Stride February 2014

HEART HEALTH MONTH

Complimentary | February 2014

EDITOR

meet the Meagan Pittelko

EDITOR

N

Nice to meet you, readers! I’m incredibly excited to embark on the new adventure that is being the new Associate Editor of Stride. Although I have worked with other magazines under the Spotlight umbrella, this month’s issue is my first issue working with Stride and I couldn’t love it more. My hope for Stride in the coming months is that it will continue to grow and evolve into a health-centered beacon for our community.

So, I suppose I’ll tell you a little bit about myself. I’m originally from Rochester (Minnesota, not New York) and I’ve lived in Fargo for about three years. Despite the bitter cold and the winds that can (and do) knock me off my feet, I can’t help but adore the culture and people of this city. Plus, I can’t leave until I take a selfie with the world-famous woodchipper.

This month’s issue, which revolves around heart health in honor of American Heart Month, allowed me to get to know some incredible survivors of heart-related conditions. And one thing that each and every one of them taught me was this: it can happen to anyone. As the bubbly and inspiring Jana Tronier told me, “If you have a heart, you’re fair game.”

Stand for ending homelessness on

2.13.14 Support community-driven permanent solutions to homelessness Go to www.fmhomeless.org Click on Donate with Impact

I can’t wait to meet more of Fargo’s inspiring, quirky, wonderful people and I can’t wait to help bring fitness and health-related information into your businesses and homes. Thanks for coming with me on this adventure, readers. I promise that it’s going to be a good one.

Meagan Pittelko 2

Stride • February 2014

Collaboration + Coordination = Results

Stride is published 12 times a year and is free. Copies are available at over 1,000 Fargo-Moorhead locations and digitally at fmspotlight.com.

February 2014 Publisher

Spotlight Media LLC. www.spotlightmediafargo.com President/Founder

Mike Dragosavich Editorial Director

Andrew Jason

Associate Editors

Meagan Pittelko, Madalyn Laske Art Director

Andy Neidt Graphic Design

Andy Neidt, Sarah Geiger Research/Contributors

Meagan Pittelko, Madalyn Laske, Gwendolyn Hoberg, Julie Garden-Robinson, Andrew Jason Copy Editors

Andrew Jason, Tracy Nicholson, Sarah Tyre, Meagan Pittelko, Madalyn Laske Web Design

Jake Schaffer, Nathan Anderson Marketing

Scott Eickscen

Spotlight Media General Manager

Brent Tehven

Sales Manager

Paul Hoefer

Marketing/Sales

Tracy Nicholson, Dennis Britton, Paul Bougie, Nick Bruns Circulation Manager

Codey Bernier Administration

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Chris Larson, George Stack, Matt Johnson

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CONTACT 502 1st Ave N Ste 100 Fargo,ND 58102 701-478-7768 info@spotlightmediafargo.com

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TEAM

e h t t e e m

Crew

We are the people of Spotlight Media.

Every month, Spotlight Media brings you Stride, Fargo Monthly, Bison Illustrated and Design & Living Magazine. Here are the people who make these wonderful mags.

4

MIKE

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SARAH

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Stride • February 2014

CONTENTS 8

Brains and Brawn Exercise lovers have a special bond with their gym. Check Gwendolyn Hoberg’s love letter to hers.

10

14

Nourish and Exercise Your Heart Get a professional’s take on how to prevent heart disease. From eating right to your daily routine, find out how to keep all your bases covered for a healthy, happy heart.

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Heart of a Survivor Survivors of heart-related problems shared their stories with us. At any age, risks can be a factor and these three explain their roads to recovery.

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Heart disease offers some horrifyingly fascinating stats. We take a look at what you need to know about heart health.

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Heart of a Survivor

By the Numbers

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Heart Attack Symptoms In honor of American Heart month, the American Heart Assocation wants you to know and be aware of these signs and symptoms of a heart-attack.

29

Impact Giveback The Dakota Medical Foundation and Impact Foundation team up to host Giving Hearts Day. This 24-hour givea-thon proves that Fargo-Moorhead is the generous community we know and love.

32

Finding Friendship in Fargo Read about the power of Friendship’s group homes and meet their youngest member. We were able to talk with those who make these places of hope and healing possible.

Finding Friendship in Fargo

38

38 Shape it Up One of the lead singers of the band Trailer Choir shared with us his journey and workout to losing over 200 pounds including an appearance on “The Biggest Loser.”

Get Involved Email info@spotlightmediafargo.com with your story ideas.

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Stride • February 2014

Shape it Up

Special Advertising Feature

Special Advertising Feature

Sprain vs.

Break Sprain vs.

Break Sprain vs. Break A atrip or sidewalk fall on a slick A trip or fall on slick can sidewalk can be embarrassing, beorembarrassing, but it can can alsobut it can also A trip fall on a slick sidewalk the emergency room. land you in theland emergency room. be embarrassing, but ityou canin also Ankle androom. wristtoinjuries injuries due falls due to falls landAnkle you inand thewrist emergency are allin too common are all wrist too common winter.

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Sprain break: Sprain break: How canvs. you tell? How can you tell? as a trivial injury.

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If you tear the ACL in your knee, If you painwhere between your joints, where ligaments If you feel pain between yourfeel joints, ligaments example, you’re likely facing surgery Not necessarily.

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Get severe than a sprain.

