Showing posts with label News article. Show all posts
Showing posts with label News article. Show all posts
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Parents urged to watch for common virus - cape-coral-daily-breeze.com | News, sports, community info. - Cape Coral Daily Breeze
Parents urged to watch for common virus - cape-coral-daily-breeze.com | News, sports, community info. - Cape Coral Daily Breeze
‘RSV’ can severely sicken young kids
August 27, 2011
, Cape Coral Daily Breeze
We interviewed yesterday with the lovely Ms. McCoy to help spread awareness of Respiratory Syncytial Virus.
We interviewed yesterday with the lovely Ms. McCoy to help spread awareness of Respiratory Syncytial Virus.
Although babies who are born before 36 weeks are at high risk of catching the respiratory syncytial virus, young children up to the age of four are also at risk.
Every year RSV affects between 4 million and 5 million children who are younger than 4 years old. In addition, more than 125,000 children are hospitalized every year from RSV.
Pediatrician with Lee Physician Group Tom Schiller, MD, said that RSV is a very common virus that has been around forever. Although the virus affects people of all ages, it can make young children extremely sick, he said.
The symptoms for RSV usually include a nasty head or chest cold, fever, runny nose, cough and wheezing, which are much like cold symptoms. Worst case scenario, RSV can cause lung disease, heart disease and cause a baby to stop breathing.
"It is a nasty little virus," Schiller said.
If a child is cranky, pulling at their ears or running a significant fever, Schiller said they need to be seen by a doctor.
Once the virus affects the child, it can occur over and over again.
"First time you get it is usually the worst," he said.
Schiller said after a child attracts the virus, they may wheeze with their next cold without it actually being RSV.
"It could happen for a couple of months," he said.
The symptoms can peak in small children between the ages of 2 to 8 months old. It can especially affect premature babies.
When the virus affects really small children, it goes down deep into their windpipes and causes inflammation and destruction, causing them to wheeze, Schiller said.
"Half of the kids that get RSV are later diagnosed with asthma," he said, adding that it can happen at any point.
RSV, he added, is the leading cause of lower respiratory tract infection in infants and young children.
The virus usually comes in outbreaks during the winter months, according to Schiller.
Although a sample can be taken from a young child's nose to run tests to see if he or she has the RSV virus, Schiller said they generally cannot act on the diagnosis.
A preventive medicine - synagis - can be given to the child to increase their immune system to help protect them against RSV. Schiller said the medicine is very expensive because it is a monthly inter muscular injection. Although it is expensive, it is cheaper than having a child go into the hospital, he said.
Schiller said the last vaccine that was created for RSV was in the 60s, but was later banned because it killed people, rather than helped them. He said research is still being done to create another vaccine to help with the virus.
With 80 percent of children in day care settings, the virus is easily spread through the simple touch of a hand.
"Hand hygiene is really the only tool you have to prevent it," he said about the virus.
RSV became a strong concern for Stacie Wiesenbaugh and her husband John Buck when their son was born early and was faced with many complications.
Wiesenbaugh had a very healthy pregnancy until she entered her 32nd week and had to have an emergency Caesarean section on Aug. 28, 2002 because her son Riley had suffered an in utero grade four massive brain hemorrhage.
Riley was born four pounds, six ounces.
"He had many complications due to the hemorrhage," Wiesenbaugh said. "We actually didn't think he was going to survive the first night."
A few days after Riley was born, he had to undergo surgery so a reservoir, a piece of hardware, could be placed into his skull so the doctor could remove the excess blood from occuring.
"The hemorrhage wouldn't stop," Wiesenbaugh said, which could have been deadly because when blood is not contained, it can cause extra pressure.
Due to Riley's size the problem continued, which involved another surgery to place another piece of hardware into his brain. The VP shunt, Wiesenbaugh said, was designed to allow the body to take care of the access fluid by itself.
Riley was released from the hospital two months after he was born, which was close to his actual due date.
Because of his condition, the family had to take every precaution they could to keep him healthy, which led to discussions of RSV.
