Lexington Woman Volume 10 Issue 5

VOL 10, NO 5

COMPLIMENTARY

CELEBRATING, MOTIVATING, AND EDUCATING WOMEN

Real

TM

“Your Journey is our Passion”

Meet Adrianna Kleckley, President of Carolina Behavior & Beyond

What you need to know about canine influenza

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in this issue...

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www.lexingtonwomanonline.com

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Lori Samples Duncan loriduncan86@gmail.com

MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES

Cathy Williams John Welsh info@lexingtonwomanonline.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Lori Samples Duncan Carol Ryall Jennifer W. Potts, DVM

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Future’s Graphics, LLC Reid Price reid.futuresgraphics.com

From the Editor 2

This time of the Year

Events 3

What’s Happening in Lexington?

Let’s Talk 6 Domestic Violence in South Carolina

Pet Health

Health & Wellness 18 At the Heart of it All 19 An Era of Meanness 24 The Mystery of Dyslexia 2

Theresa Miley is a Mother, a Mentor and a Manager!

Business & Web Directory 26 Campaign for Clarity

10 Canine Influenza

Feature Article 14 Early Intervention is Life-Changing for Children with Special Needs

PHOTOGRAPHY JMB Photography

INFORMATION

info@lexingtonwomanonline.com

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Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication. However, the publishercannotassumeresponsibilityforerrors or omissions. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission. © 2014

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From The Editor

This time of year is difficult for me. As much as I enjoy football and the cooler weather, my heart has memories that I struggle with. It must have been late October when I finally started to realize that my daddy wasn’t getting better. I think it was on a Saturday visit when I knew I was going to have to let him go. For thirty two years of my life, fall was filled with camouflage, bright orange vests, the smell of an open fire pit, fresh venison, and the sound of laughter from various males in our family.

I can only remember a few Thanksgivings celebrated with him actually home. We would always celebrate a day early or when he got back from the hunting grounds that Sunday. In fact when I was in the hospital having Colton he asked me was it okay for him to go to the hunting club because on that year opening day for Bow Season was September 9th. Of course when Colton was born he showed up at the hospital in all his camo to welcome his grandson to the family.

I try not to dwell on his departure, because the dash in between his birth and death hold so much love and laughter. I remember the feeling in the pit of my stomach that I used to get when he would come in smiling and shout to all of us that he had just got a buck or that one of my brothers or cousins got the first deer of the season. I can’t tell you the number of times I watched them prepare the meat for the freezer or the taxidermist. At the time I didn’t realize the impact of those moments. I didn’t realize while I was sitting in a deer stand with my dad learning to shoot or listening to stories around a camp fire at night (on the few occasions the girls were allowed) that I was making memories that would last a lifetime. When I close my eyes I can still smell the fire and hear his laughter from all those years ago as he joked with his twin brother and teased.

Now when I see those vests or all that hunting gear at a sporting goods store, I can’t help but smile and remember the scents and sounds of life when he was alive. Time has passed but one thing remains; the depth of his love for us. I still pick up the phone to call him. I still wish he could see my children now and how they have grown. I still feel like something important is missing. I still love my Dad. If you are lucky enough to still have your father here with you, I would encourage you to call him. If my dad were here, I would call or visit, I would say I love you one more time. I would hug his neck and kiss his weathered cheek. I would ask him to tell me a story about when he was younger. I would ask him to sing me a song.

I would make another memory to hold close when sickness took him from me. I wouldn’t wish him back. I know he is happy, healthy, and safe in the arms of our heavenly father and one day when my time here is over I will join him there.

God Bless Isaiah 41:10 ESV Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right

Lori Samples-Duncan

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Celebrating, Motivating and Educating

Real Women

Events Events

Happening

WHAT’S IN LEXINGTON? NOVEMBER Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo Experience Columbia’s longest running holiday tradition—the annual Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden. The Zoo will light up each evening with more than one million twinkling lights and countless animated images representing some of Riverbanks’ most loveable residents. Guests can roast marshmallows at the jingle bell bonfire, visit with Santa and enjoy the festive sounds of the Music in Motion lights spectacular. Riverbanks is also the only place in town where it snows every night! Runs through December 30th.

Adult’s Night Out with a formal dance to include food and libations. Sunday is jammed packed with a cell phone walking tour of historic downtown Lexington, the annual Christmas Parade and concludes with a concert and tree lighting at the new Lexington Square.

West Metro Holiday Parade of Lights The West Metro Holiday Parade of Lights is one of the highlight of the holiday season in the Midlands. Held the first Sunday in December this night time parade begins at 5:30 pm at the corner of Hwy. 1 & 12th Street in West Columbia and proceeds down 12th Street ending in front of the Cayce Municipal Complex. Come out and come early as crowds have been estimated over 20,000!

Bleacher seating available in front of the chamber office.

