Throughout the last several years, the trend of “National/International Days” has consumed social media; some of these are quite preposterous. For example, did you know there is a National Crouton Day? Or a National Upsy Daisy Day? Neither did I. Then, there’s the obligation that accompanies this growing list of national days. Somehow if you manage to neglect posting an adorable photo of your dog on #NationalDogDay, it is implied that you don’t care about your dog. In an attempt to make up for this reprehensibility, naturally you post a “photo dump” of your dog the following day along with a caption full of apologies for being a terrible dog mom/dad. Forgive me if these statements come across as cynical – don’t get me wrong, I love my dogs and I enjoy seeing everyone’s adorable fur-babies throughout my social media. That being said, there is an entirely different list of national days intended for awareness that I think we can all appreciate. I am talking about the countless disability-related occasions intended to spread awareness and educate our communities. Below, you will find a list of those in which February is host to; each of these being supported by a linked source (or two) to provide more information.
I will start with the month of February as a whole and then move into specific dates.
1. Jewish Disability Awareness & Inclusion Month (JDAIM)
- Established in 2009 by the Jewish Special Education International Consortium
- JDAIM’s mission is to unite the Jewish communities worldwide to raise awareness and champion the rights of all Jews to be included and to participate in all aspects of Jewish life like anyone else.
- Celebrated in the United States
- JDAIM | Inclusion Innovations
- Jewish Disability Awareness & Inclusion Month | Jewish Family Service of the Lehigh Valley (jfslv.org)
2. Age-related Macular Degeneration (ADM)/Low Vision Awareness Month
- ADM is a disease that affects a person’s central vision and can result in severe loss of central vision.
- Risk factors include: being 50 and older, smoking, high blood pressure, and eating a diet high in saturated fat.
- Vision impairment, including low vision, affects millions of Americans – among them are many older adults.
- Prevent Blindness declared February as ADM/Low Vision Awareness month in 2020 to help educate the public on ADM types, treatment options, low vision services and more.
- Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) | Johns Hopkins Medicine
- Prevent Blindness Declares February as Age-related Macular Degeneration/Low Vision Awareness Month – Prevent Blindness Ohio
- Low Vision Awareness Month | National Eye Institute (nih.gov)
3. Kids Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) Health Awareness Month
- 12-15% of American school-aged children have some degree of hearing deficit attributable to noise exposure.
- If your child continues to have chronic issues, your doctor may refer them to a pediatric ENT specialist for examination to diagnose and treat chronic ear, nose, and throat problems.
- Ear infections and sore throats are among the most common reasons a child sees a doctor, with ear infections being the #1 reason for a referral to an ENT.
- Many children who suffer from a childhood disability received referrals to an ENT specialist early on in life.
- Kids ENT Health Month – American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) (entnet.org)
4. Marfan Syndrome Awareness Month
- Marfan syndrome is an inherited disorder that affects connective tissue – the fibers that support and anchor your organs and other structures in your body.
- It most commonly affects the heart, eyes, blood vessels, and skeleton.
- The damage caused by Marfan syndrome can be mild or severe; if your aorta is affected, the condition can become life threatening.
- Marfan syndrome – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic
- The Marfan Foundation | Know the Signs | Fight for Victory
Disability-Related Dates in February 2022
February 1- 7
White Cane Awareness Week
- Celebrated in Canada the first week of February
- Mission: raise awareness of the challenges facing those living with vision loss, and focus on the abilities – not disabilities – of people living with vision loss.
- White Cane Week (™) is a registered trademark of the Canadian Council of the Blind (CCB).
- Named after the white cane – a tool many blind and visually impaired people use to travel – they move from side to side in front of them. These canes are white in order to be visible to other travelers.
- The feel and sound of the cane on the ground/floor gives them information about what is ahead, including: steps or curbs, obstacles (such as furniture), and texture of the ground or floor.
- White Cane Week – Canadian Council of the Blind (ccbnational.net)
- White Cane Week (aoda.ca)
- In the United States, we observe National White Cane Safety Day on October 15. This observance was established by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964 to celebrate the achievements of people who are blind or visually impaired and the important symbols of blindness and tool of independence – the white cane.
