August 2016

August 2016

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Family Kimberly Enderle Editor-in-Chief editor@peekaboonwa.com | 479-957-0532

Jonathon Enderle Creative Director jon@peekaboonwa.com | 479-586-3890

Addi McNeel Associate Editor

Columnist Kim and Jonathon with Ava, Grant and Holden Enderle.

Photo by Main Street Studios

contributing writer/Editor Frances Wilson

Distribution/ Circulation Joyce Whitaker Judy Evans Marcedalia Salinas

Ben Lacy Dad’s View

Columnist

Jeremy Whitaker Michelle Dodson

Peekaboo Publications

Veronica Zucca Story Design

PO Box 1036 Bentonville, Arkansas 72712 Please send inquiries to: editor@peekaboonwa.com or call 479-957-0532 www.peekaboonwa.com Peekaboo may not be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher. Views expressed herein are those of the authors and advertisers, and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the magazine.

Peekaboo Northwest Arkansas accepts writing contributions

Kristin Hvizda Dalai Mama

Columnist

Jennifer Cristofaro Events

inside

August 2016 32

Kids Menu in Coffee Shop Inspired by Famous Books by: Addi McNeel

34

Vision and Learning: Is Your Child Ready for School? by: Meagan Petty, OD, FCOVD

46

16

Beck’s Battle

20

NUK® Outtakes

by: Emily avra

Northwest First in NWA to Use MultiPoint Pacing Technology to Heart Failure Patients

54

Willow Creek First ED Run by OB/ GYNs in Arkansas

56

Back to School: Organizing the ADHD Student BY: Dr. Jennifer Lawson

58

Dad’s View with Ben Lacy

24

42

Meet Lily Cate

Meet Kristyn

by: Kristen Caldwell

by: Kandice Buckner

64

Spotlight: Lifeway Christian School by: Dr. Luke BOwers

66

Spotlight: The New School

70

Spotlight: Shiloh Christian School by: Alicia Brown

on the cover 48

62

A Personal Tale of Lyme Disease in Arkansas

Shedding a Light on Torticollis

by: Alarie Bowerman

By: Danielle Cunningham

Cover Sponsored by: Northwest Health System www.northwesthealth.com

10 August 2016

Monroe (on cover), age 5. Right: With brother Stockton, 1.5 years old.

Children of Jonathan and Whitney Bullington of Springdale.

Cover Photo by: Main Street Studios www.mainstreetstudios.net

from the editor A look ahead: If you have a story to share, or an idea for a story, email editor@peekaboonwa.com and be a part of the Peekaboo family!

To be a part of the NUK photo outtake feature next month, email your final take as well as a funny or silly outtake to: editor@peekaboonwa.com See this month’s NUK edition on page 20-21.

Photo by: Bethany Blair Photography www.bethanyblair.com

A

s I write this, I am actually multitasking--f lipping back and forth between writing, editing, and making a school supply list for my two little returning students. My favorite times of the year are the end of the school year and the first few weeks of a new school year. The end of the school year is like a big sigh of relief, as it marks the beginning of an exciting summer full of impromptu plans and mini-adventures.

Equally as refreshing is the week right before school starts (and those first few weeks), because it brings the little bit of chaos, resulting from not having a schedule, back into order.

This year, our oldest enters 5th grade.

To me this is the first “big” grade, because this is a year that I remember very clearly myself. While I have memories of my K-4 years, it is 5th grade where I began feeling very aware of the world around me – when conversations I had (and some I overheard), experiences, the people I surrounded myself with started to mold the person I was becoming.

Since I grew up in the same area that I live today, many of the people included in these memories are still a part of my social circle now -- this makes them that much more pertinent. A few weeks ago at Abuelo’s., I ran into the boy I accidentally

14 August 2016

slapped too hard during a re-enactment of the Wizard of Oz (when Dorothy is startled by the lion). Additionally, the teacher who I convinced should let me go to the office (and home to my mommy) because of a tiny sweat bee sting is still a friend of the family, and part of my first real memory of letting a little dramatics get me what I wanted. As for the girl who I was jealous of because she already knew how to play the clarinet when she moved to Arkansas, she is still one of my very best friends. And I will never forget the million-and-one notes I used to pass to my then-best friend. In true James Bond style, we wrapped them around the inside of an ink pen, because, after all, what could be suspicious about two girls across the room from each other taking apart and putting back together a ball point pen and then passing it back and forth?

My point is, 5th grade was a year where most of the memories and events made are still very prominent in my mind. It was the start of really stepping into life as a big kid, and becoming independent in my own right. Because of this, I am nervous and excited for Ava. This is a year that will be filled with lifelong memories, and perhaps even some defining ones. I hope and pray that they are all positive, and that she looks back on this year with nothing but happy thoughts.

Wishing all returning students and Kindergartners a great school year and many great memories to last them the rest of their life.

BECK’S BATTLE by: Emily Avra June 8, 2016 was the day that changed our lives forever. It was the day that our 4-year-old son, Beck, was diagnosed with leukemia. It was the day that we were chosen to fight. The first thing we did as we approached the terrifying battle ahead of us was put on our armor of protection.

“Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.” {Ephesians 6:13} June 8 was the day that I learned what it meant to wholeheartedly surrender and allow God’s grace and strength to carry my family into battle.

I should probably start by telling you a little about our hero. God created Beck with two speeds: full blast or fast asleep, and he’s been demonstrating that thirst for life ever since. Beckett Rollins Avra was born March 30, 2012. After 12 weeks of unsuccessful early escapes, he finally succeeded three weeks early, healthy and ready to conquer the world. He runs, spins and bounces through life, and he is all personality and charm. Beck has the most heart-melting and mischievous grin you’ll ever see. He walks around like he has a secret plan and is about to embark on an incredible adventure.

He’ll gladly let you tag along, if you can keep up.

On May 15 of this year, Brian and I noticed that Beck wasn’t eating much. After the typical parental diagnostic questions “Do you feel bad?”

“Does something hurt?” and received “No” responses, I pulled out the big guns: The Mommy Thermometer. The Mommy Thermometer is placing the inside of your wrist to your child’s forehead. I bet you’re visualizing it as you read this, possibly even doing it on your own head now. In the Avra house, my wrist is far more accurate than the multiple $20 thermometers we bought to avoid buying the “expensive one,” and my wrist said he had a fever. When we finally got one of the thermometers to work, my assessment was confirmed: his temperature was just under 101. Armed with hard evidence, we repeated the

questions above and he confessed that he had a sore throat. Writing it off as allergies, we gave him Tylenol and juice. His temperature was up and down, but it never got above 100.3 again until May 19, four days later, when it read just under 102. The following day, we took him to the doctor, and, after a negative strep test, he was diagnosed with a viral infection that just needed to run its course.

His temperature was still fluctuating, and he was sleeping a little more than normal, but aside from those two things, there were no other symptoms.

Not convinced it was a virus, I took him back to the doctor on May 31. After discussing a possible CBC, the doctor and I both agreed to try antibiotics first to see if that would do the trick. If the Amoxicillin didn’t knock out whatever it was, we would do the CBC. I was in 100 percent agreement with the decision to prevent putting a 4-year-old through the trauma of drawing blood, and I knew that we would be back in the clinic the following week for Austyn and Beck’s well-child visits. We walked out feeling confident and thankful for our “bubble gum” prescription, and proceeded to Dairy Queen for a pair of get-well Blizzards.

The weekend of June 3, I had plans to go to the lake with my three oldest friends. My best friend, who lives 11 hours away, was flying into town for the week, and it had been eight years since our last girls’ trip. To say I was excited would be a huge

understatement! Beck was taking his meds, and he wasn’t running a fever, so I didn’t think twice about going. We all needed a quick break from our crazy lives to talk and soak up each other’s laughter and love. We had no idea that three days later our lives would be forever changed, and the time we spent together was God’s way of recharging our batteries for the long battle ahead.

When I got home on Sunday, June 5, Beck was very cuddly. Remember my description of the spinning child above? Beck does not cuddle! I tried to convince myself that he just missed me while I was away, but he still had a low-grade fever and didn’t look like himself. Gone were his olive skin tone and big, bright smiling brown eyes, replaced by a pale boy with sad, puffy, dark circle-laden eyes who looked a lot like my little Boo Bear. He was still running around playing with his big sister Austyn, and he wasn’t complaining of any pain, so we decided to wait until our previously scheduled appointment on Wednesday.

Typically only one of us took the kids in for their appointments, and we alternated depending upon whose work schedule had wiggle room. Brian had a feeling that this appointment wasn’t going to be typical, so he met us at the clinic. Dr. Payton ordered a CBC, and we hustled out of his office just before 4:30 p.m. We drove half a mile down the street to the Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH) Clinic in Lowell and checked in at 4:32. Much to our disappointment, they told us that their lab closed at 4:30, and we would need to come back in the morning. I told them that our pediatrician had just hung up with their lab less than five minutes prior and confirmed that we could still come in for Beck’s CBC. I also let them know that the kids were supposed to leave town the following day, and would not be back until Sunday. One quick phone call to the lab, and we went in for his test. Just as we anticipated, Beck’s blood draw was traumatic, but he was so incredibly brave. In the midst of the chaos, we heard the most precious sound. 6-year-old Austyn was standing a few feet away, a breathtaking pillar of strength, praying aloud for God to comfort her brother. At that moment, I had no doubt that the Lord was with us, and, just as quickly as it began, it was over. We were all four sweating as we drove away from the clinic at 4:53. The kids and I headed to the house, and Brian headed to Dairy Queen for another round of Blizzards.

To me, surrender did not mean the absence of hope. It meant letting go of my human tendency of worry, the need to be in control, to produce results and influence change. Within an hour of learning Beck’s diagnosis, I knew that I had a choice to make, and it would be the only choice that truly mattered.

If I chose to surrender my anxieties, admit my human inadequacies, release my need to control situations, and wholeheartedly rely on the Lord, nothing else would matter.

About an hour after we pulled out of the clinic, the kids were playing nicely, and I left the house to run to the store. Though it’s no more than a mile from our house, I never made it as far as the store’s parking lot. At 5:58 p.m. on June 8, 2016, my cell phone rang with the call that changed our lives forever. Dr. Payton was calling my cell phone at almost 6 p.m., and it had only been a little over an hour since they drew Beck’s labs. I knew it was bad news, but the word cancer never crossed my mind.

“Ms. Avra, I absolutely hate that I have to do this over the phone, and I am so very sorry, but I just got Beckett’s blood work back. I’m so sorry, but he has leukemia. You need to pack your bags, and get to Washington Regional as quickly as possible in order for Beck to be flown to Children’s in Little Rock... ” Turn the page ...

I’ll never forget the sound, tone, and cadence of Dr. Payton’s voice as he did everything in his power to convey the genuine care, concern, heartbreak, and sense of urgency he was feeling, but the rest of our conversation was a blur. An hour and three minutes after we left the lab, not only had he gotten the results back and notified us, but, before he called with the news, he’d already spoken in depth with the Hematology-Oncology (HemOnc) Team at ACH, worked with them to put together an immediate action plan, and called to ensure that the Fayetteville ER Team was updated and prepared for our arrival. Several people from ACH’s HemOnc Unit made a point to tell us how impressed they were with Dr. Payton’s exceptional work following Beck’s initial diagnosis, and I couldn’t agree more!

