16 minute read
Senior Living
GRANDMOTHER’S NEED INSPIRES SMU STUDENT ENTREPRENEURS
SteadiSpoon developed to help Parkinson’s patients eat with dignity
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Raleigh Dewan arrived at SMU weighed by how Parkinson’s disease progression prevented his grandmother from enjoying the extravagant southern dinners she lovingly prepared for her family.
Debilitating hand tremors would not allow his grandmother to eat without spilling food everywhere, he said.
Dewan’s grandmother passed away in 2021, but her story and spirit continue to inspire Dewan and others working to help those suffering from neurologic disorders that cause shaking feed themselves with ease and dignity.
Dewan has partnered with SMU student Mason Morland and Emily Javedan, a Johns Hopkins student whose father is a board-certified neurosurgeon, on a medical-tech startup named for its core product, a self-stabilizing eating utensil called SteadiSpoon.
Javedan befriended Dewan at a Coca-Cola Scholars’ conference in 2019. Dewan and Morland had enjoyed creative chemistry on a previous project.
Approximately 11 million Americans and 80 million globally have Parkinson’s or essential tremors. Disabling hand tremors can lead to depression, poor self-esteem, and weight loss, all conditions that contribute to a patient’s decline.
FROM LEFT: Remington Dewan (brother of Raleigh), Richmond Dewan (brother), Raman Dewan (father), June House (grandmother), and Raleigh Dewan. RIGHT: SteadiSpoon is a self-stabilizing eating utensil that allows people suffering from disorders that cause shaking – such as Parkinson’s and essential tremors – to regain their ability to feed themselves with ease and dignity.
RALEIGH DEWAN AND COURTESY STEADISPOON
“You know, for our entire team, this is not just an academic challenge or a venture pushed to see if it could make money,” Morland said. “We really do feel that we are doing something good, and our efforts will change lives for the better.”
Dewan had grown up watching his two older brothers on film sets and developed a fascination for the massive cameras that swung silently on motion-canceling gimbal joints to capture action scenes smoothly.
Contemplating his 95-pound grandmother’s trembling hands, he wondered if this stabilizing film technology on a micro-scale might offer a pathway to create a spoon that stayed steady.
Pursuing marketing and creative writing degrees at SMU, Dewan began researching Parkinson’s and available eating-assist devices. He found weighted spoons with heavy handles and some motorized versions already on the market but saw them as prohibitively expensive and of limited efficacy.
The Lyle School of Engineering helped seed Dewan’s project. As a National Academy of Engineers’ Grand Challenge Scholar, he received $2,000 from a designated fund administered by the Hart Center for Engineering Leadership. A year later, Dewan also won a $5,000 grant for Best Technology Idea from SMU’s Hart Institute of Technology, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship at the Big iDeas 2021 Fall Pitch Competition.
For the development phase, his SMU mentors referred Dewan to the University of Oklahoma’s Biomedical Engineering program for more specialized expertise.
The four spoon prototypes developed at OU use different proprietary mechanical mechanisms within the handle to negate the chaotic shaking motion of a user’s hand. Human trials at the OU Health Science Center’s motion capture lab tested Parkinson’s patients feeding themselves without assistance and while using SteadiSpoon.
The trial showed that SteadiSpoon performed just shy of its target at 95% of the efficacy of the leading motorized solution, which is more expensive and requires regular charging. In addition, SteadiSpoon designs are 3D-printable, allowing for scalable production and charitable licensing in non-target developing countries.
– Staff report
Putting Parkinson’s in Perspective Baumann draws on experience to help others face similar diagnoses
By Sabrina Gomez
People Newspapers
Dealing with a diagnosis such as Parkinson’s disease requires perspective.
“You are not Parkinson’s,” author, motivational speaker, and Parkinson’s patient John Baumann tells audiences. “You have Parkinson’s. Parkinson’s doesn’t have you.”
The brain disorder affects the nervous system, causing unintended or uncontrollable movements such as shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with balance and coordination, according to the Parkinson’s Foundation.
Bauman’s diagnosis came in 2002 when he was 41.
