APRIL 2024
Cover Story
Mental Health and the ALS Community, pg. 14
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Contents Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Kuanita E. Murphy, PhD Rural Leader Magazine, LLC is a digital publication that highlights every day people doing extraordinary things nationally and abroad. www.RuralLeaderMag.com www.GetRuralLeaderMag.com
About Us
7 How one company is making a big difference for kids in need
13 Advancing your skills to stand out in today’s job market
9 Jump start the spring season by getting vaccinated against this potentially serious lung disease
COVER STORY 14 Mental Health and the ALS Community
11 Small business growth made easy with AI
Send editorial ideas to Kuanita Murphy, PhD, Editor-in-Chief editor@ruralleadermag.com Contact Us info@ruralleadermag.com editor@ruralleadermag.com ruralleadermagazine@gmail.com
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Dear Readers, Inside this issue, there are a number of great articles about leadership best practices, building positive self-esteem and productivity! We hope you enjoy this issue. As always, I hope you enjoy this issue and continue to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Thanks again for your continual support! Sincerely, Kuanita E. Murphy, PhD Publisher/Editor-in-Chief
Launched in March 2014, Rural Leader Magazine, LLC is a digital publication with a mission to highlight every day people doing extraordinary things in business, education, music, community, art, sports, and leadership nationally and abroad. Rural Leader Magazine honors exemplary individuals on a variety of levels, such as the 20 under 20 Honors, 40 under 40 Honors, Best Small Town Restaurant, Small Town America’s 100 Most Influential People, the Scholars of Collegiate Distinction, Fifty under Fifty, and the Eagle Elite Club.— Reproduction in any manner, in whole or in part, in English, or other languages, is prohibited without written consent.
Editor’s Note
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How one company is making a big difference for kids in need Running a business of any size is complex. Logistics, finances, employee management and more are always top of mind. But a business is more than just processes and spreadsheets - organizations can also be a positive force in their communities and for people in need. Giving back is a Core Value at ABC Supply Co., Inc., the largest wholesale distributor of roofing and other select exterior and interior building products in North America. That’s why they have recommitted to creating life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses with another $3 million pledge to Make-A-Wish America. Since becoming a national partner in 2020, ABC Supply has helped grant the wishes of more than 400 children nationwide. Helping children with critical illness. Every 20 minutes a child is diagnosed with a critical illness - and every day Make-A-Wish grants more than 15 wishes to these amazing children. This would not be possible without a generous network of donors, partners and volunteers, such as ABC Supply. “Giving back is at the heart of our business and culture,” said Mike Jost, chief operating officer of ABC Supply. “Make-A-Wish is an extraordinary organization, and we’re so happy to continue supporting their mission and efforts to grant wishes and deliver hope to many more deserving children.” ABC Supply shared some of the important efforts the company has made to support Make-A-Wish: Sky Carp Make-A-Wish event. ABC Supply and the Beloit Sky Carp Minor League Baseball in Wisconsin partnered to host a fun and meaningful Make-AWish Night at ABC Supply Stadium in August 2023. With a raffle, prizes and sports memorabilia, there was something to entice everyone. The Sky Carp players even wore special jerseys that were auctioned off following the game. Make-A-Wish kids in attendance were given the star treatment and were guests
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of honor at the event. Eden’s she-shedEden is a 7-year-old sickle cell warrior. While much of her day-to-day routine is filled with doctors’ appointments and medications, she still finds ways to be joyful and creative amidst the chaos. After taking some time to think through what her wish might be, she shared that she wanted a space of her own to craft, read, play chess, cross-stitch and make jewelry with her friends. ABC Supply helped make this girl’s vision come to life with a she-shed space that is as unique and special as she is. Belle’s dragonWish kid Belle is a 14-year-old with bone cancer who has always wanted her own “pet robotic dragon.” Earlier this year, her wish and imagination came to life when she was surprised with her 15-pound pet dragon at a massive 15th-century-style castle. The castle experience took place via virtual reality (VR) and transported Belle to a fantastical place far, far away, where she saw her dragon for the first time. When she removed the VR headset, her pet dragon was there by her side. Blaize’s play structureAt only eight months old, Blaize was diagnosed with infant leukemia. For more than a year and a half, he was in and out of treatment. His cancer reoccurred at 14 months and he had to undergo a risky bone marrow transplant surgery. Blaize’s surgery was successful, and at 18 months old, he was finally able to return to the comfort of home. His family worked closely with MakeA-Wish, and with the help of ABC Supply, created a backyard play space just right for him. Whether volunteering or raising funds for nonprofit organizations such as Make-A-Wish, ABC Supply’s associates are making a difference in communities across the country. To read more inspiring stories and to learn how you or your business can support Make-A-Wish, visit Wish.org.—