Every time we’re at ACH, I look for an opportunity to show off my impressive medical knowledge and vocabulary. My medical expertise was developed and fine-tuned over several years and hundreds of hours studying. Thank you, Shonda Rhimes, for creating Grey’s Anatomy, the source of 99 percent of my pre-diagnosis medical knowledge! Without Grey’s and college biology, Brian wouldn’t have a single reason to roll his eyes at me while we’re in the hospital. I tell you this as a warning, because it’s about to get VERY medical in a second.

Leukemia is a cancer of the blood, and Beck was blessed with B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (B-ALL), which is the most common childhood cancer, with a success rate of over 90 percent. The body’s blood is formed in our bone marrow, as are leukemia cells. Leukemia develops when one immature white blood cell, a

18 August 2016

For information on Leukemia and other childhood cancers, visit childrensoncologygroup.org Facebook Group Beck Battles B-ALL for updates: www.facebook.com/groups/750393101770623/ permalink/763093753833891/

Show your support for Beck’s Battle, and help raise money for the ACH HemOnc Unit!

ADULT TEES:

teespring.com/teambeckbattles# pid=369&cid=6529&sid=back

KID TEES:

teespring.com/teambeckkids#pid=371&cid=6561&sid=back Team Beck bracelets! $3 at Honda of Fayetteville or $3.50 shipped using PayPal.me/teambeck

Go Fund Me site for help with medical & travel expenses

www.gofundme.com/beckbattlesball

“blast,” mutates, causing it to rapidly multiply. The abundance of blasts reduces the space available for good blood cells, thus lowering the levels of healthy blood cells. The dangerously low levels of healthy blood cells are the reason most leukemia patients require blood transfusions at the initial diagnosis. The rapidity of the multiplying blasts is the reason that treatment begins so quickly after diagnosis. Cancer-free CBCs have blast levels of 0 percent. A blast was defined to us around three seconds before the doctor said, “His blasts are 95 percent.” Come again? Are you telling me that my son’s blood is 95 percent cancer? Yep, that’s exactly what they were telling us! Another key to leukemia diagnoses is the white blood cell count (WBC).

The normal WBC range is 5,500 to 15,500. To show you just how quickly this can progress, here is the WBC progression of Beck’s first three CBCs. Nine hours after his initial CBC, Beck’s white count had nearly doubled.

ACH Lowell 4:45 p.m. 6/8 Washington Regional 8 p.m. 6/8 ACH Little Rock 2 a.m. 6/9

62,000 86,000 123,000

ALL has a highly effective treatment protocol, but it’s intense. There are three phases of treatment: Induction, Consolidation and Maintenance, which are carried out over three years and eight months for males. On July 8, Beck completed his

final day of Induction. We have not received the final pathology, but, based upon his preliminary pathology, he appears to be in “remission” and began Consolidation on July 19.

Remember back at the very beginning when you thought this would be a quick read, and I mentioned my surrender? If those growing numbers above wouldn’t make you feel hopeless, I don’t know what would. To me, surrender did not mean the absence of hope. It meant letting go of my human tendency of worry, the need to be in control, to produce results and influence change. Within an hour of learning Beck’s diagnosis, I knew that I had a choice to make, and it would be the only choice that truly mattered. If I chose to surrender my anxieties, admit my human inadequacies, release my need to control situations, and wholeheartedly rely on the Lord, nothing else would matter. I knew that His immeasurable strength would carry us, and I knew that His love and mercy would always keep us safe. So, I made the choice to view our difficult path as a blessing and a privilege. There are definitely days that I feel overwhelmed, and I know that there will be too many more of those to count. I humbly ask that you all will pray not only for our physical strength, but more importantly, please pray for the strength of our family’s armor, and that we will stand firmly planted in God’s truth as Beck battles B-ALL.

www.peekaboonwa.com

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Every family picture posted on social media, or framed and hanging in the hallway, has a story behind it - a “real” story. A picture is worth a thousand words, but the outtakes are worth even more!

! s e k a i OU i Alia, 9, Conrad, 8, and Banks Schmitz, 7 “How do you feel most days with your two little brothers?”

Mika Beth Edwards Photography

Sophia, 3 and Addison, 6.

Their little personalities show through so clearly: Sophia, with her funny ‘I’ll keep you laughing and on your toes’ personality, and Addy with her sweet ‘I’ll smile because you want me to’ personality.

Either way, these mermaids make waves in our hearts everyday.

-Megan Cosgrove

20 August 2016

For your next photo shoot, keep baby calm with the new NUK® Airflow Orthodontic Pacifier

Perfect for your little one during teething. The multiple textures soothes baby’s sore gums. NUK® Cool Critters Washcloth Teether

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EllaMae Thompson, 1, daughter of Branton and Mallorey Thompson of Siloam Springs.

This girl has one thousand facial expressions that she uses all the time. I was going along, having a great shoot when all of a sudden EllaMae gave me this look – like she was now over this photo shoot! We all laughed, and we had her back to all smiles in no time.

Eli and Silas Rainwater.

Photographry by: Angela McCoy with Your Life in Stills Photography www.facebook.com/ yourlifeinstillsphotography

If you would like to be a part of the August Outtakes, email editor@peekaboonwa.com with the final shot, the fun outtake, and photographer’s name. Have great shots on your camera or phone? We want to see those, too!

NUK® Disney Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse 5-oz Learner Cup, Silicone Spout, BPA-Free Spill-proof, soft spout is designed to be gentle on gums and no spills mean no messes on picture day clothes.

NUK® Magic 360 10 Ounce Cup keeps kids’ picture day clothes messfree. Magically drink from any edge, like a regular cup, without the worries of spills or messes. Great for transitioning to an adult cup.100% leak-proof and spill-proof, guaranteed! NUK® is the only cup that uses WOW technology, which means less parts and won’t leak.

Outstanding Kid by: Kristen Caldwell

meet Lily Cate

W

e understand that it may sound a little strange the first time we tell someone that our 8-year-old daughter, Lily Cate, started competing in triathlons at the ripe old age of four years old, and has competed in almost 20 triathlons in Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri and soon to be Ohio. But, youth triathlons have become normal to us, and it is such a joy to watch our only child find an activity that excites and challenges her. Training for and competing in triathlons has nurtured Lily Cate’s athleticism, developed her independent spirit, taught her good sportsmanship, and made her a part of a wonderful athletic community.

Lily Cate’s primary athletic passions are cycling and swimming. She has been in the pool since she was six months old, and riding a bike since she was two and a half. We have been fortunate to meet terrific teachers to help her develop in these sports. Lily Cate is the swimmer she is thanks to Jackie Haefner, Anita Parisi, and the talented coaches of the Northwest Arkansas Aquatics Shark’s Swim Team. Jackie first coached Lily Cate to be water safe at age two, because she was quite the fearless daredevil around water (which terrified us!). She then quickly taught her the four strokes, breathing,

24 August 2016

and diving basics by age four. Anita gave Lily Cate terrific coaching and encouragement through the Pinnacle Penguins’ summer swim league for three years. And, in 2015, Lily Cate joined the NWAA Sharks Swim Team. Her coaches give her the right amount of push and motivation, and she relishes being a part of the team.

We knew Lily Cate had a passion for bike riding when she refused, at age two, to get off a beginner bike at Academy Sports, despite our best efforts!

We gave in and purchased the bike and a helmet, and little did we know what a journey we would have. Things might have turned out very differently if a loving friend and neighbor had not thrown herself in front of Lily Cate on that new bike when she saw her riding very fast and approaching a downhill slope, realizing that Lily Cate did not yet know how to use the brakes. Our friend sacrificed a hurt knee and torn jeans so that Lily Cate would not experience a bad crash at such a young age.

From the start, Lily Cate was fearless on her bike, and she progressed very quickly to not needing training wheels. Then, she grew into and begged for a mountain bike, and at the age of seven she received her first road bike from Santa. The FAST mountain biking group in Bentonville provides Lily Cate with technical and safety instruction,

and she has participated in their Mountain Bike summer camps the last three years through Bentonville Parks and Recreation. She also tries to ride with their Thursday night youth group on our area’s great trails as often as schedules allow.

The Girls Bike Bentonville group has provided her maintenance and safety instruction, as well as tons of encouragement.

With Lily Cate’s love and interest in swimming and cycling, competing in triathlons was natural, and started in September of 2012 at the very first Trifest for MS at Memorial Park in Bentonville.

Her aunt, Whitney Sutherland, an avid triathlete, suggested that Lily Cate register for this new event to put her love of swimming and biking into competitive motion. Lily Cate was up for it because she wanted to be a triathlete like her aunt. This event is what sparked her passion for triathlons and her commitment to train in its three individual sports. Lily Cate demonstrated that she is a competitor, and we were pleased to see that she genuinely enjoyed the challenge and showed great sportsmanship. From that day, we started our journey to provide a framework for developing Lily Cate’s triathlon skills and experiences around her academic and social activities.

Not sure how to really foster this athletic interest, we were thrilled to find the Triple Threat Racing Team. Lily Cate has flourished in the sport with ongoing support and coaching from Shawn Wierick and BriAnna Gogel of Triple Threat.

Shawn created the program to train adults and youth to compete in running, cycling and triathlon events, with a focus on commitment to proper mechanics and consistent training.

In August of 2014, at the age of six, there was no denying that Lily Cate had the desire and dedication to train regularly. Lily Cate began training with Triple Threat Racing’s youth development program three times a week and has met incredible athletes with kindred spirits who have become her friends.

These young athletes are amazing. They train in the heat, the cold and the rain, and we never hear complaints. They are just doing what they love!

Lily Cate holds the older youth athletes in high esteem and wants to be like them. She has grown tremendously as an athlete, student and person through Coach Shawn and Coach BriAnna’s leadership and training program. Her teammates and coaches encouraged her to compete in the USA Triathlon Youth Nationals event on July 31 in West Chester, Ohio. This spring, Lily Cate and her Triple Threat teammate, Mary Katherine Morgan, 11, competed in the Fayetteville Ladies Duathlon.

Mary Katherine ran four miles and Lily Cate biked eleven miles. The dynamic duo finished in first

Turn the page ...

place for the relay participants. We were amazed, as always!

Lily Cate has been successful in her triathlons, partly because of her natural athleticism, commitment to training and competitive spirit, but also because of the camaraderie and positive reinforcement she receives from the triathlon community in Northwest Arkansas. The adult athletes Lily Cate has met have been incredibly encouraging. We were elated to meet Erin Dolan, a professional triathlete working and training here in Bentonville. She quickly became one of

Since being diagnosed in 2002 with Multiple Sclerosis, Jo set a personal goal to finish a triathlon, and that determination evolved into Trifest for MS in 2012. As we got to know more about the Rampys, and talked to Lily Cate about what they are doing to raise awareness of the disease and money to fund research to find a cure, we were happy to see her natural thought process lead her to wanting to do more than just race in her favorite triathlon.

This year, Lily Cate is not only competing in Trifest for MS, but she also joined Team Endurance for MS, and is dedicated to raising awareness and money for the Rampy MS Research Foundation.

