M Davis Blog for UF

Special Needs Center Opportunity: One location that offers opportunities for individuals with special needs and their families to participate in multiple activities that would be welcoming to all.                  Who: Individuals with special needs and their families What: They have limited opportunities to participate in activities outside of medical and therapy services that tailors to their specific abilities and gives options for social growth and to learn skills that they could use as employment. Why: Most businesses offering enrichment programs are not equipped or willing to accommodate for those with special needs.   Testing the who: Special needs is a broad term encompassing all levels and abilities of individuals with medical and behavioral conditions.   Their families would include parents, siblings, grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles, and whoever would want to participate in ...

1)      Economic Trend: Bond Market activity insinuating recession ahead a)       Source: http://bi.galegroup.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/essentials/article/GALE%7CA587231379/4d5ef1cb6ada71651e151b3a2ab344b1?u=gain40375 b)      An opportunity exists here due to the years of historical data and the predictors that have foreshadowed a recession over the last 60 years. c)       Prototypical customer – American investors, global businesses in the US, US based businesses, labor forces d)      I saw this opportunity due to the recent recession in 2008 and noticing the trends from the period prior are continuing.   It does not seem that we learned from the past and have escalated the same scenario. e)      Given the historical data it could be easier to recognize a downward trend, however it could be difficult to exploit due to the ever changing market and ...

v   “Hospital Woes hit profits” by Kathleen McGrory and Neil Bedi of The Tampa Bay Times Ø   https://infoweb-newsbank-com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=pubname%3ASPTB%21Tampa%2BBay%2BTimes%2B%2528FL%2529/year%3A2019%212019/mody%3A0529%21May%2B29&f=advanced&action=browse&format=text&docref=news/173BBAA9D00378D8 Ø   All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, FL is struggling after closing their Heart Institute amid investigative reporting which exposed a death rate that had tripled from 2015-2017.   This has caused a loss in revenue and declining services. The hospital has reported $11.5 million loss the first quarter and has seen declining admissions, surgeries and services up to 15%.   Ø   Problem Presented :   Although the hospital spokesman affirmed the hospital is committed to supporting the needs of its patients, the concern amongst the staff is whether there will be reductions in labor or progra...

My belief is that an opportunity exists for a facility to offer therapy services, extra-curricular activities, and teach life skills in one location for children and adults with special needs.   Being a part of the special needs community you find how secluded and sparse activities and services are for your particular child/adult.   The number of children and adults on the autism spectrum alone has increased to 1 in 59 according to the CDC.   Total numbers for those with special needs including intellectual, genetic and behavioral disabilities is 1 in 6 kids has some form of disability.   Most require additional services such as occupational therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy and ABA behavioral therapy multiple times a week in addition to the school day.   It is a struggle for families to find appropriate schools and therapies, most driving long distances to and from each day.   What about fun? Some activities are available in select locations an...

Many years ago while on the board of the parent teacher organization at my children's school,  I had an idea to create a store where the students could shop for their families at the holidays.   I discussed the “holiday house” idea with a few other parents who really liked the idea and wanted me to move forward with it.   The natural progression was to  approach the administration for approval to set up shop and they loved the idea and was on board.   Since I planned to buy all of the items at the local dollar store and charge the same to the kids, I budgeted for each child to purchase at least 4-6 items for their immediate family including grandparents.   It was a smaller school with not more than 100 kids at the time.   I  purchased everything from candles, picture frames, kitchenware, children’s toys, men’s ties, flashlights, puzzles, automobile accessories and many more.   The items were inventoried, separated and stored at my hou...

 Bug List     1.       Touching dirty trash cans and walking them out to the street and back Why: It is necessary to take the garbage cans to the street for pick up by waste management and then walk them back so they are out of your yard.   The cans are extremely dirty sitting out in the sun and breading bacteria from the disposed waste you put in them. 2.       No accommodations for special needs families at most community/special event activities Why : The special needs community is large and most families choose to not attend community festivals/special events due to the large crowds, noise, lines and heat without accommodations to comfortably enjoy along with the rest of the community. 3.       Cars driving slow in the fast lane on all major roadways Why :   Most drivers forget the rules of the road and do not pay attention if they are interrupting the ...

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