Dan River Emerge Winter 2013 by Andrew Brooks Media Group

Four

Years

Emerge! P U BLI S H ER An dr ew S c o t t B ro o k s s c o t t @ e me r ge va.c o m

Publisher’s Note A Glorious Life Worth Living

It’s not easy writing words that many people will read,

knowing they will be judged for what they don’t mean. People hate for what it is and people hate for what it ain’t. But it’s hard to walk a line when the line ain’t straight. It’s a jagged edge between motivation and devastation. I’ve walked it. I’ve lived it. Judged them for their dishonesty and then forgived it. Maybe it’s forgave, maybe it’s forgiven. But I’m gonna live a glorious life worth living. I look in your eyes and I see who you are. Staring back at me, matter-of-factly, lost in the stars. Can’t nobody tell you where you’re going when you can’t even say where you’ve been. Bow your head while Grandma says grace again. There’s no system to get you wealthy. There’s no magic pill to get you healthy. It’s all about the baby steps. It’s all about the friends we help. It’s all about the love we’re giving. It’s all about a glorious life worth living. So here I go, finding my way. Happy that I made it just another day. I put my trust in others who have no faith in me. I rise with the sun ‘cause I have a destiny. Whether it’s real or in my head, sleeping on the streets or in a king-size bed, my dreams keep me alive when the world wants me dead. I raise my hands to the sky when there’s nothing left to be said. And still I breathe. And still I grieve. For all those souls who don’t believe. This one life we’re giving is a glorious life worth living.

Andrew Scott Brooks PU BLISHER

Local thoughts on the reelection of President Barack Obama “An outstanding journey of American exceptionalism, exemplifying the idea that the U.S. has matured and evolved into a more inclusive nation.” David L. Wilson, Jr.

S A LES s ale s @ e me r ge va.c o m 877.638.8685 MEET TH E WR I TER S - W I NT E R 2013 Kat r in a B o s t o n , E lain e C a m p b e l l , M o ri a h Dav is, Ro bin Hair s t o n , B ri a n H e nd e rso n, W ilade n e Ke e n , L aS h e e ra L e e, S e l e na L ips c o mb, S h e r man S a und e rs, Pa ul a S m i t h, Kar e n To t t e n W h it e, Joyc e W i l b ur n, Jo rd a n W ils o n ED I TI N G & P RO O F R E AD I NG Trac y Jac o bs P H OTO G R A P H ER S M ic h e lle Dalt o n P h o t o g ra p hy, S t e p ha ni e He n de r s o n AC C O U N TI N G Cin dy As t in c in dy @ e me r ge va.c o m emer g e\ i h - mu r g \ verb 1 . t o c o me fo r t h i n t o vi ew 2 . t o c o me u p o r ar i s e 3 . t o c o me i n t o ex i st e nc e E dit o r ial Po lic ie s : Da n R i ver Em erg e! i s a qu ar t e r ly magaz in e co ve ri ng a l l a sp e c t s o f lif e in t h e Dan R ive r re g i o n a s se e n f ro m an Af r ic an - Ame ri c a n p e rsp e c t i ve. We pr in t an d dis t r ibu t e f r e e o f c ha rge, d ue e n t ir e ly t o t h e bac k ing o f o ur a d ve r t i se rs. W it h in o u r page s app e a r vi ew s fro m a c ro ss t h e s o c ial s pe c t r u m. A l t ho ug h t he vi ew s ex pr e s s e d may n o t n e c e ssa ri l y re fl e c t t he v iews o f t h e pu blis h e r, e d i t o r, o r st a ff, we all s u ppo r t t h e f r e e d o m o f ex p re ssi o n. Iro n ic ally, we r e s e r ve t he ri g ht t o a c c e p t , r e je c t , an d e dit all s u b m i ssi o ns a nd adve r t is e me n t s. Da n R ive r E m e rge ! M a g a zi n e 753 M ain S t r e e t # 3 Dan v ille, Vir gin ia 245 4 1 877.638.8685 www.e me r ge va.c o m © 2013 - An dr ew B ro o ks M e d i a G ro up - All R igh t s Re s e r ve d Re pro du c t io n s o r u s e i n w ho l e o r i n p a r t i n any me diu m wit h o u t w ri t t e n p e r m i ssi o n o f t h e pu blis h e r is s t r ic t l y p ro hi b i t e d . We e n c o u rage yo u t o ex p re ss yo urse l f. P le as e e mail t o s u bmi ssi o ns@ e m e rge va . c o m wit h s t o r y ide as, po e t ry, fi c t i o n, a nd a ny t y pe o f c o n t e n t yo u m ay fe e l l e d t o sha re. T h is is a labo r o f lo ve. Fo r t he W i nt e r E dit io n , t h e de adlin e fo r sub m i ssi o ns i s M ar c h 15t h . T h e adve r t i si ng d e a d l i ne i s Apr il 15t h .

“Breaking barriers, by not only inspiring but by leading with logic and compassion, moving FORWARD.” Bryant Hood “A lot of people are proud of his accomplishments but you can’t live off the accomplishments of others.You’ve got to set goals and accomplish things yourself.” Marcus Luck “While working as coordinator for the campaign, I saw that the Republicans would make sure he would be a one-term President, but I’m so proud that my state, and my hometown went blue and now blue is my favorite color.” “Aruba” Tommy Bennett “I believe President Obama wants to see our country prosper and move forward as a country truly “united.” I see his re-election as confirmation that the majority of the country shares his vision.” Tonya Fullerwinder

President Barack Obama has been reelected to lead the United States for another four-year term.

Emerge! | winter 2013 | emergeva.com

What’s INSIDE

features

7 23 YOU ARE NOT ALONE

FAMILIES: LOVE STORIES

Winter 2013 ! e g r e m E

OVERCOMING RACIAL BOUNDARIES

You Are Not Alone

Steps for Getting Out of an Abusive Relationship

Giving Back to the Community

Our Trip to the White House

It’s Mostly Relative

I Shall Live and Not Die

Fredia Martin: Her Spirit Carries Her

My Journey: From Flab to Fab in Four Months

From My Library to Yours: Book Reviews

Book Clubbing: A Book Review

Mayor’s Corner: Living a Happy Life

Families: Love Stories

Quips, Quotes, and Inspirations for Life

Love Your Heart

Changing Exercise Habits

Coming to America

Financial Tips for Women Selenadipitous

Thank You to our Advertisers!

From the Heart Christian Center - 32 Gabriel Church Services - 13 Negril - 25 Piedmont Credit Union - 18 URW Community Federal Credit Union - 36 Woods Rogers Attorneys at Law - 5 Yates Home Sales - 18

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COMING TO

Barkhouser Ford - 11 BEST Coalition - 11 Chaney’s Service Center - 32 Danville Regional Foundation - 17 & 32 Danville Regional Medical Center - 2 Danville Toyota Scion - 35 Dr. Donna F. Helton, DDS - 13

34 AMERICA

mother is washing the dishes after she and her children finish dinner one evening. Five-yearold Jessica is helping put away the clean dishes while her three-year-old brother Toby plays with a stuffed dinosaur. Dad isn’t home yet. It’s like this every night. He always says “work ran late” through alcohol-saturated breath as he stumbles through the living room into the kitchen. He finally arrives, but something is different tonight. Something about his temper— something about the look in his eyes. He is angry. He is furious and no one knows why.

Living Beyond Domestic Abuse Emerge! | winter 2013 | emergeva.com

Among slurred words and garbled profanities, the occassional coherent phrase slips through: “your fault,” “your children,” “your mistakes,” “you’re mine.” The crazed husband grabs a baseball bat and swings at his wife, missing her and hitting Jessica who was standing on a barstool. Similar situations happen every night across the United States. Anger turns to abuse as someone crosses the line in his or her household. But it doesn’t take an extreme situation to create an unhealthy environment. Domestic violence and emotional abuse, as defined by domesticviolence.org, are any behavior that is used to control a partner in a relationship. So, the occasional verbal jab or intimidating

Statistically, black women are abused by romantic partners 35% more than white women and 22% more than other races, as stated on americanbar.org, while black males experience domestic violence at a rate of 62% higher than white males and 22% above the rate of other races. Aggression in the home is more common than we would like to believe, but it is not the answer to stress or conflict. There are a number of ways to resolve disputes among family members including talking or counseling but, when a situation becomes violent, there is only one course of action: get out. It is critical to remove yourself or your loved ones from a situation exposing you or them to danger. Contact and Control 911. Once you are in a safe location, call the police. If you are injured, seek medical attention. If you are unable to leave the house, send a text message or an email to a friend as soon as it is safe to do so. Ask him or her to contact emergency services on your behalf. Keep the

Domestic violence and emotional abuse are any behavior that is used to control a partner in a relationship. look count and are gateways to more aggressive behavior such as preventing a partner from contacting his or her family and friends or from going to school or work. According to futureswithoutviolence.org, women experience 2,000,000 injuries from domestic violence annually.

message short, providing as much vital information as possible like the street address of your location or any landmarks that may be useful in locating you. It is very important to make sure your attacker doesn’t know these messages are being sent. As long as you are in close range of an abusive family member or intimate partner, you are in danger.