Holiday Lights on the River – Saluda Shoals Park

Christmas Traditions, Cayce Historical Museum

The holiday season has finally arrived and what better way to enjoy the spirit of the season than taking a magical ride through a winter wonderland of light displays and beautifully animated scenes during Holiday Lights on the River. From the end of November through December 31st, Saluda Shoals Park comes alive in a blaze of more than a million sparkling lights. Holiday Lights on the River fea-

The Cayce Historical Museum, built to resemble a 1700’s trading post, is decorated for the Yuletide. Costumed docents greet and guide guests through the museum and grounds.

803.796.9020

DECEMBER Town of Lexington Snowball Festival Held the first weekend in December, The Town of Lexington’s Snowball Festival is the kick-off to the holiday season in Lexington. The two-day event kick’s-off with a 5K race benefiting Patty Packs, a 501C3 dedicated to assisting individuals and families faced with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD). Saturday evening, is

UPCOMING E VENTS

Holiday Open House, Lexington County Museum Second Sunday in December, 2-5 p.m.

The John Fox House is decorated in the period of the mid-19th Century; guests can stroll around the grounds and visit other buildings. The free event includes hot apple cider, gingerbread, and the famous German stollen bread.

Holiday Open House, Lorick Plantation House Second weekend in December at the historic location of the Capital City Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism Office. Local garden clubs decorate the home in 1840’s period style, with greenery and handmade decorations.

Free; light refreshments served.

Christmas Sampler, Lexington Leisure Center Second Saturday in December, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Artisans from the Southeast show and sell their handmade items at the Lexington Leisure Center, 108 Park Road. Entry fee for artists; free for visitors; canned donation suggested.

Christmas Peddler, Tri-City Leisure Center Second Saturday in December, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Artisans from the Southeast show and sell their handmade items at the Tri-City Leisure Center, 485 Brooks Avenue, West Columbia. www.lexingtonwomanonline.com

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Let’s Talk

IN SOUTH CAROLINA

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Let’s Talk South Carolina may boast of tropical shorelines, mountain ranges, and sandy foothills with vast areas to explore and play. We can claim to be the birthplace of sweet tea, the state that raises the most peaches, and home to an abundance of tourist attractions and retirement villages. Yet we have one statistic that none of us should be proud of: South Carolina ranks #1 in the nation of women who are murdered by spouses or intimate partners. In a study analyzing 2013 homicide data and conducted by the Violence Policy Center, South Carolina was discovered to have had 57 female victims killed by intimate partners. Our state’s rate of 2.32 per 100,000 of these homicides was more than double the national average.

Why has South Carolina remained in the top ten for 18 years, and what can we as citizens do to change our culture of violence? First we must be willing to engage in open, honest discussions about the domestic violence that surrounds each of us in our neighborhoods, workplaces, and even our places of worship. We need more insight into the minds of those who abuse and those who feel they can’t escape the abuse. For those whose lives remain untouched by violence, it is incomprehensible that someone who claims to love another person the most could cause the most physical and emotional harm to that person. However, for those whose lives are consumed by daily struggles to avoid punches, stabs, kicks, and ugly words, their lives become an endless cycle of attempts to leave followed by the abuser’s manipulative promises to change. Then tension builds again, anger erupts, and violence ensues. Victims learn that they have little or no control over the violence and feel helpless over their lives and the lives of their children.

One of the questions most frequently asked of employees at the Cumbee Center to Assist Abused Persons is “Why does she stay in an abusive marriage or relationship?” Perhaps a better question to consider would be, “What are the barriers to leaving the relationship?” Victims don’t stay because they are stupid, codependent, or masochistic. They are faced with incredibly difficult barriers to leaving and starting independent lives. An abuser has used manipulative as well as violent behavior to maintain dominance and control over most aspects of the victim’s life. He may have prevented her from getting an education, holding a job, made her ask for money, or took her money. All of these tactics would leave her without job skills and knowledge so she would depend solely on him financially. He isolates her from family and friend, controls her usage of the car and phone, preventing her from having social support, leaving her totally dependent on him emotionally.

Her self-confidence is eroded by constant criticism, name-calling, and his attempts to make her feel guilty. He not only threatens to hurt her, but also threatens to take her children away, threatens to take his life, threatens to hurt the pets, all in attempts to control her actions and keep her in the relationship. If she does try to leave, she faces the most dangerous time, as studies show that more victims are killed after attempting to leave the relationship. If she does survive exiting the relationship, she will soon discover that resources for housing and jobs are scarce, that the abuser may not be prosecuted or held responsible for his actions, that citizens of the community will not be sympathetic but will blame her for not leaving sooner. The abuser may stalk her, threaten to call police or DSS on her, threaten to take custody of her children, leaving her feeling even more overwhelmed.

For elderly or disabled victims, leaving presents even more challenges to finding resources, housing, and financial care. Senior abuse survivors may hold to traditional views regarding marriage and feel it is better to stay with the abuser than to face placement in a nursing home or have no one to care for them. www.lexingtonwomanonline.com

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And in the state of South Carolina, we find that so many stay in an abusive marriage because of well-meaning but dangerous counsel from faith communities, churches, and pastors to honor the marriage, just pray more, or try harder to be a better spouse.

