United Cerebral Palsy

"United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) is a leading service provider and advocate for adults and children with disabilities, including cerebral palsy. As one of the largest health nonprofits in America, the UCP mission is to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with disabilities through an affiliate network."
From: UCP.org

This week I start my awesome new job as a doula at United Cerebral Palsy. I cannot believe that I've made it to this point in my maternity care career. Yesterday, when I talked on the phone with one of my best friends, she congratulated me on becoming a "professional doula." That's me! Jessica, professional doula! Friday I start at the clinic, I'm so excited!

UCP Mission Statement

The mission of United Cerebral Palsy of Tampa Bay is to guide and assist families and individuals with any disability or other barriers to achieve their full potential, resulting in community inclusion and independence.

Vision Statement

United Cerebral Palsy of Tampa Bay will be the west central Florida provider of choice and the leading in community responsiveness to early intervention, developmental preschool and child care, therapy, family support, respite and employment programming.

The Second Annual USF Maternal Child Health Symposium

     Last year I attended Robbie Davis-Floyd's lecture at USF on the anthropology of childbirth during the First Annual Maternal Child Health (MCH) Symposium at USF. This year I also attended the symposium with keynote speaker Dr. Kendall-Tackett who is a researcher and author of several books including, "Breastfeeding Made Simple."

     I didn't make the first day of the sympoisum because I went on clinicals with my midwife and a fellow classmate. However, after clinicals we did make it to Birth the Play at USF. I'd heard a lot of great things about the play and was excited to go. Three of my fellow midwifery school classmates came too as well as my best friend (in real life), Sarah.

Me and Sarah at Birth the Play

     The MCH symposium was really great. The speakers talked about various topics including the effects of childhood sexual abuse on breastfeeding, fatigue and breastfeeding, fetal and infant sleep and post tramautic stress in "near-miss morbidity" (near death childbirth experiences). It was nice to hear experts in the field discuss in detail things I've learned while in midwifery school. I had a really great time and am looking forward to next years symposium.

 Me with fellow classmates: Jessica B. (center) and Shea