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1-800-799-7233. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is available to assist people who are in an unsafe situation. At www. thehotline.org, there are multiple options for obtaining assistance as well as resources to help determine if your situation is abusive. 434-799-5173. Once you are in a safe situation, you may choose to press charges against your attacker. The Danville Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court is available to provide information on how to proceed. Recovery and Moving On 800-842-4546. The Face-toFace program exists to repair the physical damage received by victims of domestic violence. Free reconstructive or plastic surgery is available for injuries to the head, neck, or face. 800-773-4227. If your front teeth have been damaged due to abuse, the Give Back a Smile project will repair them for free. nnedv.org/projects. The Allstate Foundation has provided grants to enable victims of domestic abuse to obtain the educational tools necessary to hold a self-sustaining job. If you or someone you know is in an abusive or violent situation, use these tools. Share them with your friends. You can put an end to violence. You don’t have to be a victim. You will have a future worth living.

Steps for Getting out of an Abusive Relationship by JORDAN WILSON Jordan holds a 2011 bachelor of science degree in clinical/counsel psychology from Averett University and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in licensed professional counseling at Liberty University.

Step One: Accept reality

In order to overcome any situation in one’s life, he or she must first come to terms with the issue at hand. Accepting that there is something unhealthy with the current relationship you are in is the most vital step you can make. It is easy to try and mask the problem, but the abuse will only continue unless you bring it to light.

Step Two: Make a plan

After recognizing the problem, you have to develop a so-called “game plan” for what you have to do next in order to remove yourself from the issue. Make a mental note or a list of things (family members, friends, or even children) that have the possibilities of being caught up in the fire once you decide to depart. You need to have a plan for financial security as well as somewhere to live if you are dependent on your partner.

Step Three: Avoid familiar places

This may sound overly cautious but, if your partner has a violent history and has hit you before, then this step is better safe than sorry. Try and stabilize yourself with people you trust but somewhere your partner is not welcomed to or familiar with. Many women (and some men) make the mistake of ending an abusive relationship but remaining in the same social circles as their expartner. This action can cause you more harm and could result in further abuse.

Step Four: Cut all ties

If you and your ex are not bound together with a child, then do not respond to any form of communication. Your life will be much safer and it will demonstrate to your ex that you are serious about ending the relationship. If children are involved, then you have to examine what is best for them. If you are worried about things worsening or that your children may be harmed, then take the correct legal actions promptly to keep them safe.

Step Five: Start to heal

After following the steps, it will be emotionally difficult to handle at times. You have done everything that you can to make sure you Sexual As sa are safe and secure, so now it is R esponse Pr ult time to heal. You have to begin ogram the grieving process as well as Danville Offi establishing your self-worth and ce 510 Patton self-esteem again. You have to Danville, VAStreet 434-374-11 continue on with life on a day92 Lync hburg O by-day basis. It is not simple to ffi ce 1 move on, but it is worth noting Ly900 Tate Springs Rd ., nc hburg, VA 24501 Suite 8 that you removed yourself from a negative environment. That is worth having pride in yourself.

Sexual abuse is a preventable issue that can have devastating effects on a person’s life and future. In the Dan River Region, 70 victims were reported in 2011. 60 of those victims were children. In January 2012, the Lynchburg YWCA created the Sexual Assault Response Program (SARP) to address the need for an aid resource in Danville city and Pittsylvania and Halifax counties. Before victims can begin the recovery process, there are a number of steps that must be taken in order to prepare. Leave the situation The victim’s safety is paramount and he or she must become inaccessible to the suspect. That means placing him or her in the temporary custody of a trusted relative. If the victim cannot get away from the accused, call 911. Contact local authorities The 24-hour SARP hotline is available to assist with any sexual assault or abuse situation and can connect you with the appropriate emergency services and resources. Ensure the victim’s safety If necessary, the accused may be legally forbidden from contacting the victim until an investigation has been completed. Proceed as advised by SARP representatives The team at SARP will be with you throughout the process. Mary Jones is the sexual assault victims advocate for Danville city and Pittsylvania and Halifax counties. “I am committed to helping victims of sexual violence,” said Jones. “We exist to ensure that victims of sexual violence are provided the opportunity and means to recover from physical and psychological trauma.”

S A R P

With her office located in the Danville Social Services Building, Jones provides various services to victims and their families, including crisis intervention and support, information, referrals, ongoing advocacy, support groups, and accompanying victims and their families to court to help them with criminal justice proceedings. Call the SARP hotline at (888) 9477273 if you or someone you know is experiencing sexual abuse. Emerge! | winter 2013 | emergeva.com

Our Trip to the

WHITE HOUSE by BRIAN HENDERSON

Thave traveled up 95 North heading to here have been many times that I

Washington, DC, but never to set foot on the White House Grounds. While I could finally mark this accomplishment off my bucket list, this trip was also more worthwhile because of the reason I would be taking yet another trip to our Nation’s Capital. It all started on June 9th, 2012 when we began The Garden City Project. This was basically a gardening program but it turned out to be so much more than just planting seeds. It is about planting ideas, growing skills, and nurturing self-esteem and leadership in the youth participants. The Boys and Girls Club of the Danville Area, Cardinal Village Community Center, and Gibson Middle School have collaborated to provide a garden to benefit youth’s health and well-being, their attitudes towards learning, their connections to their community, and so much more. Upon further research on how we could continue to expose our youth to programs of health and wellness, we stumbled upon the White House Kitchen Garden Tour Program. It was as simple as taking the initiative to fill out our organization’s information online in order to have a chance at receiving an invitation. We took the time to complete the form and an

invitation is what we received to visit the White House on September 18th, 2012. What a wonderful way to award the youth who worked so hard over the summer on this project!! Then came the tough challenge of picking the children who would be allowed to go on the trip. Project Leader Constance Covington of the Cardinal Village Community Center and I decided it would be in the best interest that we take our youth who fit the following criteria: worked on the garden over the summer, have not received any disciplinary action in school, have excelled in the classroom, and would represent Danville in a positive manner. The students who were chosen and attended the trip were Tantiyani Davis, DAndre Holiday, Tito Cobbs, Nyjah Briscoe, Ayanna Henderson, Maquan Harris, Keon Patterson,

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Dwantiez Towler, Dakota Towler, Adaysha Hodge, David Wingfield, Ricardo Betancourt, Danielle Jeffers, Ismaeli Carter, Aania Price, Jada May, Jeremy Deshazor, Tajon Carter, Mikayla Watkins, Micah Watkins, and Akon Eshiet. On a wet and humid Tuesday morning, we arrived to Washington, DC with plenty of time to spare or so we thought. With the combination of scheduling issues and determining which gate we were to go in and where we could park, we ended up having to sprint as a group and search for our destination. As we ran up Pennsylvania Avenue, panicking from the anxiety of missing out on our chance to set foot in the White House Gates, we were suddenly stopped by a Secret Service Agent who most likely had been watching us the entire time. He asked us if we were the group from Danville and an immediate sigh of relief was made throughout our entire group. The tour began with the Obama Administration’s Executive Chef speaking with us on the history of the White House and her experiences with past Presidents. A White House Visitors Office Representative and a member of the Secret Service also spoke with and greeted us in the northeast wing of the enormous building. From there, our group was escorted onto the South Lawn where the White House Garden is located. Our youth

were able to see the pumpkins, corn, lettuce, tomato boxes, and the rest of Mrs. Obama’s collection. They were able to view items they had grown while also seeing what it takes to manage a garden and its upkeep. We spent around 45 minutes at the White House before heading on to view the Martin Luther King Jr. Monument, Lincoln Memorial, and the Washington Monument. While some of our students had been to our Nation’s Capital prior, very few of them had ever viewed the historical landmarks that we had visited. We had one last stop to make before heading back to Danville. The group was scheduled to have a tour of Virginia State University’s Campus. Even though it rained tremendously,VSU students were there waiting for us with open arms and words of encouragement for our young future college students. Members of VSU’s Department of Student Activities, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Student Liason Outreach Team (SLOT), and others came to greet our youth and give them some advice on what it takes to be a college student. Our youth also received several items to take home to remember their visit. This was a very worthwhile trip for all. The youth had a great time as well as our chaperones. We would like to thank Mrs. Constance Covington, Christine Brooks of Cardinal Village Community Center, Deloris Lampkins of Danville Redevelopment and Housing Authority, Tammy Wright of Negril, Inc., and Kerry Hairston of The Boys and Girls Club of the Danville Area for attending, also. This will not be our only trip, as we are scheduled to begin planting in the garden again next Spring. While the plants are growing, our youth will grow, too!