But offering hope that abusers will change without significant intervention and serious consequences for their behavior is harmful to victims.

South Carolina is also a state dominated by men in our government. Our state ranks lowest in the nation in the number of women in the state legislature. In 2012, only 10% of the legislature were women while the national average is 23.7%. Governor Nikki Haley has established a Domestic Violence Task Force

which continues to set new policies to stem the tide of violence in our state. But more women need to have an active voice in the government to completely prevent the violence against women and children.

All citizens can work to make South Carolina a safer state by advocating for violence prevention education in our schools to ensure the next generation will own healthier patterns of relating with each other. Supporting nonprofit agencies who assist domestic violence victims such as the Cumbee Center is another way of helping to stop the violence. Ensuring that South Carolina becomes a more peaceful state is a responsibility that rests on us all.

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Celebrating, Motivating and Educating

Real Women

Professional

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Canine Influenza Jennifer W Potts, DVM

Canine influenza (AKA dog flu) is a highly contagious viral

disease that affects the respiratory tract of dogs. Two strains of canine influenza have currently been identified, H3N8, and H3N2. Signs of dog flu can mimic other common illnesses, such as kennel cough. Canine influenza runs that gamut from being mild to severe, and in some cases is fatal. It is easily spread and populations in areas of heavy dog traffic (doggie day care, dog parks, boarding kennels,

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Celebrating, Motivating and Educating

Real Women

groomers, animal shelters, animal hospitals) are at most risk. As with most viral diseases treatment is supportive.

Of the two strains of dog flu that have been identified worldwide, H3N8 has a longer history in the US. H3N8 has been known to cause disease in horses for over 40 years. It didn’t develop the ability to infect dogs until 2004. It was first noted in a group of racing greyhounds in Florida but soon spread throughout the country. Up until recently H3N8 was thought to be the only strain of

Pet Health they can start shedding (and therefore spreading) the virus before they even show signs of being ill. Dogs usually become sick 5-7 days after they were infected.

Clinical signs can include fever, malaise, runny nose, sneezing, and coughing. Treatment is supportive and is aimed at keeping the patient comfortable, well hydrated, and free from secondary infections. In most cases patients stop shedding the virus within 7-10 days.

There is a vaccine available to protect against the H3N8 strain, but is unknown if this vaccine is also effective against the H3N2 strain. If there is an outbreak in your region, limiting your dog’s access to heavily dog-populated areas is recommended. If your dog develops clinical signs see your veterinarian immediately. canine influenza in the US. H3N2, an avian-derived virus, has been found to be infecting dogs in Asia since 2007. It wasn’t found in the US until this past spring, when there was an outbreak in Chicago. It has been diagnosed in dogs in several other states since then, including Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

Canine influenza is an ever-changing epidemic. It has multiple routes of transmission which allows it to be easily spread. Regardless of the strain of influenza (H3N8 or H3N2) causing illness, treatment is supportive. Prevention practices are key in limiting the scope of the disease.

Canine influenza is spread among dogs similarly to how the cold is spread among people. Dogs can get it from coming into direct contact with an infected dog, from aerosolization of infected material (ie snot), or from coming into contact with an object that has been in contact with an infected dog (balls, blankets, food/water dishes, etc). The virus can persist in the environment for up to a week. Bleach and other common disinfectants are effective at killing the virus.

Once an animal has been infected with the virus, the flu incubates in their body for 2-5 days. This means

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Early Intervention for Children with A

drianna Kleckley is the President of Carolina Behavior & Beyond, a home-based Early Intervention provider serving families throughout the Midlands. Early Intervention is a comprehensive program that supports infants and children with developmental delays and offers parents and caregivers an opportunity to have a family-focused, in-home service to assist their child.

Carolina Behavior & Beyond can connect you with resources and programs in the community, as well as teach you how to advocate for your child and about your rights as a parent of a child with special needs.

Miranda Gant is one little girl who has benefitted enormously from the help and guidance of Kim Bracy, an Early Interventionist at Carolina Behavior & Beyond. Miranda’s mother, Laney Gant says, “Kim has been my mentor, my trainer and my best friend. She has become family to us.”

“I had a perfectly normal pregnancy throughout. I was in labor for about 24 hours,” Laney explained. “All of a sudden, she went into distress in the last four minutes. When she was born she wasn’t breathing and had no heartbeat. Her Apgar score was zero. After twenty-three minutes of working on her, they were finally able to get a heartbeat and breath. They immediately transferred her from Lexington Medical Center to Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital.

“I was completely unprepared for any of this. They kept her in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) for 27 days. When I brought her home from the hospital, I had to learn not only how to be a Mom, but a nurse and therapist as well. She was on a feeding tube because she couldn’t suck or swallow. I had no idea such things even existed!

