Global Neuro YCare

Our graphic novel is continuing to travel around the world! With the help of Associazione Italiana Sclerosi Laterale Amiotrofica, our graphic novel has now been translated into Italian. Having resources in more languages allows fewer barriers to care for young caregivers living around the world. ALS is a global illness and so we aspire to have global resources. We are so thankful to our many partners helping us serve those living with ALS/MND. Let us know what language you want to see our books in next! AISLA APS LUKi & the Lights

LUKi & the Lights was invited to the Amsterdam City Swim to serve as Wave Hero of the Junior Swim for the second time! Since 2012, more than 20,000 people have swum the Amsterdam City Swim: a unique swimming event through Amsterdam's canals, with the aim of raising funds for more scientific research into ALS. This weekend we were able to tell more families about LUKi & the Lights and Global Neuro Ycare's educational materials. A beautiful day, full of people living with ALS and those who support them. Thank you Amsterdam!

Many teenagers have been able to read and benefit from our book The ALS Experience: It's Different and Hard. It follows several teens real experiences talking to their friends and family about ALS/MND. This book has been translated into Spanish thanks to our partnership with ALS Colombia and the Asociación Colombiana de ELA. ALS or la esclerosis lateral amiotrófica (ELA) affects people regardless of what language they speak so we want to provide resources for families living with ALS/MND in their native tongue. This is why we work so hard to offer our books in many different languages. Thank you to all of our wonderful partners that help us care of our families GLOBALLY living with MND, ALS, and ELA. To find out how you can help us create more resources for children, youth, and families- go to www.globalneuroycare.org ACELA Global Neuro YCare

Same Date, different State! LUKi & the Lights is not only playing in Portland but will also play in Alabama on Aug 24th! LUKI's visiting the Magic City 🪄 Birmingham, Alabama—for the Sidewalk Film Festival! 🌟 Sidewalk is recognized by MovieMaker Magazine as one of the Top 25 Festivals in the World. 📅 Date: Saturday, August 24, 2024 🕒 Time: 3:00 - 4:40 PM CDT 📍 Location: ASFA Recital Hall Enjoy the great lineup of animated films! 🍿✨ Check out the full schedule at sidewalkfest.com/sched For more information about LUKi & the Lights, please visit: www.globalneuroycare.org 🤖💜💡 Global Neuro YCare, Big Grin Productions, The ALS Association #BirmighamAlabama #lukiandthelights #ALS #MND #ShinelightonALS

Our YCare program is expanding to help veteran families! Through partnering with the Wounded Warrior Project and Elizabeth Dole Foundation, YCare has been adapted for youth in military or veteran families who have spinal cord injuries (SCI) and traumatic brain injuries (TBI). 18 youth, ages 10 - 17, learned from professionals trained in the YCare model. These practitioners all work with the Washington DC veterans Association and the Department of Defense medical centers. These teens learned about SCI/TBI, basic care skills, understanding hyperarousal in PTSD, and managing relationships with others. We are so grateful for these amazing partnerships, which give us the opportunity to continue building and sharing YCare with young carers/hidden helpers across illness and injury. Wounded Warrior Project Elizabeth Dole Foundation Global Neuro YCare

Our graphic novel is now available in Turkish and Vietnamese! A huge thank you to the amazing Alper Kaya and Turkish ALS Assocation for our Turkish translation. Our Vietnamese translation was completed by Nguyen Tran Minh Duc with ALS Vietnam. These translations allow more children and familes to understand ALS/MND, to learn how to talk about it, and feel less alone. Partnering with both the Turkish and Vietnamese associations exemplify our dedication to providing education about ALS/MND for ALL children and families! Both translations are available for download at the link below. https://lnkd.in/g3zTVaSF Global Neuro YCare

Over the past few weeks, Melinda Kavanaugh, PhD, LCSW conducted the YCare in South Africa. Although the women didn’t all speak the same language, they shared common experiences of social isolation from their communities who know nothing of ALS/MND, have few supports outside the home, and even within their families. In partnership with Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital hospital in Soweto, Johannesburg, we adapted YCare program for adults. Through YCare, they learned about basic care skills adapted to their home needs, how to create communication boards, and prepare foods of differing textures to lessen chocking hazards. They sat in a group and learned about ALS/MND, dispelling misconceptions, and building connections with each other. There were many tears at the beginning, but by the end, so many smiles, hugs, and talk of how to keep them connected. We showed LUKi & the Lights, and gave them the #LUKi coloring book. They all sat in total silence, coloring, breathing, and crying. One participant stated that was the longest amount of time she had ever done something just for herself. YCare was created for children and youth, but when there are no supports, it is easily adapted to whomever needs it. We could not have done any of it without our amazing partners at the MND clinic at the Baragwanath hospital in Soweto, who helped adapt and deliver the YCare program. @Globalneuroycare was created for children, youth and FAMILIES. It is an honor to share our work with these amazing women. LUKi & the Lights Global Neuro YCare

LUKi has been traveling the world in film festivals but we are thrilled that he can now be shown in homes like yours! Watch the LUKi & the Lights trailer now on YouTube. https://lnkd.in/gFEDM7yn @biggrinproductions The ALS Association LUKi & the Lights Global Neuro YCare #ShineALightOnALSMND #als #mnd #alsawareness

Our movie trailer is now on YouTube! We are so excited that more people will get the chance to hear about Luki & the Lights on this new platform. Go check out the trailer and follow our YouTube for more to come! https://lnkd.in/gGExf9a3 The ALS Association @biggrinproductions LUKi & the Lights Global Neuro YCare #ShineALightOnALSMND #als #mnd #alsawareness

We have loved seeing everyone’s reactions to LUKi & the Lights. Hopefully you are all enjoying the coloring book and educational materials as well. Tag us in your coloring page pictures so we can share them with our community. Together we can bring more awareness to those living with ALS and MND! The ALS Association @biggrinproductions Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association Global Neuro YCare LUKi & the Lights #ShineALightOnALSMND #als #mnd #alsawareness