it’s mostly relative...

a humorous look at family by WILADENE KEEN Where would we be without the ability to laugh and poke fun at ourselves? I’m not sure if laughter is the best medicine, but it sure is great medicine…I’ve heard good things about it. I hear that a selfprescribed, hearty, thigh-slapping laugh can cure male pattern baldness. And it doesn’t matter if there is nothing really funny going on around you, just a really good fake laugh can be similarly effective. How cool is that? If that’s true, I have a cousin who should set his timer so that he gets in his daily doses of guffaws to treat that rapidly retreating circle of hair he’s got left. Speaking of family…and let’s do (speak of family, that is) and reminisce about the hilarious stuff that goes on at family reunions. Family reunions are handsdown the best times of our lives, either young or old.You just can’t beat the Big Four F’s of this annual gathering: family, fun, fellowship and food! Here is my take on a family that we can all identify with. There’s no better group of folks on the planet to poke good natured fun at than your family. Sometimes we need to drop the serious façade, the falseness, and bourgeoisie and just get down and funky with our loved ones. Who has not had an uncle or two (or three) who will inevitably be the annual family reunion clown? You know the ones that are usually named Bubba, Leroy, or June Bug, who will

are the Aunts or as most of us call them ‘The Aints’ (which is an old-time way of saying ‘Aunt’) you know them as Aunt Maybelle, Aunt Mildred and Aunt Pearl. Everybody has an aunt named Pearl. These are the ones who have been in the family the longest and have the most power and what they say…goes without question. They rule over the whole family like joint Commandants of the Third Reich, and they are the ones who either give the dishes others bring a blessing or a death sentence. They decide what foods go on the menu, who makes the potato salad and the macaroni and cheese, whose banana pudding should be ‘put out’ at the front of the serving table, whose sweet potato pie doesn’t get served at all, whose cornbread is mealy, and whose turnip greens are too bitter. Years later I would realize that those dishes the Aunts had so-called banned from being served had actually been tucked away in the back of the ice box to be divided up among them after the gathering was over and all the folks had gone home. This was the true reason for the bogus censure, and it was also the reason why they declined any offers of help clearing up the kitchen and washing the dishes. On an unrelated note, this probably was why all of the other adults (especially their own children) boasted of the long-suffering of these hard-working women.

Go get the family photo albums and get comfortable in a cozy chair. Close your eyes and let your mind conjure up the voices of the past and stir up within your heart the funny stories and tall tales of your childhood. get tipsy simply from sniffing the cork from a bottle way before they even tip it up for a swig. They sit under a tree and take ‘nips’ from bottles of 200 proof homemade shine. And when they are sufficiently ‘tanked up,’ they wind up on a roll entertaining us with ‘legends from the wood.’ These tall tales are usually centered on them walking ten miles, round trip, to school in their sister’s shoes with the heels chopped off in six feet of snow, in a jacket two sizes too small carrying a molasses bucket with cold biscuits and butter in it for lunch. I know, because I’ve heard accounts like this for years. It was one of my late Daddy’s favorite yarns to spin. He loved repeating this for as long as I could remember before he passed on, and if there wasn’t a grain of truth in it from the beginning, it became true simply from the re-telling of it over and over. Then there’s the dowager sisters in the family who

After performing the requisite taste tests in the kitchen, these Grande Dames pass the final judgments on the food with as much pomp, circumstance and severity as a county judge. And if anybody tries to come into the kitchen while they are ‘sampling,’ they had better be dying or pretty near it because nobody intruded on this sacred ritual and young children were definitely not allowed to enter the inner sanctum of the kitchen unescorted. But then, who would want to go alone anyway? I learned this lesson the hard way and, when I got older, I always discouraged the younger kids with a warning that, if they went into the kitchen while the Aunts were sampling, they would disappear down the rabbit hole and never be found again! I remember the year I was about nine, and being so thirsty at a summer family gathering that my throat was in danger of closing up. I ventured into the kitchen for a glass of water. I was hoping for lemonade but oh, well…I’d gladly settle for water. The other grown folks outside in the backyard wouldn’t allow us to drink anything out of the cooler in fear of having to face the Aunts’ wrath. Nobody ate or drank anything before the blessing was said over the food under penalty of law, no matter how hungry or parched one might be.

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As soon as I turned the corner of the kitchen, Aunt Mabel looked up and saw me. She was so intimidating standing there looming over me, big meaty hands on her wide hips and her eyes boring into me as she looked over the top of her super-sized eye glasses. I stammered out, while scared to death, that all I needed was some water. But I was admonished without haste and told to get back outside and get my water from the garden hose. So, I got… but not before I got a good look at the table where each of them already had a plate filled with food, and I could swear I saw Aunt Mildred shove a huge bite of chocolate cake in her mouth, while Aunt Pearl was licking her pudgy fingers around a chicken wing. Yet these other two put in their two cents worth echoing what Maybelle had said. It was a miracle they didn’t choke with their mouths so full trying to eat, swallow and talk at the same time. Yes, I got for sure, but I took the time to slip quietly back to peek in the kitchen and I saw Aunt Pearl gulp down some brown looking liquid from a glass that was sitting on the table beside a tall skinny bottle. Then she and her sisters cackled and poked each other like they were sharing a really funny private joke before they finally decided to get up from the table and join the rest of the family so we could eat. And last, we have our dear cousins in the family food chain. The boys had names like Junior, Skeeter and Main. Every family can count on having a boy cousin who’s six feet, 250 pounds at twelve years old. One who can be found hiding in the basement, secretly gorging himself on leftovers while everyone else is outside playing horseshoes and kick ball. Then, one of them is bound to be the mean one who won’t play fair and is always teasing and shoving around the younger children. Let’s not forget the one who thinks he’s big man on campus, and prides himself on being a know-it-all. Not to be outdone by the boys, the older girl cousins were always snapping and popping chewing gum when they were out of sight of their parents. They got together and giggled and talked about boys and tried on lipstick they had stolen from the local five-and-dime store. Their hair was pressed so straight and slicked down with so much grease that it wouldn’t even stay inside of the rubber bands that held their ponytails. They had names like Kay-Kay, Nay-Nay and Marcella. One would always be so pretty and wear really beautiful clothes but would be dumb as dirt, one would get good grades without actually having to study but have acne and wear glasses, and one would be overweight and have to wear special shoes and couldn’t run fast and was always so mean because she couldn’t keep up with the others.

Yes, as we look back over our childhoods and remember our family reunions, Christmases and other get-togethers, we do so with a special fondness. Not only can we recall the many eccentricities of the older generations, but we can recollect the irony of the dialogue and the events we shared with them with good humor and even a bit of longing for the simple and uncomplicated times of years past. The next time you’re in a bit of a blue mood, and you can really use a good laugh; don’t force the joviality with pretense. Go get the family photo albums and get comfortable in a cozy chair. Close your eyes and let your mind conjure up the voices of the past and stir up within your heart the funny stories and tall tales of your childhood.Visualize yourself and your passel of cousins running in the backyard, playing hide and seek, or sitting Indian style on the back porch playing a game of jack rocks. I can guarantee it’ll be good medicine for you.

