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Is Where The Heart Is Special Autism Awareness Issue www.showcasemagazine.com

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On the Cover:

Hampton Wilkins, his daughter Catherine, and grandson, Davis

Contents

Cover photography: Michelle Dalton

{ A p r i l 2 0 1 3 } S h o w c as e M ag a z i n e

f eatureS

12 14 18 22

Hampton Wilkins

Home is Where the Heart Is

Autism Bringing Awareness

Express Yourself

Using Creative Arts to Heal

Building Futures and Shaping Lives for Autistic Children

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s e ct i o n s

9 HE SAID SHE SAID

Also Inside 6

It’s Baby Time

By Larry Oldham & Dena Hill

From the Editor

10 The Money Club

28

Fun and Games

34 A Better you

29 33

Area Events Guide

Business at Full Capacity

By Todd Boaze

Stop Falling for Weight Loss Scams and Fake Quick Fixes

By Dave Gluhareff

38

MYSTIFIED

Special Needs Bring Special Gifts

36

by Misty Brooks

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Crossword, Word Seach & Sudoku

Paws for The Cause

By Paulette Dean

Vision of Health A Blind Woman’s Wellness Pursuit

we’d love to hear from you! editor@showcasemagazine.com

SOLUTIONS START HERE.

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SHOWCASE

F RO M T HE E d i tor Each month, tons of creativity goes into the publication of Showcase Magazine. I’ve expressed it before, but I do not think that I could ever say it enough — the world would be a boring place without the creative engines running full throttle.

While there is an immense amount of joy that goes into creating Showcase, there is a fair amount of stress as well.

Deadlines, etc. The opportunity to relieve the stress through creative process is therapeutic. Art sometimes is taken for granted; maybe you have a favorite movie that you watch when you’re sick or that special song that picks you up when you’re feeling down. For many years Happy Gilmore was my go-to movie when I felt under the weather. I never viewed it as medicine, but that’s exactly what it was to me.

On the surface, creative arts do entertain us, but they have a much more powerful meaning —healing.

With April being Autism Awareness

month, this issue of Showcase is dedicated to awareness and healing.

– M A G A Z I N E – April 2013

STAFF

Cases of autism are on the rise. If you do not know someone affected, in some way, by autism, you will in the near future. Now is the time to get educated and get involved. Join the autism community. Support those diagnosed with autism and their families. Become a piece of the puzzle.

CEO / Publisher Andrew Scott Brooks, scott@showcasemagazine.com President Larry Oldham, larry@showcasemagazine.com Editor Paul Seiple, paul@showcasemagazine.com Producer Bobby Allen Roach, bobby@showcasemagazine.com Finance Manager Cindy Astin, cindy@showcasemagazine.com Advertising 1.877.638.8685 Larry Oldham, Director of Sales and Marketing larry@showcasemagazine.com, 434.728.3713 Moriah Davis, Account Executive moriah@showcasemagazine.com, 434.334.4583 Misty Brooks, Account Executive misty@showcasemagazine.com, 434.728.2905 Laura Wellons, Account Executive laura@showcasemagazine.com, 434.579.4041

Customer Service

Subscribe to Home Delivery for $24 per year 753 Main Street #3 | Danville, VA 24541 Phone 1.877.638.8685 | Fax 925.380.5404 info@showcasemagazine.com www.showcasemagazine.com

Enjoy the issue.

April 2013 contriButinG Writers Larry Oldham | Dena Hill | Todd Boaze | Misty Brooks Paulette Dean | Dave Gluhareff | Paul Seiple Andrew Scott Brooks | Moriah Davis Bobby Allen Roach

Paul Seiple Editor

Thank You

contriButinG PhotoGraPhers Michelle Dalton | Andrew Scott Brooks | Bobby Allen Roach

to the ADVERTISERS who make this publication possible.

Please be generous in supporting our local businesses.

31 40 7 21 38

33 24 8 36 27 32 7 35 43 2 44

Averett University Baked Blessings Barkhouser Ford - Lincoln Carlisle School Center for Pediatric Therapies / Building Blocks Center for Children with Autism Chaney’s Service Center Cherokee Brands Common Grounds Curves of Danville Danville ENT Hearing Center Danville Historical Society Danville Orthopedic & Athletic Rehab Danville Regional Foundation Danville Regional Foundation Danville Regional Medical Center Danville Toyota Scion

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25 33 21 7 37 37

Danville Utilities Donna F. Helton, D.D.S., PC Dr. J. Peyton Moore Excelen Performance Frannie Wrenn | It Works!

Gamewood Technology Group, Inc. 16 Gateway Health 41 Goodwill Industries of South Central Virginia, INC 42 Habitat for Humanity ReStore 11 Hughes Marine Service 34 Institute for Advanced Learning and Research 19 The Madeline Centre, Inc. 19 Michelle Dalton Photography 9 M&M Furniture Co. 27 Mount Hermon Animal Clinic 37 Oak Tree Tavern 31 OB-GYN Associates of Danville 37 Piedmont Credit Union 35 Piedmont Labs

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39 Piedmont Regional Feeding & Oral-Motor Clinic, LLC 7 Sacred Heart School 42 Sallie S. Abreu 31 Salon One 11 27 Satterfield Insurance Agency, Inc. 15 Spurrier Orthodontics | Snyder Orthodontics 42 The Stone Shoppe 27 URW Community Federal Credit Union 5 Woods Rogers Attorneys at Law 41 Yates Homes Sales

Mackenzie Osadchuk

Ch Imagesanging Negativ into Posit e ive Ones Page 3 Rachel Shirley Key, Joyce Gla Mayhe w Prim ise,

The Wo ian Danville men of o City Co uncil Page 6

Don’t miss the April 2013 issue of eVince

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She Said...

Woe is me.Yes, I remember the couple well and they were so gracious with their comments and they are very dedicated readers. I can appreciate that. The whole time I was thinking that I was so happy for them, but also happy that it was not me.