He has used his experience battling the disease to advocate for awareness and become an internationally recognized inspirational and educational speaker.
Bauman spoke at CC Young Senior Living in the fall, presenting his approach to “Living Your Best Life with (or without) Parkinson’s” and offering guidance for “Surviving the Four Stages of Parkinson’s Disease.”
Parkinson’s patients, he said, initially go through what he calls a “honeymoon,” where they decide whom to tell and grapple with how to handle the raw news of just being diagnosed with Parkinson’s.
“One of the things I wished I’d done sooner was to eat healthier,” Baumann said.
Part of the battle with Parkinson’s is listening to your doctor — leading healthier lives is essential, he said.
Prior to his diagnosis, Baumann had worked as an attorney for 15 years.
Afterward, he continued to practice law for seven more years, wrote a book titled Decide Success: You Ain’t Dead Yet, and served on the University of Louisville faculty.
Baumann leveraged a positive approach to life to become a successful speaker and not just to Parkinson’s patients.
Through his conferences, he said he hopes to inspire others to reinvent themselves just as he did. “Parkinson’s is not a death sentence.”
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prestonhollowpeople.com | February 2023 19 All Those Rowdy ‘Jesuit Boys’ Drop in for Monday Lunch Even pandemic couldn’t pause decades-old weekly reunion at Campisi’s
By Josh Hickman
Special Contributor
If you notice boisterous talk and laughter emanating from a long table of mature fellows lunching on a Monday at the Campisi’s at Lovers Lane and Inwood Road, you are likely in the company of The Jesuit Boys.
Sometimes referred to as the Barbers because the waitstaff initially assumed their vocation since barbers are usually closed Mondays, the group of Jesuit Dallas alums has carried on this tradition of carrying-on for over 22 years.
I recently joined them, via an invite from Pat Lindley, for an entertaining lunch during which loving jabs and zingers flowed along with the red wine.
“It all really began in 1985, when our 20-year Jesuit reunion rekindled old high school friendships,” member
FROM LEFT: Larry Minter, Ronnie Caravella, Richard Cronin, Dick Erler, Bill Malone, Pat Lindley, Mark Lindley, Bill DeOre, and Frank Hart. JOSH HICKMAN
Richard Cronin explained.
A group started meeting five times a year at various locations, usually weekend excursions organized by Mike Coston (Jesuit ‘65).
“Five times a year wasn’t enough, so a weekly lunch seemed like a good thing to do,” Richard said.
So, the Campisi’s lunch tradition was started by Jesuit ’65 alums Richard, Pat, Bill DeOre, and Jim Snodgrass.
Several in the group grew up with restaurant founder Joe’s daughter, Marie Campisi. Marie’s son, David, now operates many of the Campisi’s chain of restaurants with his cousin Kenny.
“They’ve been great to us,” Richard said. “We get a little rowdy on occasion, but they take it in stride. The staff treats us royally.”
For the first 15 years, the group was all ‘65 Jesuit grads but has since grown to include Gary Labac, Raleigh Davis, Bill Malone, (all ‘65 grads), Ron Caravella (‘62), Frank Hart (‘67), and youngster Mark Lindley (‘87).
Semi-regulars include Dick Erler and Greg McCone (‘65), Dennis Furlong (‘67), Phil Civello (‘68), and Bruce Hamelin (‘64), who makes the 220-mile round trip from Waco nearly every month. Chip Brenner (‘65) even drops in from New York for every Christmas meeting.
Harazet Martinez has been their long-suffering but well-tipped server for 20 years.
“We became so close to her that we went to her wedding in Corsicana in 2020,” Richard said.
When COVID reduced Campisi’s to takeout only, the boys retained their Monday ritual, dining 6 feet apart under the trees in the parking lot near the dumpsters.
“We brought our own tables and chairs,” Richard recalled. “Harazet would come out, take our orders, and bring everything out to us.”
Humor has kept the boys together as much as nostalgia and camaraderie.
Jokes, funny stories, and mock insults fly across the table with the pizza and bread. After they heard of their Barbers moniker from the staff, they gave Harazet a birthday cake with several barbers’ scissors sticking protruding from the icing instead of the customary candles.