I Shall

Live

Not Die

by EVANGELIST ROBIN HAIRSTON

“God told me I was going to live and I relied on that.” In 2006, I began ministering to women at local churches and surrounding areas about breast cancer. I stressed the importance of taking care of their health, having a yearly checkup and doing regular breast exams. I have a sister and two nieces who were diagnosed with breast cancer. I knew this disease could affect anyone. Before December of 2008, I didn’t think that “anyone” included me. When I first felt the knot under my breast, I knew how urgent it was to have it checked out. I went to visit my gynecologist, who sent me to have a mammogram done. After receiving the results I was scheduled for a second mammogram to confirm what they had found. I was scared to death! I began to pray and seek God. God told me I was going to live and I relied on that. The months ahead were filled with fear and doctors appointments. During that time my gynecologist recommended that I see an oncologist. I was then officially diagnosed with Stage 2 Breast Cancer. I then endured six rounds of chemotherapy. During chemotherapy, I lost so much weight, which was not good. I lost all of my hair, which forced me to wear a wig when I went out. I also wore a mask because my immune system was affected by my medications. In April of 2009, I underwent a lumpectomy to remove the tumor. After that, I thought I was done with the chemotherapy only to find out that I needed to have six more rounds. At that point, I found myself in a serious state of depression. The skin on my hands had darkened. I had lost all of my hair. I did not feel pretty anymore. All I felt was sick. I even experienced what my doctor called “chemo-

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brain,” a common side-effect where patients have terrible memory loss. Since the treatments, my memory has gotten much better, however I sometimes still have difficulty. God was my way in and my way out through this whole process, taking care of me all the way. I was blessed to have a great support system.

SURVIVING BREAST CANCER My husband was my best friend and could even make me laugh at times. I also had my sisters, brother-in-law, church family, and a very special friend Evangelist Edith Carter.

Today, after all of the treatments, doctor appointments, depression, emotional roller coaster, memory loss, hair loss, taking medication for five years, and everything else that slips my mind right now, I’m thankful to God that I am still here to continue to tell my story. I still continue to talk to women about breast cancer awareness, but now I speak as a survivor. Yes, I lost a part of myself during this journey, but I have gained so much more at the end. I found more of God and more of the faith that I thought I had lost.

Fredia Martin Her Spirit Carries Her Fredia Martin is a beautiful thirty-something-year-old woman in the prime years of her life. She lives her life to the fullest, with a great job at a supportive company and has two boys, ages nine and fourteen. Like most people, she’s taking life day by day. Her life has challenged her and made her a stronger young woman. Her sons keep her on her toes and she’s learning every day how boys grow up a little differently than girls. She works every day to teach her boys the life lessons she’s learned. She leans on God to keep her motivated and moving forward and revels in the glow of her family.

And she’s fighting breast cancer. A week after her thirty-first birthday, she learned of her diagnosis. “Happy Birthday to me,” she joked, well knowing that cancer is no laughing matter. But one thing she truly knew was that it was going to take the strength of God’s hands to overcome this new challenge in her life. Her first choice was to tackle the challenge on her own without burdening her family. She had one-day surgery performed by Dr. Gary Lahti at Danville Regional Medical Center. “Oh my goodness,” she said, “I was in and out the same day. The hospital has been great. From the point of being diagnosed, everybody has been great.” The success of the early steps, including surgery and support, gave Fredia the strength to know things were going to work out for the best. Three weeks later, when the weight of carrying the burden alone became heavy, she showed her boys the scar and told them what was going on. “When I was discouraged, my family came and rescued me. My family is a spiritual family and they reminded me that I needed to keep the faith. And I did.” Her parents have passed and her sister and brother have genuinely helped her keep her faith. “It was God watching over me, and I realize that.” Through her fight, because of the support of her employer, Abingdon Place and her co-workers, she was able to continue to take care of her family. “My job is like a big family. They have really supported me. My general director had a family member go through cancer, so she was very supportive. She understood what my family and I were going through. Everything that I needed, she said, ‘No problem,’ so I really thank her for that.” She has worked together with the team at Danville Regional in every stage of her fight. “Danville Regional has been amazing to me. I was really scared before I went in for surgery, but Dr. Gary Lahti eased my fears which relaxed me a whole lot and helped me calm down. I’m so happy I’ve had great doctors through this whole thing.” After the surgery, Fredia tackled her condition with chemotherapy and radiation therapy. “Dr. Timothy Brotherton (at Danville Hematology and Oncology) was extremely nice. When I had questions about chemotherapy, he answered everything. I never felt rushed or hurried,” she said.

5 Steps

After Diagnosis 1

Expect the unexpected.

Build a support team.

Organize your resources.

4 5

Get your legal and financial issues in order.

Make decisions as a team.

Source: HuffingtonPost.com

Emerge! | winter 2013 | emergeva.com

My Journey From Flab to Fab in Four Months by KATRINA BOSTON

One morning in December 2011, I got up, stood on the scale and was shocked to see that I weighed over 200 pounds. I probably cried the entire day. I felt hopeless; I was so disappointed in myself. I’ve always had problems with my weight fluctuating up and down, but never had I reached 200 pounds. And on top of all that, my doctor said that my blood pressure was elevated. High blood pressure and diabetes run in my family. I do not want to spend the rest of my life taking medication to function daily. So at that moment, I knew I had to make a lifestyle change. I already had a gym membership, I just wasn’t going. So in January 2012, I changed my life for the better. I started going to the gym, got rid of all the junk foods, and cleaned up my diet. I minimized the

Those who put in the work will get the reward. This journey is not easy, but it’s fair. It’s not a diet, it’s a lifestyle!

Day 1

Day 30

Emerge! | winter 2013 | emergeva.com

stress in my life, as much as possible, and I changed my negative attitude to positive thoughts. In March 2012, I decided to get a trainer to aid in my journey. My results have all been positive. So far, since starting, I have lost 22 pounds and several inches. I am much happier, more energized, and extremely motivated. Although I am proud of my results thus far, I will continue to go hard every day because working out, being healthy, and fit has become my habit. My journey is FAR from over. I feel like I am really just getting started. I have become so accustomed to going to the gym every day; it is literally my second home. I have decided to become a certified personal trainer and a fitness group instructor. I also want to get into fitness competitions. I want to be a motivator and inspiration to those women and men who feel like they have lost their way and think that their lives are hopeless because they have gained weight. I am a living testimony that your situation can change for the better. You just have to change your negative thinking into positive thoughts. This is not an easy journey, but it is WORTH IT. I thank God every day for giving me new strength and a new mind.

Day 60

Day 90

Day 120

From My Library

to Yours

by LaSHEERA LEE

Antebellum

Love on the Run

by R. Kayeen Thomas

by Zuri Day

Have you ever had a feeling of déjà-vu? Have you ever had a life-altering experience? If not, you must read Antebellum.

What do you do when the man who has everything wants you? Shayna has been running all of her life. She has a hip-hop mother who shows little interest in Shayna’s concerns. In addition, she has a crazy ex who is off track. She has been running from rejection, fear and hurt. Now, she has decided to run a new track. However, she needs the right team to push her to the finish line.

Antebellum is a story about a young brother who has lost his way. The young man in this story has found success as a rapper. He has obtained a lot of worldly possessions. However, all that glitters is not always gold. His perfect life is complete shambles. His best friend and manager, SaTia, is becoming increasingly disgusted with his exploits and attitude. His mother and grandmother are constantly worried about him. In addition, someone is trying to kill him. Just as his world goes into a tailspin, something metamorphic occurs: he wakes up in a world where slavery still exists. His cunning instinct will be put to the test in this new world as he learns what real courage is all about.

Michael Morgan is a delight the boardroom and bedroom. He has the skills to get the job done in both places. He decides to take on Shayna as a client. He soon realizes that business and pleasure are both on his mind when it comes to Shayna. However, he is not sure that Shayna is willing to merge the deal. A page-turner that will keep you interested to the last page.

Fun Fact: Phillis Wheatley is considered to be the founder of African-American literature with her 1773 work Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral.