I had my last baby at age 42, so I guess you’re trying to land me in the Guinness Book of Records if I have another one at my age. Don’t get me wrong. I loved raising my children. I am That got me to thinking, which I know looking forward to having many grandchildren pHOTO BY mICHELLE dALTON pHOTOGRAPHY you will say sometimes leads to trouble. It and great grandchildren in our lives. But we dawned on me that we have been married are way too old to think about raising another almost three years now and I say it’s about time that we have child. Were you thinking of paying college tuition with social a baby. Now I know what you are going to say —We have five security checks? I know you are much older than I am and act wonderful children between us and we are still their parents. But twice as old as I do. I accept that, but unbeknownst to you, I am in the thing is, they are all grown and half of them are married. We the middle of taking care of two children every day. One of them haven’t had the pleasure of bringing a baby into the world so that has four legs and long, fluffy, black ears and the other one has just you and I could raise it together. All couples, well most all couples, two legs and a gray beard but whines a lot. get married and want to have a baby. I am no different. I could teach him or her how to ride a bike, climb on the jungle gym You don’t like to be outside, so how are you going to teach a child things, or ride on the merry-go-round. If it’s a boy I could teach all of those skills you mentioned inside the house? I wash your him how to play baseball, dribble a basketball, shoot three pointers, clothes, cook your meals, wash your dishes, pick up your socks, and to throw a football. If it is a girl, I could teach her to walk and hang up your clothes, clean your bathroom, take out your garbage, talk and act like a lady, cook our favorite meal, and even teach her vacuum your room and all the rooms, and keep the dust down how to collect Barbie dolls. A baby would change our whole life. I to a minimum just to name a few chores that I do and you want don’t want you to rush into this baby thing without giving it some to add a baby to that list? Instead of teaching him or her to ride thought, but I would like for you to put it high up on that bucket a bike, you would teach him to collect things (I’m being polite list of yours. After all, you aren’t getting any younger and we do because I really mean “hoard” things) and never throw so much want to see her or him graduate college. as a magazine away. What if you taught them to eat what you eat?

And the most terrifying thing would be to THINK like you do.

God forbid. I’m not ready to raise a little Larry. The baby factory is closed, I am shaking like a leaf just thinking about your latest crazy idea. I swear I don’t know where you come up with some of these things. I am not saying you have the brain of a five-year-old, but a five-year-old would say, “Mommy when I am going to have a little brother or sister?”

Guess what, love, it is not going to happen again in your lifetime, so buy a new car instead and that can be your new baby.

Be sure to read She Said He Said in Evince. Send comments to: Larry@showcasemagazine.com

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he said...she said...

You know, we meet many people around town who read our column. A lot of them speak to us and tell us how much they enjoy what I write, I mean what WE write.

Last month we met the nicest couple in a store and, if you remember, we chatted with them about their family. They were the couple who had a 37-year-old daughter and another daughter who was just 16 years of age.

It’s Baby Time

by Larry Oldham & Dena Hill

he Said...

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Business at Full Capacity

financial

A typical complaint of established small to medium-sized business owners is that business performance seems to grow up to a point and then just stop. No matter what you do, performance stubbornly resists improvement. It is as if business growth hits a ceiling, which it cannot break through. The harder you try, the more frustrated you get.

Your profits may increases steadily until it reaches the first ceiling. Then, for the next few years, profits bounce along at this level.

If you are finding that attempts to improve performance beyond this point only yield lower returns, your business is probably running at close to full capacity. It means you need to take strategic action in your business.

Taking strategic action increases the capacity of the business. It could mean employing another person, buying a new machine, moving to bigger premises, introducing a new product, or any one of a host of businessbuilding actions.

Strategic action allows the level of activity in the business to increase sharply. And it generates much more profit. This can also create breakthroughs in which the ceiling on profit is lifted. This is what it means to take your business to the next level. Suddenly, you are playing a new ball game. Limitations and restrictions on what you can and cannot do will disappear. Business performance improves and you get the rewards you have worked so hard for. Managing the process properly is critical.

capacity, and profits increase. All of this means that if you want your business to prosper you need to plan taking strategic action very carefully.You need to be very aware of where your business stands in relation to ceilings on your financial performance. And you have to be clear on how you are going to achieve the kind of break through you need.

The need for strategic action in your business means, not surprisingly, that you have to do carefully considered strategic planning.

Strategic management transforms your business so that it satisfies your top priority desires. They could be a capital gain, a passive income, more time for you, better teamwork, or just having more fun.

Strategic Planning and Management Include - Build Mission - Analyze Current Situation - Develop Business Strategy - Take Strategic Action - Make Action Plans - Create Plan Design

Strategic Planning and Management Include

by Todd Boaze

todd@showcasemagazine.com

Money management tips, small business strategies and a variety of other financial concepts.

Facts and information contained is not intended to provide specific legal, financial or tax advice, or any other advice for any individual or company and should not be relied upon in that regard.

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Your first step in the planning process is to build a mission for your business.

Your vision is a detailed mental picture of what you want your business to become. This is your ultimate reason for being in business.Your business will only give you what you really want if your mission becomes the driving force behind it. Which is why getting clear on your mission is a good place to start. With your mission under your belt, you have clarity on where you are going with your business. SM

- Build Mission - Analyze Current Situation - Develop Business Strategy - Take Strategic Action - Make Action Plans - Create Plan Design - Strategic Planning Model - Review Strategy

After the breakthrough, there is a period of growth and consolidation. During this time, increased business activity absorbs surplus | April 2013 | www.showcasemagazine.com

- Strategic Planning Model - Review Strategy

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Hampton Wilkins: Home is Where the Heart Is

feature

by: Andrew Scott Brooks with Moriah Davis

Sometimes to make a dream come true, all you need is a little inspiration and a lot of faith.

Recently, there has been a strong push in this region to rebuild, grow, and strengthen the area. Many people who love this community have invested their time to mold it into a better place.

Hampton Wilkins, a man deeply rooted in his beliefs, strengthened through the love of his family, and driven for the idea of a stronger region, is a great example of community spirit in action.

In 1992, Hampton opened Wilkins & Company Real Estate, with the goal not to become the biggest real estate agency in town, but rather the best. Wilkins & Company is still at the same location it was established in twenty-one years ago.

Over time, Hampton’s clients experienced the commitment to excellence Hampton and his team gave each client, and the business grew. His philosophy of wanting the best for his clients drew people to Wilkins & Company, and as such the business had to renovate the building in order to accommodate new realtors. When all was said and done, the original 600-square-foot house was only a small percentage of the now 10,000-square-foot office building.

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Hampton attributes his good fortune to his ability to stay humble. Hampton said, “My faith guides everything I do.

My goal isn’t to be a fan of Christ, but rather a follower.”

This kind of personal service and humility is what has made Wilkins & Company a successful pillar in the community for so many years. Hampton said, “When I make a mistake I enjoy saying, ‘I made a mistake, let me say I’m sorry and fix the problem.’ The only people who don’t make a mistake are those who aren’t doing anything.” The entrepreneurial spirit of tackling challenges despite the risk is something Hampton instills in his family and co-workers, but it’s also something that was handed down to him.

