nurturing environment for healing using a therapeutic approach. Given this rich history, Integrative Touch for Kids has determined to create a healing retreat center for children with special needs and their families in this community. Opportunities for collaboration and mutual support abound and Integrative Touch for Kids is reaching out to leaders at a variety of community organizations.
Because this is an innovative and unique model, as a first step, a pilot program will be developed in collaboration with pediatric and integrative medicine providers to determine what services are most beneficial for families and the optimal program design. The first pilot program was held at The White Stallion Ranch in Marana from July 19th-25th, 2009. Because of the unique nature of the ranch, children and families had the opportunity to be immersed in nature and receive therapies like equine therapy as part of their stay. The second healing retreat was held June 20th-26th, 2010 at the Rex Ranch in Amado, Arizona, just outside of Tucson.
A retreat planning committee, event planning committee, evaluation committee, integrative medical team, family task force and education task force have all been designed as part of the retreat program development and include family members of children with special needs. A group of integrative medicine healing practitioners such as massage therapists, acupuncturists, naturopaths, mind/body medicine practitioners, energy workers, art therapists, social workers, psychologists, spiritual care providers, physicians and nurses as well as other medical and healing arts professionals collectively delivered the initial program for families and worked to create our retreat held in June of 2010. The event planning committee created the first annual public benefit event in Tucson, Arizona on April 4th, 2009, to support the ongoing efforts of the healing center and has since created the 'Butterfly Gala' as our annual Tucson event that was held April 22nd, 2010 at the Stillwell House. Our Chicago event committee will be holding our 5th annual Chicago benefit event, The Butterfly Gala, on October 16th, 2010 at the East Bank Club in Chicago, Illinois. Tickets are available on the 'Events and Activities' page. The evaluation committee designed the evaluation plan for the first retreat and is currently working on our quantitative and qualitative research methods for the next retreat, which will involve two University based research projects. The medical committee is responsible for the medical safety of the participants and the appropriate integration of therapies. The medical committee is comprised of MDs, nurses, naturopaths, and other medical providers. The education task force worked to create the educational materials that were used for the first retreat and the family task force served as the voice of the families. A variety of creative strategies are being employed to fund the ongoing programs, further update and refine the business plan, and eventually acquire the land for the center and build the physical structure, which will ultimately emerge out of the families’ and community’s vision.
See Us Healing Families In Action
“Daniel” was a special boy. He had been born with a rare genetic anomaly that caused his body to be overtaken by cholesterol. He was only four years old, but his health was rapidly declining.
Read more here.
Did you know?
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use is higher in children with special healthcare needs than in the general pediatric population. Some of the most commonly used practices include prayer, massage, and specialty vitamins/supplements. Parents who use CAM for themselves are more likely to access CAM for their child.