In the months leading up to Trifest. 71 adult athletes, along with Lily Cate, have committed to raise $30,000 this year to support the foundation and researchers at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

Last year’s event, along with Team Endurance for MS, raised and donated over $90,000 to support UA Medical Sciences’ MS research, and over $210,000 has been donated for MS research since the Rampys organized the first Trifest for MS in 2012.

meet Lily Cate Lily Cate’s sport idols. Lily Cate has participated in Coach Erin’s Triathlon Camp offered through Bentonville Parks and Rec the last two summers, and she benefits from Coach Erin’s expertise at her weekly Shark practices.

By the time of the 5th annual Trifest for MS on Labor Day weekend this year, Lily Cate will mark the completion of her 20th triathlon. Trifest for MS has become much more to our family than just one of Lily Cate’s races. She has competed in all four previous Trifests and looks forward to this big event every year because of two special folks – race founders and organizers Scott and Jo Rampy.

26 August 2016

Lily Cate started off her commitment to Team Endurance for MS with a goal of fundraising $250 for this year. Her first fundraising effort was at her school, R.E. Baker Elementary. Lily Cate has quickly realized the impact she and her fellow Team Endurance for MS athletes could have, and she has declared that she would like to raise $10,000 for the Rampy MS Research Foundation by the time she graduates from high school. That is a testament to the impact the Rampys have had on her life.

We gladly support Lily Cate’s involvement in swimming, biking and running, because she enjoys it and thrives in training and competing.

Training in these sports provides a structure for self-discipline, learning new athletic skills safely, learning to compete with a focus on personal growth and improvement, and developing a zeal for activities she can do all her life.

Being a triathlete is developing Lily Cate as an endurance athlete and active community member.

Whether she is encouraging others to train and get involved in the sport, training regularly, or spreading awareness of a collective community effort to find a cure for Multiple Sclerosis, Lily Cate is up for the challenge! We are happy to go along for the ride.

This year’s Trifest for MS will be held Sept. 3 - 4 in Bentonville. To register, visit http://researchms. org/race/trifest-for-ms/

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Kids' Menu in Coffee Shop Inspired by Famous Books

S

By: Addi McNeel

ome things just go together: Wine and cheese, peanut butter and jelly, books and coffee.

For the little ones who can’t enjoy coffee just yet, Arsaga’s in the Fayetteville Public Library got creative. Each item on the kid’s menu is named after and inspired by a famous children’s book, and features kid-friendly drink or food items. Before the summer comes to a close and kids are hidden underneath piles of homework, check out the drink- and book-pairing menu.

It’s a great way to spark creativity, read some favorite tales and fill up those growing bellies!

Charlotte’s Web It’s only appropriate that the hot chocolate drink called Charlotte’s Web is topped with a web woven from chocolate!

The chocolate drink is reminiscent of the mud on the farm that Wilbur rolls around in in this classic book. In 2000, this popular book by E.B. White was listed as the best-selling children’s paperback of all time.

Babyccino While not named after a book, this cappuccino for kids began sweeping the nation in 2012 when they started popping up on menus all across New York City, and eventually the entire United States.

Containing only steamed milk with a sprinkle of cinnamon or chocolate on top, this drink is perfect for little ones who always want what mom or dad is having.

32 August 2016

Fancy Nancy This book has won several awards since its release in 2005. Nancy loves fuzzy slippers, the color pink, and tutus. She’s all things girly, sweet, and a little sassy, so we have a feeling she’d approve of this Fancy Nancy menu item featuring strawberry cream soda.

Where the Wild Things Are “I’ll eat you up, I love you so!” As you read the iconic children’s story, your little reader will be sipping on hot chocolate and munching on a marshmallow, battling the “wild thing” in their cup! This book from the 1960s was turned into a movie that premiered in October of 2009. It’s always a wonderful book to read with your child while welcoming in fall, and no better way to do that than with a cup of hot chocolate in hand!

The Giving Tree “And she loved a little boy very, very much. Even more than she loved herself.” The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein has a way of touching parents’ hearts when they read it to their little ones. Parents give so much, just as the giving tree did for the boy. The Giving Tree menu item is, of course, a sliced apple with your choice of peanut butter or a cheese stick.

Pooh’s Honey Pot Winnie-the-Pooh was famously in love with all things honey. What better way to be like Pooh than with a cup of steamed honeymilk? Simple and sweet, just like Winniethe-Pooh.

Arsaga’s in the Fayetteville Public Library is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The Immortal Frog While not inspired by a famous children’s book, this classic Arsaga’s smoothie is famous all on its own. It features banana, orange juice and spinach, making it a healthy and tasty option for hoppy kiddos.

Curious George and the Man with the Yellow Hat The book about the curious brown monkey named George dates all the way back to the 1930s and pairs nicely with Arsaga’s famous Frisco Trail smoothie which contains bananas, almond butter and maple syrup.

Perfect for both you and your little monkey to share, this menu item is divided up between a larger and a smaller cup!

The Golden Ticket In Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, nothing is what it seems.

So serving a chocolate egg cream drink, which contains neither eggs nor cream, is very well paired for the book where imagination alters the reality of a little boy entering a candy factory for the first time.

Jamberry Jamberry is a classic children’s favorite, all about a boy and a bear who adventure through a fantastic world of berries.

Their trip comes to a razzmatazz finale under a starberry sky. What drink could pair better with this fruitful story than a mixed fruit smoothie called Jamberry?

Goodnight Moon Goodnight Moon is a classic bedtime story for the kiddos. By now, yours might even have it memorized (and yet, still want to read it over and over). Chamomile tea, an all-natural blend of petals and stems from the chamomile flower, is a traditional herbal remedy for lulling children to sleep and is also beneficial for upset tummies. It’s caffeinefree and, when paired with the book Goodnight Moon, it’s a fail-proof way to get your little one relaxed and ready for naptime. The drink includes honey and cream in the chamomile tea, which creates a color not unlike the moon illuminating the night sky.

Vision and Learning: Is Your Child Ready for School?

By Megan Petty, OD, FCOVD

I

t is officially backto-school time for all students in Northwest Arkansas. Many of us are thinking about buying new backpacks, school supplies and an outfit for the first day of school.

We want our kids to have – and see – everything they need to be successful this year. In that vein, one very important item to check off of the backto-school list is a comprehensive eye examination.

As a reminder of this, August is national Children’s Vision and Learning Month.

As parents, we are concerned about our students gaining the academic tools of phonics, reading comprehension, math and spelling. There are also important visual skills your child must master to be successful in the classroom. Research shows that 80 percent of what a child learns in a typical classroom is taken in through the visual system.

If they do not have these visual tools, they may have to work much harder to reach their potential this year.

During a vision examination, your eye care professional examines the health of your eyes, your visual acuity (ex: 20/20) and your prescription for glasses, if needed. For school-age children, it is also critical to check their tracking, visual focusing and eye-teaming abilities.

Tracking describes how your eyes move across the page while reading and taking in all the words on each line. Your eyes have to track from the

34 August 2016

end of one line to the beginning of the next.

Tracking is also important in sports while watching the ball, as in tennis or baseball. If a person has tracking difficulties, they can lose their place often when reading, need to use their finger as a guide to read longer than their peers, or skip and repeat lines when reading.

Visual focusing is the physiological change of the lens inside your eye to clear objects from far to near.

This is something that happens naturally for most children and young adults. Visual focusing challenges can make it hard to copy or transition from a marker board to work on the student’s desk, make reading blurry, or cause headaches with near work.

Eye teaming, or depth perception, is how your eyes work together as a team to tell your brain where things are in space. Your eyes should point to the object you are looking at and only see one of that object. When reading, eye teaming issues can make the words move or dance on the page, or even make a person see double. One strategy for fixing this is to cover or close one eye while reading or writing.

The good news is each of these struggles can be treated successfully with glasses or vision therapy.

Some glasses are made to help patients see clearer, like with astigmatism, near-sightedness or farsightedness. However, they can also be used to relieve focusing issues with reading glasses or lenses with prism to compensate for eye teaming issues.

Pediatric

vision Development Center

nwavisiontherapy.com In some cases, vision therapy is necessary. These programs are much like physical, speech or occupational therapies, but they are designed to help enhance one or more of the visual skills needed for reading and school work.

Vision therapy helps train a patient how to use their eyes more efficiently by guiding them through activities which force them to use their eyes in new ways. Vision therapists, who are trained and monitored by developmental optometrists, are the ones conducting most therapy sessions. These sessions should be challenging, but fun at the same time. Many vision therapy programs include home therapy activities developed to compliment the office therapy. The combination of individual office and home therapy activities are designed to help each patient be more successful with their outcomes.

Although not all eye care professionals are set up to conduct these therapy programs, they can all

diagnose visual skill issues and refer your child to someone who can. The first step in making sure your child has the skills they need is to observe them while reading. Also, talk to their teachers about any observations they see in the classroom.

Red flags include covering or winking one eye to read, struggling to read a paragraph when lists of sight words are mastered, complaining of headaches or eye rubbing during reading, or using a finger to keep their place when peers do not.

According to the American Optometric Association, studies indicate that 60 percent of children identified as “problem learners� actually suffer from undetected vision problems, and in some cases have been inaccurately diagnosed. If your child struggles with reading or gets frustrated while doing near work, talk to their eye care professional and ask them to make sure they have the visual skills needed to make this school year the best one yet!

CALENDAR • 2016 Weekly Activities: Monday:

How People Make Things

Amazeum - Bentonville Every object has a story. Learn how it’s made every Monday!

Tuesday: Tuesday ‘Til 8 @ Rogers Historical Museum Every Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

During our evening hours on Tuesday enjoy a different family activity each week. Themes: Ice cream & Old fashioned games, 3D Buildings, Pinwheels, Downtown walking tour.

Wednesday:

Little Sprouts at Botanical Gardens of the Ozarks 9:30 a.m. & 10:15 a.m.

https://bgozarks.org/event/little-sprouts-3 Little Sporuts is a weekly botanically-themed program for pre-schooolers. Stories, songs, crafts and activities!

Garden Buds at Botanical Gardens of the Ozarks 9:30 a.m. https://bgozarks.org/event/garden-buds Garden Buds is for elementary-aged students.

Priceless Nights 4-7:30 p.m.

Amazeum

Thanks to a grant from Tyson Foods, Inc., we are happy to announce most Wednesday evenings will be Priceless Nights at the Scott Family Amazeum! These pay-as-you-wish evenings allow guests to make a donation to the Amazeum in lieu of admission.

Friday:

Summer Story Time Rogers Historical Museum 10 a.m. Ages 2-12 Snacks, stories, history lessons and activities included!

Saturday:

Storytime at Barnes and Noble, Rogers and Fayetteville 11:00 a.m.

Join Barnes and Noble and their storytellers in this free event as they read to kids every Saturday this month at 11 a.m. in both Rogers and Fayetteville! Fun activities included!

Library story times:

Bentonville Public Library: bentonvillelibrary.org Fayetteville Public Library: faylib.org Springdale Public Library: springdalelibrary.org Rogers Public Library: rogerspubliclibrary.org Siloam Springs Library: siloamsprings.com

38 August 2016

Thursday, August 4

Gulley Park Concert Series 7 - 9 p.m.

Gulley Park Fayetteville Parks and Recreation and White River Nursery are excited to present the 2016 Gulley Park Summer Concert Series! This year will be the 20th summer of concerts at Gulley Park and there will be six performances in all. Concerts will take place on Thursday evenings at 7:00pm and are FREE to the public.