Hampton’s passion for real estate is passed down to him from his parents. While his father and mother owned what was once, “Riverside Café”, where Hampton hustled as a young short order cook, they also had several rental properties which piqued his interest. Using the knowledge he had gained from working at his parents’ café, Hampton learned from an early age that “serving the customer’s needs is the secret to success.”

When Hampton started Wilkins & Company, he knew the importance of a strong team. He is quick to spread the credit for the success of Wilkins & Company to the “& Company” part. “My team, they’ve been with me for a long time.”

Ask him the secret to his success and Hampton points to

the people around him. “Tammy and the people here at Wilkins & Company make me look good.”

As soon as his company was up and running they all started giving back. Hampton invests his time to serve others as a member of more than half a dozen Boards in the area and as a volunteer at many other organizations. Fifteen years ago, one of the first ways he was able to show his commitment and dedication to the community was having a stew sale for the Schoolfield Elementary School. The stew raised money to help children have shoes, backpacks, and many other essential items their families couldn’t afford. This grew into regularly having stews for all types of nonprofits. His activities have evolved over time, and although he’s retired the stew pot, giving back to the community is an even bigger part of who Hampton is. Two years ago, Hampton and his team were the chairmen of the United Way fundraising campaign. During the course of the campaign he allowed people in his office to take charge of the company project, and they were able to meet the goal. He stated, “I wish I could say I was shocked at how the office came together. But, I believe in my people. The project helped develop camaraderie. The team didn’t see the project as just me, but rather all of us together.”

Hampton is driven by an inner belief that pushes him every day. “I want to be remembered for the way I treat people. I treat everyone the same, whether they can do something for me or not, “he said. “Our success in this business is directly from the community. My daughter and grandchildren are here.

I do it to make Danville a better place.”

There is nowhere you will see Hampton’s outpouring of love more apparent than in his commitment to his autistic grandson, Davis. Davis’s mother (and Hampton’s daughter), Catherine, is an entrepreneur who now works at Wilkins & Company.

She has two children Victoria and Davis. Some of Hampton’s favorite moments are the times that he is able to spend with his grandchildren.

Taking them to the park or just spending time with them in general fills his life with joy.

Early in his life, Davis was diagnosed with a severe form of autism. The challenges on a family are intense.

Whether you have the resources to attack the problem or are financially drained because of the problem, finding help for autism is one of the greatest challenges families face in America. But the rewards are immeasurable. Every breakthrough is like winning the lottery. “Davis is the most precious fellow I’ve been around. I can’t even describe it,” Hampton said. He keeps Davis on weekends and always takes him to church at First Presbyterian on Sundays. “Davis and his parents and grandparents have taught us a lot about love. When we see the depth of love we can have for one another through any circumstance, it helps us to understand God’s love for us,” Pastor Allen Thompson said.

developmental distance between them disappears.

Their bond is intense and unbreakable.

Between Hampton, Catherine, and Davis, their struggles have strengthened their souls.

The severity of autism can range from severe to subtle and having a family member with autism anywhere along the spectrum isn’t an easy thing to deal with. With Hampton’s family, the severity of the autism has been especially challenging.

They’ve tried to help Davis in every way that comes to their attention so he can overcome his challenges. “I read that a hyperbolic chamber helped autistic kids so I bought one,” Hampton said. “We used it until Davis didn’t like it anymore.”

One of the hardest parts of dealing with autism is how treatments are rapidly evolving. Most teachers and schools have limited training in dealing with the wide ranges of autism.

Treatment theories come and go on almost a daily basis. As the parent or grandparent of an autistic child, you want to make sure you’re doing everything you can do and trying the things that experts say work. Diet is an especially difficult part of the condition. Davis is very selective in what he will eat. In the past Davis has been on a gluten- free and caseinfree (no dairy products) diet. But these diets, combined with Davis’s picky eating, left very little foods from which to choose. With the help of a dietician, Hampton and Catherine are making strides. “The main thing we are trying to teach him is the importance of healthy eating.”

Like most parents of autistic children, finding the best place to go to school is an ongoing challenge. Davis now goes to Building Blocks where he is starting to show significant improvement. “Everything is a challenge,” Catherine said. “From simply going to the grocery store to going out to dinner, or even just to a family birthday party, it’s a struggle and people stare like I’m not disciplining my child.”

With most children, you can simply tell them what to do. But with an autistic child, you have to divert their attention to a different activity.

“My husband, my daughter, my helper, Meagan Dosher, and Dad have all been important parts of overcoming this challenge,” Catherine said.

“Without my Dad…” She couldn’t finish the thought and she didn’t need to.

Hampton has become an expert in autism, just as he is an expert in real estate. He is a leader in his family, just as he is a leader in the community. He’s a loving grandfather, businessman, and citizen. If anyone can lead a team to victory over autism, it’s the man who led his company to victory in the community.

Anyone can have a successful business, but Hampton has created a business with a soul.

His main purpose in life is to help others, whether it’s to find a home, to grow as a person, or to be a resource for information on autism. He will accomplish it. Hampton Wilkins makes things happen. SM

When you see Hampton and Davis together, it’s obvious that the www.showcasemagazine.com

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Autism: Bringing Awareness

feature

by Paul Seiple

In March, The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) amended a previous autism statistic that stated that 1 in 88 children are on the autism spectrum. At the time, the number was a ten-fold increase over the last 40 years. But the new report, given to parents of children ranging in age from 6 to 17, suggests that the number is actually higher — 1 in 50 American children are on the autism spectrum.

studies, scientists have pinpointed a number of rare gene mutations linked to autism. Most cases of autism result from a combination of “at risk” genes and environmental factors that influence the early development of the brain. Environmental stressors tend to be present before and during birth. The factors include advanced age of the father and mother during the time of conception, maternal illness during the pregnancy, and certain complications, particularly difficulties that cause oxygen deprivation for the baby during delivery. These components, alone, do not cause autism, but when coupled with gene factors, the risk increases.

Autism Subtypes

The new data also states that schoolaged boys are more likely to have an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis than girls. Health scientist with the CDC’s Center for Health Statistics, Stephen Blumberg says, “The new data does suggest that the number Autistic Disorder of children with autism is higher than we had estimated 4 years ago.” Autism Rett Syndrome Speaks, an advocacy group, believes that the latest Pervasive report supplies Developmental growing evidence Disorder-Not that the number of Otherwise children with autism Specified spectrum disorders is Asperger Syndrome (PDD-NOS) underestimated in the United States.

What is Autism?

Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are broad terms for a number of complex disorders of brain development.

Difficulties in social interaction, repetitive behaviors, and verbal and non-verbal communication classified in varying degrees define these disorders.

On the Spectrum?