- WHITE CANE SAFETY DAY – October 15, 2022 – National Today
February 2
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Awareness Day
- RA is an autoimmune condition in which the body believes the linings of the joints are foreign tissue, and it attacks and damages them, resulting in inflammation and pain.
- About 1% of the American population lives with this condition.
- RA Awareness Day was established in 2013 by the Rheumatoid Patient Foundation (RPF) to help raise awareness for all the people who function daily with both pain and misconceptions about this chronic disease.
- The month of February was chosen for this day because it is Heart Disease Month, and the two diseases are closely linked.
- Celebrated in the United States
- When Is RA Day, or Rheumatoid Awareness Day? | Everyday Health
- Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Day (curearthritis.org)
February 4
World Cancer Day
- Established in 2000
- World Cancer Day is the global uniting initiative led by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC)
- Cancer affects 1 in 3 people in the U.S.
- Ways to participate:
- Share your story
- Create a custom poster
- Fundraise for cancer research
- Make a donation
- Create an event
- Advocate for action
- Celebrated globally
- World Cancer Day 2022 – Cancer Research Institute (CRI)
- Official website of World Cancer Day by UICC | 4 February
February 7-11
Feeding Tube Awareness Week
- Launched in 2011 by the Feeding Tube Awareness Foundation, a 501(3)(c) non-profit organization, to increase awareness of feeding tubes and enteral feeding.
- Several types of feeding tubes exist to help children tolerate the nutrition they need.
- The types of feeding tubes you may see in the school setting include: gastrostomy tube (G-tube), a jejunostomy tube (J-tube), and a combination GJ tube.
- The different types of tubes are: PEG tube, MIC G-tube, and MIC-KEY GT Button.
- Mission: promote the positive benefits of feeding tubes as life saving medical interventions
- “The beginning of February was selected because of its proximity to Valentine’s Day since we love our tubes.” – Feeding Tube Awareness Foundation.
- FEEDING TUBE AWARENESS WEEK 2022 – Feeding Tube Awareness Week
- Tell Others: Feeding Tube Awareness Week – Oley Foundation
February 7-14
Congenital Heart Defect (CHD) Awareness Week
- CHDs are the most common birth defect that affect the structure and function of a baby’s heart.
- Nearly 40,000 infants in the U.S. are born each year with CHDs.
- The most common type of heart defect is a ventricular septal defect (VSD).
- Children with CHDs are about 50% more likely to receive special education services compared to children without birth defects.
- As advancements are made in medical care and treatment, infants with CHDs are living longer and healthier lives.
- Celebrated globally
- Data and Statistics on Congenital Heart Defects | CDC
- CHD Awareness Week | Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (choa.org)
- CHD Awareness Week – Mended Hearts
February 11
World Day of the Sick
- Pope John II was stricken with Alzheimer’s disease in 1991 and later diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. In 1992, he established the day to encourage people to pray for those suffering consequences from a disease/illness, as well as their caretakers.
- On February 11, 1993, the inaugural World Day of the Sick was observed.
- Celebrated globally
- World Day of the Sick 2022: History, Significance, Theme, Wishes – Edudwar
- World Day of the Sick – The National Association of Catholic Chaplains (nacc.org)
February 14
International Epilepsy Day
- Epilepsy is a central nervous system (neurological) disorder in which brain activity becomes abnormal, causing seizures or periods of unusual behavior, sensations, and sometimes loss of awareness.
- Anyone can develop epilepsy; males and females of all races, ethic backgrounds, and ages can be affected.
- 65 million people worldwide are impacted by epilepsy.
- 3.4 million Americans have epilepsy.
- 1 in 26 Americans will develop epilepsy in their lifetime.
- 3 in 10 cases of epilepsy don’t respond to medication
- International Epilepsy Day | International Epilepsy Charity
- International Epilepsy Day | Epilepsy Foundation
- International Epilepsy Day 2022 – CURE Epilepsy
February 14
National Donor Day
- Established in 1998 by the Saturn Corporation and its partner, the United Auto Workers. It is supported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and many nonprofit health groups.
- A time to focus on all types of donations – organ, eye, tissue, blood, platelets and marrow – by participating in blood/marrow drives or donor registration events.