“I’d been referred to an Early Interventionist service in the hospital, and for a while we used them. They really didn’t do the job they should have. In the waiting room of one of Miranda’s therapists another parent recommended Carolina Behavior & Beyond. Calling them was the best thing I’ve ever done. They knew what Miranda needed and they knew so many other resources which were available. (I had never heard about any of those from anyone else.)”

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is Life-Changing Special Needs

Feature

by Carol A. Ryall

I had to learn not only how to be a Mom, but a nurse and therapist as well.

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Feature Most of Miranda’s problems stem from Cerebral Palsy, which was caused by those twenty-three minutes when her brain received no oxygen. Her hands are weak, her speech is garbled and her gait is unsteady, but her cognitive abilities were not damaged. Miranda has been in a self-contained class for her first two years of pre-school. This year they’re working to transition her into a regular kindergarten classroom. She’s very confident, out-going and friendly. She goes to Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech therapy every week, in addition to Kim’s weekly in-home visit. Kim observed, “I fully expect that she will grow up, go to college and succeed at whatever she decides she wants to do.”

Laney’s advice to other parents in her situation is, “Never give up. Ask for help. Talk to other parents in waiting rooms. Some of the best suggestions have come from them. Call Carolina Behavior and Beyond.”

There’s a window of opportunity for most children with special needs. The sooner they get the help of an Early Interventionist who knows how to work with them, the more progress they will be able to make in overcoming whatever challenges lay before them.

Adrianna Kleckley commented, “You never know just how much they can learn and how far they can go. Every child has potential that should never be limited. Having a hopeful and positive outlook for the future is critical. We try to pass along this approach to each of the families we serve.”

If you have or know of a child with special needs, why not call Carolina Behavior and Beyond at 803-446-8113 to see if they can help?

“Another parent recommended Carolina Behavior & Beyond. Calling them was the best thing I’ve ever done.”

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At six years old the girls started riding horses and thus began a great love affair for the Leitner girls with their animals.

Every child has potential that should never be limited.

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Let’s Talk Health & Wellness

At the

Heart of it ALL

by Pastor Mark Crumpton

T

oday we are living at a much faster pace than ever before in our society. We seem to always have something to do or some place to be. We scarcely have time for family meals and visits. After all, there is no time to say “Hello; Good-bye ... I’m late, I’m late, I’m late.”

Many of us have sold our time to the highest bidder, our jobs, and substituted our presence with stuff we have purchased from our earnings. We want our children to have all the things we never had and we want them to have more than we had growing up, because we love them. Unfortunately in many families today the children don’t have what many of us had growing up, time spent with mom and dad.

I have memories of playing ball with my mom when no one else was willing, mom had time. I have memories of hunting with my dad, and even riding with him in the summer on long road trips as he was a truck driver. Of course we too had stuff that they purchased for my brothers and I; but I honestly don’t remember much of it specifically.

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My dad’s job kept him on the road four nights of the week, but somehow I don’t remember him ever missing one of my ball games. I am sure that he must have but somehow he was always there for me.

I know that we didn’t always have the money to buy the name brand clothes that I thought I couldn’t live without. But I never felt as if we did without. What I am trying to say is At the Heart of it All was love! I knew then and I still know today that I was loved, not because of the things they could do for me but because I was more important than that stuff. Today more than ever before we wrestle against balancing career and family. Divorce rates continue to rise, and in a down economy so does the stress of finance. But at the heart of it all should be love. The Bible tells us that “Love never fails” 1 Cor 13:8.

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Real Women

or heard anyone say on their death bed “I wish I had worked more, or I wish I had more stuff ”. Friends you can make more money but you can’t make more time; so invest what you have wisely. If you only invest money into those you love, you will see little to no return on investment.

If you invest love into those you care about, you will reap a lifetime of returns because Love never fails.

Today more than ever we wrestle against balancing career and family.

If upon reading this article you find that something else is at the heart of your life right now, be honest with yourself. If that is the case I want to remind you it is NOT too late to put things back in order and proper perspective.

Eph 5:15-16 15See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16redeeming the time, because the days are evil. NKJV I have been in ministry for nearly 15 years and I have never yet seen

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (KJV) Pastor Mark Crumpton Lexington Church of God 1228 S. Lake Drive, Lexington, SC (803) 957-6675, www.LexCOG.org

Let’s Talk

An Era of MEANNESS

by Kay H. Barlow

R

arely do we look into the crib at that precious newborn and see a child who will become a bully, be bullied or stand by and watch another person bullied. Yet, statistics show that bullying takes place every 7 minutes on our playgrounds and goes unreported a majority of the time.1 Bullying is a learned behavior. It is meanness, a quality we do not want to see in ourselves and especially not in our children. In view of recent suicides throughout the country, we must recognize bullying as a serious problem, with serious repercussions and in need of serious attention. As parents, we are our children’s greatest teachers. We must model kindness and show that bullying will not be tolerated.

