What I Have Learned Since Starting Everyday Heroes Kids
by Tammany Petrie, founder of www.ehkidshealth.com
As a single mom who has been through the process of advocating for my kids and the sole caregiver of their medical and education needs, I knew that as parents we deserve better, and our kids deserve easier access to care than the lack of current options available.
I had witnessed technology transform industries and make just about every industry you can think of more efficient but not enough was being done in pediatrics. I asked myself, “Why is it that someone can instantly become an entrepreneur on UBER or AirBnb and when there is nothing more important than connecting with accredited pediatric professionals for the health and well-being of our kids; we are all confused and don’t know where to turn to find the best options?”
As parents, we think we understand what the terms “ADHD”, “Depression”, “Autism”, “Dyslexia”, “Divorce”, “Special Needs”, “Learning Disability”, “Epilepsy”, “Cerebral Palsy” “Deafness” mean but when one of these ‘terms’ personally touches us, we realize that we truly know nothing. Suddenly we need to deeply understand what it is that has affected our child, how we can best help, what is involved, and as a result, we can be easily overcome by all the unknowns, misinformation and fear of worst-case scenarios.
A difficult family transition or serious diagnosis creates such an emotional strain that neurologically limits our ability to think and when you combine this state with the task of trying to navigate the labyrinth of the healthcare system it is a near impossible situation for parents.
While I knew first-hand there was a need for Everyday Heroes, I did not realize just how big the demand was. However, after almost a year ‘on the road’ meeting and interviewing pediatric professionals, parents and organizations, I discovered that helping parents and caregivers to connect with the right care and resources is a major problem that affects not only parents but large institutions such as hospitals and global non-profits. Everyday Heroes Kids is on a mission to help move families out of the problem and into the solution and encourage earlier intervention for better outcomes in kids. www.ehkidshealth.com
“Thank God we are finally getting something!” -Parent of a special needs child
“A-MA-ZING Resource!” — Toronto Catholic District School Board
“Parents ask me where have you been all these years and I say I have been here all along, I am just not very good at marketing myself, nor do I have the time.” — -Pediatric therapist
“Your solution is so long overdue and this is the best I have ever seen for peds.” — Pediatric therapist
“EHK absolutely needs to exist and I need this everyday at my job” — Pediatric Hospital Pediatrician
“There are so many brilliant therapists out there that I have just stumbled across through recommendations from kids and their families that I wouldn’t have been able to find with a Google search — So I am glad you are growing this.” — Pediatric Physiotherapist
“We are happy to be part of this wonderful initiative connecting families to paediatric care.” — Boomerang Health powered by SickKids Hospital
“This is such a trying time for many. It is so great to have this community to help!” -Psychologist
Our world-class team includes a pediatrician from Sick Kids Hospital, the former head of content for Babycenter, a Sr. Software Engineer at Google, experienced engineers, Arlene Dickinson’s ex-CFO, a Special Education professional, Business development experts and the pediatrician/correspondent for PBS, ABC News, CNN and Good Morning America. We are united as professionals and many of us are parents with pediatric concerns.