Book Clubbing a book review by PAULA SMITH

A Song of Faith and Hope – The Life of Frankie Muse Freeman

Saunders presented to her the Key to the City, the highest honor that Danville gives, in recognition of her many achievements.

by Frankie Muse Freeman and Candace O’Connor Summary: Growing up in Danville, Virginia, during the Jim Crow-era, Frankie Freeman learned lessons about discrimination. She walked places instead of taking the segregated streetcar; she felt hurts and vowed privately never to forget. In her loving family, she also learned positive lessons about life: work hard, get an education, fight injustice, and make a difference. This book starts with her early years of growing up in Danville from 1916 to1933 and follows her through college, her career as a lawyer and the years she served the nation at the request of four U.S. presidents. Review: Readers can learn about Frankie Muse Freeman and what Danville was like when she was young and living on Ross Street. There is inspiration in its 191 pages for all. The book is available at the Danville Public Library. It was published by the Missouri Historical Society Press in 2003. Recently, 95-year-old Frankie Muse Freeman was honored by her former hometown. When she stepped before the crowd at Calvary Baptist Church on Holbrook Street, she apologized to all the teachers in the audience before saying, “Ain’t nothing like coming back home,” and then added, “I’m usually more eloquent, but that is the best way to say it.” The admiring group of 125 laughed and watched as Mayor Sherman

The highest national honor that Freeman earned was the 2011 NAACP’s Spigarn Medal given in recognition of her years of civil rights work, which included being the first woman appointed to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights in 1964 by President Lyndon Johnson. She was reappointed by Presidents Nixon, Ford and Carter and served for 16 years. During the Carter administration, she served for 1 1/2 years as Inspector General of the Community Services Administration. Freeman earned a degree from Howard University School of Law and was inducted into the National Bar Association’s Hall of Fame in 1990. She was also the national president of Delta Sigma Theta, a sorority of collegeeducated women who promote academic excellence and community service. Although the house where Freeman lived has been demolished, she is included in Danville Historical Society’s self-guided tour of the Holbrook-Ross Historic District, There’s a Story Here. Free booklets are available at the Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History, 975 Main Street. Send information about what you or your book club is reading to joycewilburn@gmail.com. Also, visit www. danvillelibrary.org to see more reviews of this book and others. Add your own review and start a virtual book club!

Emerge! | winter 2013 | emergeva.com

living a happy life mayor’s corner by THE HONORABLE SHERMAN SAUNDERS Saunders is Executive Director of Pittsylvania County Community Action Inc. and Mayor of Danville. Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to speak to a group of about 25 students at E. A. Gibson Middle School. I was asked to speak about my life and to impart life lessons and, in the process, provide direction and encouragement. I walked into the classroom carrying a large framed photograph that I removed from the wall in my office. I held that photograph high for every student to see and I asked, “Who can tell me what they see in this picture?” “A barn,” shouted one student. “A shack,” answered another. It was not a barn. It was not a shack. It was an enlarged photograph of my childhood home. It was in that home, in the Ringgold community of Pittsylvania County, that my mother and father raised their children. My sister was the first born. She passed away shortly after birth. My brother was next and, then, I was born, the third and last child.

There were few amenities. We had no indoor plumbing and a wood stove was used for cooking. So, you might ask why I would take a photograph of my childhood home, enlarge it, frame it, and then hang it on my office wall for others to see. Then again, the answer may be obvious. You see, whether you grow up in a small farmhouse in the country as I did or a poor neighborhood in the city, your destiny is in your hands. You can choose your direction in life and make your life what you want it to be. I chose to serve others. After serving in the United States Army for three years and then attending college, I returned to Ringgold. I had the opportunity for a career with a company that paid a very high salary, but I chose to take a much lower paying position with Pittsylvania County Community Action.

“Your destiny is in your hands. You can choose your direction in life and make your life what you want it to be. I chose to serve others.” Mayor Sherman Saunders

Emerge! | winter 2013 | emergeva.com

At PCCA, we work to increase awareness about poverty and to help individuals and families become self-sufficient by creating services to meet basic needs, advocating on their behalf, mobilizing all public and private resources and developing longrange strategies. With more than

100 employees, today we serve Pittsylvania County, Danville, Martinsville and Henry County. It is an organization and a mission of which I am very proud. I also am proud to be associated in various capacities with many other organizations including the city of Danville, which is working hard to make our community safe, improve our neighborhoods, bring more jobs to the area and provide a better quality of life for all. These organizations have provided the opportunity to further serve others. For me, service to others is a labor of love. As I said earlier, the farmhouse in which I grew up had few amenities. What we had, was far more important than the amenities that house lacked. We were provided with a sense of right and wrong or “what ought to be.” We were taught to love others. We were taught to be respectful. We were taught to set goals and to work hard to achieve them. We were taught to give of ourselves. The holiday season should serve as a reminder of what truly is important and to be thankful, regardless of our circumstances. Let us be reminded to love others, to be respectful, to set goals and work hard to achieve, and to give of ourselves. If you believe as I do that these values are “what ought to be,” then you truly will live a blessed life.You might even choose to capture your values in a photograph, frame it and hang it on a wall for others to see.

Families Love Stories

Photos by Stephanie Henderson

When it comes to love and family, ethnicity has barriers.

The Medrano Family Emerge! | winter 2013 | emergeva.com

EM: Tell us about your family. Candice Pierce: I grew up in the small town of Eden, North Carolina, graduating from high school in 1991. I went to work in the mill for a few years after that and I attended beauty school and did hair for 9 years. I became bored and wanted to do something different, so I got a part-time job in a pawn shop. I felt that was my true calling. I started off part-time and went full-time. Dustin Pierce: I grew up in Danville, graduated and joined the Army. After health issues with my grandfather, I jumped right into the Pawn Business. CP: The pawn business has been great for us. Last year, the opportunity came up for us to open our own Pawn Shop: C&D Family Pawn. Here we have fully emerged in providing the entire family feel to the pawn industry. EM: Tell us how you met and fell in love. DP: Candice and I had been friends for a while before I left for the Army. When I came home, we began working together. Our relationship grew from there. We just clicked and it is kind of hard to explain. We enjoy each other’s company. Our talents complement each other. Even after many years, we still feel the same way about each other. EM: How long have you been married? CP: We have been together for

CP: No problem. We had a plan: get married, get a house, have a EM: Was it difficult getting used baby. Everything fell into place to each other’s culture? except for the baby. We visited several doctors and nothing CP: Not at all for me. I attended worked. Five years went by and Morehead High School where still no baby. Dustin Googled there were only 14 black guys in “Reproductive Medicine Hospital my entire graduating class, so I was in Charlottesville,VA.” We went very used to being around white through a a lot of different tests people and their culture. and procedures which lead us to in vitro fertilization DP: I grew up in a multiracial and, five years later, I was household. My adopted sister pregnant with our Miracle is black and I was raised Baby. in a predominantly black neighborhood. I have always been EM: How are you teaching able to get along with any race your child to embrace the of people. There were really no gift of being part of two barriers keeping us apart. ethnic groups? EM: Have you experienced any CP: Right now, she is type of discrimination? still too young to know the difference, but she DP: When we first started dating, is regularly around both we noticed some crude looks ethnic groups. As she grows, from time to time but that was however, we do not want the extent of it. Once, when a her to be stereotyped as waitress did not want to wait on this or that. We really want her to focus more on The Pierce Family being her own self and making choices that will make her happy, not what society will say that this or that specific race should do. nine years and married for seven.

EM: How are you all spending the holidays?

us, we talked to the manager of the restaurant and they apologized and promised it would never happen again. However this is the south and some people will never change. Just know that we do not care about those people. Our goal is our happiness alone. EM: Tell us about the baby.

Emerge! | winter 2013 | emergeva.com

The Pierce Family

Emerge! Thank you for taking the time out to speak with me and share your love story with our readers.

CP: We have had the same holiday tradition since we have been together. The first part of the day is spent with Dustin’s family and the second part with mine. This has been our routine for nine years and it works great. The only problem we have now is that we have Cadence and neither family wants us to leave.

Emerge! Thank you for taking the time out to speak with me and share your love story with our readers.

EM: Tell us about your family. Shamille Medrano: I grew up in Danville Virginia. Diego grew up in Mexico, then he moved to Danville to continue his education and life. EM: Tell us how you met and fell in love.

