Fighter Mom™ Friday

On Friday, May 9, 2008, The Toy Industry Foundation (TIF) kicked off Mother’s Day weekend by sponsoring the inaugural Fighter Mom™ Friday symposium in partnership with Fight SMA, an organization dedicated to accelerating the search for a treatment and cure for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Thanks to a $35,000 grant from TIF, the day-long workshop featured an expert panel that discussed issues of advocacy, activism and the lifelong benefits of play for children confined by physical and developmental barriers.

Award-winning CNN journalist Catherine Crier was the keynote speaker of the day, inspiring audience members to remain hopeful and empowering them to keep fighting. Noted one attendee: "I feel encouraged to continue to fight for my son. It will be a fight for life but I now feel geared up for the challenges." The event provided caretakers with the tools they need to both effectively and efficiently battle the challenges that face the child in their lives.

Fighter Mom was created by a group of moms fighting to beat SMA, but has since become a program for any mom (or other family members or caregivers) fighting any disease or health condition who wants to become an advocate and activist. Fighter Mom Friday audience members represented Autism, Sudden Unexplained Death in Children, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Deafness, Developmental Issues as well as other illnesses. The event served as a forum for attendees to share their stories and inspire others who face similar challenges.

"It was great to meet other parents who have the same pain, worries, and frustration you experience when you have a child with a disability" said one guest. "When your child is diagnosed with SMA, profound hearing loss, or any disorder, you as a parent have an urge to do all you can to make their plight much easier."

Also at the event, TIF premiered its publication Let's Play: A Guide for Children with Special Needs.The guide serves as one of two educational brochures that TIF is able to produce and distribute to parents, schools, and other childcare facilities free of charge thanks to generous supporters.