Every autism diagnosis is unique. About 25 percent of people with ASD are non-verbal.

They can learn to communicate through alternate non-verbal methods.

While about 40 percent of people diagnosed with ASD are average to aboveaverage intellectually.

Some people with ASD tend to have above-average skill levels in the areas of math, music, and art, which makes creative therapy a popular field of treatment.

After the Diagnosis

Coping with an autism diagnosis in a positive manner is a first step down the right path of Difficulties in motor your child’s future. coordination, attention Parents can never problems, intellectual be prepared to hear disabilities, and physical • No joyful expressions and smiles by 6 months that their child is health issues such as of age autistic. It’s natural gastrointestinal and sleep • No back-and-forth sharing of facial expressions, to experience a disruptions have been smiles, or sounds by 9 months of age rollercoaster range linked to ASD. Autistic of emotions from behavior seems become • No babbling by 12 months of age shock to denial, but noticeable between 2 • No words by 16 months of age it’s the emotion of and 3 years of age. But acceptance your autism enroots in early • No meaningful two-word phrases (not including child needs the most. brain development. With imitating or repeating) by 24 months of age You, as a parent increasing diagnoses it is • Any loss of speech, babbling, or social skills at (and caregiver), imperative that autism any age make a tremendous awareness also rises. difference in your *list courtesy of Autism Speaks child’s life. But to The Causes of Autism be a pillar of strength, you need to take care of yourself (mentally and physically) as well. Autism Speaks suggests What causes autism? The answer is just as complex asking yourself the following questions. Where does my as autism itself. There is not a singular cause. In recent support and strength come from? How am I really doing?

Watch for the These Signs

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Tips to Make Your Family Stronger After an ASD Diagnosis •

Be informed. Research. Take advantage of the services provided by your community.

•

Don’t bottle your feelings. It’s human nature to feel angry and sad. Talk about your feelings with your family, but do not take them out on each other.

•

Have an adult life. Do not let autism monopolize every hour of the day. Spend time with your spouse and never neglect your other children.

Do I need to cry? Complain? Scream? Would I like some help, but I don’t know who to ask?

•

Celebrate the small victories your autistic child achieves. Focus on the accomplishments rather than comparing them to those of a typically developing child.

You will not be able to care for your child if you do not care for yourself. So, remember, your feelings are extremely important as well. And remember, you’re not alone. Support groups provide valuable insight, information, and reinforcement. The Autism Support Network is a wonderful resource for finding a group that fits your needs and comfort level.Visit www. autismsupportnetwork.com/ for more information.

•

Join the autism community. Make friends with parents that have autistic children.

Share your stories and accomplishments.

The support will give you strength to face daily challenges.

•

If you’re a sibling, be proud of your brother or sister. Don’t view them as different.

Educate yourself about autism. If you are comfortable with the subject then those you associate will be too.

•

Find an activity that you can enjoy with your brother or sister. Put a puzzle together. The connection is rewarding and the bond you have with your sibling will only strengthen.

Establishing a plan for treatment for your child is also important. Knowing that your child is engaging in growth promoting activates gives you much-needed time to focus on growing yourself.

It’s a perfect opportunity to educate yourself on autism.

Don’t be afraid to ask your friends and family for help. They may want to help, but aren’t sure about how to approach you. Approach them. Friends and family are always willing to lend a helping hand with things such as picking up your groceries, dry cleaning, etc.

Accepting their help can be the recharge you need when you’re feeling drained.

Getting your feelings out is crucial in improving the quality of life for your family. In the book Writing as a Way of Healing, Louise Desalvo suggests “writing that describes traumatic events and our deepest thoughts and feelings about them is linked with improved immune function, improved emotional and physical health, and positive behavioral changes.” Also, keeping a journal of your child’s progress can allow you determine what works and what doesn’t with treatment.

With the latest CDC report, it’s apparent that autism is on the rise. We will all have experiences with it in some form or another — whether it’s a family member or friend. Education is the key to harmony. Awareness is understanding. Getting involved is the future.

You can get involved on April 27 when the second annual Dan River Autism Awareness 5k is held at the Riverwalk Trail in Danville. Help spread autism awareness by walking or running. For more information, visit danriverautism5k. eventbrite.com. SM

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“My 12-year-old son Obie has Asperger’s Syndrome. He was diagnosed in March 2010.

Before his diagnosis, I had years of frustration, anger, helplessness and confusion. I grew up in an era where children said “yes sir, yes ma’am” and did what they were told because they were told to.

Now, I have a child that has to be told numerous times to do something and then reminded of the steps to do simple tasks. It’s difficult when I have to remind him to dry off after showering. And I have to be very specific in giving directions because he takes things literally.

a el g n An rto Ho

It’s hard to know what to say to a 12-year-old who is sad and asks why he has no friends. He has trouble making friends since he has social deficits. He has behaviors that aren’t the “norm” but he doesn’t realize it. As a mom, I worry about his future relationships. Dating and marriage are hard enough when you don’t have any issues with socialization.

It’s hard being a single parent and not having a different perspective on situations. I’ve had people stare and whisper and tell me I need to just make him behave or spank him when he’s having a meltdown. But he processes things differently and needs love and patience and guidance. I am so blessed because I have a sweet, smart, and handsome young man that loves me and is not afraid to show it. I’m very thankful that last summer the Madeline Centre had a summer program and Obie was around other children like him. He didn’t have to feel awkward or out of place. I’ve have been able to meet other parents of AS children at the Madeline Centre also, and it helps to know I’m not alone. He may have issues but who doesn’t? Some days are hard and I still have days of frustration, anger, and helplessness, but I also know that God has blessed me with Obie and I love him for all he is.”

“Evan has been diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome and a type of OCD of obsessional thinking patterns. Living with a child with AS is both amazing and unique. As a small child, Evan was attached to Thomas the Tank Engine. He was able to play his videos and act out the scenes with his Thomas trains, speaking a sic tt the words verbatim with the trains on the s television. As Evan grows into a brilliant, young Je ge d man, he continues to blow my mind with his a B conversations and broad vocabulary. His interests at this time are tanks and wars and he can tell you any and all there is to know about them.

Although, I have been blessed with a child with AS, there are also some struggles that we, as a family, have to deal with. Socially, Evan has a lot of friends and gets along great with most. His maturity level, however, is not typical of a nine-yearold boy. Intellectually, he excels most at his age, but his maturity matches more of a child much younger than him. He still sees his day as revolving around “play” and not the hard work and effort it requires to be a student in the third grade with homework. He fears large crowds, which means I don’t get the pleasures of watching him in school plays or activities. He can carry along a great conversation but struggles with talking to people about things other than tanks and wars; his conversations revolve around details and factual information instead of what one would see as a typical “two-way” conversation.