The Medrano Family

SM: We met through a mutual friend as teenagers. At the time, neither of us were thinking about marriage. As a teen, you don’t even know if you are gonna make it a week dating so we definitely were not thinking about a lifetime. But over time, as we got older, we fell in love and realized God sent us to each other for a reason. We have grown so much with each other and learned so much from one another. Not only are we a couple we are best friends and I do believe we will definitely be together until death do us part despite everything that may come our way. EM: How long have you been married? SM: We have been married for three years now. I still cannot believe it has been that long already! EM: Was it difficult getting used to each

other’s culture? SM: At first there was a little difficulty with getting used to each other’s cultures and learning to combine them. Things such as language and food were the biggest difficulties. But after a lot of practice in the Spanish and English languages, we’re communicating with each other’s families much better, and I am finally getting used to cooking and eating ”tortillas con frijoles” and he is finally getting used to eating dishes that my family and I eat. EM: Have you experienced any type of discrimination? SM: Discrimination is everywhere and in every race in some way. We’ve definitely been in situations where we felt discriminated against, especially when we first started dating. Some people were not used to seeing a black American girl with a Mexican man and just felt, for whatever reason, that it was not right. Luckily, we are both very openminded and wiser than those people, so they haven’t torn us apart and will not ever be able to. It is 2013. Everybody is mixing things up. Soon, people will wake up, I hope. EM: Tell us, how old is Miss Mia. SM: Our sweet and beautiful baby girl is only 20 months old. EM: How are you teaching your daughter to embrace the gift of being part of two ethnic groups? SM: She is currently able to speak and understand both English and Spanish. As life goes on, we will continue to allow her to embrace both ethnicities with pride. EM: How are you all spending the holidays? SM: Holidays are typically spent with my family just because most of his family is in Mexico. In the near future, however, we do plan on spending a couple of holidays in Mexico with his family and friends.

Emerge! | winter 2013 | emergeva.com

QUIPS,

QUOTES,

INSPIRATIONS

for

LIFE by ELAINE E. CAMPBELL

Spend time with people who actually celebrate you for who you are and not just what you do. Never ask the advice of a “yes” person. You will never get the truth. If you find a true friend, hold on with all you have. They are as rare as, and more precious than, priceless gems and worth the investment. Use the eye test often. Eye contact during a conversation can say many things. Some say “better late than never,” which is the excuse many use who don’t wish to show up in the “first” place. It’s hard to break bad habits if you haven’t acknowledged the fact that you have them. Find ways to strengthen the inner you. Be around people you enjoy, play your favorite game, do some belly-laughing, sing your favorite song at the height of your voice, or do something you’ve always wanted to do. Pray often. It helps to eliminate the stresses from your life. Don’t stop dreaming. It gives you hope for the future. Give often. There are many ways of giving; time, talent, treasure, and trust. It brings fulfillment in your own life. Keep your own cup filled with the positives and there will be no room for the negatives. Forgive often. It’s one of life’s best cleansing medicines. The next time someone says “take a hike,” do it. The scenery just may be more appealing in the other direction. Stop to take some deep breaths every now and then. It helps to slow life’s pace. Don’t be afraid of challenges; they foster opportunities for growth. Though difficult as it may be, we often find purpose after the pressures of the process. Having peace does not always mean that there is an absence of controversy; it just says that you refuse to participate in it. More self-confidence and less self-pride will get the job done every time. The colors of the rainbow get their distinction by blending into the other colors rather than standing alone; stay connected. Time is a precious commodity; don’t lose it, use it. Always finish the task; nothing is accomplished by starting and stopping. Make an effort to learn something new each day; it broadens the mind. Pure wisdom is always from above and can be obtained, without measure, by all who desire it. (Read the book of Proverbs).

24 Emerge! | winter 2013 | emergeva.com

Love Your Heart When someone says “you have a big heart,” they usually mean you are a generous and loving person. But do you give back to yourself? Even the most giving individuals can neglect their own heart. Statistics have shown that our community does not have the best track record when it comes to making good, heart-healthy decisions. Good health starts with the heart. There are many factors that contribute to a healthy heart and making smart choices can extend your life by decades. Not only that, healthy living will improve your quality of life and allow you the freedom to enjoy many more things that make you happy.

Here are four simple steps to becoming more heart healthy. #1 Cut back on unhealthy fats and cholesterol by paying attention to what you eat

This is the most important step you can take and it doesn’t require an ounce of sweat. Saturated and trans fats lead to bad cholesterol which can lead to buildup of plaque in your arteries. This buildup of plaque increases your chances of heart attack and stroke. Dr. William Sweezer, (Bill), Medical Director of the Cardiac Surgery Program at Danville Heart and Vascular Center summed it up very well: “There are a lot of healthy foods that you can prepare that taste great and sometimes it’s just switching one ingredient for another. Simply trimming the fat off of meats or using olive oil instead of vegetable oil can drastically change fat intake.” When grocery shopping, looking for “partially hydrogenated” (which is another name for trans fats) in the ingredients list of snacks such as chips and cookies and choosing food with better ingredients is a start. Combined with a concerted effort to limit your intake of butter, margarine and shortening in the food you prepare will not only help you live healthier, but is a “big-hearted” way to feed those for whom you cook.

Emerge! | winter 2013 | emergeva.com

Cutting back on unhealthy fats is one vital step in

ELEVEN minutes.

an overall heart healthy diet. In our summer health issue, we had a full feature on a heart healthy diet.

It’s been said that you can’t buy time, but at 3 hours

But don’t wait for our feature. The sooner you start

and 40 minutes taken off of your life per pack of

eating better, the sooner you will be on the path to

cigarettes smoked, you can sure give time away.

better health. Sandra Greene is a Registered Nurse in Danville Here are the basic steps to eating better:

Regional Medical Center’s nursery. She had a heart

• Eat low fat proteins such as egg whites, fish,

attack in 2011 and in the emergency room when the

skinless chicken, and beans

doctor asked if she smoked, she said “not anymore.”

• Eat more vegetables and fruits

He asked her how long ago she quit and she said,

doesn’t mean it’s right for you. It needs to be

• Eat whole grains

“on the way over here.” She hasn’t smoked since.

something that one can accomplish and is fun to do.

• Lower your sodium intake

But, her husband still smokes. It’s not easy to quit

There are lots of ways to burn calories. Even normal

• Eat smaller portions and eat several small meals a

even when you see the ramifications first hand. Dr.

daily activities, such as doing laundry or going up and

day instead of a few large meals

Sweezer says that “second hand smoke is a major

down stairs, burn calories.”

concern for us as health care providers. When you

Manage Your Stress

The American Heart Association lists stress levels as one of the biggest determiners of heart attack and stroke. Put simply, the higher your stress level, the more likely you are to die from a heart attack or stroke. Dr. Sweezer stated that “In recovery, I tell patients to take time out for themselves each day to reduce the amount of stress in their life. If only I could have given them that advice before their heart attack.” It is great advice. There are many ways to reduce stress in your life. In

treat the patient you must also treat the family.

Begin with a simple exercise that combines several

Cigarette smoke, whether it’s the person smoking

of our tips into one. Take a walk by yourself and, if

themselves or someone in the house smoking, can

you smoke, leave your cigarettes at home. Put your

obviously be a negative factor and concern.” It’s hard

phone on silent. Take your mp3 player with you and

enough to quit smoking and when someone smokes

listen to one of your favorite albums. Turn around

around you, it’s like being taunted and tempted over

after 6 songs and head home. Those forty minutes

and over again. Given that after a heart attack, 63%

every day or so could save your life. Gradually, when

of smokers return to smoking within 9 months and

it feels right, you can add a little exercise routine to

50% within 20 days, family support is vital.

your life. Something simple.

I’ll guarantee you one thing. There will likely come

Each month in Showcase, fitness guru Dave Gluhareff

a time when you would trade everything you own

writes about ways to get healthier. He says, “There

for 11 more minutes of life. Is that cigarette really

are no secret pills or shortcuts to losing weight. The

worth it?

most important thing is to gradually eat less and gradually move more.” Very few people can dedicate

this issue, there is a feature story on reducing stress in children’s lives. This article indirectly applies to

a huge portion of their life to physical fitness for

people of all ages.

Here are some quick stress reduction tips:

This is the first tip that requires you to actually do

• Practice positive self-talk. As corny as it may

something physical. But even losing a few pounds

sound, it works when you say positive things to

can drastically improve your cardiovascular fitness.

yourself.