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What’s your advice? your advice? it checked out if your injury doesn’t seem to be getting bone, or visible deformity, you could be dealing with a it checked out if your injury doesn’t seem to be getting When in doubt, getaitchild checked out. W When in doubt, get it checked out.

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Medical Degree Medical Degree reduce the risk for significant surgery and disability.

University of North Dakota University of North Dakota typically 6-12 weeks heal.

Health Sorry, ladies, Health tip: take Sorry, ladies, buttoItip: say ditch the highbut I say Medical Degree Residency Fractures Residency University of North Dakota heels for a pair of sturdy winter boot heels for a pair of sturdy winter boots when you’re Orthopedic Surgery, Michigan Orthopedic Surgery, Michigan State University and Grand outdoors.

Avoid falls at home by ma Health tip: Sorry, ladies, but I say ditch the high State University and Grand outdoors.

Avoid falls at home by making sure the Residency Rapids Medicalheels Education Rapids Medical Education edges of when rugs firmly secured, an for a pair sturdy winter boots you’re edges of of rugs are firmly secured, andare pick up any Orthopedic Surgery, Michigan Partners, Grand Rapids, MI Partners,and Grand Rapids, MI State University Grand objects you could stumble over. Avo outdoors.

Avoid falls at home by making sure the objects you could stumble over.

Avoid wearing Rapids Board MedicalCertifications Education Board Certifications onany wood floors. edges slippery of rugs are firmly andsocks pick up socks on secured, woodslippery floors.

Partners, Grand Rapids, MIOrthopedic American Board of Orthopedic American Board of objects you could stumble over. Avoid wearing Surgery; subspecialty subspecialty certification Board Surgery; Certifications slipperycertification socks on wood floors. in Orthopedic Sports Medicine in Orthopedic Sports Medicine American Board of Orthopedic Surgery; certification To schedule an appointment, Tosubspecialty schedule appointment, Steven lantz,an MD Steven lantz, MD in Orthopedic Sports Medicine Orthopedic Surgery Orthopedic Surgery Call 701.364.8900 Call and Sports701.364.8900 Medicine and Sports Medicine

Steven lantz, MD

Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine

To schedule an appointment,

Call 701.364.8900

EssentiaHealth.org

EssentiaHealth.org

BRAINS & BRAWN

A Love Letter to

My Gym

E

ven for those who love to exercise, the gym can be a place of suffering and drudgery. But we get enjoyment and satisfaction there, too. For this month when we celebrate love, I want to show some affection for the place where I sweat, struggle and evolve. My main gym these days is Anytime Fitness in Dilworth, MN, but many of these sentiments apply to gyms everywhere. By Gwendolyn Hoberg

My dear gym,

Gwen Hoberg has been a weightlifter for almost 10 years and lives in Moorhead.

She is also an editor, writer and classical musician.

ur looks: The high e. Starting with yo lif y m of rt pa a e u ar e in. The mirrors ons, I am glad yo r places I spend tim he er ot m fro For so many reas ge an e space seem larg is an interesting ch , and they make th rm the fo y an m sp ct industrial ceiling at th rre co lls d exercise ba evaluate and e an s m ell lp eb he ttl re ke he ts, everyw nd weigh so much color: ha than it is. There is rainbow. grunting, laughing blend of talking, a e, lif d an le op pe ng on treadmills, It is the sound of ts and feet poundi gh ei w g in nk Next, your sound. cla of , classic rock and rd. It is the sound usic—pop, techno m is It ity. ts. and breathing ha rin sp d mforting familiar energetic jogs an day but have a co ch ea speeding up into nt re ffe di that are a little metal. All sounds Though it may but notable ways. ry ta en om m in touch r so the weights gage my sense of r onto a weight ba lla co e th de sli I love how you en to s idgen of happines right. seem silly, it’s a sm here it slides just w ot sp t ee sw at th ng di fin , off don’t fall

8

Stride • February 2014

es! If I want y. All the magazin da y m to ns ge id ppy sm make it easy. my workout, you r ways you add ha he in k ot e ea ar br e a er g th rin d An omen’s fitness photos du ein powder ads, w latest red carpet ot e pr th y in of lge go of du s in ge to s pa Reader’s Digest azines with endles s, the occasional ad re ut ca in sk g in Men’s fitness mag gu tionary bike worko dless pages of intri l make a light sta al ey th — s te magazines with en do ec s of humorous an with endless page . gly inin pass more enterta dio room are one ur downstairs stu yo in s ve ar sc e corativ try new things—if rtainment, the de You prompt me to e. or pl ex to e lik Speaking of ente ight ange exercises I m of the hints at str ion. at in ag im y m s, in only, in some case . The woman on in your entryway ts en , m at tre o ip r i-L own to humanity the huge poster fo are application kn ftw so ir. y er ha d ev an Gym, I even love ith in dw t having perfect sk er been retouche the poster has eith e feel bad about no m . e sit ak vi m a t u n’ yo es y do pa so she each time I e m ts ee gr or she is a robot, ho w a friendly cyborg Instead, she’s like e such an agreeabl able to exercise in d be an to ed re su lift ea be pl to a ivilege and are weights e pr a er th is it as , m ng gy lo ar as My de ill endure w words. feelings for you w me to make up ne ire sp environment. My in en ev u yo ticalled. See, strides to be ellip

Love,n Gwe

nutrition

nourish and exercise your

HEART Heart-shaped boxes and cartoon images of hearts on

Valentine’s Day cards accent our visual landscape in retail stores during February. That’s a good reminder for us. American Heart Month is a prime time to consider our heart health and take steps to be healthier if needed.