August 4-6

Bentonville Public Library Usborne & Kane Miller Book Fair 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

All book purchases will go towards earning new books for our Library who is celebrating their 10 year anniversary this year!

Friday, August 5

First Friday Downtown Bentonville 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.

The Bentonville Square is transformed into a Back To School themed block party with live music & entertainment, outstanding food options and family friendly activities.

Saturday, August 6

Canning Workshop 10: a.m. to 12 p.m.

617 N. Mt. Olive, Siloam Springs The Garden in Siloam Springs will host a canning workshop.

We will make salsa and red sauce and everyone will go home with a jar of each. This is a free event.

Sunday, August 7

NWA Naturals Kids Eat Free Family Sunday 2:05 p.m.

Arvest Ballpark, Springdale Kids Eat FREE Family Sunday home games during the upcoming year, kids 12 and under will receive a voucher as they enter the main gates for a free hot dog, chips, and 12 oz. soda.

All kids will then have the opportunity to run the bases postgame or participate in a special post-game activity on the field.

Tuesday, August 9

Tontitown Grape Festival August 9 - 13 www.tontitowngrapefestival.com Make plans to attend the Tontitown Grape Festival! Armband Nights, Grape Ice Cream, those Famous Spaghetti Dinners, Arts & Crafts, Free Concerts, Carnival Rides, and much more!!

Teen Night Fast Lane Entertainment, Lowell Doors Open at 8 p.m. | Starts at 8:30 p.m. | Ends at 11:00 p.m. $13.00 Per Person For Unlimited: Bowling, Laser Tag, Bumper Cars, Himalaya, Python Pit Ages 12-18.

Thurs.., August 11

Preschool Playdate Aug 11, 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Crystal Bridges, Bentonville Monthly Preschool Playdates feature performances, art projects, story time, and creative play based on themes from our collection. Activities are geared for children ages 2 to 5 with an adult.

Friday, August 12 Back-to-School Bash 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Fayetteville Public Library $10 registration fee.

Sat., August 13

Museum Storytime With Miss Sarah Museum of Native American History 10 - 10:30 a.m.

Museum storytimes are geared towards preschoolers but great for all ages. Storytime features a Native American folk tale, animal stories, seasonal rhymes, activities, and more!

2016 Arkansas Tour de Cure Arvest Ballpark The Tour de Cure is more than just a cycling event it’s a day packed with excitement and energy where riders of all levels join forces in the fight to Stop Diabetes® and raise critical funds for diabetes research, education and advocacy in support of the American Diabetes Association. Participants can choose to ride 100, 62.5, 50 or 20 miles! There is also a Family Friendly 5K run/ride/walk.

Skydive for Kids 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Skydive Skyranch, Siloam Springs The first jumper will begin his ascent at 9 a.m., and the final faith leaper should be safely on solid ground by 2 p.m.. Each individual commits to raise at least $1,000 in pledges for the organization. All proceeds of this event will benefit the Children’s Advocacy Center.

August

Trade-a-Book 8 a.m.

Mill Street Market Bring your already read book(s) to our booth and exchange them for another fantastic story book(s). Don’t have a book?

Come by and we will give you one to start your home library. Altrusa of Fayetteville and Altrusa of Springdale promotes Children’s Literacy through community service.

Tues., August 16 Free Summer Concert {The Silvershakers} 7 p.m.

Botanical Garden of the Ozarks

Friday, August 17

Hipbillies And Hillbillies Shiloh Museum of Ozark History 12 p.m.-1 p.m.

A program on the back to the land movement in the Arkansas Ozarks, by local historian Jared Phillips.

August 26-27

Frisco Festival Downtown Rogers The festival features live music, delicious food and ice-cold beverages, along with arts & crafts, carnival rides, children’s activities and a 5K walk/run.

Sat. August 27

Model Railroad Show 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Rogers Historical Museum www.rogershistoricalmuseum.org A variety of model trains from the Sugar Creek Model Railroad Club during Frisco Fest.

Create-it-Con Rogers Public Libraary 10 a.m.

Makers of all shapes and sizes. 3D printing, cosplay, gaming, technology, crafters, drones, live music and loads of hands on fun you will find nowhere else!

Food trucks will be on hand the Library, the Pine Street Park even the parking lot will have so many exciting things to see and do.

Community Clinic Fundraiser Cecil Smith Field Barnett Hanger, Siloam Springs “Come Fly Away..” with Honorary Chair, Christina Drake, at the 11th annual Community Clinic Siloam Springs Fundraiser. Leave your luggage at home but be prepared as we take you on trip around the world at the Barnett Hangar at Smith Field. Enjoy an Italian dinner, cocktails, premium live and silent auction, dancing and live musical entertainment from West Street Blues Band. Tickets are $75 per person, with sponsorship available.

Sunday, August28

Dickson Street Slide 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Fayetteville Soldier ON Service Dogs to host the second annual Dickson Street Slide.

Tues, August 30

Washington County Fair Fayetteville From bull riding to action-packed carnival rides, the 2016 Washington County Fair has it all!

be another doctor waiting there to see Kristyn. The drive from our Fayetteville home to Little Rock seemed like the longest drive ever, with many thoughts running through our minds. When we arrived to Arkansas Children’s Hospital the team took Kristyn back and did a spinal tap on her. It confirmed that our 3-year-old daughter had Type B Lukemia.

Meet

Kr is tyn

W

By Kandice Buckner

hen Kristyn was little, we noticed that she was smaller than most children her age. We also noticed that Kristyn would push down hard on her lower stomach and hold her breath, as if she was in pain. We took her to her doctor, where they ran tests and told us that it was perhaps a simple bowel issue that she would outgrow. As time went by, Kristyn was pushing on her stomach more often and started to develop high fevers. With many trips to the ER and no answers, we decided to take her to our family doctor for a second opinion. The day we took her, she was very pale and dehydrated. She had been running constant fevers from 102 and above for over a week. The doctor said we needed to do blood tests to figure out what was going on.

The next day, I got a call at work. It was my husband, Chris, letting me know the doctor had just called him and it did not sound good. First off, the doctor asked him if he was sitting down, then said that blood results came in showing that Kristyn was either severely anemic, or...she had cancer. The doctor said that we needed to head to Arkansas Children’s Hospital, and that there would

42 August 2016

Treatment would consist of chemotherapy at home and the hospital, and spinal taps for the next two and half years for treatment. We took many trips to the hospital. We missed our family the whole time we were gone. Our two oldest kids understood why we had to be away, but it was hard on them as well. We spent many days – even weeks – on the hematology floor at Arkansas Children’s Hospital.

The nurses and doctors there made sure that we felt comfortable and that Kristyn had plenty of things to do. They would bring her toys and paints and books for her to read when she was too ill to leave her room.

When her blood results came back and showed that her immune system was healthy enough for her to leave her room, she would get to go to a little play area called “Camp Want to Play,” located inside the children’s hospital. We had many weekly appointments that eventually turned into monthly appointments. At one of them, Kristyn’s case worker came in and asked if she could enroll Kristyn for Make-A-Wish. She felt like Kristyn would be prefect for the program. We all agreed that that would be nice. A couple of months later, two lovely ladies came out to our house to meet Kristyn and they asked her questions to get to know all of her favorite things – they even brought her an Elsa microphone and the big kids a game to play with that day. They asked her what one big wish she would like to have come true. Like most girls Kristyn’s age, she loved princesses and the movie Frozen. Kristyn looked at the ladies and said that she would like to go to Disney World to meet her favorite princess, Elsa.

Kristyn’s doctor told us that we wouldn’t be able to make the trip until after Kristyn was treatmentfree. A year later, at age six, Kristyn’s doctor gave us the go-ahead for her Make-A-Wish trip. He told us that on November 16, 2015, Kristyn would do her last chemotherapy treatment. A couple of months after that news, a lady from Make-A-Wish called me about all the wonderful details and how

This trip brought our whole family closer, giving us all joy and laughter and many memories to share for years to come.

they wanted to surprise Kristyn at her Make-AWish reveal. It all sounded so wonderful. I was super excited, but I decided to keep it a secret from all the kids.

I couldn’t believe that this wish that kept my baby going when she was feeling so ill was about to come true.

The night of November 6, 2016, we took the kids to the Bentonville square to see Wal-Mart Toyland for its Christmas showing of all the new, great toys that

came out that year – at least, that’s what we told the kids we were there for. That night, Sofia Carson from the Disney movie “Descendants” happened to be there for Wal-Mart, and Kristyn got the chance to meet her and take pictures; she even got to go on stage and sing with her. While on the stage, a wonderful man from Wal-Mart surprised Kristyn.

He took the microphone and asked Kristyn if she’d ever been to Disney World. Kristyn answered, “No.” He then asked her, “Would you like to go?”

With our whole family on the stage, she jumped up and down and yelled, “Yes!” After all the fun on stage was over, we all met at the Wal-Mart Museum for cake and to be able to enjoy family time and talk with the Make-AWish people about all that had just happened.

Wal-Mart and Make-A-Wish surprised us with luggage and lots of other things for our trip. It was a magical night! Kristyn even mentioned on the way home that it was the best night ever, and that she would always remember that night.

Turn the page ...

On December 23, 2016, we arrived at XNA airport to board our plane. When we walked in, there were two ladies holding a sign with Kristyn’s name on it, and they gave her gifts with snacks for the trip. The airport even had a cute little pilot bear and some wings for her! As we were taking off in the plane to Orlando, the fire department shot a cannon of water at the plane for Kristyn, while the pilot announced that Kristyn was on the plane headed for her Make-A-Wish trip. Everyone on board cheered and wished us the best of times.

We then arrived in Orlando to our home-away-fromhome for the next week, at a place called “Give Kids the World.” It was a magical place, with free ice-cream anytime of the day and rides and games.

There was something

for us to do at all times as a family, which was something we hadn’t been able to do in a while. It helped us reconnect as a family. Staff even surprised the kids daily with gifts they could take home with them.

The morning of Christmas Day we took the kids to the Magic Kingdom, where we rode tons of rides and Kristyn got to meet many of her favorite princesses. I will never forget us standing in line to meet Elsa. As we got closer, Kristyn’s eyes lit up even more and she leaned over to me – her hands were shaking, her heart was filled with so much joy, and a touch of fear – she whispered, “Mom, I’m nervous.” Elsa then called Kristyn over to her to take a picture and Kristyn just froze. You could see the look on her face. This was the moment that took all the pain away. It was the wish and dream she had been waiting for, and it had just come true.

We went to many other parks that week. We had the best of times that reconnected us as a family.

We were all very exhausted by the end of it, but I would not change anything! This trip brought our whole family closer and gave us all joy and laughter and many memories to share for years to come. The money and time donated to Make-AWish Mid-South can give that same joy Kristyn had in her heart to another child, and give a family who has lost each other from time apart the time to reconnect... just as it did for our family.

Northwest Health System

Northwest Health First in NWA to Use MultiPoint Pacing Technology for Heart Failure Patients

N

orthwest Medical Center – Springdale, recently became the first facility in NWA to utilize the new MultiPoint Pacing technology, designed to deliver electrical pulses to multiple locations within the left side of the heart to resynchronize contraction of the heart’s lower chambers (ventricles). It may also increase a heart failure patient’s response to Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) by increasing the amount of cardiac tissue being stimulated at one time, and may reduce the need for costly and invasive procedures to readjust the placement of the thin wires, called leads, around the heart.