Nearly 70% of American adults are overweight and

• Practice cool down techniques such as counting

about a third are obese. The word obese is thrown

to ten, taking deep breaths, or going for a walk.

around a lot, but it simply means someone is more

• Relax. Relaxing doesn’t include watching television

than 20% over their ideal body weight.

appearance sake. But we all have time to invest in

Lose Weight

our heart so that we can live longer. Love your heart and it will love you back. Danville Regional Medical Center in affiliation with Duke Medicine offers a state of the art Heart and Vascular Center. In addition to the rapid response team that saves lives after a life threatening event, the vascular program at DRMC offers preventative programs that evaluate and treat your arteries for potential blockages that could

or having a conversation. Both of these stimulate you. Relax by taking ten minutes a day, sitting

Losing weight is a two-part process. Eat less and

comfortably in a quiet place and do nothing but let

move more. It’s a pretty simple formula. We’re

your mind come to rest.

bombarded daily with advertisements for diet pills,

• Do something you enjoy such as a hobby, playing

exercise facilities, diet books, diet du jour, exercise

golf, reading, or listening to music. Remember to

equipment…the list is endless. But, beyond all that,

exclude stressful items such as your smart phone

is the simple equation. Eat fewer calories than you

from the equation.

burn and you will lose weight. We’ve discussed

cause heart attacks, strokes, and aneurisms, before they happen.

reducing the bad fats that you eat but, in addition to that, it’s important to just eat a little less. Don’t

#3 Quit Smoking If you are a smoker, then you are fully aware of the ramifications of your actions.You’ve read all the facts. But, did you know that every cigarette you smoke reduces your expected lifespan by 11 minutes.

make drastic changes, take baby steps. And the same applies to burning calories. It really doesn’t take much effort. According to Dr. Sweezer, “thirty minutes of exercise at least 3 times a week will help condition your heart. Exercise should be personal. Just because one activity is good for one person

Emerge! | winter 2013 | emergeva.com

Home Health Care Moving Forward

An injury or illness can be a life-changing event. It can result in a series of medical steps that each have the goal of returning you to the quality of life you had before. Each transition has its own goals and challenges. But, reaching certain milestones helps make the challenging journey rewarding. When people have to be hospitalized, one of their biggest goals is to get back home. It’s an important step, both physically and emotionally on the road to recovery. Sometimes continued care is needed and that’s where Home Health care comes into the picture. Many companies have Home Health care in their name. But, some companies like Danville Regional Home Health have it in their DNA. “Home Health care is much more personal,” says Lynn Belton, Director of Danville Regional Home Health. “You become one of the family. Working one-on-one allows you to focus on that patient’s needs and develop an individualized plan of care to meet those needs. It also allows time to build a relationship and provide in-depth teaching. It’s vital to help the patient and their family members understand the importance of taking care of themselves. This includes lifestyle changes, diet, and taking their medications properly.” Home Health care is basically for people who have had a change in their medical condition and are able to continue their treatment at home or in an assisted living facility. Home Health care is for people who are actively trying to get well and return to their normal lives. It can be short-term or long-term and often includes rehabilitation services, as well. Lynn says, “After people have been in the hospital we can provide post hospital follow-up and teaching to make sure that they understand their medication and management at home.” Home Health care is the unique opportunity to help patients in their element. The services assess medical needs and provide a wide range of nursing services including teaching, wound care, and IV therapy. The provider assesses their support system and home safety issues and makes arrangements for equipment, supplies, or additional community services to meet the patient’s needs. They look at mobility and

function. Physical Therapy can improve range of motion, strength, and endurance. Occupational Therapy looks at process or home modifications to make tasks easier for the patient. Speech Therapy addresses problems with communication, eating, and swallowing. Lynn says, “We truly assess every aspect of patient care in order to identify and resolve challenges to allow them to remain in their home. Because it is so true….There’s NO place like home.” For patients with Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance, different things are covered or not covered based on medical necessity and policy. But, Medicare and Medicaid, like most insurance companies, have an innate desire to help a patient avoid expensive and extensive re-hospitalization. Much of Home Health care is educational, so it’s important to choose a provider whose goal is to help you transition to taking care of yourself. “The goal is to teach the patient to manage their lives and move forward towards a productive life,” Lynn says. “It’s our passion to help people in a one-on-one setting and to help them remain at home.” Home Health nurses and therapists must have the knowledge and experience to identify needs and create a plan specific to the individual patient. So, it is vital to use a company with a committed team who are dedicated and passionate about the specific challenges and rewards of Home Health care. “Our team has been providing Home Health care services for more than 20 years. We love working with the patients in their home. It’s very rewarding. We desire to help the patient get well and reach their maximum potential.” Lynn, herself has been with Danville Regional for 14 years, working her way up from a visiting nurse to the Director of Home Health Services. “I am so blessed to be the coach of this incredible team of caring, dedicated professionals. We know and use each player’s experience and knowledge to produce winning results for our patients! We use our talents to serve others during their time of need and we, in return, are blessed in so many ways!” For more information or to learn about Home Health care, contact Lynn Belton, Director of Danville Regional Home Health Services at 434.799.2382. Danville Regional Home Health’s experienced team will make transitioning from the hospital to your home a pleasant experience with the joint goal of helping you move forward.

28 Emerge! | winter 2013 | emergeva.com

Ciji Moore

CHANGING

EXERCISE

HABITS Even though Ciji Moore grew up with a passion for sports and fitness, the Halifax County High School basketball and track athlete was 60 pounds overweight during her teenage years. Her weight changed, however, when her attitude and choices changed. That’s a lesson she now tries to impart as Education and Outreach Coordinator for Get Fit Dan River Region. “When I started working out and saw the results, I became more health conscious and serious about making healthy choices,” explains the lean, toned Virginia State University graduate, who majored in industrial technology and education. “Looking back, I should have majored in sports management,” she laughs. It was her technology background, however, that brought her back to her roots and a job at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research in 2006. “For 3 1/2 years, I went to schools and faith-based organizations and encouraged underserved youth to become interested in technology,” she explains. Parents of those students still tell Ciji that the program changed their children’s lives. “It helped them when they went to DCC or four-year colleges,” she says of the successful grant-funded information and technology academy. As that program was ending, Ciji was hired by Get Fit Dan River Region in 2010 and knew she had found her niche. “I go into the school systems in Danville, Pittsylvania and Caswell Counties to promote health and wellness. I don’t talk about a strict diet or going to the

gym. My goal is to teach people ways to move more and to be healthy and happy,” she explains. “Not everyone can run at a high speed on the treadmill, but maybe you can walk on the Riverwalk Trail with a pedometer so steps can be tracked,” Ciji (pronounced CG) says. In a reassuring tone, she adds, “You can make healthy choices without it being overwhelming.” The Danville resident loves helping others make good lifestyle changes and she has an easy test to know if you are on the road to success. “At some point you’ll be able to say, ‘I can get into these jeans. They are loose!’” It’s a challenge teaching others to change their attitudes and choices, but it’s one that Ciji loves— and she’s hoping to convince the Dan River Region to feel the same way. • Get Fit Dan River Region is located at 308 Craghead Street Suite 102B in Danville. • For more information, call Ciji at 434.770.9137 or Stephanie at 434.770.9139. • Visit www.getfitdanriver.org for healthy recipes and ideas on becoming fit at home, work and school.

Estela McGregor

Coming to America

Photo by Michelle Dalton Photography

by JOYCE WILBURN

“I

hope everyone can leave the United States for a few weeks or a month,” says Estela McGregor. For someone who is preparing to become a U.S. citizen, that might sound strange, until the listener hears the reasons why. The Danville resident and native of Uruguay, South America, continues, “Then they will see how people in other countries live. They are having a hard, hard time.” In comparison, she notes, “Everybody here has a good life. Here you can travel anywhere you want and buy what you need.” Estela makes time in her busy day before going to work at Danville Regional Medical Center to tell her story: “In 2002, I came to the U.S. to visit my brother and friends in Danville. They said I should stay and look for work.” She obtained a visa and found employment

dictionaries to communicate and Estela recounts that, “his heart told him I was a good person.” The feeling was mutual but the language was still a barrier. He proposed marriage, but she hesitated. “I missed my family and I didn’t understand the language,” she explains. Tim promised frequent visits to Uruguay and purchased English-Spanish for Dummies CDs. She could type in Spanish and he could read the English translation and vice versa. The computer became the glue that held them together and on December 18, 2004, they were married on her parents’ wedding anniversary. A month later, Estela started the long process of becoming an American citizen: be a permanent resident for 10 years, complete an application form, obtain supporting documents, learn English, answer questions about her background and her application during an interview, pass English and civics tests and save money for a medical Estela McGregor exam and for retaining an immigration lawyer.