Have you thought about your hard-working heart today? It beats about 100,000 times per day, pumping nutrients and oxygen throughout the body, totaling more than 36 million beats per year. That’s a pretty efficient pump.

Julie

Garden-Robinson Ph.D., R.D., L.R.D. Julie is a professor and Food and Nutrition Specialist with the NDSU Extension Service.

If our "tickers" are working, they’re easy to ignore. Risk factors for heart disease often are silent. We can’t feel blood cholesterol depositing in our arteries. Many times high blood pressure, the "silent killer," goes undetected.

High blood pressure is defined as a blood pressure of more than 140/90 millimeters of mercury (mmHg), while normal blood pressure is 120/80. Healthcare providers recently began monitoring a condition known as “prehypertension.”

In prehypertension, blood pressure values fall between normal and high. Without preventive measures, prehypertension can progress to high blood pressure.

DASH to This Diet

Every day, we are enticed to try various diet plans and products. Recently the DASH diet was named the “top diet” for promoting good health. DASH stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. This style of eating is appropriate for all of us, but particularly those who want to avoid or manage hypertension.

The DASH diet isn’t a weight-loss diet, although you might drop a few pounds by following it. Better yet, the diet is “tried and true” based on clinical research. All the foods are readily available in your favorite grocery store. The eating plan is rich in antioxidant-rich fruits, vegetables and potassium- and calcium-rich low-fat dairy.

A sample menu and recipes are available free online at nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/ heart/hbp/dash/new_dash.pdf

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Stride • February 2014

Would You Recognize a

Heart Attack?

The importance of a healthy heart really hits home when someone close to us suffers a heart attack. Do you know heart attack warning signs?

The warning signs may include uncomfortable pressure, fullness or pain in the center of the chest; pain that spreads to the shoulders, jaw, neck or arms; and chest discomfort with lightheadedness, fainting, sweating or shortness of breath.

Sometimes the warning signs are less apparent. They might include unusual chest, stomach or abdominal pain; nausea or dizziness without chest pain; shortness of breath and difficulty breathing without chest pain; unexplained anxiety, weakness or extreme fatigue; and palpitations, cold sweat or paleness.

Compared with men, women may experience slightly different heart attack warning signs. Besides the classic warning signs, women may experience jaw or back pain or nausea and vomiting. If warning signs are noted in you or anyone else, don’t wait. Call 9-1-1.

For More

resources Recently, the NDSU Extension Service launched a free website with a featured monthly topic and online activities to explore, including February’s heart focus. Although “Nourishing Boomers and Beyond” especially targets people 50 and older, any adult can learn from and apply the health principles.

Check it out at ndsu.edu/boomers.

nutrition

Are You at Risk for

heart disease?

More “yes” answers mean greater risk. Be sure to discuss your concerns with your health-care provider. When we recognize our risk factors, we can take steps to manage them. Some risk factors, such as gender, age and family history, are not under our control. Males are at higher risk of heart disease. Other habits, such as smoking, food choices and level of physical activity, are things we can change.

Do you smoke?

Do you have high cholesterol and/or high LDL cholesterol?

Do you have diabetes?

Do you have high blood pressure? (more than 140/90 mmHg) Are you overweight (20 percent over ideal body weight) (according to a health-care provider)?

Recipe Corner secret ingredient chocolate cake Because chocolate treats are abundant in February, here is a fudgy cake recipe with a secret ingredient. Chocolate is an excellent source of natural antioxidants, but moderation is still key.

The “secret ingredient” (chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans) is rich in fiber and antioxidants.

Dark chocolate and beans recently showed up in the list of the 25 most heart-healthy foods, and this recipe provides both. For more bean recipes, please see “Spillin’ the Beans,” a free cookbook from the NDSU Extension Service at ag.ndsu.edu/ pubs/yf/foods/fn1646_full.pdf.

• 1 ½ c. semiweet chocolate chips • 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained • 4 eggs • ¾ c. white sugar • 1/2 tsp. baking powder • Optional toppings: powdered sugar, frosting or fresh berries

Are you physically inactive?

Are you 45 or older?

If female, are you postmenopausal?

Do you have a history or family history of heart disease?

Do you have unmanageable stress in your life?

Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease 9-inch round cake pan. Melt chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring occasionally until chocolate is smooth. Combine chickpeas and eggs in a food processor or blender and process until smooth. Add sugar and baking powder; blend. Pour in melted chocolate, then blend until smooth. Transfer batter to prepared cake pan. Bake for 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean. Cool on wire rack.

(Note for those with a medical need to avoid gluten: This cake has no flour or other typical sources of gluten.) **Makes nine servings. Each serving (without frosting) has 320 calories, 13 grams (g) of fat, 47 g carbohydrate, 7 g protein, 3 g fiber, and 190 milligrams of sodium.

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Stride • February 2014

Heart Health

14

Stride • February 2014

HEART OF A

Survivor

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States.

In fact, about 600,000 Americans die from heart disease each year and about half of all Americans have at least one risk factor. This February, which is American Heart Month, survivors of heart-related health problems share their stories.

