Chicago is in the midst of a silent crisis — one that affects thousands of its youngest residents every day. Families across the city are struggling to afford diapers, a basic but essential need for children. With diaper costs having soared by nearly 50 percent since the pandemic, and families facing cuts to Medicaid and […]
Several months ago, I spent some time decluttering my house by going through papers, clothing, kitchen stuff, personal items—everything. Beyond creating a more satisfying space, I discovered some surprising effects on my psychological well-being. Along the way, I was able to cultivate inner resources such as gratitude, satisfaction, mindfulness, non-attachment, and other qualities that emerged from […]
More than 5 million children undergo surgery every year. A majority of pediatric patients experience what child life specialists call “Frozen Fear”, intense preoperative anxiety that can persist through sedation. This response can spike cortisol levels, lengthen recovery time, and even cause long-term trauma. A study published in the Journal of Child Life confirmed that […]
More than 50 years after the end of the Vietnam War, the environmental and health consequences of “Operation Ranch Hand” — the U.S. military’s aerial spraying of herbicides containing dioxin — continue to unfold. Agent Orange, the most widely used of these herbicides, left behind contamination in the soil, water, and food systems of Southeast […]
Growing up in the Bay Area, I was extremely shy, but I found my voice behind the lens of a camera. I spent hours creating imaginary worlds and chasing stories that felt larger than life. By the time I was 18, my films about mental health, identity, and teen issues had premiered at top film […]
For many fathers, the coronavirus pandemic tightly wove work with family life. Because remote work and remote school were a fact of life for a lot of families, some fathers have spent much more time with their children this past year compared to previous years. What impact might that have on the children, down the […]
Chicago, nicknamed “The Second City,” is the Midwest’s undisputed number-one metropolitan golf mecca. It began in 1892 with the nation’s first 18-hole course, Chicago Golf Club, and continues 133 years later as more than 200 courses grace the Chicagoland area. More than two-thirds of those layouts are public, giving players a bevy of brilliant options […]
Aimee Nolan’s mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease at just 55 years old. At the time, Aimee was living out of state with two young children of her own, so her grandmother stepped in as caregiver — supporting Aimee’s mother until her passing at 62. Heartbreakingly, Aimee’s grandmother died just 10 days later, perhaps with […]
Language shapes how we understand the world and each other. In discussions about disability and inclusion, the words we use can either affirm and uplift or alienate and harm. Choosing the right language is essential to fostering a world where everyone feels valued and included. When talking about disability, some people avoid the term entirely, […]
The town of Highland Park, a tight-knit community north of Chicago, has been grappling with the fallout of the July 4, 2022, mass shooting that turned a holiday parade into a scene of horror. Seven people were killed and nearly 50 others injured when a rooftop gunman opened fire with an AR-style rifle. Nearly three […]