My major concern as a parent is to ensure Evan grows up to be a successful adult.

I work with him every day to become and stay independent in his daily routines.

Evan will begin therapy soon to help with some of his obsessive qualities and deal with the things that will be required of him as he progresses to adulthood such as learning to be independent. I will never feel that AS is something to overcome, but something to embrace and see as a blessing.”

Living with

The Family Perspective

& ry a r h La rt Ma upp H

“Autism became a regular word in our family’s vocabulary when we adopted our first child, Adam, in 1989 and he was diagnosed with autism in 1992. There are countless tales to tell, emotional rollercoasters ridden and lessons learned during the past two decades, but suffice it to say that every tear, every triumph, every trepidation has been worth it to see Adam’s achievements today.

Adam enjoys life and many people have told us that they rarely see him when he does not have a smile on his face. Hmmm . . . is there a life lesson buried in there for the rest of the world to see? Here is a 24-year-old young man who works at The Arc of Southside in Blairs and is madly in love with his piano (his guitar runs a close second!) and spends lots of time on his iPad. Yet he has difficulty expressing himself verbally, will never drive a car nor make lots of money, but he smiles . . . he’s happy. No, he’s joyful . . . in all things.

Adam is on the cusp of launching out to his future man pad at a fantastic residential service in North Carolina within the next three years where one thing is certain . . . he’ll still be smiling.

Our family cannot imagine life without Adam Hupp!”

“Charlie’s motor skills were not developing as quickly as they should. I knew something was not right, but he was so smart that it was easy to overlook behaviors that were actual symptoms r e h an of the problem. When asked what it was like t a to know he has autism, Charlie says, “It is He erm better now. I Love you, mom!” He still p p has difficulty putting his feelings and needs Vi into words when he is upset, but he knows we are more patient and aware that he needs our help.

Sometimes it is like living with Jekyll and Hyde, but his sister Hannah says, “I like the challenge of having a brother with autism.” When we finally had a diagnosis, Charlie was five. Even expecting the diagnosis, Chuck, my husband, and I were lost. We did not know where to begin or how to connect with other parents in the community. Chuck and I started the ASDDanville Facebook group page and website to improve communication the best way we knew how. Anyone can ask to be a member. If we see an article or just need to vent there are people there to listen who really understand the challenges we face. Local autism service providers are listed on the Resources page of www.asddanville.org. Anyone is encouraged to submit autism eventrelated information to the Calendar page including the Parent training meetings being held at The Madeline Center.”

www.showcasemagazine.com

| April 2013 | Showcase Magazine 17

Express Yourself: Using Creative Arts to Heal

feature

by Paul Seiple

When an artist creates something, it’s therapeutic. Tying together two scenes separated by a widening plot hole brings not only a smile to a screenwriter’s face, but also relief.

The screenplay marches onward. Each day everyone writes their own screenplay. It’s called life. For some, their muse isn’t so clear, paving plot holes doesn’t come easy.

Frustration settles in and they shut down. Expressive therapy becomes a viable outlet.

Expressive therapy involves the use of creative arts such as storytelling, dance, poetry, and visual arts to aid in therapeutic healing and human growth. Artists, musicians, and writers have used this form of therapy since the dawn of time. Most have heard the saying, “An artist is a tortured soul.”

It’s usually through their work that they find peace. Expressive therapists believe that through creativity and imagination, people can unlock the doors that keep them from exploring their feelings, emotions, and thought processes.

One does not have to be a great artist to benefit from expressive therapy. It’s not about the final product. It’s about the process.

benefits of art while recovering from tuberculosis. Hill rationalized that art “completely engrosses the mind (as well as the fingers).”

This in turn allows the creative energy of the inhibited patient to flow.

Hill suggested that the creation of art enables a patient to “build up a strong defense against his misfortunes.”

Oldham says, “The use of art in therapy helps clients, who otherwise struggle or have a difficulty doing so through verbal communication, expressing thoughts, feelings, and emotions. For some clients, art can be a release, a method of getting distressing feelings and thoughts out of the mind and body and onto paper, canvas, or even the wall.”

Healing is the main goal of art therapy.

Studies have shown the use of art therapy to be successful when applied to Alzheimer’s patients dealing with memory loss. Art therapy has also been influential in helping people suffering from traumatic brain injuries, posttraumatic stress disorder chronic illnesses and depression.

Oldham says, “The use of art in therapy is actually meant to be a casual and relaxing process. And many clients experience a feeling

The Canvas Speaks a Thousand Words One form of expressive therapy is art. According to Lance Oldham, MS, NCC, LPB, of Tree of Life in Greensboro, North Carolina, “Art therapy is the use of drawing, painting, collaging, mask making, or other visual arts with clients within a therapy session. Although, some clients may do the art outside of the session and bring it in for discussion. Art therapy is a great complimentary method to talk therapy and has many uses and benefits. “ The term “art therapy” first emerged in the late 1940s.

British artist, Adrian Hill discovered the therapeutic 18 Showcase Magazine

| April 2013 | www.showcasemagazine.com

Art as a Coping Mechanism • After a Cancer Diagnosis: Art therapy has been known to improve motivation, general well-being, and quality of life in cancer patients.

• After a Disaster: Art therapy has been proven effective in disaster relief. Art therapists encourage victims of natural and manmade disasters to express their feelings of the experience through art.

• After the Death of a Loved One: Art therapy encourages the conscious and unconscious expression of the mourning process in both children and adults.

of calm after making art, even before the art that is made is discussed. What the client experiences while creating the art can be the most cathartic.”

The Mighty Pen Anyone that has kept a personal journal or diary has practiced self-expression through writing. In the 1960s, Dr. Ira Progoff, a psychologist in New York City, shed light on the therapeutic benefits of journaling keeping. Through Progoff’s Intensive Journal Method, writers keep a journal in a three-ring notebook with color-coded sections to catalog their life and healing. Through journal writing, the author is given a unique opportunity to read his own mind.

Psychologist James W. Pennebaker, a pioneer in writing therapy, developed the Pennebaker paradigm which involves writing about emotional or traumatic experiences in three to five, fifteen to twenty minute, sessions over consecutive days. While the writing sessions can be upsetting, they are generally found to be cathartic.

In his original experiment, Pennebaker separated two groups of students. One group was to write about traumatic experiences that had occurred during their lives and the other was to write about trivial events. The results showed that undisclosed trauma in the average American student was shockingly high. But even more telling, the group that wrote about their traumatic experiences showed a marked strengthening of their immune system and a considerable improvement in psychological well-being.