According to Olweus, a bullying prevention program, a person is bullied when he or she is exposed, repeatedly and over time, to negative actions on the part of one or more person, and has difficulty defending himself or herself. 2 Bullying comes in many forms, both

direct and indirect.3 Physical bullying involves hitting, kicking, shoving and spitting with the intention of causing physical harm and fear. Physical bullying is most often done by boys to other boys.

Verbal bullying includes name-calling, teasing and making insults or threats to embarrass and intimidate.

Social or relational bullying is mental harassment by teasing, excluding or humiliating. Threatening gestures, body language, dirty looks and gossip are used to isolate individuals and destroy status within a peer group. Social bullying is most often done by girls to other girls.

Cyber bullying is the newest and perhaps the most harmful type of bullying our children are experiencing. Text messages, voicemails, e-mails and social networking sites are used to threaten, intimidate and spread false rumors about a victim. Our children are tech savvy but often emotionally insensitive to the feelings of others. In today’s world of immediate connection, one photo upload or derogatory post can go “viral,” causing great harm and hurt almost instantly.

As parents, we must stay connected with our children. Talk with them, listen to them and get to know their friends. Let them know that bullying is wrong, unacceptable and carries serious consequences.

Watch for signs that your child is being bullied. If he or she no longer wants to go to school or ride the bus, begins losing his or her school supplies or lunch money, has unexpected cuts and bruises, you may have a problem and you need to investigate. Go to the proper authorities. Start at the school, but do not stop there if the issue is not resolved.

As parents, we must stay connected with our children. Talk with them, listen to them and get to know their friends.

Bullying is not only about the bully and the victim. Bullying also impacts those who witness such acts. Many simply stand by and do nothing, often resulting in years of emotional distress and guilt. We must teach our children empa-

thy. We must show them how to treat others and encourage them to seek help when needed. In the simplest words, we must foster love and kindness. Love and kindness should be taught early and often, as no one wants their child to grow up in an era of meanness.

Midlands Education and Business Alliance is a local nonprofit working to connect students, parents, educators and employers to education and career opportunities in the Midlands through programs and partnerships of business, school, college, faith and other community leaders. MEBA fosters community collaboration between business and education to promote economic development and enhance the quality of life in the Midlands. For more information on bullying, please visit our website at www.mebasc.com/your-child for tips and links to other great organizations and resources.

Pepler, Craig & Roberts, 1998.

Olweus. Retrieved from http://www.- olweus.org/public/bullying.page 3 Bully Free Program. Facts About Bullying. Retrieved from http://www.bullyfree.com/free-re- sources/facts-about-bullying 1 2

About Kay H. Barlow Kay H. Barlow is the Parent and Community Education Director for Midlands Education and Business Alliance.

Ms. Barlow has over 20 years experience working with students of the nine school districts of the Midlands and with various parents and community.

Much of her time is spent working with educators, social workers and businesses dealing with the growing issue of poverty in South Carolina and its effect on the families of this state. Ms. Barlow holds an undergraduate degree from Missouri Baptist College and a Masters of Education from the University of South Carolina. www.lexingtonwomanonline.com

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A home-based early intervention provider serving children with special needs ages birth to five.

Your Journey is Our Passion Services available:

Serving these counties:

One on one early intervention services Service coordination • Behavior planning • Potty training Parent support groups • Free developmental screenings Play groups

Calhoun • Lexington • Orangeburg Newberry • Richland • Saluda

5594-C Sunset Blvd. Box 219 Lexington, SC 29072 | 803-446-8113 | www.carolinabehaviorandbeyond.com

Occupational Therapy

Physical Therapy

Our goal is to achieve mental and physical wellness through our combination of Alternative therapies with traditional Occupational Therapy.

OUR SERVICES INCLUDE:

Pediatric Therapy

Aquatic Therapy

Underwater Treadmill

Reiki Treatment

803.359.1551 www.vitalenergytherapy.com FM/CFS Support Group Meets Monthly

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• • • • • • •

Occupational Therapy Physical Therapy Sports Physical Therapy Reiki Therapy/Meditation Pediatric Therapy Aqua Therapy Myofascial Release Treatment and Craniosacral Therapy • Work Reconditioning • TMJ Therapy

Hima N. Dalal

Occupational Therapist • Reiki and Myofascial Release Consultant • Fibromyalgia Consultant

Main Location:

163 Charter Oak Road Lexington, SC 29072

Real Women

• Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome • Chronic/Acute Pain • Migraine Headache Treatment • Yoga/Personal Fitness • Neuro/Ortho Injury Rehab • Scoliosis Rehab • Rheumatoid/Osteoarthritis Therapy • Hand Therapy • Cancer Rehab

NEW Location: 450 Killian Road Columbia, SC 29203

Satellite Location:

Inside Gold’s Gym - Forest Acres 4114 Forest Drive, Columbia, SC 29206

Professional

Satisfy your Southern side.

Enjoy the tender, juicy goodness of McDonald’s® Southern Style Chicken Sandwich, served with tangy dill pickles on a freshly toasted bun in a convenient foil package so you can take it with you wherever you go.