“The evolution of the bi-ventricular pacing and defibrillators is the single greatest stride in treating congestive heart failure since I have been in practice,” said Michael Green, MD, Interventional Cardiologist at Northwest Health who performed the procedure. “The new lead allows us to augment the heart from multiple sites, as opposed to one, to improve contractility.”

According to the American Heart Association, CRT can improve the heart’s efficiency at pumping blood to the body and can lessen symptoms of heart failure, including shortness of breath. However, even with effective placement of the leads around the heart, therapy can be unpredictable and ineffective for some patients.

The goal of MultiPoint Pacing technology is to

46 August 2016

allow physicians to program the device to capture more left-ventricular tissue at one time by pacing at multiple locations in the heart, increasing the number of patients who benefit from this type of therapy.

“Northwest Health’s commitment to improving patient care and investing in innovative medical technology is part of our legacy,” said Sharif Omar, CEO, Northwest Health.

“Our Springdale hospital was the site of the first open heart surgery in NWA and the first hospital to become chest pain accredited.”

Approximately 23 million people worldwide are afflicted with congestive heart failure, and 2 million new cases are diagnosed worldwide each year. Studies have shown that CRT can improve the quality of life for many patients with heart failure, a progressive condition in which the heart weakens and loses its ability to pump an adequate supply of blood. CRT resynchronizes the lower chambers (ventricles) of the heart by sending uniquely programmed electrical impulses to stimulate each ventricle to beat in sync for optimal cardiac performance.

A personal tale of lyme by: Alarie Bowerman

I

woke up on Sunday, May 22 to a call from my husband. “Ellie is throwing up and has a red blistering rash, and Emory says her stomach hurts and is lying around. I pulled a bunch of ticks off of them last night.”

I was out of town and flying home later that afternoon, and the relaxing, “pretend your real life is long, sunny days boating on the lake, zero responsibility, sleeping-in, and uninterrupted adult conversation” three-day vacay was now coming to an abrupt end. Just the sort of slap in the face that only reality can impart.

Our three oldest kids had gone tent camping with their Girl Scout friends in the front yard of the troop leader’s house near Lowell on Friday night.

Saturday was a full day of outdoor fun, games and crafts for the girls that led to an award ceremony later with their families. Within the ten-foot walk from the car to the path leading up to the troop leader’s house, our two youngest boys had small ticks covering their shoes, which required an immediate brush down of their legs and feet (or, if you’re tick-a-phobic, doing something resembling a violent rain dance is also acceptable). It was the beginning of tick season in Arkansas, and the word on the street was our warm winter was going to make ticks especially bad this year. Knowing the girls would be spending time outside, all the typical outdoor precautions had been taken.

Putrid poison in a can containing 25 percent DEET? Check! Ridiculous looking long pants in summer weather, complete with socks up to your neck? Check! Even preventative tick granules

48 August 2016

were said to have been spread out over the yard prior to the sleepover weekend. However, despite all safety measures, my husband sterilized and properly removed a combined total of 15 ticks off our daughters by Saturday night. They also had eight additional ticks removed by their Girl Scout leader in the 27-hour period they were at this front yard campout. Many of their fellow girl scouts had several ticks taken off during the weekend as well. It appeared that the ticks had won this round.

Ticks = 1, Girl Scouts = 0.

Just to give you a general background about us: I grew up in a medical family in the Midwest and stumbled on Arkansas after college. I started a therapeutic massage business here about 15 years ago, and eventually met my husband, who was born and raised in Huntsville. He’s an electrician by day and a jack-of-all-trades by night (his skills run the gamut from martial arts instructor to shoeing horses and everything in between). In his down time he enjoys taking long walks on the beach at sunset (sorry, I couldn’t resist!) and entertains our friends and family doing magic tricks, origami or playing guitar. We are a big family with a solid litter of kids. Six kids, to be precise, ranging in age from two to ten years old. We have an even ratio of three girls to three boys, and on any given day the unexpected is expected. It’s an incredibly loud, fun, hysterically dysfunctional, chaotic and stressful life – full of real moments of indescribable joy mixed with gut-wrenching heartache and seemingly unfathomable difficulties sprinkled in, just to make sure we’re still paying attention!

We are a “tick aware” family. Being tick aware means we know what ticks are and what they

disease in Arkansas

do. These demon spawns can impart some pretty nasty bacteria and parasites, ultimately ruining lives in their wake, so we keep a lookout for them.

Unfortunately, being tick aware also means that we have previously experienced the consequences of leaving a symptomatic bite untreated. Years ago, our youngest daughter Emory spent five days in the hospital on I.V. antibiotics with a 105 temperature when she was two, due to a tick bite that was misdiagnosed by a local on-call pediatrician. Within an hour of her being admitted to the hospital, we had a diagnosis of Ehrlichiosis, or tick fever.

Watching her temperature repeatedly spike over the next three days while her white cell counts went haywire was agonizing. I held her little rash-covered body as she cried, tethered to the antibiotics pulsing through her, and distracted myself with (psychologically healthy) fantasies of going all “Braveheart” if she didn’t improve.

She got better and away we went with a round of antibiotics (Doxycycline) in hand. Ironically, this was the same antibiotic I had proactively requested at the pediatric clinic days before and had been refused. “Doxy” is one of the antibiotics that is routinely prescribed for tick-borne illnesses, and covers a large spectrum, including the treatment of Lyme Disease. The on-call pediatrician we had seen at the clinic had arrogantly stated that Doxy was not to be given to children under 8 years of age due to its teeth-staining side effects. The CDC has proven this wrong. He also was very adamant that there was no Lyme Disease in Arkansas, causing him to disregard her tick bite entirely and diagnose her bull’s eye rash as nothing more than Impetigo.

The entire experience could have been avoided with a bit of awareness.

Fast forward five years to this May and our tick bite

fiasco of 2016. The two younger girls are sick with flu-like symptoms of vomiting, rash, fever and fatigue. The plan of action was for my husband to gather the crew up and take them into whatever clinic that might be open on a Sunday, which also takes our insurance, and doesn’t have a two-hour wait, all before picking me up at the airport in a few hours. (I did feel a small twinge of guilt creep in as I drank from the delicious cup o’ solitude on the plane.) Fate smiled down upon him, and after a couple failed attempts, he eventually found this “Shangri-La” of walk-in clinics. The physician on staff performed a thorough assessment on the younger two girls, and said she was putting them on three weeks of Amoxicillin, based on the recommended guidelines for the first stages of Lyme Disease. I got home and immediately informed our Girl Scout troop about the reactive tick bites and symptoms in our girls, and encouraged those that were experiencing similar symptoms to go in and get checked out. *Whew!

Crisis averted! Back to the summer fun!

LIFE RULE #56,982: NOTHING GOES AS

Turn the page ...

s,

Ag e

10

anyone with similar symptoms to PLANNED! It was Memorial go in immediately.

Day, and we were about eight days into the antibiotics Long story short, the tests on when we noticed what our other daughters came appeared to be a purplishback within a week. We red bruise on Emory’s toe were told our 10-year-old, surrounding one of the old Anais, was also positive tick bites. It looked like she for Lyme Disease with the had dropped something standard two-tiered testing. on her foot, only it didn’t Anais didn’t have many hurt. Emory’s bruise got symptoms initially, but did progressively larger over the have a rash on her shoulder next couple of days, and she ai that had been overlooked. She began to complain of her ankle n y A also had dizziness, extreme mood hurting, so we took her to see their kb Artwor swings and fatigue that had her sleeping pediatrician. Our family had been with this particular pediatrician for over eight years and we in past noon, all of which had been passed off as felt confident in her ability. Surprisingly, she took end of the school year “exhaustion”. While Emory both girls off the Amoxicillin, citing it wasn’t a good had received antibiotics after testing positive, our antibiotic for tick bites anyway (they’d taken 10 of pediatrician refused to treat Anais, claiming that, the 21-day regimen). She disagreed with the walk- “Arkansas is not endemic for Lyme Disease” and in clinic’s diagnosis, that the girls symptoms were saying that she did not have symptoms. This is due to the tick bites, and thought they merely had what Infectious Disease at Arkansas Children contracted a virus. We had been in this position Hospital in LR recommended. We were told to before, and were naturally leery. The doctor opted find a specialist. I was at a loss for words! Their to run a few tests for tick-borne illnesses to give us LD test, showed they were making antibodies (our “peace of mind.” We asked for a Lyme Disease test immune system’s natural defense mechanisms to be done as well. She was happy to test for it, but that kick in to fight off exposure to what will stated that Arkansas isn’t “endemic” (common for make us sick) against a recent infection (IgM a particular area) for Lyme Disease, and assured positive). The antibodies were for very specific us that the LD test would come back negative. Lyme Disease bacteria (Borrelia burgdorferi). In This was the standard, CDC-recommended two- other words, Anais’ test showed she was fighting tiered Lyme Disease test. Days later, we were told off Lyme Disease bacteria in her body, at that very over the phone that Emory had not only tested moment, but was denied treatment to make her positive for Lyme disease, but for Rocky Mountain well. Nobody fights off infections they don’t have, Spotted Fever and Tularemia as well, both tick- let alone bacteria that supposedly isn’t found in borne illnesses. Turns out the “bruise” was really Arkansas! I wanted answers! the classic Erythema Migrans (bull’s eye rash) of Lyme Disease. No one pointed out that Emory It had been a month since the tick bites, before had an EM rash, and the doctor wrote “bruising” Anais began to complain of pain in her toes on one in her notes, yet knew exactly what Emory had at foot, an excruciating headache (her first headache the time. It took our own research into what might ever) and insomnia. She needed proper treatment cause “bruising after a tick bite” before we found and the clock was ticking, as Lyme Disease left out that this expanding, solid reddish-purple untreated turns into miserable chronic symptoms circle is just one kind of rash that Lyme Disease she would suffer with for the rest of her life. I began can exhibit. We also learned that 50 percent of the to research heavily, and discovered that there were people who are positive for LD never recall a rash no Lyme Disease specialists here in Arkansas. We of any kind and only 10 percent of those positive started getting in touch with Lyme Disease groups for Lyme Disease get the bull’s eye target rash. 10 for support (ILADS, Arkansas Lyme Disease, and days of Doxycycline was prescribed immediately, LDUC, or Lyme Disease United Coalition were and we started Emory that night on her meds. The just a few). I spoke with person after person that nurse told us to come in the next morning and have had contracted Lyme Disease here in Arkansas or blood drawn on our other two girls. We were asked knew someone that had, and each had a similar to notify our Girl Scout troop and inform them story of being bit by ticks, symptoms discounted that Emory had tested positive for Lyme Disease by a doctor, and being denied treatment because while at her campout in Lowell, and to encourage there was “no such thing as Lyme Disease in Arkansas!” Bull’s Eye rashes were diagnosed as

Disease tests (2 positive cases is all that is needed to be an “endemic” state), yet these positive tests, like many others, would not ever be reported! In fact, absolutely zero cases have been reported in Arkansas for years, according to the Arkansas Department of Health and the CDC websites.