With the Internet, writing therapy has evolved. The most popular method is via email between therapist and client.

The condition of anonymity provided by email allows the client to disclose certain things easier than in a face-toface situation. Blogs are another option to express your feelings through words. If you’re not sure you want the world to read your mind, privacy is an option. Blogger by Google allows the blog’s owner to set the privacy level so that only the author can read the posts. It’s a great way to catalog your feelings.

Therapeutic Benefits of Journal Writing • • • •

Break Down Your Thoughts and Feelings Lowers Stress Better Problem-solving Efficiency Helps in Resolving Conflict with Others

Healing Rhythm From the Bible, 1 Samuel 16:23, “And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took a harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.” www.showcasemagazine.com

| April 2013 | Showcase Magazine 19

Music is Medicine: A Song for the Mending • Stroke Therapy: Music is used to affect emotions and social interactions • Heart Disease: Some music may reduce heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure in patients with coronary heart disease • Schizophrenia: Music improves many symptoms • Alzheimer’s and dementia: Music has positive effects on social behavior leading to improvements in interaction and conversation • Depression: Music can be a significant benefit for individuals with major depressive disorder The healing power of music has been documented for centuries. The Greek father of medicine, Hippocrates used music as therapy for his patients.

Aristotle stated music is “a force that purifies emotions.” In Native American culture, music plays a significant role in healing. Medicine men chant and dance as a form of treatment for the ill.

Music therapy became popular in the United States after World War I when musicians would travel to hospitals to play for those suffering from war injuries and emotional trauma.

Today, music therapy is used in treating individuals with behavioral-emotional disorders.

Neurological Musical Therapy (NMT) studies the effects of music and uses the findings to alter brain function through music that will eventually affect the individual non-musically.

NMT helps clients with deficiencies in motor skills by training motor responses to music such as toe and finger tapping. Dr.

While dance therapy is promoted to reduce stress and to help

Michael Thaut, a leading researcher in music therapy, says the premise is “The brain that engages in music is changed by engaging in music.”

Get to Moving “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass: it’s about learning to dance in the rain.” That was said by author Vivian Greene. For some, dancing in the rain may

Types of Dance Used for Therapy Aerobic Dance Ballroom Tango Turkish Dance Waltz Foxtrot

20 Showcase Magazine

of healing for thousands of years, but the term “dance therapy” wasn’t established until the 1950s. The basic principle of dance therapy is based upon the idea that “the body and mind are inseparable.” When body and mind interact, the change in movement affects total functionality and the movement reflects personality. Dance therapy provides a form of non-verbal mediation for individuals who have trouble expressing their feelings in a verbal manner. The improvisation of dance allows experimentation with new ways of being.

| April 2013 | www.showcasemagazine.com

sound silly, but have you ever danced in the rain?

Soon you forget about being wet because you’re too busy being alive.

Dance has been used as a form

center the body, it also is beneficial in specialized treatments. Dance helps to build better social and motor skills, coordination, improves body images, and personal awareness. These benefits can be felt in a wide array of conditions from autism, to Parkinson’s disease, to eating disorders.

Henry David Thoreau said, “To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts.” The music we listen to, the books we read, and the art we admire enhance the quality of our days. But the power of healing is the greatest gift creative arts give us. SM

“The IB curriculum at Carlisle enables my son to compete with students his age all over the world.

Carlisle provides him the skills he needs to master his voice, be thoughtful, engaged and competitive.�

Now Enrolling!

Carlisle School Discover the Difference

Martinsville Campus 300 Carlisle Rd Axton, VA 24054 (276) 632-7288 Chatham Campus 956 Woodlawn Academy Rd Chatham, VA 24531 (434) 432-9244 Danville Campus 179 Piney Forest Rd Danville, VA 24540 (434) 799-1750

IB World School Chrys Gunn, mother of Morgan, grade 2

For more information, please visit http://www.carlisleschool.org

www.showcasemagazine.com

| April 2013 | Showcase Magazine 21

Building Futures and Shaping Lives for Autistic Children

feature

is also equipped with an onsite indoor pool for aquatic therapy and an on-site gym with vestibular equipment for sensory integration treatment.

by Misty Brooks

Autism. It’s a familiar word to some, brand new to others, and mind-boggling to all. Children are challenging enough when they are what society considers normal. So what’s a parent to do when faced with the obstacle that is autism? You have to educate yourself on options. Look no further than our very own community.

I visited a facility right here in Danville,Virginia one morning to take a look around. I was quite impressed by the warm and inviting feeling I felt when I arrived.

No one is an outsider here, even me, who clearly didn’t belong.

I was spotted instantly by a curious little red-haired fellow named James. I got a super-friendly greeting from him, but he was eager to get back to Calendar Time, which was a small group interacting together along with a time-sequenced story on an iPad. I watched the children move to their respective stations as they began their lessons for the day. Timers sounded for each transition. The pace and stimulation level had been mastered for each child. What I was witnessing could only be provided with love and dedication to these children. It was very touching to see.

The Center for Pediatric Therapies and Building Blocks Center for Children with Autism offers extensive services for nearly every autism-related urgency your child may have. Established in 2001, Center for Pediatric Therapies (CPT) has upheld a strong and positive relationship with families throughout the Danville community by providing school-based and early intervention therapies. CPT offers specialized assistance in areas of fine motor and gross motor delays which include, but are not limited to, language delays, feeding difficulties, and sensory integration disorder. The facility

22 Showcase Magazine

| April 2013 | www.showcasemagazine.com

In 2004, while offering occupational therapy to those in need at public schools, Kristen Houser and her partner Tommy Mathena opened Building Blocks to cater to the children in need. They created a center specifically designed for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder that provides an educational requisite to children from two years of age to fourteen years of age. Their private day school is equipped with a fully licensed and VAISEF accredited staff and promises to be motivating, reassuring, and guided every step of the way. In one-on-one interaction, or part of a small group, children will learn from a special education teacher or a general education teacher, depending on the individual’s needs and capabilities. These settings are stimulating and very much timemanaged, and most of all, designed for each child in ordinance with his or her Individual Education Plan (IEP).

Houser says they have big plans for the future and hope to offer a behavioral health department, employing licensed practical counselors to further encompass the many elements of autism. For Houser and her staff, the honor of helping families by offering their children the utmost in education, therapies, and lifelong goals is more rewarding than anything.

Currently the CPT and Building Blocks staff list is quite decorated with a collage of degrees and areas of expertise. Please visit their website for an extensive look at each member.