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Jump start the spring season by getting vaccinated against this potentially serious lung disease Spring is the season of new beginnings - a time when we can finally get back outside and enjoy nature as we watch the world around us transition out of winter. While there are many activities to enjoy this season, here are a few ideas to get you prepared for the first day of spring: * Go for a bike ride in your neighborhood * Plant a garden * Go bird watching * Enjoy a picnic with friends and family It’s also a great opportunity to check off your health and wellness to-dos, like spring cleaning and talking to your doctor or pharmacist about pneumococcal pneumonia. It’s a potentially serious bacterial lung disease that can disrupt your life for weeks and even put you in the hospital or be life-threatening. This is especially important for certain people at increased risk for pneumococcal pneumonia including those 65 or older or 19 or older with certain underlying medical conditions like: * Asthma * Diabetes * COPD * Chronic heart disease 8
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If you fall into any of these at-risk groups, vaccination is one of the best ways to help protect yourself from getting pneumococcal pneumonia. Pneumococcal pneumonia can strike at any time, in any season. There’s a misconception that you can only get pneumococcal pneumonia in the winter or during flu season, but you can get it any time of year. Vaccination is available all year round, so now is a great time to ask your doctor or pharmacist if vaccination is right for you. Even if you’ve already been vaccinated against pneumococcal pneumonia previously, your healthcare provider may recommend another vaccination for additional protection. Don’t wait for spring to be in full bloom - talk to your doctor or pharmacist today about pneumococcal pneumonia vaccination. Take advantage of all that this season has to offer. You can visit knowpneumonia.com to learn more and assess your risk. Brought to you by Pfizer.—
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Small business growth made easy with AI
If your small business doesn’t have an online presence, you’re getting in the way of your own success. According to a new survey by small business services platform GoDaddy, 89% of consumers say it is important for a small business to have a website, yet nearly a quarter of small businesses (24%) don’t. Maybe you’ve considered building a website or creating social media accounts for your small business, but lack the time or experience to do so. It’s not surprising. Venture Forward, a small business research initiative, surveyed 6,000 entrepreneurs in the U.S. and U.K. and found that 42% of them cite difficulty marketing their businesses as a top challenge. Artificial intelligence, however, is changing the game for small businesses. Emerging generative AI tools can instantly and inexpensively provide customized help to small businesses. GoDaddy survey respondents indicated they believe AI can save them more than $4,000 and 300 hours of work per year. Here’s how generative AI can help you create, build and grow your business’s online presence, even with limited tech skills and tight time constraints. 1. Create your brand. Whether starting a business from scratch or taking your brick-and-mortar business online, you’ll need some help creating your digital identity. For example, you may have a business name but no clue how to turn that into a memorable domain name. AI can help you get started on that journey instantly. Even if you only have an inkling of an idea, a solution like GoDaddy Airoâ„¢ can recommend catchy domain names with just a quick description of your business. This may seem like a small step, but once you have a domain that resonates with your vision, 10