Though some members have passed away and join them only in spirit, The Jesuit Boys keep the tradition of school, friendship, and family alive and laughing.
Theirs is a heartwarming testament to the lasting, life-enriching bonds that can be forged at an institution such as Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas.
Common Unknown REASONS Why People Experience Dizziness. It’s Not Because Of Age... There’s Always A REASON! – Now What To Do About It?
By Leading Balance Expert, Dr. Jeffrey Guild, Physical Therapist
Are you worried about losing independence because of dizziness or vertigo? Are you becoming increasingly frustrated with dizziness, unsteadiness, and a sensation of spinning interfering with your life? Here are some common unknown reasons why people can feel dizzy and a SOLUTION to get rid of the problem.
1. Vertigo (An Inner Ear Balance Prob-
lem): This is the classic spinning sensation when you roll over in bed, but it’s not always that simple… The symptoms can be a vague dizziness, unsteadiness, fogginess. This problem is more common with age and often goes unrecognized, but is simple for a specialist to identify and get rid of.
2. Moving Less Over Time: You might notice this if you become dizzy from walking and turning your head (Or maybe you don’t move your head much anymore to avoid the dizziness). Remember when you could ride a roller coaster when you were 10 years old but not when you were 40? To sum it up simply, if you don’t use it, you lose it. The inner ear balance system takes a lot of use to stay working properly. act in a complex world (Crossing busy streets, bending down and picking up grandchildren, turning our heads quickly to notice something interesting). Hospital stays do not offer much of these, so it is not uncommon for people to suffer from dizziness and balance problems for months and even years afterwards.
Want more information & solutions? My new special report about vertigo provides Actionable Tips that will help you keep or regain your independence. And the best thing is it’s 100% FREE, and you’re under no-obligation to buy anything when you call.
IMPORTANT: For obvious reasons, my offer to send you this report FREE must come with a restriction on the number I can mail out… so it’s critical that you call TODAY and request your free report now. What To Do Next?
Call: (214) 712-8242 (Leave a Message 24/7) & Choose:
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20 February 2023 | prestonhollowpeople.com Industry Leader Redefines Retirement Presbyterian Village North building name honors Doug Hawthorne
By Daniel Lalley
Special Contributor
When many think about life after retirement, they imagine time spent traveling, taking on new hobbies, or just kicking back to enjoy the little things in life.
They don’t see themselves getting right back into the shuffle, joining multiple organizations, steering philanthropic efforts, or consulting for large-scale development projects.
However, for one Park Cities man, these post-career endeavors are just another leg in a long track record of service.
“I don’t call it retiring,” said Doug Hawthorne, founding CEO of Texas Health Resources. “I like to call it ‘refiring.’ How I define this is that I’m now able to do some things that I was not able to do when I was working eight to 10 hours a day.”
I call it a living free opportunity. Instead of retirement living, it’s refiring living. Doug Hawthorne
Hawthorne has had a lengthy journey and storied career in the North Texas healthcare sector. For 50-plus years, he served as the CEO of Texas Health Resources, improving healthcare delivery while growing one of the area’s top hospitals.
“It started back in my college days at Trinity University in San Antonio,” Hawthorne said. “Between my junior and senior years, I was offered an internship in administration at a small hospital. This triggered my interest in the leadership and management of healthcare organizations.”
Presbyterian Village North in 2022 dedicated and named a new senior living apartment building for retired CED emeritus Doug Hawthorne. COURTESY FOREFRONT LIVING
In 1969, Hawthorne graduated from Trinity and started his master’s in hospital administration. During the program, he began a one-year residency at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas. Forty-nine years later, he was still with the hospital – having grown it from 300 beds and 600 employees to 3,100 beds and 21,000 employees.
“I was the CEO there for 17 years,” Hawthorne said. “Before consolidating with Harris Methodist in Fort Worth and Arlington Memorial Hospital in Arlington to form Texas Health Resources in 1997.”
After 50 years of direct service and another five years as CEO emeritus, Hawthorne is taking what he knows about healthcare and applying it to the senior community. With his latest project, he’s making his and others’ retirements more than just a withdrawal from the working world.