However, a quick check on a canine map of our zip code showed numerous Lyme Disease cases here reported in dogs ( http://www.dogsandticks.com/ diseases_in_your_area.php ). Plus, the states next to ours are seeing an increase in LD cases, while we claim to have NONE. Is it easier to believe Arkansas has a magical forcefield surrounding it, than to admit ticks with Lyme Disease can travel across state lines and infect people in Arkansas?

This “No Lyme Disease in Arkansas” LIE currently prevailing effects the quality and accuracy of health care we receive in our state. I am not okay with the denial of Lyme in Arkansas! I am not okay with watching my intelligent, talented daughters deteriorate slowly, knowing that this misery could have been prevented if we had done something about it now. I am also not okay with Educate ourselves on ticks and be smart! Take necessary precautions to avoid having to travel out of getting bit. Treat yards and pets! TAKE TICKS SERIOUSLY! state to find a Lymeknowledgeable physician, so that LEARN PROPER REMOVAL TECHNIQUES! Use sterilized fine-tipped tweezers my 10-year-old can to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible. Pull upward slowly get the most basic and with steady, even pressure. Don’t twist or jerk the tick or use your fingers to of antibiotics, which remove them. NEVER squeeze the body of the tick! Seal the tick in a baggie full of could easily have been alcohol and sterilize the bite after removal. prescribed for her right here in NWA. Get to know the signs and symptoms of Lyme Disease and pay attention to your No one else should body! You may exhibit flu-like symptoms, rashes, joint, muscle or nerve pain, be okay with all of fatigue, and some of the lesser-known symptoms, such as dizziness or irregular this either! There heartbeats. are countless people If you get a tick bite, write down the location, date and any symptoms you are in our state who are experiencing. Take pictures of rashes! Be aware of any changes for up to a year or unnecessarily denied more. If you can, save the tick in a sealed baggie with a cotton ball to send off to testing or treatment a free participating lab for testing. all because Arkansas is foolishly refusing *Participating labs that are free right now and accepting ticks for testing: to admit we have Bay Area Lyme Foundation Lyme Disease! There www.bayarealyme.org/lyme-disease-prevention/tick-testing/ are many more, who are unknowingly *Also, if you know you were infected in Arkansas by a tick-borne illness and it sick with LD and was in a location where researchers are allowed on the property, please contact have no idea. It’s ARBytesBack@gmail.com. They are currently helping UAMS research tick-borne impossible to get a illnesses in Arkansas! The more ticks we study, the better! correct diagnosis or proper treatment as If you suspect you have a tick-borne illness or Lyme Disease, please do not take long as our state stays NO for an answer! Ask specifically for a Western Blot test for Lyme Disease and in the dark about tick consider having your lab work sent off for the most accurate testing through a borne illnesses. So, reputable lab like IGeneX. Find a LLMD (Lyme Literate Doctor) right away through let’s start lighting it ILADS.org. up! LIVE SMART, ARKANSAS!

“bad allergic reactions” and sick people were being sent home sick, believing Lyme Disease didn’t exist here. Many had been repeatedly misdiagnosed with other diseases (Parkinson’s, MS, ALS, Lupus, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, Alzheimers, etc. ) and told nothing else could be done for them, but researched Lyme Disease on their own, sought out a proper diagnosis with a trained LLMD (Lyme Literate Medical Doctor) and ultimately saved their own lives! Without knowing it, our family had stepped into some weird political agenda that had nothing to do with ticks, or sick kids, and we needed to be our own advocates now if our kids were going to get better.

By the CDC standards we had two positive Lyme

What can we do

1 2

3 4

5

?

The new school year often presents difficulties for math students after a long summer break...

Mathnasium of Bentonville’s customized programs prepare kids to learn once again

T

he new school year will bring many challenges for children as they get used to more difficult work in all their classes, and few subjects build on the prior year’s work as much as math does.

Many children simply aren’t ready to pick up where they left off.

“Taking the summer off is good for children in a number of ways: They come back to school relaxed and refreshed. However, they also come back rusty in their academic subjects—none more so than math. Kids who have spent the summer without solving problems, calculating answers, and checking their work not only need to refresh their memories on key concepts, but also need time to build their math muscles back up. For many children, this can result in poor performance in the early part of the academic year,” said Katie Bartelt, Owner of Mathnasium of Bentonville (www.mathnasium.com/bentonville).

One solution is some additional math work prior to the start of the school year and into the early fall months. This helps children warm up their math muscles and recall those important concepts from the prior year that they may no longer remember.

Mathnasium, for example, provides students with customized programs that, with two or three hours per week of study, can shake off the fog of summer and prepare them for the rigors of their new math curriculum. Mathnasium students have shown significant increases in performance on standardsbased tests in 20 sessions or fewer – the equivalent of a few months’ work.

52 August 2016

“Some students have the ability to start the new academic year and keep up with their math classes by reviewing older material on their own and doing enough problems to bring their math muscles back into shape. But, in our experience, many kids struggle. A program of structured study at Mathnasium of Bentonville or elsewhere can make all the difference between starting off well or having a difficult year,” Bartelt says.

About Mathnasium Mathnasium (www.mathnasium.com), the nation’s leading math-only learning center franchise, specializes in teaching kids math in a way that makes sense to them. Students go to Mathnasium year-round to catch up, keep up, and get ahead in math. The proprietary Mathnasium Method™ is the result of 40+ years of hands-on instruction and research.

www.davidadams.com

100 West Center, Ste 101 Fayetteville 479-444-7778

Northwest Health System Willow Creek Women’s Hospital First ED Run by OB/GYNs in Arkansas Hospital Serves Expectant Mothers with 24/7 Care by OB/GYN Specialists in New Emergency Program

W

illow Creek Women’s Hospital recently added a new service, an Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN) Hospitalist Program, to ensure that women in labor have access to the care they need, as they need it.

Hospitalists are physicians who specialize solely in caring for patients who are hospitalized, rather than those in a clinical office setting. OB/GYN hospitalists focus exclusively on providing care for women in labor and delivery.

This new service enhances patient safety and care by ensuring that a board-certified physician specializing in obstetrics and gynecology is in the hospital and immediately available at all times, 24 hours a day, seven days of the week, and every day of the year.

“Staffing Willow Creek with hospitalists, hospital-based OB/ GYN physicians, serves to enhance patient safety and improve the coordination and efficiency of care,” explained Sharif Omar, Chief Executive Officer of Northwest Health. “It also provides peace of mind for our patients, since a doctor is available at a moment’s notice to step in and provide care.”

These dedicated OB/GYN physicians at Willow Creek provide a number of services, including: • Care in times of emergency prior to the arrival of a patient’s own physician • Supporting the care of high-risk pregnancy patients • Delivering babies for patients who don’t have an obstetrician

“The hospitalist program underscores our commitment to quality care in women’s services,” Omar said. “It also allows us to offer vaginal births after Caesarian section delivery.” Many hospitals are unable to provide this support of the natural childbirth process, he explained.

Dr. Todd Bashuk, a board-certified OB/GYN hospitalist at Willow Creek, stressed that hospitalists would not replace a woman’s own OB/ GYN. The OB Hospitalist extends the safety net for private practice obstetricians but does not replace them.

“The hospitalists, who are board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology, will be available to supplement care that is already provided,” Bashuk said. “Hospitalists care for transfer patients with high-risk pregnancies and provide emergency services for all obstetrics patients, including those with a private physician until that physician’s arrival.”

“A woman’s obstetrical care will never be delayed,” Omar added. “This is the kind of care and treatment we all want for our loved ones.”

Struggle to read, write or spell?

Dyslexia Screening and Instruction with Certif ied Barton Tutors

Remediation for students of any ability

Willow Creek Women’s Hospital recently added a new service, an Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/ Do YOU know the warning signs of Dyslexia?

GYN) Hospitalist Program, to ensure that women Preschool in In labor have access to the care they need, as they In Elementary School • Delayed speech • Dysgraphia (slow, non-automatic handwriting need it.

• Mixing up the sounds & syllables in long words

Hospitalists are physicians who specialize solely • Chronic ear infections in caring for patients who are hospitalized, rather • Severe reactions to childhood illnesses than those in a clinical office setting. OB/GYN • Constant confusion of left versus right care for hospitalists focus exclusively on providing • Latein establishing dominant hand women labor and adelivery.

• Difficulty learning to tie shoes

This new service enhances safety and • Trouble memorizing address,patient phone number, care or bythe ensuring that a board certified physician alphabet specializing in obstetrics and gynecology is in the • Can’t create words that rhyme hospital and immediately available at all times, 24 • A close relative with dyslexia hours a day, seven days of the week, everyday of the year.

“Staffing Willow Creek with hospitalists, hospitalbased OB/GYN physicians, serves to enhance patient safety and improve the coordination and efficiency of care,” explains Sharif Omar, Chief Executive Officer of Northwest Health. “It also provides peace of mind for our patients, since a doctor is available at a moment’s notice to step in and provide care.”

Research-based, Dyslexia multi-sensory affects 1 in 5 approach

individuals These dedicatedand OB/GYN physicians at Willow Creek provide a number of services, including: is genetic.

• Care in times of emergency prior to the

that is difficult to read) • Letter or number reversals continuing past the 1st grade • Slow, choppy inaccurate reading • Guesses based on shape or context • Skips or misreads prepositions (at, to, of) & ignores suffixes • Can’t sound out unknown words • Terrible spelling • Often can’t remember sight words or homonyms • Difficulty telling time on a clock with hands • Trouble with math • Memorizing multiplication tables • Memorizing a sequence of steps • Directionality • When speaking, difficulty finding the correct word • Lots of “whatchamacallits” & “thingies” • Common sayings often come out twisted • Extremely messy bedroom, backpack, & desk • Dreads going to school • Extremely poor written expression: large discrepancy between verbal skills and written skills

arrival of a patient’s own physician • Supporting the care of high-risk pregnancy patients • Fayetteville • don’t 479-521-6500 • www.gideonreading.info • 98 E. Sunbridge Delivering babies for patients who

L O O H C S O T BACK

organizing the adhd

By Dr. Jennifer Lawson, Educational and Disabilities Support Consultant

A

s an experienced educator in teaching, administration, consulting and academic support coaching, I have experienced a variety of scenarios from the simple act of opening the backpack of the ADHD student: The ‘Paper Avalanche Fall-Out” The “Bottom-of-the-Backpack Mashed Potato Effect’ And the all-too-common: “It’s Empty, Please Don’t Panic” It’s a fact: One of the ‘Executive Function Skills’ that is frequently noted as deficient among ADHD students and commonly experienced by families is ‘Inability to Organize.” Luckily, as long as a high degree of organization is not being required of the student, this challenge can be managed to an acceptable degree – at least during the summer.

However, when upward grade movement and college readiness appear on the horizon, we want to address organizational strategies that will contribute to school and life success.

The reality is that, in school, college, and in life, being organized is significantly important. That being said, the more and earlier we can practice strong habits, the higher the likelihood these practices will repeat themselves in the future.

I work weekly one-on-one with junior high, high school and college students, encouraging them and teaching them strategies that strengthen learning and test-taking, organization, and time management. With support and perseverance, the task of organizing becomes an effective experience for the ADHD student, and will prove to be a lifetime asset.

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Life is busy. Schedules are full.