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all you have to do is register it, and your small business has officially gone digital. 2. Build your online presence. Now that you’re online, it’s time to build your business’s presence. Plenty of platforms offer to do the heavy lifting when it comes to building a website. However, you’ll still need to design graphics and draft content to populate your site, taking more time away from running your business. Plus, that work doesn’t come naturally to everyone. Instead of contracting with someone to develop your website, AI can be your web creator. AI solutions go as far as generating a fully built website with imagery and content to help you engage current and potential customers. From creating logos to professional email accounts to auto-generated product descriptions, there’s a lot you can do with AI - even register your business as an LLC. 3. Grow your customer base. Once you’ve established your website, it’s time to turn your attention to growing your business by capturing new customers. In the modern world, that means expanding the places your business shows up online. This is not a one-and-done task. It takes continuous - weekly if not daily - attention. Instead of taking on these tasks yourself, use AI to build email campaigns, a social media calendar and low-cost ads to draw traffic to your website. These simple activities are essential to the longevity of your business. Are you ready to let AI work for you? GoDaddy Airoâ„¢ makes leveraging the power of AI easy for anyone wanting to start a business or take their existing one to the next level. Visit GoDaddy.com/ai to see everything generative AI can do for you.— GetRuralLeaderMag.com | APRIL 2024 11
Advancing your skills to stand out in today’s job market
COMMUNITY VISION BOARD PARTY
APRIL 13TH, 2024 • 3-5PM
RANDOLPH COUNTY LIBRARY SUPPLIES AND LUNCH PROVIDED! 12
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By Andréa Backman, President of Strayer University You’ve probably heard a lot about “the skills gap”the disparity between the skills an employer expects their employees to have and an employee’s actual skills-and perhaps you even feel that you lack certain skills to advance in your own career. The skills in demand by the workforce continue to evolve rapidly. The 2023 LinkedIn Workplace Learning report indicates the skillsets for jobs are likely only going to continue increasing. Specifically, the report claimed skill sets for jobs have already changed by around 25% since 2015. By 2027, this number is expected to double. The question is, how can working adults continue to acquire the skills they need to support their career goals? Returning to the classroom can be an intimidating proposition. Between work, family and other obligations, going back to school may present many challenges to working adults. Fortunately, there are several ways you can make today’s technology, your life experience, your job and flexible educational opportunities work for you. If you are thinking about furthering your education and skills to help advance in your career, here are some questions to consider: What is your goal? Decide what type of education will help you achieve your goal: Do you need a specific program? Would a certificate suffice? Would a certain credential further your career? What type of
program is most achievable, and where will you get the most support? What type of program is best for working adults? If you plan to work full time while earning a degree or credential, look for an online or hybrid program with flexibility that offers support for working adults. Ask your employer for the time and flexibility you need to complete an education program. Are you eligible for credit for prior learning (CPL)? If you have prior work or learning experience, research whether you are eligible for credit for prior learning. This could help give you a head start and make it quicker to get to the finish line. Will your employer support you? Many employers offer tuition assistance programs. Consider talking to your employer about what may be available to you and how furthering your education may help you advance in the organization. Amid a rising expectation of skill levels for employees, it can be important to seek out continuing education opportunities-both inside and outside of a traditional classroom. Take advantage of flexible and affordable options to achieve your education goals. Utilizing some of the unique approaches listed above, such as online or hybrid learning, CPL, and tuition assistance programs, can make advancing your skills less intimidating and more attainable. For more tips to thrive in an ever-changing jobs market, check out the Hire-Ed podcast.— GetRuralLeaderMag.com | APRIL 2024 13
COVER STORY
Mental Health and the ALS Community
Sponsored by Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America, Inc. (MTPA)