By Meagan Pittelko Photos by J. Alan Paul Photography 15

Heart Health

Alan Golberg

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

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Stride • February 2014

At almost 90 years old, Alan Golberg probably exercises more than the average college student.

“I do calisthenics - 100 counts, each way,” Golberg said proudly. “I touch my toes 150 times, do deep-knee bends 150 times, push-ups 50 times and sit-ups. I do one for each year, so I’m doing 90 now and 91 soon!”

Watching Golberg move easily through his home, it’s hard to believe that he underwent a heart procedure to treat aortic stenosis approximately one year ago.

“They did some tests one day and told me that my heart was getting heavier... the doctor sat me down and said, ‘I think you’d be a good candidate for this procedure,’ and that I’d have to swallow a camera,” Golberg said. “So I just asked, ‘Well, do I have to smile?’”

The procedure that Golberg’s doctor referred him to is called a Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR).

The procedure has been performed at Sanford Health 58 times, according to Sanford cardiologist Tom Haldis, and is a much less invasive alternative to open heart surgery.

An aortic valve stenosis is a narrowing of the aortic valve, according to the Sanford Health webpage, which allows blood to flow from the ventricle to the aorta and the body. During the TAVR procedure, a catheter is inserted into a patient’s leg and then travels to the heart. The surgeon, Sanford Health explains, inserts a collapsible

replacement valve into the catheter and moves it to the heart, where it will then open the aortic valve.

“We can do just about anybody, no matter how sick they are, with this procedure and essentially cure their aortic stenosis,” Haldis said. “We can improve their quality of life and reduce their mortality.”

As opposed to open heart surgery, the TAVR procedure allows patients to return to their regular routines within days. Golberg said that he was able to return home about two days after his procedure and is able to do everything he used to do.

“I still go down to the lake and I can spend the summers gardening,” Golberg said. “I shovel my own driveway and everything.”

In some cases, Haldis said, the quality of life may remain the same as it was prior to the procedure.

“Sometimes it is mainly a mortality benefit,” he said. “Some patients are only hindered by their aortic stenosis so, like Alan, they’ll get much better. Our oldest lady, who’s 94, has returned to a completely independent life. She drives herself here and she goes to bingo every day.”

he had no doubts about the procedure.

“I wasn’t afraid at all. They gave me all the literature on it but, since I have poor vision, I couldn’t read it… But the pictures looked good!” Golberg joked.

“Plus, the thing that was the most difficult for me was when they took the bandaid off. That was definitely the most pain!”

“Lots of my friends look at me and say, ‘I can’t believe it!’ You know, that I’m 90 years old and doing this. I’m just thankful that I had the procedure done and that it went well.”

His plans now? To go to Vegas at the end of the month and visit his son.

“Lots of my friends look at me and say, ‘I can’t believe it!’ You know, that I’m 90 years old and doing this,” he said. “I’m just thankful that I had the procedure done and that it went well.”

Once he was presented with all of the necessary information, Golberg said,

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Heart Health

Jana Tronier 18

triple bypass

Stride • February 2014

By July of 2012, Jana Tronier’s pain was so excruciating that she could no longer fool herself into thinking it was nothing.

“It came to the point that I honestly felt like I was going to die,” she said. “I put on a mask, but now I know that I was dying.”

After years of being told by friends and family that she was too young to be suffering from heart failure, Tronier found herself in the hospital again, in tears, begging for someone to help her.

That was when she had a stress test done.

“A flood of cardiologists entered the room then,” she said. “And they told me that my heart was crying.”

Tronier had three blocked arteries and was rushed into triple bypass surgery.

Although she said that she was not able to process what was happening to her at the time, Tronier said that she knows she would be dead if she hadn’t kept fighting for herself.

“As women, we take care of everyone else before we take care of ourselves,” she said. “For a long time, I believed what everyone else believed. But you have to advocate for yourself.”

According to Sanford cardiologist Heeraimangalore Manjunath, symptoms in women are often atypical, which can lead to late treatment.

While men experience more typical

symptoms (such as chest discomfort and pain), women often experience atypical symptoms (which may include rapid heart beat, dizziness and fatigue). For Tronier, this may be why she was initially told, she said, that she was suffering from anxiety or dehydration. Tronier explained that she thinks women are often afraid of going in and not having anything wrong with them.

“Embarrassment is nothing compared to not being here anymore,” she said.

“I’d rather be embarrassed than dead.”

According to Manjunath, she absolutely did the right thing.

“If you are having symptoms that are unusual to you, seek help from your primary care provider,” Manjunath said. “Prevention is better than a cure.”

Prevention of heart-related health problems is made up of many different aspects, according to Manjunath.

Daily exercise, healthy eating habits, awareness of one’s family history, healthy cholesterol and blood pressure levels and not smoking are some factors that can help one’s heart remain healthy.

Tronier, who said that she lived a healthy lifestyle prior to realizing she had heart problems, said that it’s im-

portant to take preventative measures and be aware that it can happen to anyone.

“Know your numbers, your risk factors and take care of yourself,” Tronier said. “It’s not just a man’s disease.

Anyone with a heart is fair game.”

“Know your numbers, your risk factors and take care of yourself,” Tronier said. “It’s not just a man’s disease.

Anyone with a heart is fair game.”

Although Tronier’s road to recovery was not easy, she said that she doesn’t regret anything.