The registration process for Center for Pediatric Therapies and Building Blocks can begin when you call an office in your area — Danville,

Martinsville, Lynchburg, or South Boston,Virginia. Medical insurance is accepted, and funding is available. If your child is on the autism spectrum, do not hesitate to call or visit Building Blocks and let one of their knowledgeable staff members guide you in the right direction. See their ad on page 38 for location phone numbers. SM

“The staff at Building Blocks is very dedicated to our children.

They are like an extension of our family. Andrew has been attending Building Blocks since he was four-years-old. He is eleven now and I can’t imagine how things would be without the help and intense intervention that they offer.” -The Paxton Family

“Davis absolutely loves Building Blocks!! The one-on-one attention he gets there is wonderful. Davis is excited to come to school every day. He has learned so much there and has come so far.

He gets speech therapy, OT, and ABA all in one place. The staff is awesome, and we are all like family.” -Catherine Wilkins Shelton

“Building Blocks and staff have helped my autistic son tremendously. They have been so patient when my son has rough days. Shannon Phelps and Courtney Adams are like family to my son Michael. They are truly teaching my son the building blocks to growing into an educated young man. My son has been going to Building Blocks since he was six-years-old, and is now 12.”

- a parent whose child attends Building Blocks

“We first came into contact with Building Blocks in the summer of 2011. Our oldest son was having some behavior issues and newly diagnosed with Asperger’s. After the summer at Building Blocks we saw much improvement in his behavior. During the first grade there were some behavior issues that could not be resolved in public schools.

I called Courtney Adams who was immediately there to assist my family. She made the transition happen for my son within two days. Since then I never have to worry.

They have been a life saver for our family and we are grateful for each and every staff member.” -Jennifer Pittman

Building Blocks Center for Children with Autism 175 Deer Run Road Danville,Virginia 24540 434-797-5531

www.showcasemagazine.com

| April 2013 | Showcase Magazine 23

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www.showcasemagazine.com

| April 2013 | Showcase Magazine 25

Stop Falling for Weight Loss Scams and Fake Quick Fixes!

health

America is now a majority of malnourished, lazy, sickly, emotionallyenabled people with poor eating habits who make excuses and don’t take the necessary action to put their health atop their priority list!

The growing trend in America, before starting a training program, is one that consists of a fat-free, sugar-free, and carb-free diet that supposedly keeps you in the right caloric range, BUT you continue to gain weight, and your health does not improve.

The “Free” mentality kills a healthy lifestyle and diminishes the quality of life.

There are so many slick advertising campaigns and infomercials that promise the quick fix — five- minute abs, fifteen-minute workouts, miracle juices, diet pills, and fake weight loss schemes (you lose water weight immediately), but you gain more fat after the shine leaves the snake oil. Then you get discouraged and fall completely off the wagon again.

Pete Jones Photography

by Dave Gluhareff In the late 1990s David Gluhareff lost over 100 pounds. Dave then became a certified personal trainer with the International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) and began his career as a personal trainer. In March of 2009 David earned the elite status of Master of Fitness Sciences (MFS) by the ISSA, their highest level of personal training qualifications. As a personal trainer, Dave has been helping people take charge of their physiques to help them feel, look, and move better through life. Visit www.

VirginiaBootcamp. com for more information.

26 Showcase Magazine

Real Issue: I work with hundreds of people each week and to be perfectly honest the majority of my obese clients do NOT eat enough calories during the day.

Most consume excess calories and junk late in the evenings before bed. So, counting calories is a nonissue most of the day.

Americans are not getting fat by breakfast and lunch or early afternoon calories alone. It’s mostly eating junk at night, in excess, and barely anything during the day. Then factor in no activity, minimal sleep, and high stress. The cumulative effect is disastrous obesity and a poor quality of life.

Survival becomes dependent on modern medicine to treat symptoms directly related to being overweight instead of better health with a focus to cure or prevent issues like laziness, poor food choices, or excess body fat that leads to obesity.

Exercise, Nutrition, and Rest would cure almost all of the side effects of excess body fat.

When it comes to the calories question, many people may get their total accurate caloric requirement for the day, the problem is it’s all in one sitting right before bed. Calorie count becomes ineffective because they watch TV, surf the Internet, or some other lazy activity for an hour or two before bed without burning calories.

Then they fall asleep with a full belly and the body stores the additional calories as fat.

When you’re looking for the quick fix, it’s easy to fall for deceptive advertising and marketing

| April 2013 | www.showcasemagazine.com

My Personal Struggle and Solution: Eighteen-years ago I used to weigh over 305 pounds. I was an active athlete and busy-body all day but ate Pete Jones Photography nothing until late evening, usually 2000-2500 calories before bed. That made me obese, plus it made my metabolism slow as a snail. I had to decide to make the necessary changes and seek support from the pro-active people in my life that cheered me on to take the journey to lose over 100 pounds and change my life for the better. I decided. I made a choice. I took action and put my health at the top of my priority list. that uses ridiculous logic and makes false misinterpretations to take advantage of the gullibility and fears of overweight people. Those companies prey on the obese and coerce people into buying their products by promising to miraculously shed the pounds. Don’t purchase their ideas or products. They don’t work. Only you can initiate the change.You hold the power. With determination, exercise, rest, and nutrition, you can take control of your health.

Healthiest Weight Loss Solution: Let me be perfectly honest, firm, yet blunt — there are NO quick fixes! There are NO easy way outs!

You have to work at this weight loss thing a bit after you’ve made up your mind to make changes, and then decide to work at it.

Get serious. Take action. Go with a proven, guaranteed, effective, long lasting, and real fat loss approach — healthy amounts of daily Exercise, healthy amounts of daily Nutrition, and healthy amounts of daily Rest!

Nothing for you to buy here… just do it! SM

games Fun &

ACROSS 43 Radar echo 1 Secondary 44 Greasy 5 Sheets of paper 46 Divisions 10 Workplace 49 Type of acid 13 Air (prefix) 51 Course 14 Hindu religious 52 Stretch to make do teacher 53 Flirting 15 Rain cats and dogs 57 __ A Small World...

16 Bridge 59 Canal 17 Mischievous 60 Honey lovers 18 Reverse 62 Bluish green 19 African antelope 66 There’s four in a quart 21 Unrestricted 67 Islands freedom 68 Stare at 23 Wrath 69 Price sticker 26 Not JFK 70 Actor Martin 28 Photocopy 71 Bard 29 Dinner named singer 32 Ventilates DOWN 33 El __ (Texas city) 1 Old-fashioned Dads 34 Question 2 Representative 36 Killed 3 Epoch 37 Who lawyers work 4 Ping __ (paddle game) for 5 Fake 38 Syllables used in 6 Hole punching tool songs 7 Fish hook (2 wds.)