Each year, an estimated 5,000-6,000 Americans are diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) - also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease - a neurodegenerative disease that leads to muscle weakness, eventual loss of function, and currently has no cure. [1],[2] When a person is diagnosed with ALS, the individual, their caregivers and loved ones embark on a life-changing journey. The emotional, physical and social impacts can vary for each person. It is important to be aware of possible behavioral and mental health changes among people living with ALS (pALS) and caregivers of a person living with ALS (cALS). There are several resources and support systems provided by the ALS community. Signs of Depression. Changes in a person’s health and well-being may contribute to a shift in their mental health, potentially resulting in depression.[3] Routines and former abilities may change as pALS and cALS adjust to life with ALS, so recognizing mental health symptoms is important in ALS care.[4] Symptoms of depression may include:[3] * Persistent sad or “empty” mood * Feeling hopeless or irritable * Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities * Decreased energy Support for pALS and cALS. There are many coping strategies and support systems within the ALS community that aim to help those who are struggling. Here are some tips for how to support yourself or a loved one: * Implement healthy habits - Taking control of your daily habits may help manage stress. Healthy habits include self-care, daily exercise, getting enough sleep, maintaining a balanced diet and socialization. [5],[6],[7] * Know when to seek help - If you or a loved one are experiencing destressing symptoms, open communication with someone you trust and/or your doctor or counselor to help you get the care you need.[8] * Attend support groups - There are various types of support groups, in-person or virtual, ranging in age and disease area and can be specific for patients and/ or caregivers. These groups can help you connect with others who are experiencing similar day-to-day challenges and provide the opportunity to speak with others about your own experiences. * Stay connected - Remaining socially connected may improve well-being.[7],[9] Reaching out to family and friends may provide emotional support and
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practical help.[5] Share Your Own Story and Hear from Others. As a person with ALS or a caregiver, sharing your story may help build a sense of community with others experiencing a similar journey as you. MTPA’s Share Your Story program allows pALS and cALS to share real-life experiences. Through video and written stories people impacted by ALS share their experiences, insights and messages of hope. To view these inspirational individuals, visit ShareYourALSStory.com/ HearfromOthers. This content is sponsored by Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America, Inc. (MTPA) and is intended for U.S. audiences only. The information provided here is general in nature and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. You are strongly encouraged to seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions regarding a medical condition. [1] National Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Registry - FAQs. (2022, September). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved February 22, 2024, from https://www.cdc.gov/als/ALSFAQ.html [2] Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Fact Sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, June 2013, https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Amyotrophic-Lateral-Sclerosis-ALS-Fact-Sheet. Accessed July 2022. [3] Chronic Illness and Mental Health: Recognizing and Treating depression. (n.d.). National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). https://www.nimh.nih.gov/ health/publications/chronic-illness-mental-health [4] Miller RG, Jackson CE, Kasarskis EJ, England JD, Forshew D, Johnston W, Kalra S, Katz JS, Mitsumoto H, Rosenfeld J, Shoesmith C, Strong MJ, Woolley SC; Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology. Practice parameter update: the care of the patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: multidisciplinary care, symptom management, and cognitive/behavioral impairment (an evidence-based review): report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology. Neurology. 2009 Oct 13;73(15):1227-33. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0b013e3181bc01a4. PMID: 19822873; PMCID: PMC2764728. [5] Caring for your mental health. (n.d.). National GetRuralLeaderMag.com | APRIL 2024 15
Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). https://www. nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/caring-for-your-mentalhealth [6] Harandi TF, Taghinasab MM, Nayeri TD. The correlation of social support with mental health: A meta-analysis. Electron Physician. 2017 Sep 25;9(9):5212-5222. doi: 10.19082/5212. PMID: 29038699; PMCID: PMC5633215. [7] How Does Social Connectedness Affect Health? (n.d.). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/emotional-wellbeing/ social-connectedness/affect-health.htm#:~:text=When%20people%20are%20socially%20 connected%20and%20have%20stable,cope%20
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with%20hard%20times%2C%20stress%2C%20anxiety%2C%20and%20depression. [8] Generalized anxiety disorder: when worry gets out of control. (n.d.). National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/ publications/generalized-anxiety-disorder-gad [9] Holt-Lunstad J. Social connection as a public health issue: the evidence and a systemic framework for prioritizing the “social” in social determinants of health. Annu Rev Public Health. 2022;43:193-213.
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