“I don’t take anything for granted and, every day, I do my best,” she said. “I think there’s a reason that this happened to me. I can connect with people and tell my story. I’m a survivor. I’m very strong and I’ve been through a lot in my life. I live every day like it’s my last and treat everyone like it’s their last.”

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Heart Health

Nathan Albaugh 20

STINT PROCEDURE

Stride • February 2014

In the world of heart health, it appears that no one is “too young” anymore.

Nathan Albaugh was 32-years-old and at the golf course with his fatherand brother-in-law when his left arm began to grow numb. As the pain in his chest increased and he became unable to grip his golf club any longer, he decided that it was time to call his wife to come and pick him up.

Instead, Albaugh underwent tests - including an angiogram - which resulted in the discovery of an artery that was 100 percent blocked. He had immediate surgery and, after a second discovery of another artery that was 80 percent blocked, was scheduled to return for a stint.

“There was a lot of discussion about whether or not I should see a doctor,” he said, “but we eventually decided that I should go to the ER. We figured that the worst thing that could happen would be that they would send me home.”

“It was humbling and terrifying all at the same time,” Albaugh said. “I think it slapped all of us in the family in the face a little bit. We didn’t really have a family history of heart conditions, so it was an eye opener.”

“There was a lot of discussion about whether or not I should see a doctor,” he said, “but we eventually decided that I should go to the ER. We figured that the worst thing that could happen would be that they would send me home.”

Albaugh, who said that he was an averagely active person prior to discovering that he had heart problems, didn’t demonstrate many of the typical warning signs.

According to Essentia cardiologist Samantha Kapphahn, this isn’t as uncommon as one might think, though.

“I would say that Nathan is a good representation of many people in our population in his age group,” she said.

“He really didn’t have a lot of the traditional risk factors we associate with heart disease or heart attacks, nor did he have a strong family history.”

The day after Albaugh returned to have his secondary surgery - which he referred to as an “in and out procedure” - he found himself back in the

hospital. This time, however, it was for a completely different reason.

“My wife was 37 weeks along in her pregnancy during this time. When I went in for my second stint, she was already having contractions and hiding it,” he said. “How she was able to maintain that, I don’t have any idea.

But talk about the circle of life.”

Although Albaugh and his wife now have a healthy baby boy, Albaugh said that he is definitely still on the road to full recovery. He still exercises and is able to fully embrace his roles as both a husband and father. The road won’t be easy and, according to Kapphahn, every heart patient’s recovery will most likely incorporate some level of lifestyle adjustments.

“There is often an element of fear involved about all the things they feel they will have to give up. In some cases, people associate this as a ‘doom and gloom’ moment where I’ve taken away their cigarettes, restaurant dining, travel, sports and made their life unbearable,” Kapphahn said. “In regards to living a life that allows you to spend time with friends and family, exercising, travel and celebrating the great moments life has to offer — these things should all continue and be sought after enthusiastically.”

21

Heart Health

Heart Health

By THe Numbers

{ Statistics courtesy of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention }

1

#

Heart disease is the

leading cause of death for both men and women

385,000 Coronary heart disease is the most common type of heart disease, killing more than 385,000 people annually 22

Stride • February 2014

27% As of a 2005 survey, only 27% of respondents were aware of all

major symptoms of a heart attack

>1/2

More than half of the deaths due to heart disease in 2009 were men

Heart Health

1/2

About half of people who develop heart failure die within five years of diagnosis

1/4

1 in every 4 Male and female deaths is caused by heart disease

5.1 million About 5.1 million people in the US have

heart failure

715,000 Every year, about 715,000 Americans have a heart attack

Heart Health

Risk Factors...

Being overweight or obese

Poor diet Physical inactivity

For more information on how to get involved, visit yourethecure.org.

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Stride • February 2014

Excessive alcohol use

HIGH blood pressure and cholesterol levels

Smoking

Heart Health

KNOW THESE

HEART ATTACK SYMPTOMS It's American Heart Association month and they want you to know the signs and symptoms of a heart-attack. In general, people wait much too long after the signals begin to address them. Don't get caught off guard!

NECK, SHOULDER OR BACK TIGHTNESS or pain

CLAMMINESS OR COLD SWEATS

CHEST PRESSURE or pains

MILD TO SEVERE JAW PAIN or tightness SHORTNESS OF BREATH

ARM PAIN or tightness

MILD TO SEVERE NAUSEA

DIZZINESS OR LIGHT HEADEDNESS

{ Symptoms courtesy of American Heart Association }

26

Stride • February 2014

community

$1,862.49

30%

was raised

of gifts were given from

per minute in

a donor

2013

that has

never given to

that organization before

$10-$4,000

donations are

matched by

DMF and other

philantropic community donors

$500

in awards are given

to donors with the

most creative

marketing strategy

IMPACT Giveback Kill it with kindness. On February 13th for the seventh year in a row, Dakota Medical Foundation and their sister foundation, Impact Foundation, eagerly team up to host a day of giving, thanks and community to accomplish just that. Giving Hearts Day utilizes impactgiveback.org to facilitate and encourage volunteers to donate to a charity of their choice within a 24-hour window. With each passing year, Giving Hearts Day radically enhances fundraising for charities in the North Dakota and Minnesota communities by gaining more charities, surpassing its fundraising goal and breaking the previous year’s donation record.

By Madalyn Laske

29

community

A

lthough the give-a-thon lasts 24 hours, the effects of Giving Hearts Day echo long after the event is over.