She said they had to protect his compromised lungs, which were already receiving help from a respirator.
"He was high risk for picking up this virus," Wiesenbaugh said. "This kind of infection would land him back in the hospital easily and be life-threatening as well."
The hospital in Los Angeles told the family about the synagis injections to help prevent the possibility of Riley attracting RSV.
Once a month for two years Riley received the injection, which kept him safe from catching the virus.
"It was worth it because we didn't want to end up in the hospital," she said.
Although Riley will be 9 years old on Sunday, the family still practices prevention measures to keep the virus away. She said they kept him home when he was in a compromised state and did not allow people to approach and touch him. In addition, when they were at home, they were not shy about asking people to wash their hands before holding or touching Riley.
"Even though he is beyond the age of 2, we still are very careful," Wiesenbaugh said.
When she can educate others about the common virus she does by instructing them to wash their hands on a regular basis and sneeze and cough into the inside of their elbow so germs are not spread.
"It has been a long ride," she said. "This birth changed everything about our lives."
The parents were blessed with another son, Ronan, who is healthy and full of energy.
Wiesenbaugh said the progress Riley has made since he was born is amazing. He attends Rayma C. Page Elementary School as a fourth grader, where they began a special needs class for him, which has grown with other students since its inception.
"He comes home happy and they do everything they can for him," she said.
Due to many of his systems being compressed at an early age, Wiesenbaugh said Riley is nonverbal, developmental, visually and hearing impaired. He does not communicate through spoken word or sign language.
"The way that he will squeeze your hand will tell you if he is relaxed or stressed. Since he cannot walk or jump with joy, he will kick his legs rapidly in the wheelchair if he is excited," Buck said. "The pitch of his laugh can tell you if he is happy, scared or even in pain. If his sound (nonverbal) mimics yours in beat, pitch or tone he is in a communicative mood. In sum, it is his own language that we had to learn and we mutually learn given his impairments."
Every year RSV affects between 4 million and 5 million children who are younger than 4 years old. In addition, more than 125,000 children are hospitalized every year from RSV.
Pediatrician with Lee Physician Group Tom Schiller, MD, said that RSV is a very common virus that has been around forever. Although the virus affects people of all ages, it can make young children extremely sick, he said.
The symptoms for RSV usually include a nasty head or chest cold, fever, runny nose, cough and wheezing, which are much like cold symptoms. Worst case scenario, RSV can cause lung disease, heart disease and cause a baby to stop breathing.
"It is a nasty little virus," Schiller said.
If a child is cranky, pulling at their ears or running a significant fever, Schiller said they need to be seen by a doctor.
Once the virus affects the child, it can occur over and over again.
"First time you get it is usually the worst," he said.
Schiller said after a child attracts the virus, they may wheeze with their next cold without it actually being RSV.
"It could happen for a couple of months," he said.
The symptoms can peak in small children between the ages of 2 to 8 months old. It can especially affect premature babies.
When the virus affects really small children, it goes down deep into their windpipes and causes inflammation and destruction, causing them to wheeze, Schiller said.
"Half of the kids that get RSV are later diagnosed with asthma," he said, adding that it can happen at any point.
RSV, he added, is the leading cause of lower respiratory tract infection in infants and young children.
The virus usually comes in outbreaks during the winter months, according to Schiller.
Although a sample can be taken from a young child's nose to run tests to see if he or she has the RSV virus, Schiller said they generally cannot act on the diagnosis.
A preventive medicine - synagis - can be given to the child to increase their immune system to help protect them against RSV. Schiller said the medicine is very expensive because it is a monthly inter muscular injection. Although it is expensive, it is cheaper than having a child go into the hospital, he said.
Schiller said the last vaccine that was created for RSV was in the 60s, but was later banned because it killed people, rather than helped them. He said research is still being done to create another vaccine to help with the virus.
With 80 percent of children in day care settings, the virus is easily spread through the simple touch of a hand.
"Hand hygiene is really the only tool you have to prevent it," he said about the virus.