Southern Style Chicken Sandwich

Visit us at your local McDonald’s® at: 340 Longs Pond Rd., Lexington, SC • 1011 South Lake Dr., Lexington, SC • 1770 South Lake Dr., Lexington, SC • 250 Columbia Ave., Lexington, SC • 4364 Augusta Rd., West Columbia, SC • 2700 Emanuel Church Rd., West Columbia, SC • 659 Columbia Ave., Chapin, SC • 210 W. Columbia Ave., Batesburg, SC • 401 N. Jennings & Travis Ave. Saluda, SC Price and participation may vary. ©2016 McDonald’s

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We use SC Certified grapes, fruits and vegetables to produce Wine, Saba, Vinegar, Balsamic, Oil, Flour and Jellies. Mercer House can assure you the very best quality products free of any chemicals and preservatives.

TOURS EVERY SUNDAY 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Wine • Music • Fun

TRUST. COMMITMENT. INTEGRITY.

“I solve problems.”

PERSONAL INJURY & FAMILY LAW

(803) 359 - 6189 jderrick@windstream.net

Bridal & Baby Showers, Parties, Anniversaries, Group & Company Meetings, & More!

205 W. MAIN STREET LEXINGTON, SC

394 Walter Rawl Road Lexington, SC 29072

(803) 957 - 7102

M E R C E R H O U S E E S TAT E W I N E RY. C O M

www.lexingtonwomanonline.com

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Health & Wellness Let’s Talk

T H E M YS T E RY O F DYS L E X I A

By Ann Whitten, M.Ed., Aiken Learning Lab

S

ara was a happy, imaginative preschooler who loved people, drawing, riding horses, and listening to stories. In kindergarten and first grade, she was talented in math but could not remember letter names and sounds, sight words, or how to spell her last name. By the end of first grade, Sara was crying about homework, struggling with reading, and no longer wanted to go to school.

sounds can be blended together for reading and pulled apart for spelling.

Because it is a language-based difficulty, students often have related problems with acquiring vocabulary, comprehension skills, and in writing. One in every 5 people, or 20% of the population, is believed to have dyslexia.

Matthew sailed through his early years of school. He spent hours building imaginative creations with Legos and was an exceptional soccer and baseball player.

Reading wasn’t easy, but he memorized many common words and used pictures to help guess others. When reading a passage that he had not heard before and that did not have pictures to illustrate the text, he guessed words based on the first letters and confused similar looking words (what and want, expect and expert). In the upper elementary grades, Matthew was a slow and choppy reader who overlooked punctuation and did not phrase text well. He was unable to break a long word into recognizable chunks. Reading was exhausting and avoided whenever possible. Matthew felt embarrassed, struggled with his work, and had behavior problems at school.

•

Sara and Matthew are typical of children who are identified as having dyslexia.

Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurobiological-- meaning that the reading, spelling, and language difficulties typical of dyslexia originate in the structure of the brain. These difficulties are not due to laziness or motivation.

A person with dyslexia has difficulty recognizing words quickly and accurately and has poor spelling and decoding skills. Decoding means using phonics and syllable patterns to help read unknown words. People with dyslexia have difficulty recognizing individual speech sounds within words, and learning that

Signs of dyslexia in preschoolers may include difficulties in these areas:

• • •

Learning to speak and pronouncing words clearly.

Learning the alphabet, numbers, and days of the week.

Distinguishing similar-sounding words.

Rhyming words.

In the early school years, parents and teachers may observe difficulty: Naming letters, learning letter sounds and blending sounds into words.

Recognizing and remembering sight words, vocabulary, or spelling words Using phonics to help with decoding unknown words, (just guessing words).

Reading orally with good accuracy from age-appropriate books.

Showing confidence and interest in reading.

Learning to copy, spell, and write sentences.

From upper elementary through high school, students may demonstrate earlier weaknesses and also struggle with: • • • • •

by ClarkMotivating Berry Photography Celebrating, and Educating Real Women 24 Photograph

Understanding humor, puns and idioms.

Reading aloud (slow or inaccurate) or silently with good understanding.

Feeling confident and interested in reading. May “hate” to read.

Remembering sight words and new vocabulary words.

Accurately analyzing unfamiliar words (tending to guess using the

• • • • • • • •

context).

Reading words and letters in correct order, reversing or skipping over them.

Understanding word problems in math.

Breaking multisyllabic words into smaller “chunks” or syllables for reading.

Misreading or omitting little words, adding words into the text.

Mastering spelling rules and spelling words consistently and correctly.

Understanding complex text.

Generating ideas, organizing writing, taking notes, and proofreading.

Learning a foreign language.

Failing to learn to read defeats dreams and closes doors to opportunities that an otherwise talented student might pursue. Students with dyslexia have minds that process information differently and in unique ways. Researchers are studying the extraordinary strengths that exist in this type of brain structure.

People with dyslexia are found in many creative professions and have the potential to be future entrepreneurs, scientists, artists, actors, musicians, engineers, physicians, and writers. We cannot afford to waste their talents.