Before the day begins, each organization must go through fundraising training provided by DMF and Impact Foundation.

“Giving Hearts Day is a lot different than some of the other online giving days. Each organization that participates has been trained on how to create a fundraising system, something that’s going to outlast them at the organization,” said Scott Holdman, Director of Operational Excellence and Fellow at Impact Foundation and CoCreator of Funding Logic. “The philosophy is we teach people how to fish rather than give them a fish. Even though it’s just 24 hours, it’s really much more than a day.”

Their unique fundraising model flourishes on Giving Hearts Day. In 2013 the event brought in $3.68 million in gifts from over 16,989 individual donations to help 179 charities.

“In 2008, this was the region’s first online giving event and we did it with a very select number of organizations. We raised $400,000 in one day and we

thought, we might be on to something here,” said Holdman.

From then on, the day continues to generate more and more interest, meaning more and more donations. This year, individual donations are expected to exceed 20,000.

The Fargo-Moorhead Coalition for Homeless Persons is just one of the thankful organizations benefiting from the cause.

Laurie Baker, Executive Director for Fargo-Moorhead Coalition for Homeless Persons, advocates for Giving Hearts Day. Baker says the day brings light to the Coalition, homelessness and the generosity of the FargoMoorhead community.

“The philosophy is we teach people how to fish rather than give them a fish. Even though it’s just 24 hours, it’s really much more than a day.”

-Scott Holdman

“Fargo-Moorhead and the Metro region is a place of great compassion and there’s a big connection between that and Giving Hearts Day,” said Baker.

“I think that the model of creating a big event around giving puts a sort of celebration aspect on giving and makes it fun. It’s a really good time; it’s fun to see those totals get so big. It’s proof that we really do live in a caring community.”

“This event is incredibly important because it raises the awareness level for all the good charities that we have in this region,” Holdman said. “(Giving Hearts Day) allows for charities to connect with more donors and it gives them a louder platform.”

Giving Hearts Day is rapidly transforming into a philanthropist’s holiday, magnifying good deeds and generosity. Hoping to exceed last year’s donation amount, it provides a vehicle for those in the Fargo-Moorhead community wanting to give back to their community in an easy and fun way.

“The model of creating a big event around giving puts a celebration aspect on giving and makes it fun.” - Laurie Baker To donate on February 13, go to impactgiveback.org.

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Stride • February 2014

COMMUNITY

Finding Friendship in Fargo T

hey may look like regular homes on the outside, but the group homes run by Friendship, Inc. are so much more than that. Places of hope and healing, Friendship's group homes have been an integral part of the community for decades. This month, we were able to meet with the people that make Friendship possible, as well as one of Friendship's youngest residents.

By Meagan Pittelko Photos By BEN Gumeringer

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Stride • February 2014

The FamilY Serving, sharing, providing, empowering and committing. These five words make up the mission of Friendship, Inc., an establishment that provides homes for adults and children with developmental disabilities.

Friendship residents are of all ages, but one of the youngest residents is 12-year-old Jacob.

Jacob just made the move to a larger school and is excited about the change.

Using sign language, he told Bryan Freborg, a staff member who works with Jacob, that one of his favorite things about going to school is being able to use the iPads and other technology available to him, although he said that he also enjoys getting to spend time with his friends.

Friendship staff members facilitate activities and community outings to to create an environment that is both familiar and comforting. It is important, Freborg said, that individuals living in the group homes trust and maintain friendships with staff members.

Many residents, including Jacob, are visited by family on a regular basis, Leslie said, despite the fact that people often think those living in group homes are cut off from family. In fact, one of Friendship’s main goals is to create a family-focused environment. Jon Opgrand, a Qualified Developmental Disabilities Professional (QDDP) who is also Jacob’s case worker, agreed.

“The people that [the staff] work with in the group homes become family,” Opgrand said.

“It’s priceless to the people we support.”

Leslie explained that Friendship aims to facilitate family and to help heal by, among other things, encouraging family contact.

“Just because you’re in a group home,” she said, “doesn’t mean that family isn’t present.

Institutions don’t have that family setting, while Friendship is all about family.”

33

COMMUNITY

The Mission

Dori Leslie Friendship Chief Operating Officer

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Stride • February 2014

Friendship, which has group homes located in Fargo, Grafton and Park River, can be traced back to the late 1800s, when the Presentation Sisters of Fargo established St. John’s Orphanage. In the 1960s, the Sisters established Villa Nazareth, which later joined a site called Friendship Village. In 1987, the site grew to become a vocational and residential program and its name was changed to Friendship, Inc. The goal of Friendship is simply to assist people while they live their lives, according to Chief Operating Officer Dori

Leslie. Friendship employees perform a variety of duties to assist and support individuals living in the group homes, from dish washing and meal preparation to facilitating programming.

Overall, though, Leslie describes living in a group home as just like living in one’s own home.

“Whatever you do in the morning, in the afternoon or at bedtime is the same,” she said. “People that live in a group home are no different than you and I.”

Residents who live in a group home work directly with staff in creating their meals. In this kitchen (bottom right) children and staff help make breakfasts, lunches and dinners.

All the residents of the homes and the staff enjoy the meal together at the dining room table. (top right)

Friendship provides lifelong services based on each individual’s needs. Each individual works with staff to develop and implement an Individualized Program Plan, which will allow them to get exactly what they want out of their experience at Friendship.

