What an amazing segment watching my friend and colleague with Usher syndrome tell her story on the Today Show. She is a true inspiration and a powerful voice for spreading USH awareness.

​I was really excited about this topic when Maurice and I began planning but I found myself feeling even more glad we chose this topic when I participated in the webinar myself. Maurice gave me so many things to think about as we closed out the school year. I thought of all the times that I may have unknowingly caused my kids stress by preventing them from having closure - those times when I was running late and we couldn’t finish a game or another activity, and even worse, when I cleaned up the activity when they were at school after I had promised we could finish it later. Maurice also talked about the importance of finding ways to get to “closure” for students who will not change teachers and/or classrooms like their peers do. Lastly, the information presented on stress and anxiety was spot on as well. As someone who has struggled with stress and anxiety, I found this session especially reassuring. I highly recommend checking out this webinar series this summer if you have time. It is offered for PD credit at University of Idaho.

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Topics include:

• Article citing Lane's Research
• New LOI Board Member
• Call for help with research
• Training modules by Susan Bashinski

We're excited to welcome Amanda Dill, LMSW to our Lane of Inquiry family! Learn more about Amanda.

Of all the roles and responsibilities I have, the most important and valuable to me is a mom. I have 3 children, 2 of whom have Usher Syndrome type 1b. My son Rowen and daughter Collette were identified as having Usher syndrome at a very young age. This diagnosis came with its own set of challenges - the knowledge of what was to come but also the knowledge to provide them with the best opportunities we could as a family.
 
I am also a School Social Worker, which means my life is spent working in special education, both professionally and at home. I am a member of the Michigan Association of School Workers and the School Social Workers Association of America and I serve on the Special Education Advisory Committee for the Michigan Department of Education. I am very thankful that I have this background as I am able to advocate not only for my own children but also for the families and children that I work with in school. The work that I do each day is incredibly valuable to me and I enjoy having these worlds connected.
 
I am honored to be a board member for the Lane of Inquiry and am looking forward to learning more about and helping families of children who are Deafblind. Lane has been an incredible resource for me and for so many and I look forward to the continued work as a member of her team.

- Amanda Gill

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Topics include:

• Re-post, "Why I started Lane of Inquiry"
• Research help needed
• Training series preview with Gwyneth McCormack