Although at times the ADHD student doesn’t perceive the importance of being organized, he or she WANTS help organizing. Together, we can set the stage for a strong school start by considering the following organizational strategies:

printed calendars Post a visual calendar for all to see. Write on it and post a monthly and weekly calendar on the refrigerator for each student. Post and update the weekly calendar each Sunday night. And, together, clean out and organize backpack each Sunday night before the new week begins.

routines Establish the study hour routine for each evening Monday-Thursday. Yes, ‘things” will Remember… the neurological process that lets us organize, prioritize and analyze is called ‘executive function.’ Individuals with attention deficit disorder (ADHD) have impaired executive function skills due to abnormal levels of neurotransmitters in the frontal lobe of the brain. As caretakers and encouragers, we are there to model positive practices, encourage the heart, and continue to work with our student on new and repeated skills that will ‘pay forward’ in benefits.

student

get in the way. However, the more this can be implemented, the higher the likelihood that studying will become a healthy habit and an expectation. A great response to “I don’t have any homework” might be, “Okay, just re-read your notes from history today,” or whatever the low-scoring subject happens to be. The habit we want to create is the ‘norm’ that, each night, Monday Thursday, we study and review at home.

Strengthening study strategies during precollege equals stronger students in college.

textbook and supplies Create a home set and a school set.

This gives less chance of ‘forgetfulness’ (an executive skill challenge) and helps conserve the child’s mental energy for the most important task: LEARNING. Consider purchasing strong plastic pocket folders, one color per subject/course labeled for organizing handouts. Keep a hole punch at home.

Your support and perseverance help make the task of organizing an effective experience for the ADHD student, one that will prove to be a lifetime asset.

LAWSON-Coaching.com offers a variety of services in supporting and customizing growth in student strength. Among those are weekly school improvement coaching, partnering with parents in considerations for the IEP and 504 Accommodation Plans, and private content tutorial services. Call the Center for Psychology & Counseling for further information: 479-444-1400.

Dad’s View

Skip a Grade or Two by ben lacy

E

ver have one of those insanely super smart kids in your class? You know; the one that always wrecked the curve and caused your parents to continuously ask why you couldn’t be more like the little Einstein?

I did.

Brady Prauser. Smartest person I’ve ever encountered; likely the orneriest too. Ol’ Brady would get bored in class and quickly institute rebellion. You see, the curriculum wasn’t enough for him, so he would develop other “methods” to pass the time; usually methods not exactly kosher with the faculty. For that reason, he spent exactly ten days in first grade. Either dear old Mrs. Collins couldn’t handle him so she passed him off, or the principal decided he was educationally prepared for the next grade. Either way, Brady was heading on to the second grade after two quick, but very eventful, weeks in first grade.

Now, the Lacy kids are intelligent (mad props to their mother), but not at Brady’s level. Brady has parlayed his educational prowess into a nice life in New Orleans which, from his Facebook posts, involves making huge sums of money via some highly technical legal avenue while fishing ten hours a day in cargo shorts and a PBR t-shirt. Not

58 August 2016

bad work if you can get it.

But, anyway, enough about Brady.

This article is about skipping a grade, or two. But not like Brady. It’s about skipping a year, or grade or two of activities and development based on birth order. Let me explain.

Lacy Kid #1 is female. I don’t understand females, so we’ll move on.

Lacy Kid #2 is male. He is the first born son. The one to inherit the kingdom (sorry kid, better get a good education – my castle is more like a tent).

Lacy Kid #3 is also male, and the focus of this article. He’s the youngest and, as one of my obnoxious relatives calls him, the “spare” (Get it?

The first son is the heir, the second is the spare.

Dude, that ain’t right!).

Child #3 is four years younger than Child #2, but missed several years of kid stuff in his hurry to be just like his big brother. While athletically and intellectually the jump has served him well – since he was always around bigger, faster and smarter children – it also is a bit sad. The little guy didn’t exactly go from the bottle to the battleground, but it was close.

Very seldom did he play with what you would

As I’ve said before, every kid is different and every situation is different.

All are challenging and chaotic while also being amazing and awesome. consider “baby toys.”

You know, like those rad little stackable rings you can chomp on and cool stuff like that. Instead, he “upgraded” to whatever his older brother was doing.

He skipped the neverending-bubble-blowing phase and the build-likecrazy-and-sometimestaste-the-Play-Doh phase and went straight to those irritatingly intricate Lego sets and the Xbox.

As parents, it’s difficult to watch this take place.

On one hand, you want your child to experience and enjoy every stage of development, because you only get to do it once. But, it is also exciting to see them learn and grow from their siblings at an accelerated pace. And yes, athletics make it even more exciting for parents. After coaching nearly twenty youth teams, I can walk into a gym and tell you which kids have older siblings without ever speaking to them. It’s obvious.

They are faster, stronger, more aggressive, more competitive and have a greater grasp of the game than those without older brothers or sisters. Trial by fire; they are battle tested.

So what do you do? What can you do? Sit back and enjoy the show! As I’ve said before, every kid is different and every situation is different. All are challenging and chaotic while also being amazing and awesome. However, like everything in life, there are plus-es and minuses….like the impact on Mom; especially since the youngest usually moves through childhood at a faster pace. Fellas, once the last child moves out of the whole baby/ toddler phase, a sadness sets in and there is a motherly yearning to experience it all over again (and again, and again). You’ve been warned.

Shedding a Light on Torticollis An interview with Danielle Cunningham, PT, DPT, CCCE What is torticollis?

Congenital Muscular Torticollis (CMT) becomes evident shortly after birth. A key muscle in the baby’s neck is tighter on one side of the neck than the other side. This causes restriction of movement of the baby’s head.

CMT can be caused by many different factors, including the baby’s position in utero, injury during delivery and/or underlying musculoskeletal pathology. The exact cause is often unknown.

What might cause a parent to suspect torticollis in their infant?

Parents can carefully observe their baby’s preferred head position. Does the baby’s head seem to regularly tilt to one side, with an ear being closer to one shoulder as compared to the opposite shoulder? Parents can also observe their child’s movement. Does the baby tend to prefer to rotate their head and look to one side consistently rather than looking to both sides equally? Finally, parents can observe their baby’s head shape.

Does the back of the baby’s head appear to be flat? Do the baby’s facial features appear to be asymmetrical?

The Cunningham Twins (compliments of Sarah Pope Photography)

Can torticollis resolve on its own without treatment?

If left untreated, torticollis is likely to worsen and may lead to further complications. The child may develop a strong preference to use and move to one side of the body more than the other.

This can result in scoliosis, difficulty with balance, and possibly a negative effect on the visual field. Significant flattening on one side of the head or face (plagiocephaly) could result in the need to use a cranial shaping helmet for correction.

When a baby is unable to freely turn her head to see, hear and interact with her surroundings, then her cognitive development may also be delayed.

What is the optimal time to offer treatment?

The earlier the better! Referral to the pediatrician and physical therapist when the very first concern arises is crucial.

The Pediatric Section of the American Physical Therapy Association has shared some remarkable numbers related

to the effectiveness of early intervention. For example, they have noted that if treatment is started before 1 month of age, 98 percent of babies achieve near-normal range within 1.5 months, but waiting until after 1 month of age prolongs intervention to about 6 months. Waiting until after 6 months can require 9 to 10 months of intervention, with progressively fewer infants achieving a near normal range of motion.

How can therapy help?

Physical therapists provide parents and caregivers with training and education regarding immediate implementation of correct positioning at home and improper use of baby equipment that may actually be worsening the symptoms. Therapists develop daily exercise and stretching programs specifically for the child’s level of impairment.

After Danielle Cunningham completed her bachelor’s of science at Texas Woman’s University, she went on to receive her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from UCA in 2008. She pursued post-graduate work in rehab with neurologically impaired patients before joining the Children’s Therapy TEAM family in 2009. Danielle serves as Coordinator of Clinical Education in Physical Therapy at Children’s Therapy TEAM. In 2011, Danielle served internationally with TEAMworks Therapists in Ukraine. She continues to be an active supporter of TEAMworks outreach. Danielle and her husband live in Rogersand have three young children. Danielle gave birth to twins in 2015, so she and her husband fondly call their home-life busy.

NWA’s

ONLY Faith-Based Program Coordinator for Pediatric Therapy Warm-Water Pediatric Therapy Pools Constraint Induced Movement Therapy Comprehensive Family Support TEAM Exclusive Pediatric Aquatic Center VitalStim Therapy TEAM Clinic-Based Licensed Orthotic Provider Augmentative & Alternative Communication Evaluations Clinic-Sponsored Financial Hardship Program Heroes for Kids Recreation Equipment Program Nationally Board Certified Pediatric Specialist (PT) TEAMworks Nonprofit Global Outreach

An inspiring choice for your child!

Call us at 521-TEAM or visit us at www.ChildrensTherapyTEAM.com

Life Equipping Young People Way with a Biblical Worldview Christian School

School tour

by: Dr. Luke Bowers

6,570 days! That is how many days we have with our child from the day they are born until they turn 18. That is how much time we have, as parents, to prepare our children for life and eternity. For me, I know there are times that 6,000 plus days seem like an eternity. However, the closer I get to those days coming to an end, the more I realize just how intentional I need to be with them, and just how important it is for my wife and me to influence our kids in a way that leads them to know and serve God. As I think about how best to prepare my two kids for life, I think through the many influences they have in their lives, from birth to graduation. I realize that where they spend their days in school is one of the greatest decisions I will make for my children. Education is discipleship; it is a molding of a person through the instilling of knowledge that will impact our children’s thoughts and actions. That is why Christian education is so important to my wife and me, and many others with whom we come in contact. We realize that in order for our children to be prepared for the world they are entering, they must have an educational system that is built on the truth of God’s Word.

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I am blessed to be the administrator of Life Way Christian School, where the discipleship of the next generation is our top priority. It is our mission to do the following:

1

Partner with Christian Families Life Way desires to lock arms with Christian parents who share the same biblical philosophy of education and desire to see their children “brought up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Life Way wants to partner with parents who love the Lord and desire to see their children grow in Him and grow in an understanding of the world He has created.

2

Equip Students with a Biblical Worldview Life Way desires to instill in each student a biblical worldview that allows them to see the world we live in through the lens of God’s Word. We desire to see each student know God and His Word and be able to “take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ.”

3

See Students Engage the Culture At Life Way, we realize that God did not create us to know Him and then sit on the sidelines. We believe that He created us to lead in the world He has created. Therefore, it is our desire to see every student live Christ-honoring lives in whatever field God equips them to serve. It is with this goal in mind that we challenge and prepare each student to the glory of God.

4

Exalt the Name of Christ Finally, Life Way desires to see each student reflect the beauty and glory of God. No matter what career God calls Life Way students to, it is our prayer that each student finds their hope and joy in Jesus and that they will live in such a way that highlights the saving power and work of God in their lives.

Life Way was founded in 2000 and is a ministry of First Baptist Church in Centerton. There are approximately 575 students in preschool through 12th grades. If you are interested in partnering with Life Way for the education of your child, please feel free to check us out at www.lwcsar.com or call 479-795-9322.

www.lwcsar.com

The new school continuing to grow

School tour

The New School, a co-educational independent school, has offered excellence in education in Northwest Arkansas since 1971.

Situated on a 26-acre wooded campus in Fayetteville, the school continues to grow to provide the best education to young people in Northwest Arkansas. This past fall, TheBestSchools.org (TBS) awarded The New School first ranking on the prestigious 50 Best Private Elementary Schools national list. The school was named the top school for its academic excellence, extracurricular richness, geographical and demographical diversity and reputation. The New School was also awarded The Very Best Middle School for 2015 from Celebrate Magazine through community voting.