It is critical for students with dyslexia to receive intervention early in their school experiences. Researchers have consistently demonstrated that most struggling readers can be brought up to grade level in basic reading skills if appropriate teaching is provided early, with sufficient intensity, and for a long enough time.

For more information on dyslexia, learning disabilities, and effective remediation see: SC Branch of the International Dyslexia Association, www.scbida.org and Learning Disabilities Association of SC, www.ldasc.org.

Theresa Miley is a Mother, a

Mentor and a Manager!

T

heresa Miley is a State Farm Insurance Agent and Manager who is very good at what she does. The first hint you get is the list of awards she has received: Chairman’s Circle Qualifier, Million Dollar Round Table Qualifier, Ambassador Travel Qualifier, and SVP Qualifier. Then you learn that her agency is one of only four in the state of South Carolina which has two locations. Theresa commented, “Always keeping our clients’ needs at the forefront of our business practices has helped our team succeed in our business. We are focused on being consistent in our conversations and processes to help our customers make informed decisions.”

Currently offering over 100 products ranging from all risk-Property insurance, Retirement, Life insurance, health insurance, investments, disability and long term care to bank products, the nine team members at this full-service agency can help with almost any of your insurance and financial planning needs.

By Carol A. Ryall

On a more personal note, Theresa and her husband, Trey, met at USC and married after graduation, thirty-one years ago. They have three sons. Breland, 26, also a USC graduate, lives in Seattle and works for Amazon as a computer engineer. Brooks, 22, is a USC student and works in the agency with Theresa. Bryce, 19, is Spartanburg Methodist student and plays on the golf team there.

Theresa admits to being an animal lover, who babies four dogs Duffy, the office mascot, a Cavalier King Charles; Abby, a cocker spaniel; Charlie a Labrador, and Beauregard, a Pomeranian. She’s also a sports fanatic who loves all things “Carolina.” (Don’t you bet that Spartanburg Methodist’s golf team gets a good bit of attention, too?)

If you need help with any type of insurance needs, or just want a second opinion on what you have, give Theresa Miley and her team a call today, at 803-781-1540.

“One of the things I enjoy most about what I do,” Theresa revealed, “is providing a way for our team members to pursue their dreams.

I am passionate about giving opportunities to those who work on our team for growth and development. We have had two team members, recently, who moved to open their own offices in Aiken and Charleston. Mentoring is one of my favorite things about what I do on a daily basis.” She also mentioned that they are currently looking for three more team members to join the agency.

lover

.

In addition to being outstanding insurance agents and in keeping with State Farm’s philosophy, they’re also very good neighbors in their community. Pam Parrish is the Special Projects Coordinator who manages their “Good Neighbear” program at nine local elementary schools. “We believe in giving back and recognizing our educators for their efforts in shaping our future leaders,” Theresa remarked. “We give a monthly “NeighBear” with a gift card to the “Good Neighbor of the Month” and donate a book about Good Neighbear characteristics to their local library in their honor.” Ms. Miley is a member of the Board for Boys Club Girls Club of the Midlands and has been recognized as the “Small Business Partner of the Year” for several elementary schools in the Midlands.

Talk to us about a 401(k) rol Theresa Miley, Agent 1009 Lake Murray Blvd Irmo, SC 29063 Bus: 803-781-1540 theresa.miley.gk7e@statefarm.com

When asked about the greatest challenges and rewards of her profession, Theresa replied, “The most frustrating part is when we can’t get customers to visit with us regularly as life changes. If a tragic event occurs which causes financial devastation to their family, and we know that if they had talked with us, we could have had a positive impact, it is heartbreaking.

“Of course, the opposite side of that is the best part. When we are able to assist in difficult situations, from small traffic incidents to tragic events, then we can see the positive impact of what we do.

That’s extremely gratifying.”

1001389.1

If you’re about to retire or change jobs, you may have some decisions to make about your retirement plan money. Good thing there’s someone who knows you and is ready to help.

Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.® CALL ME TODAY.

State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, Bloomington, IL

www.lexingtonwomanonline.com

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Health & Wellness

Lexington Medical Center Foundation Launches $3 Million Campaign for Breast Cancer Equipment

Hospital aims to make 3- D mammography the standard of care Lexington Medical Center plans to raise $3 million to make revolutionary new breast cancer equipment available throughout its network of care. In October, the hospital’s Foundation is launching a capital campaign to upgrade all of its current mammography equipment to 3-D technology.

Currently, Lexington Medical Center offers 3-D mammography in two locations — at Women’s Imaging

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Celebrating, Motivating and Educating

Real Women

on the main campus in West Columbia and at the Northeast Columbia location of Sandhills Women’s Care, a Lexington Medical Center physician practice. The campaign will allow the hospital to purchase software and equipment to make 3-D mammography also available at Vista Women’s Healthcare, a Lexington Medical Center physician practice; Lexington Medical Center Chapin; Lexington Medical Center Irmo; Lexington Medical

Center Lexington; and in its mobile mammography van that serves local businesses and the hospital’s rural community medical centers.