RSV became a strong concern for Stacie Wiesenbaugh and her husband John Buck when their son was born early and was faced with many complications.
Wiesenbaugh had a very healthy pregnancy until she entered her 32nd week and had to have an emergency Caesarean section on Aug. 28, 2002 because her son Riley had suffered an in utero grade four massive brain hemorrhage.
Riley was born four pounds, six ounces.
"He had many complications due to the hemorrhage," Wiesenbaugh said. "We actually didn't think he was going to survive the first night."
A few days after Riley was born, he had to undergo surgery so a reservoir, a piece of hardware, could be placed into his skull so the doctor could remove the excess blood from occuring.
"The hemorrhage wouldn't stop," Wiesenbaugh said, which could have been deadly because when blood is not contained, it can cause extra pressure.
Due to Riley's size the problem continued, which involved another surgery to place another piece of hardware into his brain. The VP shunt, Wiesenbaugh said, was designed to allow the body to take care of the access fluid by itself.
Riley was released from the hospital two months after he was born, which was close to his actual due date.
Because of his condition, the family had to take every precaution they could to keep him healthy, which led to discussions of RSV.
She said they had to protect his compromised lungs, which were already receiving help from a respirator.
"He was high risk for picking up this virus," Wiesenbaugh said. "This kind of infection would land him back in the hospital easily and be life-threatening as well."
The hospital in Los Angeles told the family about the synagis injections to help prevent the possibility of Riley attracting RSV.
Once a month for two years Riley received the injection, which kept him safe from catching the virus.
"It was worth it because we didn't want to end up in the hospital," she said.
Although Riley will be 9 years old on Sunday, the family still practices prevention measures to keep the virus away. She said they kept him home when he was in a compromised state and did not allow people to approach and touch him. In addition, when they were at home, they were not shy about asking people to wash their hands before holding or touching Riley.
"Even though he is beyond the age of 2, we still are very careful," Wiesenbaugh said.
When she can educate others about the common virus she does by instructing them to wash their hands on a regular basis and sneeze and cough into the inside of their elbow so germs are not spread.
"It has been a long ride," she said. "This birth changed everything about our lives."
The parents were blessed with another son, Ronan, who is healthy and full of energy.
Wiesenbaugh said the progress Riley has made since he was born is amazing. He attends Rayma C. Page Elementary School as a fourth grader, where they began a special needs class for him, which has grown with other students since its inception.
"He comes home happy and they do everything they can for him," she said.
Due to many of his systems being compressed at an early age, Wiesenbaugh said Riley is nonverbal, developmental, visually and hearing impaired. He does not communicate through spoken word or sign language.
"The way that he will squeeze your hand will tell you if he is relaxed or stressed. Since he cannot walk or jump with joy, he will kick his legs rapidly in the wheelchair if he is excited," Buck said. "The pitch of his laugh can tell you if he is happy, scared or even in pain. If his sound (nonverbal) mimics yours in beat, pitch or tone he is in a communicative mood. In sum, it is his own language that we had to learn and we mutually learn given his impairments."
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Success Story...
Pleasantly surprised to find a photo of my husband this morning as I was reading the paper. In fact, it was the only sight of John I have had today since he was out the door by 5 am for work.
John Buck, a technician for The Client Server, works on a customers computer at the company’s office in Bonita. / ANDREW WEST/news-press.com
Success Story: Technology firm The Client Server GrowsSunday, August 14, 2011
The Charity Register 2010
BEST OF > The Charity Register 2010
Author: Jennifer Freihofer
Photographer: Brian Tietz
As the horse breaks into a trot, six-year-old A.J. sits up straighter, tosses his helmet-strapped head back and bursts into a contagious giggle. His parents, Michon and Angel Chamorro, laugh from outside the covered riding arena. Then, A.J. leans forward onto the pillow that supports him in the saddle.
Away we go!: Volunteers Brittany Reynoso (left) and Christiane Daniel (right) help six-year-old A.J. Chamorro as he rides Spot at Naples Equestrian Challenge.