The Nuts & Bolts

Opgrand explained that the plan is specifically focused on each individual.

“We’re all different people,” he said, “and whatever someone’s hopes and dreams are, that’s what this plan is centered on.”

Jon Opgrand Friendship Qualified Developmental Disabilities Professional

Each group home is supervised 24 hours a day by staff members, who undergo extensive initial training as well as ongoing training provided by the state of North Dakota. A weeklong orientation provides staff members at Friendship the opportunity to see if working in a group home is something they truly want to do.

Staff turnover in North Dakota is therefore at an incredibly low 30 percent, according to Leslie; the nation’s turnover rate is 70-75 percent.

According to Freborg, who has worked with Friendship for four years, training not only encompasses medical training (such as first aid, CPR and how to give someone medication) but also teaches staff about safety and the core values of Friendship.

35

COMMUNITY “You learn the philosophy of Friendship,” Freborg said. “If you understand that it’s the people first, then you’re here for the right reason.”

In addition to having a staff member available at all times, each individual has an interdisciplinary team working to support them. The overall goal of this team is, according to Leslie, to provide the medical and emotional support that an individual needs to have the life he or she wants to live.

“We provide a nurturing environment,” she said. “We want to make sure that everyone has a fulfilled life and make sure that their voices are heard.”

North Dakota Medicaid covers many of the expenses acquired by individuals in group homes, but there are some expenses that are not entirely covered by insurance; therefore, Leslie said, Friendship organizes fundraising events.

“When you live in a group home,” she said, “all of your expenses are covered. Food, rent, medical needs, staffing, programming - it all goes into an approved state budget. But there are some important things insurance doesn’t cover, such as hearing aids.”

To provide such necessary devices, Friendship hosts an annual golf tournament and relies on donations.

“Money is so limited,” Opgrand said.

“Insurances are covering less and less. We would love to have communication devices for every individual so all of their dreams and ideas can be communicated.”

The Misconceptions In addition to the belief that family is not present in a group home setting, Leslie said that there are many other misconceptions held by the public in regards to group home living.

36

Stride • February 2014

“Most people think it’s a huge congregate setting,” she said, “but it’s really about privacy, about personal space.”

“But it’s the opposite,” he said. “We hope that it’s just a small transition in their lives toward independence.”

About six people usually live in one house, each with his or her own room. There used to be, according to Leslie, many more people living in one group home; she also said that Friendship is hoping to split the houses to make them even smaller in the future.

Separate kitchens, separate bedrooms and smaller living environments, she said, allow those living in group homes to experience life on an individual basis, just like everyone else.

Residents at Friendship are encouraged to attend school and find jobs in the community. They make their own decisions about their lives and what they hope to accomplish. Some residents require very little assistance and thus live in a Minimally Supervised Living Arrangement, while others require more support. At the end of the day, group homes are just like non-group homes.

“Everyone needs a place for their own privacy,” she said. “That’s always been part of our mission.”

“Everything you and I do is identical in a group home,” Leslie said. “Here, there’s just a little more support.”

Although residents have found a place where they belong at Friendship, Freborg said that the community is not as accepting as it could be.

“Some people in the community are still afraid of people with disabilities,” he said.

“But the more we get out, the more people will see that it’s not a big deal.”

Jacob, for example, can choose whether or not he’d like to attend community activities.

He can make his own decisions regarding spiritual needs and what he wants to do in the future. Although Jacob prefers, like any 12-year-old boy, to play on an iPad, Opgrand explains that age-appropriate programming is implemented to help residents explore the world around them.

People also seem to think, according to Opgrand, that once you’re in a group home, you never get to leave.

“We teach people to cook, clean, pay bills, tie their shoes,” he said. “We use these things as teaching tools.”

Each resident gets their own bedroom. They are able to decorate the room however they like.

Jacob loves Spiderman and Nickelodeon.

Just like other 12-year-old boys, he also loves to play on his iPad and Nintendo Wii.

Because residents can stay in Friendship homes for as long as they want (assuming that care outside of what Friendship can provide is not required), staff members get to watch residents grow and change over time.

“We learn so much from each person,” Opgrand said.

“They’re giving back to us also, and it’s neat to see everyone flourish.”

The FUTURE

Friendship, Inc. has undergone a magnitude of changes since the Presentation Sisters of Fargo established St. John’s Orphanage in 1897. As the world changes, though, Friendship hopes to continue to change with it.

“We will continue to strive for smaller living arrangements,” Leslie said. “We’d also love to follow the trend of technology.”

Friendship offers services to enhance the lives of its residents and, according to Leslie, it will maintain a high quality of staff that work together to provide the mission of a healing ministry to each and every resident.

“We need to bring all aspects of life to the table,” she said, “to make sure that, for example, Jacob’s needs are met holistically - mind, body and spirit.”

In addition to providing services to residents, Friendship will continue to provide family to its residents. They will also, according to Opgrand, continue to encourage community members to accept those with developmental disabilities and continue to find opportunities for residents to get involved in the community.

“We want the community to embrace people with disabilities, because they’re just like a regular person in the community,” he said. “There’s intimidation in the community but they want to go out and see people and experience the community just like everyone else does. They’re just like anyone else and should be treated like that.”