“In the late ‘70s, I was asked to do some research on what a retirement community could be in Dallas,” he said.
Hawthorne traveled the country, learning the nuances of senior living communities, and eventually helped develop Presbyterian Village North, an independent senior living community off Forest Lane and Stultz Road.
After many years serving on the board and assisting with the growth of this community, the CEO and board of Forefront Living, the company that would eventually acquire Presbyterian Village North, proposed naming a new senior living facility after Hawthorne.
As Forefront Living continues developing The Hawthorne, its namesake wants to ensure a sense of comfort, community, independence, and access to quality care for all residents.
“I call it a living free opportunity,” Hawthorne said. “Instead of retirement living, it’s refiring living, where residents have opportunities for activities and new experiences in their next chapter.”
AT A GLANCE
The 112-unit Hawthorne apartment building opened in 2022 on the 66-acre Presbyterian Village North campus at 8600 Skyline Drive. Senior living residents enjoy activities, independence, and incredible amenities. Visit presvillagenorth.org.
Stress Free Senior Living
PROUDLY OFFERING: • Celebrated chef • Lively activity schedule • Support tailored to your needs • Transportation 7 days a week
Call 214-369-9902 today to learn more.
THE FORUM AT PARK LANE 7831 Park Lane • Dallas, TX 75225 214-369-9902 • www.TheForumAtParkLane.com INDEPENDENT LIVING • ASSISTED LIVING • RESPITE STAYS
SPONSORED Edgemere Senior Living and the Siebs: A New Chapter
Carl and Rose Marie Siebs have traveled all over the world, from Europe to Asia. As Rose Marie puts it, “We’ve been there and have done that.” As the maintenance of their home and the lack of socialization became more prominent in their lives, it came time for the Siebs to downsize and begin a new chapter in their life. They were looking for not only a new place to live but a new community in which they could flourish. They both have worked hard throughout their lives, with Carl only recently stepping away from his own business this last April. The Siebs looked around at everything that was available to them, and that’s when they found Edgemere. “This was the place where we wanted to be the most.” The Siebs have now been living at Edgemere for around two years.
When you ask the Siebs the three things they love most about Edgemere they’ll say “Friends, fun, and food.”
Both Carl and Rose Marie believe there are many advantages to moving into an established community. One of those advantages is the friends they have made since making Edgemere their home. “The people who move in here, come from all over the United States. Hearing their stories and meeting them has been very interesting. So, we’ve made many good friends from all over.”
Before moving to Edgemere, the Siebs expressed how they felt like they were becoming overly dependent on their children for socialization. “We were getting lonely in our home, just the two of us.” They found themselves bugging their children about when they’d be coming to see them. “Now, they need to call us to see if we have time for them!” Rose Marie expressed, “Even though we love them and want to see them, it’s nice to not be so dependent on them.”
The Siebs fill their time with attending events, parties and taking advantage of the amenities at Edgemere with the friends they have made. Rose Marie plays bridge, visits friends and enjoys working out. Carl oversees the putting green that’s just outside their back door. The two of them enjoy the putting green with each other every Tuesday morning. They also enjoy being on their patio together throughout the year and strolling the beautiful grounds.
At Edgemere meals come with a side of good conversation and company. The Siebs not only enjoy the dining experience at Edgemere but the company that joins them. The dining experience is next level, and the Siebs enjoy the life of ease it provides. They enjoy the equally delicious and healthy meals served. The dining experience is so great that the Siebs’ friends who don’t reside at Edgemere wish to dine regularly with them. “I have a debt out right now. I’ve promised three of my friends an invitation to dinner. So, we’re going to do that when we get the time.”
Picking Edgemere has been one of the easiest things for them to do. They enjoy the style of living that it provides them. “Edgemere feels like home,” said Carl. “It’s been the best move we’ve made.”
Carl and Rose Marie Siebs enjoy all the features and amenities that Edgemere offers, including the putting green right outside their back door.
To learn more about Edgemere or schedule a tour, contact us below or call 214-833-9982.