- It is also a day to appreciate the donors and loved ones who have given the gift of life, received a donation, and those who are currently waiting or did not receive an organ in time.
- Celebrated in the United States
- National Donor Day (donatelife.net)
- National Donor Day – LifeLink Foundation
February 15
International Childhood Cancer Day
- Global collaborative campaign to raise awareness about childhood cancer, and to promote an increased appreciation and deeper understanding of issues and challenges relevant to childhood cancer and impacting on children/adolescents with cancer, the survivors, their families, and society as a whole.
- Annual event created in 2002 by Childhood Cancer International – a global network of 176 parent organizations, childhood cancer survivor associations, childhood cancer support groups, and cancer societies in over 93 countries, across 5 continents.
- Every year, more than 400,000 children and adolescents below 20 are diagnosed with cancer.
- Every 3 minutes, a child is diagnosed with cancer.
- ALL ABOUT ICCD – ICCD (internationalchildhoodcancerday.org)
- Childhood Cancer International – Transforming the lives of kids with cancer everywhere!
- ICCD – International Childhood Cancer Day
February 15
International Angelman Day
- Angelman syndrome (AS) is a rare-neurological disorder that occurs in 1 in 15,000 live births or 500,000 people worldwide. It is caused by a loss of function of the UBE3A gene in the 15th chromosome.
- People with AS face daily challenges, such as developmental delays, seizures, walking and balance issues, gastrointestinal issues, and little to no speech. They can, however, smile and laugh frequently, and have happy, excitable personalities.
- AS was once known as “happy puppet syndrome” because of the child’s sunny outlook and jerky movements. It is now called Angelman syndrome after Harry Angelman, the doctor who first investigated the symptoms in 1965.
- Most diagnoses are made between the ages of 2 and 5.
- International Angelman Day – Angelman Syndrome Foundation
- Angelman Syndrome Foundation – With you for the journey
February 22
National Heart Valve Disease (HVD) Awareness Day
- Aims to increase recognition of the specific risks and symptoms of heart valve disease, improve detection and treatment, and ultimately save lives.
- While heart valve disease can be disabling and deadly, available treatment can save lives; therefore, making education and awareness particularly important.
- As many as 11 million Americans have heart valve disease (HVD), yet 3 out of 4 Americans know little to nothing about HVD.
- The first-ever National Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day was celebrated on February 22, 2017.
- Celebrated in the United States
- Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day – Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day (valvediseaseday.org)
- Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day | American Heart Association
February 27
Anosmia Awareness Day
- Launched in 2012
- Mission: spread awareness, encourage research, and serve as a central hub where anosmia resources are pooled and organized for the anosmia community, their supporters, researchers, and anyone wishing to learn more.
- Anosmia is classified as an invisible disability, as a person with anosmia has a lack of the sense of smell.
- Anosmia Awareness
February 28/29
Rare Disease Day
- Rare Disease Day is the globally-coordinated movement on rare diseases, working toward equity in social opportunity, healthcare, and access to diagnosis and therapies for people living with a rare disease.
- 300 million people with rare diseases
- 600+ events worldwide
- 106 countries involved
- Created in 2008
- Celebrated annually on February 28 (or 29 in leap years) – the rarest day of the year.
- Rare Disease Day 2022 – Raising awareness for patients, families and carers around the world that are affected by rare diseases.
- Rare Disease Day at NIH 2022 | National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences
As you can see, we have many disability-related occasions deserving recognition (and this was only for February). Every single day, countless families are on the receiving end of a heartbreaking diagnosis; many of which the average person knows nothing about. The unknown begins to take hold on their life, whether for just a moment or a lifetime. It is imperative that we strive to do better to connect with our communities – with a special attentiveness to those with disabilities. I will close with one request from you all… Make an honest effort to be more available to those in need. Whether it’s sharing a prayer request for a family in search of comfort after devastating news, reciprocating a smile to the kind face stocking the shelves at your local market, donating to a special cause, or lending an ear (or hand) to the mom/dad that their day looks completely different than yours. We all face different battles, but that doesn’t mean we have to face them alone. I hope this list helped you as it did me to realize that every day presents an opportunity to spread awareness and help others however we are led to do so.
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