The commitment of the two lead gifts provided the springboard to start Phase I of the New School Forever campaign.

The school is breaking ground this fall on three new buildings which support the school’s college prep, STEAM-based, whole child approach to education.

Chapman said the school is committed to a small student-to-teacher ratio and a surge in enrollment necessitates campus expansion to accommodate this.

“We think overall a small student-toteacher ratio is important to the growth of our students at every grade level, in every subject, ” Chapman said. “This is why we’re so excited about our campus expansion. It allows us to deliver this dynamic learning environment to even more students in Northwest Arkansas.”

“We are honored to be recognized both regionally and nationally,” said Dennis Chapman, President and Head of The New School. “To be in the company of such fine independent schools is a validation of the good work our faculty is doing each day The first building is a three-story, for our students.”

36,000-square foot academic center, The latest development, announced to featuring science labs and collaborative the public in January, is that the school spaces. Fifth and sixth graders will be is adding an upper school, grades 9-12, housed on the first floor, seventh and beginning with ninth grade this August eighth graders on the second, and ninth through twelfth on the third floor.

2016 and adding a grade each year.

Lead gifts from the J.B. Hunt family and Todd and Shelley Simmons will enable the school to begin Phase I of the Campus Master Plan. The J.B Hunt family has pledged $10 million and Todd and Shelley Simmons have pledged $3 million. These donations represent their single largest philanthropic gifts to any organization.

The second facility is a 9,000-square foot innovation center, which will feature the school’s tinkering studio, with spaces for robotics, wood shop and a cybercafe common space for the students.

The third building is an 18,000-square foot gymnasium featuring a full-court gym and mezzanine level with strength “Both families support the mission and and conditioning opportunities for philosophy of the school and understand student athletes. how this benefits children in Northwest “As we continue to grow with the Arkansas,” said Chapman. addition of high school students, our new facilities can accommodate more, which is important for social 66 August 2016

and athletic reasons,” said Chapman. Beyond new facilities, the school has also made a commitment to providing financial aid and scholarships to students through an increase in financial aid offerings and with the new Whitaker Family Scholarship Program. Made possible by the generosity of the Don and Pauline Whitaker family, the scholarship fund will provide the school the ability to award four $5,000 scholarships to new incoming 9th grade students, renewed annually and totaling $20,000 per student over his or her upper school career.

“We really see the need in Northwest Arkansas, and we are providing families with an incredible option. There are so many students who want to be challenged academically, compete athletically and also pursue creative interests and hobbies such as theatre, dance or painting. The New School’s addition of a high school gives students the chance to discover and pursue all their passions, which is important not only for college, but for life,” Chapman said. “I think families are seeking this for their children and we’ll undoubtedly see continued growth throughout the school.”

www.thenewschool.org

Shiloh Christian School School tour

by: Alicia Brown

W

ith campuses located in the heart of both Washington and Benton Counties, Shiloh Christian Schools deliver academic excellence that inspires young Christians for a lifetime of engaging and changing the culture.

Our two modern, technology-rich campuses house over 1,000 students, ranging in age from preschool through high school. Our exceptional faculty inspires these children to discover and view the culture through a Christ-centered and Biblical worldview.

The vision for education at Shiloh Christian Schools draws deeply from our beliefs that all truth is God’s Truth. Our faculty members lead and operate with a firm belief that Christian education is the process of teaching and learning conducted by born-again Christian teachers in an environment where God and His Word are the highest authority. To that end, all Shiloh students, including our pre-school and pre-kindergarten students, have Christian Studies/Bible class built into their weekly course work.

Our pre-school and elementary schools are vibrant, creative and joyful places for your

68 August 2016

children to develop and grow. In everything we do, from elementary language lessons to creative art projects, our staff looks for unique ways to integrate God’s truth into the lives and education of our students.

“God’s word is applicable to every part of our lives – even technology!” said Pamela Vaughn, Elementary Computers teacher. “By integrating the Bible into the technology classroom, I can show my students that the Bible does not have to be reserved for just Church – it is relevant for every part of our lives and its principles can help us with everyday decisionmaking.”

The spiritual health of your children is just as important as their academic wellbeing.

Give Shiloh the opportunity to assist you in the task of nurturing your child spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, and socially. Our faculty is eager to develop godly leaders who engage their culture and change it.

At ShilohSaints.org, you can sign up for a campus tour and explore how easily you can afford to give your children an elite, Christian education to prepare them for life, leadership, and Kingdom service.

www.shilohsaints.org

www.siloamwomenscenter.com

Kyle Thompson, DO, FACOG

Chad Hill, MD, FACOG

Natalie Eiland, DO

Siloam Springs Women’s Center Board Certified OB - GYN Specialists Serving Siloam Springs Regional Hospital

Focusing On: • Comprehensive OB Care & Delivery • Gynecological and Laparoscopic Surgery • Female Incontinence • Pelvic Pain • Pelvic Reconstruction • Minimally Invasive Outpatient Hysterectomy • In-Office Surgical Sterilization

Now Accepting New Patients Mary Williams, Nurse Practitioner Commercial Insurance • Medicare • Oklahoma, Arkansas & Missouri Medicaid

603-2 N. Progress Avenue, Suite 100, Siloam Springs 479.524.9312 Hours: Monday - Friday 8am to 5pm

At a

Glance ARTS and MUSIC Crystal Bridges (Pg. 15) (479) 418-5700 crystalbridges.org Trike Theatre (Pg. 27) (479) 464-5084 triketheatre.org

BANKS First Security (Pg. 41) www.fsbank.com; www.onlyinark.com

CHILDCARE/NANNY SERVICES ABC Happy Kids Learning Academy (Pg. 47) (479) 202-5691 abchappykids.com Better Beginnings (Pg. 70) (800) 445-3316 arbetterbeginnings.com Casa Castillo (Pg. 57) (479) 640-4925 casacastillo.net Mary’s Little Lambs Preschool (Pg. 45) (479) 273-1011

DENTIST Dr.Nick, D.D. S. (Pg. 53) drnickdds.com My Village Ped Dentistry and Orthodontics myvillagesmiles.com (Pg. 65) Pediatric Dental Associates and Orthodontics (479) 582-0600 (Pg. 43) Smile Shoppe Pediatric Dentistry (Pg. 12) (479) 631-6377 Rogers

DERMATOLOGY / SKIN CARE Advanced Dermatology / Skin Care Center (479) 268-3555 (Pg. 47) NWA Center for Plastic Surgery (Pg. 2) (479) 571-3100 nwacenterforplasticsurgery.com

EDUCATION/TRAINING

Aloha (Pg. 22) alohamindmath.com (479) 426-3419 Gideon (Pg. 55) (479) 521-6500 www.gideonreading.info Lawson Academic Coaching (Pg. 13) lawson-coaching.com

72 August 2016

Lifeway Warriors Christian School (Pg. 30) (479) 795-9322 www.lwcsar.com Mathnasium (Pg. 59) (479) 657-3000 The New School (Pg. 23) thenewschool.org (479) 521-7037 Super Science (Pg. 27) (479) 444-0303 www.super-sci.com Shiloh Christian School (Pg. 60) (479) 756-1140 www.shilohsaints.org Trike Theatre (Pg. 27) (479) 464-5084 www.triketheatre.org

FAMILY FUN / ENTERTAINMENT Crystal Bridges (Pg. 15) (479) 418-5700 Fast Lane Entertainment (Pg. 69) (479) 659-0999 www.fastlanebowl.com Little Gym (Pg.67) (479) 636-5566 Princess Party Palace NWA (Pg. 22) princesspartypalacenwa.com Starlight Skatium (Pg. 45) (479) 444-STAR Super Science (Pg. 27) (479) 444-0303 www.super-sci.com Xtreme Best Jumpz (Pg.64) (479) 466-8481

FITNESS/SPORTS ATA (Pg. 4) Bentonville: (479) 273-1212 Fayetteville: (479) 443-5425

FOOD / DRINK TCBY (Pg. 3) (479) 636-8229 (TCBY)

HAIRCUTS Pigtails and Crewcuts (Pg. 36) (479) 935-4121

HEALTH AND WELLNESS Northwest Primary Care (Pg. 8-9) nw-physicians.com Tate HealthCare (Pg. 44, 73) (479) 271-6511 www.tatehealthcare.com

HOUSE/YARD Natural State Treehouses (Pg. 37) (479) 387-0701

JEWELRY AND GIFTS Belle Boutique (Pg. 35) (479) 268-3189 David Adams (Pg. 53) davidadams.com (479) 444-7778

To advertise and become a part of the Peekaboo Family email: editor@peekaboonwa.com

Oh Baby Boutique (Pg. 39) (479) 254-2911 www.ohbabynwa.com

LEARNING CENTER ABC Happy Kids Learning Academy (Pg. 47) (479) 621-6126 www.abchappykids.com The Elizabeth Richardson Center (Pg. 33) (479) 443-4420 (Fayetteville)

MARTIAL ARTS ATA (Pg. 4) Bentonville: (479) 273-1212 Fayetteville: (479) 443-5425

OPTOMETRIST Pediatric Vision Development Center (Pg. 49) nwavisiontherapy.com (479) 795-1411

PEDIATRICIAN Bentonville Pediatric Clinic (Pg. 40) (479) 273-5437 Best Start Pediatric Clinic (Pg. 25) (479) 575-9359 Friendship Pediatric Services (Pg. 61) (479) 524-2458 Siloam Springs Living Tree Pediatrics (Pg. 74) (479) 282-2966 NWA Pediatric Clinic (Pg. 5) (479) 443-3471

PHOTOGRAPHY Main Street Studios (Pg. 7) mainstreetstudios.us

PLASTIC SURGEON NWA Center for Plastic Surgery (Pg. 2) (479) 571-3100 www.nwacenterforplasticsurgery.com

PRESCHOOL/ PRE-K ABC Happy Kids Learning Academy (Pg. 47) (479) 621-6126 www.abchappykids.com Friendship Pediatric Services (Pg. 61) Lowell: (479) 770-0744 Siloam Springs: (479) 524-2465 West Fork: (479) 839-3359 Mary’s Little Lambs Preschool (Pg.45) (479) 273-1011 The New School (Pg. 23) thenewschool.org

RELAY SERVICE Arkansas Relay (Pg. 11) arkansasrelay.com

THERAPY ABC Happy Kids Learning Academy (Pg. 47) (479) 621-6126 www.abchappykids.com

Children’s Therapy T.E.A.M (Pg. 63) www.childrenstherapyteam.com The Elizabeth Richardson Center (Pg. 33) (479) 443-4420 (Fayetteville) Friendship Pediatric Services (Pg. 61) Lowell: (479) 770-0744 Siloam Springs: (479) 524-2465 West Fork: (479) 839-3359 Woodland Research Northwest (Pg. 31) woodlandintlresearchgrp.com

WOMEN’S HEALTH Northwest Women’s Health Associates (Pg. 75) (479) 553-2525 Parkhill Clinic for Women (Pg. 19) (479) 521-4433 parkhillclinic.com Siloam Springs Women’s Center (Pg. 71) (479) 524-9312 siloamwomenscenter.com