*For more info on Friendship, go to friendship-inc.com.

fitness

38

Stride • February 2014

He’s No Longer Rocking the Beer Gut

By Andrew Jason

Photos by Haney’s Photography

If you compared a picture of Big Vinny from two and a half years ago to his picture today, you probably wouldn’t recognize him. In the last two years he has lost over 200 pounds, transformed (and possibly saved) his life and is looking to help others change their life as well.

His real name is Vincent Hickerson, but that’s not

important. Everyone calls him Big Vinny (although that’s not as accurate as it once was). However, there are a couple of things you need to know about Vinny.

1. He’s one of the lead singers of the band Trailer Choir. (You probably know their song “She was rocking the beer gut.”)

2. He was on the finalists of “The Biggest Loser” two years ago.

3. He’s really freaking fit now.

39

fitness

After lunch they go and workout with a trainer. For the rest of the day the participants must walk and remain active. By the time 9 p.m. comes around they’re definitely ready for bed. inny grew up outside of Nashville and lived off of Southern cooking. That diet stuck with him well into his adult life. After a long night of performing with Trailer Choir he would go out to eat. “When I got done at the end of the night, all I was looking for was food. I went to a waffle house or some fastfood restaurant. If it was McDonald’s I was getting the dollar menu for four chicken sandwiches, four double cheeseburgers, three large orders of fries and an orange soda by myself.”

“If you’re going to change anything in your life or do anything for the positive, you have to love who you are as a person. Don’t change it because you hate yourself because you’ll never believe you’re worth it and you’ll fall short every time you try to change.”

40

Stride • February 2014

Needless to say his weight skyrocketed. He ballooned to over 450 pounds. That all changed when he decided his next goal would be to become a movie star and he traveled out to Los Angeles.

He got an audition to be in the movie “Dumb and Dumber 2” but was told that he was too big for the show. After flying back to Nashville he learned he had contracted type 2 diabetes. Vinny spent five days in the hospital and was told that if he didn’t change his ways, he’d be dead in two years.

During his time in the hospital he received a phone call from “The Biggest Loser.” Big Vinny’s weight loss journey had begun.

“The Biggest Loser” Despite the fact Vinny has always suffered from weight issues, he’s never suffered from confidence issues. “Whenever I was 453 pounds I thought of myself as the hottest guy in the room. I never looked at myself as ugly… If Brad Pitt would have walked in, I would have said, ‘Hey number two.”

His big personality helped him on the show, but didn’t make it any easier. “Being on ‘The Biggest Loser’ is about a million times harder than it looks on TV,” he said with a tone of certainty. When aired on TV they show three workouts during a week and it’s for three hours each time. However, the truth is that contestants have to wake up at 5 a.m. and have to immediately do a three-mile walk. They then eat breakfast before doing another three-mile jog/walk before getting on a spin bike.

The show transformed Big Vinny into not-as-big Vinny. He appeared on the finale of “The Biggest Loser” on Dec. 13, 2011. He started the show at 426 pounds and ended the show at 242 pounds - a difference of 184 pounds. “It’s kind of funny now that two years ago, I wore a size 38 and I weighed 242 pounds and now two years later I wear a size 34 but I weigh 255 pounds. It’s because I’ve put on so much muscle. Now my goal is to be a bodybuilder.”

From Beer Gut to Bodybuilder Vinny is well onto his way to a bodybuilding competition. His workouts now focus on transforming his body into that “superhero that was in a comic book when I was a kid.” He now surrounds himself with other people with the same goal. “I workout with someone who looks like I want to look. If you surround yourself with a bunch of millionaires, you’ll probably be a millionaire.”

Looking back, Big Vinny has always led an active lifestyle. He was a power lifter in high school and an All-State Center in football. His problem was his diet. Before he ate endless fast food and something his brother and him call a “cereal sandwich”, but has now found a diet that works for him. That diet focuses heavily on fish, chicken and vegetables.

Being on the road, the band is constantly stopping at places like Chipotle where they can get a healthy fast food option.

Throughout it all, Big Vinny has learned something important. Something that can be applied to anyone looking to change their life. “If you’re going to change anything in your life or do anything for the positive, you have to love who you are as a person. Don’t change it because you hate yourself because you’ll never believe you’re worth it and you’ll fall short every time you try to change.”

fitness

VINNY’S WORKOUT Vinny and his band Trailer Choir travel quite often. This type of lifestyle can be very hard for someone trying to lead a healthy lifestyle. While most of his workouts are aimed at making him stronger for bodybuilding, he has found a workout that allows him to get his heart rate up since he spends so much time traveling. He led us and some of his bandmates through the workout.

1

Begin workout with a 10-minute warm-up on an incline of 15 on a treadmill

2

1

Start off with a barbell with 135 pounds and do five barbell push-ups and then stand up and do five hanging cleans

3 3

42

Stride • February 2014

2 Do five overhead press and five squats

4

Do 10 lateral raises with 25-pound dumbbells

5

4 6

10 pull-ups (with a resistant band if you need it)

5

60 jump ropes

8

7

10 regular push-ups.

Repeat steps 2-6 twice.

6 8

After the circuit is done, grab a 45-pound plate and put it on your chest and do the following

9

10 sit-ups

10

Press the plate straight over your chest and do 10 leg-ups

11

10 leg-ups left and 10 leg-ups right. Repeat steps 8-10.

12

End workout with a 20-minute walk with an incline on a treadmill

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DOWNTOWN FARGO | (701) 232-2491

www.royaljewelersfargo.com