“We’re very excited to make 3-D mammography a reality for all patients at Lexington Medical Center,” said Amy Lanier, executive director of the Lexington Medical Center Foundation.

“Until we can find a cure for breast cancer, we can make early detection our top priority.”

Also known as ‘tomosynthesis,’ 3-D mammography creates a group of three-dimensional pictures of the breast and allows doctors to view tissue one millimeter at a time, making tiny details visible earlier and easier.

“Patients will find that 3-D mammography is no different from the mammogram they are accustomed to as far as compression, positioning and time,” said Jennifer Linfert, MD, FACOG, an OB/GYN at Sandhills Women’s Care.

“The benefit to patients is that the multiple layers of images resulting from 3-D mammography can help doctors better evaluate the breast tissue.”

3-D mammography uses a low dose X-ray to create multiple images within seconds that are similar to the “slices” of images in a CT scan. The FDA-approved procedure uses the same type of equipment as a 2-D mammogram and a similar dose of radiation. Studies have shown that 3-D mammography also reduces false positives and unnecessary callbacks for patients with dense breast tissue.

We’re very excited to make 3-D mammography a reality for all patients at Lexington Medical Center

3-D Mammography Offers Clear Advantages · Ability to detect much smaller lesions, as small as 2 millimeters, for earlier detection and diagnosis · 41 percent increase in the detection of invasive breast cancers · 29 percent increase in the detection of all breast cancers · 15 percent reduction in patient callbacks due to suspicious findings that require additional images, reducing needless anxiety for these patients For more information about the Campaign for Clarity, visit LMCFoundation.com or call (803) 791-2540.

www.lexingtonwomanonline.com

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From bathing to backgammon, this is home care.

We are caregivers.

And more.

At FirstLight™ the care we provide goes beyond the basics of bathing, house cleaning and medication reminders. If you or your loved one want to work in the garden or play a game of backgammon, we’re there. We provide care for seniors, people with disabilities, and those recovering from surgery. Call us to learn the many ways we can help.

Schedule a complimentary consultation today.

803-356-0916 Columbia.FirstLightHomeCare.com 28

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Art and Entertainment

Landscaping

Mitchell House and Gardens.................5 mitchellhouseandgardens.com

Gateway Supply Co..................................8 gatewaysupply.net

Attorney

S&S Landscape Services..........................8

Jean Perrin Derrick...............................23

Pets

Dental Services

Grace Animal Hospital...........................5

Dr. Carol French ...................................22

gracepets.com

drcarolfrench.com

Millcreek Animal Hospital...................22

Midlands Pediatric Dentistry ..............12

millcreekanimalhospital.com

whiteheadortho.com

Photography

Fitness

K Blackwell Photography..........................

Inside Front Cover

Bee Healthy..............................................5 beehealthyclinics.com Dynamic Health and Fitness.................28 dynamichealthclub.com Elite Personal Training..........................13 elitepersonaltrainingstudio.com

Clark Berry Photography.........................9 clarkberry.com JMB Photography......................................4 jmbphotographysc.com Restaurants

Future’s Graphics, LLC..........................21

McDonalds.............................................22

Health Services Lexington Medical Center....Back Cover lexmed.com Vital Energy Rehab Center...................20 vitalenergytherapy.com Lexington Cardiology...........................13 lexcardio.com Envision Family EyeCare......................28 eyecarelexingtonsc.com Hotels Comfort Suites......................................12 comfortsuiteslexington.com

Enjoy The Best of Both Worlds

kblackwellphotography.com

Graphic Design reid.futuresgraphics.com

Business & Web Directory

mcdonalds.com Retirement Columbia Presbyterian Community ...........................29 preshomessc.org Therapists Carolina Behavior & Beyond................20 carolinabehaviorandbeyond.com Jill Smith.................................................22 jillsmiththerapy.com

Retiring to an active community within an easy drive of children and grandchildren means you’ll have the best of both worlds when it comes to retirement and family.

Residents of The Columbia Presbyterian Community enjoy a maintenance-free lifestyle that provides the freedom to stay connected with loved ones – while enjoying an energetic, amenity-rich lifestyle among a close-knit community of friends.

Schedule a visit to The Columbia Presbyterian Community … the perfect distance from those you love.

Wingate by Wyndham..........................23 comfortsuiteslexington.com Homecare FirstLight Home Care............................28 firstlighthomecare.com Home Services

700 DaVega Drive Lexington, SC 29073

Pool Rx....................................................20 poolrxsc.com Insurance Theresa Miley - State Farm...................25 theresamiley.com

(803) 796-8700

PresHomeSC.org www.lexingtonwomanonline.com

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Connor Shaw, University of South Carolina’s All-Time Winningest Quarterback

Focused on getting you better sooner.

Lex-Ortho.com

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SEOrthopaedic.com

Real Women

LMCCarolinaShoulder.com