At Naples Equestrian Challenge, A.J’s time on the specially trained horse, surrounded by certified instructors and volunteers, is a form of physical therapy for his cerebral palsy. His parents say it’s worth the drive from Estero to see his upper body strength, posture and vocals improve. Plus, his dad says, he absolutely loves it. “Every time he hears the word ‘horse’ or sees a picture, he’s pointing,” Angel says.
Each week, the program serves more than 100 children and adults with developmental delays caused by disabilities ranging from cerebral palsy and Down Syndrome to stroke and amputations. Another 40 to 50 riders participate in mental health activities for autism, attention-deficit disorder and more.
Melissa Caffey, Naples Equestrian Challenge’s former executive director, says most participants are on scholarship and ride about 40 times a year. They are charged only $10 per half-hour session, although it costs the program between $4,000 to $5,000 per rider.
Stacie Wiesenbaugh of Bonita Springs brings her son Riley Buck, eight, to ride. He was born with a brain hemorrhage that caused cerebral palsy, spastic quadriplegia, hearing and visual impairments, and other complications that require him to be strapped to the horse. She remembers their first visit. “The wind was really blowing,” she says. “The smell of the barn hit him, and he started laughing hysterically and wouldn’t stop. It was like this place was the right place for him. There are very few opportunities for him to participate in anything and enjoy himself.”
A.J.’s dad appreciates all the hard work put in by the 270 volunteers each week. “I think it’s nice to see people take time out of their lives to help kids that need it,” he says. “It’s a great program. I hope it never ends.”
Naples Equestrian Challenge is one of so many worthy charitable organizations throughout Collier and Lee counties. The list on the following pages provides the goals of 267 organizations and offers ways for you to get involved along the Gulfshore.
—Denise Scott
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
My Nephew Tyler Races/Walks for the Cure
I celebrate and share when my family gives me the opportunity.... So here is Tyler once again on the cover of the Aspen Times.... that reminds me to go digging through my scrap book.
This pic I’m attaching I got from online, but it was on the cover of
Sunday’s paper here. Tyler did the
5K Race for the Cure with his friend Wilson. T is sporting a new crew cut in the black Aspen Lacrosse
shirt (Chile and he got one last week).
Claudia did it too. We were
a part of my friend, Bess’s team, who got breast cancer this year. It was really fun!
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Children Living at Wolfe Apts... naplesnews.com
(Naples, FL) School age children living at Wolfe Apartments were
treated to a special camp experience the week of June 20-24th, when they
attended the summer horseback riding program offered at Naples
Equestrian Challenge. The opportunity, funded by monies raised at the
Naples Winter Wine Festival, provided these children, all of whom have
experienced the trauma of homelessness, poverty and worse, the chance to
ride, groom, and learn about horses firsthand for the first time in
their lives. The children enjoyed camp immensely. Five year old Doris
declared, “It was fun and Pick-A-Spot (one of the horses) loves me”,
adding that this horse had “the bestest teefs.(best teeth)”. Six year
old Edgar said, “It was the most fun ever, plus my Mom and Dad came and
they said I was the best horse rider they ever saw. I know it made them
happy!” St. Matthew’s House is grateful for the help from NCEF to give
these children such a positive, educational experience.
Wolfe Apartments, an affordable transitional apartment complex owned and operated by St. Matthew’s House, was built in 2003 and offers a two-year supportive housing program to homeless families and individuals, as well as those who graduate out of the SMH recovery program.
The Naples Winter Wine Festival has raised $94,500,000 in eleven years and is the most successful wine charity event in the world. The Naples Children & Education Foundation, founder of the festival, supports charitable programs that improve the lives of underprivileged or at risk children in Collier County. They are committed making a profound and sustaining difference in the quality of life of children.
This story is contributed by a member of the Naples community and is neither endorsed nor affiliated with Naples Daily NewsWolfe Apartments, an affordable transitional apartment complex owned and operated by St. Matthew’s House, was built in 2003 and offers a two-year supportive housing program to homeless families and individuals, as well as those who graduate out of the SMH recovery program.