“Everybody here has a good life. Here you can travel anywhere you want and buy what you need.” cleaning machines at Dan River Mills. Her plan was to save the money for a college education back home. That agenda changed, however, when she met coworker, Tim McGregor, who had been at DRM for 25 years. “He came over one day to talk to me and showed me pictures of his family. I looked at him and laughed because I didn’t know what he was saying,” she remembers. Tim and Estela used Spanish-English

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In a few years, when Estela’s English skills are a little better, she will pass the test and then take an oath of allegiance to the United States of America, where she will continue to live the good life as an American citizen.

United States of America

Citizenship Exam 1. Who is the governor of Virginia? the U.S.? 2. What kind of economic system do we have in 3. Name 5 U.S. territories. 4. What is the tallest mountain in the U.S.? 5. What are the longest rivers in the U.S.? 6. Why did the pilgrims come to America? 7. Name the 13 original states. 8. What makes Benjamin Franklin famous? ers. 9. Name one of the writers of the Federalist Pap have? 10. How many amendments does the Constitution the Bill of Rights. 11. Name three rights of freedom guaranteed by 12. Who are the U.S. Senators from Virginia? ive be reelected? 13. How many times may a senator or representat 14. For how long do we elect eac h senator? 15. Name the U.S. representative for Danville. Answers: 1. Bob McDonnell 2. capitalist economy 3. Puerto Rico, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, American Samos 4. Mt. McKinley (Denali) 5. Mississippi River & Missouri River 6. religious freedom 7. Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Virginia 8. He was the oldest member of the Constitutional Convention, the first postmaster general of the U.S., a U.S. diplomat, and the author of Poor Richardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Almanac. 9. Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay 10. twenty-seven 11. freedom of speech, press, religion 12. Mark Warner & Jim Webb 13. There is no limit. 14. six years 15. Robert Hurt

When someone wants to become a U.S. citizen, an interviewer will ask the applicant 10 history and civic questions taken from a list of 100. How well would you do? Answers are to the right.

"Equipping Beleivers To Know God And His Will For Their Lives" Pastors Kenneth & Marilyn Jones 1525 South Boston Road Danville, VA 24540 Spirit-Led Deliverance Service Sundays 10:30AM Issues of Life Bible Study Wednesdays 7:00PM JOIN US FOR WORSHIP THIS SUNDAY!!! From the Heart Christian Center Phone: (434)822-8778 Email: info@fromtheheartva.org Web: www.fromtheheartva.org

Bill Strickland Tuesday, February 26, 2013 6:30 PM (IALR)

As a disadvantaged youth, Bill Strickland followed his dreams, never taking no for an answer in their pursuit. The MacArthur “Genius” Award recipient works with Manchester-Bidwell, a Pittsburgh-based organization focusing upon career training and youth arts education programs. The Dan River Region is similar to Bill’s hometown of Pittsburgh - we lost tobacco and textile industries, while Pittsburgh saw a significant portion of its steel industry leave its city. Bill is a natural fit to speak to our many residents who are thinking about or going through the job retraining process, as his organization retrained many of these displaced steel workers. At ManchesterBidwell, Bill has also developed youth arts education programs. Many of the students have gone on to professional careers in the arts. He believes that creativity spurs positive growth, both in one’s personal and professional lives. In addition, Bill will speak with locals going through or exploring workforce development training at a time and location to be determined. Bill Strickland will also talk with students on the subjects of the arts as trade or career and how creativity can benefit all aspects of one’s life.

DRF and the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce

2012-2013 Speaker Series Continues

UPCOMING SPEAKER Vivek Wadhwa

Tuesday, April 9, 2013 7:30 AM (IALR) Vivek Wadhwa is Vice President of Academics and Innovation at Singularity University, as well as Director of Research at the Center for Entrepreneurship and Research Commercialization at Duke University’s Pratt School Of Engineering and a Fellow at Stanford University’s Toni Rembe Rock Center for Corporate Governance.

There is no cost to attend the series but reservations are required and will be made on a ﬁrst-come, ﬁrst served basis. Reservations can be made with the series’ co-sponsor, the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce, at 434.836.6990 or at chamber@dpchamber.org. For more information about the Chamber and services and programs they provide, visit www.dpchamber.org, or contact Chamber President Laurie Moran at 434.836.6990 or email at lmoran@dpchamber.org. To learn more about DRF, its grant opportunities, the 2012-2013 Speaker Series and partnership opportunities, visit the DRF website at www.drfonline.org or call 434.799.2176.

Vivek’s area of focus is entrepreneurship and public policy. As the Dan River Region increases its competitive advantage through engagement of entrepreneurs, both locally and externally, Vivek’s work provides insights into how we can best do that. This year’s Community Read of Redirect: The Surprising New Science of Psychological Change by Tim Wilson continues. Redirect focuses on changing negative attitudes into positive ones.Tim kicked off the 2012-13 Speaker Series in October.

The Emerge Gala is coming.

Selenadipitous

BACK ON TRACK by Selena Lipscomb

At some point in life we will all experience some form of transition. For some of us, it is coping with the loss, changing or ending of a career. For others, it maybe a move to a new city. And for others, it can be realizing that you have mentally outgrown your current situation. There is an old adage that says, “When you know better, you will do better.” This does not necessarily mean you think that you are smarter or better than the people that you are around. It simply means that you have realized that you are limitless in your capacity to be the BEST YOU THAT YOU CAN BE. However, making this transition can be very uncomfortable and challenging at times. You will feel like your life is so off-track that you have lost control of your train. The reason why you feel that way is because change can be uncomfortable. Oftentimes we stay too long in situations that we really should have left years ago because we have become too comfortable and settled. People spend years on jobs they do not like, being in relationships with people they really do not like, living in cities they do not like, simply because of the fear of not knowing if their train will run off the track-not realizing that the nonproductive situation they are in is a sign that their train has already derailed. How do we get our trains on the right track? Well, I am so glad you asked… Know the destination… We must find out where our train is headed. Trains run in only two directions all across the country, northbound and southbound, and you have to have a clear mental picture of where you are going. Spending quiet time ALONE

will allow you to hear, not only what your soul desires, but the place in which those desires are to be fulfilled. Say GOODBYE… Kiss whoever you need to kiss; Hug who you need to hug. Get the tissues out and cry. Get it all out of your system then head to the station. It is time to GO. LIFE IS WAITING. Get on the train… Moving too fast will cause you to get on the wrong train. Moving too slow will cause you to miss your train. However, just sitting at the train station will not get you anywhere. Make sure you get on the RIGHT train this time. Leaving the station… When the train begins to pull off, it moves at a slow pace so you feel fine but, as it picks up speed, fear can begin to set in because sometimes the train will jerk a little. The jerking simply means that the train is coming into alignment. Stay on the train… Do not get off. You may have a nervous feeling in the pit of your stomach, but DO NOT GET OFF; the ride will smooth out. Getting there… If you have ever had the pleasure of riding a train, you know that you will make several stops before you reach your destination. People are constantly getting on and off at every stop. The train only makes stops it has been assigned, so know that you will get to your destination on time. You only have to know you are moving forward. Do not worry about what is to the left or to the right because, as trains come upon railroad crossings, all things to the right and left have to STOP so the train can continue without delay.

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Kiss whoever you need to kiss; hug who you need to hug. Get the tissues out and cry. Get it all out of your system, then head to the station. It is time to GO. LIFE IS WAITING. Arriving on time… You may arrive a little sooner than you planned or a little later than you would have liked, but that really does not matter. The only thing that matters is that you had the courage to get on the right train this time and you made it to your destination or purpose. Happy NEW YOU! I look forward to your arrival…

Man Man’s Me Moment By Immanuel Martin

“My mom is a good train conductor but let me give you the Metro Version…” “This is my first year in middle school. I had to leave elementary school because I grew up. That is transition.” “I have to switch classes this year for the first time, so I have to know where I’m going. You do, too.” “I do not have any of my elementary friends in my classes, but I still see them around the school. I had to make new friends. Say Goodbye and Move On.” “Happy Holidays & Be Safe, Everybody. Don’t Text and Drive.”

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