The Naples Winter Wine Festival has raised $94,500,000 in eleven years and is the most successful wine charity event in the world. The Naples Children & Education Foundation, founder of the festival, supports charitable programs that improve the lives of underprivileged or at risk children in Collier County. They are committed making a profound and sustaining difference in the quality of life of children.
Also of interest today is an Editorial: Grassroots effort... Children's Movement of Florida.
http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2011/jun/30/editorial-grassroots-effort-could-bring-success/
Monday, June 27, 2011
BCLocalNews.com - Abbotsford dad devastated that autistic daughter is removed from home
BCLocalNews.com - Abbotsford dad devastated that autistic daughter is removed from home
Society abandons and then judges. It is surprising to me that more special needs families are not torn apart so readily.
Perhaps this is a good moment to share this today from Great NonProfits:
10. "If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one." - Mother Teresa
9. "Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart." - Elizabeth Andrew
8. "A bone to the dog is not charity. Charity is the bone shared with the dog, when you are just as hungry as the dog." - Jack London
7. "The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention." - Oscar Wilde
6. "Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see." - Mark Twain
5. "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not." - Dr. Seuss
4. "Everybody can be great. Because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve... You don't have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love." - Martin Luther King, Jr.
3. "I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catchers mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back." - Maya Angelou
2. "We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." - Winston Churchill
1. "How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." - Anne Frank
Society abandons and then judges. It is surprising to me that more special needs families are not torn apart so readily.
Perhaps this is a good moment to share this today from Great NonProfits:
You work hard to support the causes that are important to you, and you're not alone. Just listen to what some of the great authors, politicians, and activists of the world have to say about making a difference. Their words speak to the impact you -- or any single -- person can have on the world.
10. "If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one." - Mother Teresa
9. "Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart." - Elizabeth Andrew
8. "A bone to the dog is not charity. Charity is the bone shared with the dog, when you are just as hungry as the dog." - Jack London
7. "The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention." - Oscar Wilde
6. "Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see." - Mark Twain
5. "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not." - Dr. Seuss
4. "Everybody can be great. Because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve... You don't have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love." - Martin Luther King, Jr.
3. "I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catchers mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back." - Maya Angelou
2. "We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." - Winston Churchill
1. "How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." - Anne Frank
Sunday, June 19, 2011
My brother is special, and it’s not because of his disability – The Express Tribune Blog
My brother is special, and it’s not because of his disability – The Express Tribune Blog
Thank you to author Mehreen Asghar for sharing this touching post! "I like the idea of this blog as I am a sister to a special needs child. Let me know if I can contribute in any way at all. I wrote an article about special needs children a couple of months back in a newspaper blog in my country."
You can find more from Mehreen on her blog http://the-perfect-line.blogspot.com/.
Thank you to author Mehreen Asghar for sharing this touching post! "I like the idea of this blog as I am a sister to a special needs child. Let me know if I can contribute in any way at all. I wrote an article about special needs children a couple of months back in a newspaper blog in my country."
You can find more from Mehreen on her blog http://the-perfect-line.blogspot.com/.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Is Rejection Painful?
New York Times: Rejection May Hurt More Than Feelings.
Many special needs children and their families understand this all too well. We are always on the outskirts of society.
I am reminded today that I had a Great Uncle Who Shall Remain Nameless. He remains Nameless not because I protect his identity. He remains Nameless because no one would introduce him even to relatives or mention him... I learned about him by chance. He was special needs and unwelcome even in his own family. I feel pain myself when I think of how he must have suffered alone.
We are all special... by Stacie Wiesenbaugh
Many special needs children and their families understand this all too well. We are always on the outskirts of society.
I am reminded today that I had a Great Uncle Who Shall Remain Nameless. He remains Nameless not because I protect his identity. He remains Nameless because no one would introduce him even to relatives or mention him... I learned about him by chance. He was special needs and unwelcome even in his own family. I feel pain myself when I think of how he must have suffered alone.
We are all special... by Stacie Wiesenbaugh
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