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35 Deep brown 37 Pilot 38 Federal Bureau of Investigation 39 Lotion ingredient 40 Part of a chain 41 Recess 42 Disgust with excess 44 Lubricating 45 Recess 47 Plate armor 48 Dynamite 49 Deft

50 Common Catholic name 54 Wading bird 55 Bird’s home 56 Wind 58 Cease 61 Pastor (abbr.)

63 Pride 64 Brew 65 Rent

HOW TO ENTER

WIN!

Email paul@showcasemagazine.com with the theme of this Word Search (April 2013) for a chance to win a $25 Medo’s II gift certificate. Winner will be announced on Facebook (Showcase Magazine) on April 20, 2013.

o’s II $25 Medificate t r e c gift

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Journal

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Lyrics Journal Therapy Medium

Lyrics Poetry Medium

| April APRIL2013 2013| |www.showcasemagazine.com www.showcasemagazine.com Blog Poetry

Writing

An swers on Page 32

S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

DANVILLE

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

4 - 7 - Dixie Swim Club: Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History.

434.793.5644.

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

13 - Zip Line Express: Dan Daniel Memorial Park. 434.799.5215.

APR‘13

Martinsville

| Kids | L i f e sty l e / L e c t u r e

www.showcasemagazine.com

H o bb i e s / S p o rts

2, 3, 9, 16 - Bingo. Times/locations vary.

434.799.5216.

4 - 7 - Dixie Swim Club: Join us for the story of five unforgettable women—a hilarious and touching comedy about friendships that last forever. Tickets $15. T,F,S 7:30pm. Sunday 2:30pm. Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History. 434.793.5644. www. danvillelittletheatre.org 5 - 7 - Ladies in Retirement: Written by by Edward Percy and Reginald Denham, this British suspense melodrama is a thriller that has entertained audiences over 70 years.

Tickets are $10.00 adults, $8.00 seniors and military, $6.00 students. Friday and Saturday at 7:30pm. Sunday at 2:30pm.

Gretna Movie Theatre - 434.656.3637.

2 - A Bioregionalist for the Dan River - All Ages. Local naturalist and author of The Dan River Book: Odyssey, Epic, Guide, Forrest Altman, presents a program on the Dan River as the geographical “thread” that ties together numerous “bio-communities.” No fee.

6:30pm. Danville Science Center. 434791-5160.

6 - Firearm Safety Class: In this five-hour class, you will learn the laws in Virginia that regulate gun safety.

Topics also covered in class will include: basic design of handguns, handgun safety and marksmanship. Cost is $50, non-city residents $65.00. Class will be held 9:00am-2:00pm, at Glenwood Community Center. Call 799-5150.

8 - Walk to End Alzheimer’s Team Captain Workshops: Learn new fundraising tips and get new tools to lead your Walk Team in the fight to End Alzheimer’s. Information.

8:00am, 12:00pm, 4:00pm. United Way on Craghead Street in Danville.

434.973.6122 or email mhanson@alz. org.

8, 9 - Hunter Safety Education:

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Entertainment

Lifestyle/Lectures

April 2013

Thru May 5 - Playing with Time.

All ages. Journey to the unseen world of natural change to experience events that happen too fast or too slow for humans to perceive. Use time manipulating tools to explore nature from the growth and development of plants and animals to era-spanning geologic events. Danville Science Center. 434-791-5160.

Thru June 9 - Nano Mini. All ages.

This interactive exhibit engages visitors in nanoscale science, engineering, and technology. Hands-on elements present the basics of nanoscience and engineering, introduce real world applications, and explore societal implications of this technology. Created by the Nanoscale Informal Science Education (NISE) Network with support from the National Science Foundation.

Danville Science Center. 434-791-5160.

Thru June 30 - Danny’s Brush with Nature. All Ages. Featuring paintings of flowers, trees and flowing water, Danville native Danny Ricketts’ works reflect his manyencounters with the natural world and his desire to recycle and reuse materials. His work will inspire you to view nature with a new, more colorful perspective. Danville Science Center.

H e l p i n g Ha n d s

Kids/Family

6 - Danville Pickers: A spring yard sale will be held at Coates Recreation Center, 7:00am-12pm. Space will be limited, so reserve your standard sixfoot table as soon as possible. Call 799-5150.

7 - Averett Singers Spring Concert: The Averett Singers will perform a variety of songs during their annual spring concert. Pritchett Auditorium.

Danville. 2:30pm. 434-791-5600. Free and open to the public.

11, 12, 13 - Musical Theatre Revue: The Averett theatre department will perform a variety of selections from popular Broadway musicals. Pritchett Auditorium. Danville. 7:30pm. 434-7915712. Tickets: $9 adults; $7 students/ senior citizens 12, 13 - History on the Lawn: With a living history camp portrayed by the 18th Virginia Infantry, Company B “Danville Grays.” DMFAH. 13 - Zip Line Express: Experience the thrill of the new 400-foot Zip Line.

Just one part of the Danville Challenge Course. 10 -11.30a.m. Dan Daniel Memorial Park. Danville - 434.799.5215. www.playdanvilleva.us.

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1 - Deadline for Artists’ Entries to May’s “Art on the Lawn” to be submitted. For details about requirements and eligibility, please contact the museum’s Executive Director.

4 - Ensemble Chaconne.

Performance is part of Averett University’s Arts@Averett Series. The ensemble performs music from the Renaissance and Baroque Europe eras.

Pritchett Auditorium, Danville. 7:30pm.

434-791-5620. Free and open to the public.

6 - Bob Ross Painting Class: Taught

by Ed Gowen, a Certified Bob Ross Instructor. The painting for this month is “Waterfall & Purple Tree.” Complete this beautiful painting in just one day. Ballou Park Annex Building. 10:30am-3:30pm.

Cost is $70 CR/$75 NCR. For more information, visit www.playdanvilleva. com or call 434.797.8848.

434-791-5160.

6 - Adoption Center Anniversary Celebration - Adoption Fair: reduced adoption fees, rabies clinic, microchip clinic. 12 noon - 3:30 pm. Danville Area Humane Society Animal Shelter.

434.799.0843.

6 - Nano Days Festival: All Ages.

Celebrate a really tiny science! Discover the molecules behind slime, magic sand and mood rings. Guest scientists from the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research join us to share nano demonstrations and hands-on activities raising awareness of nanoscale science and engineering in our world. Festival activities are included with paid admission. This program is in partnership with the Nanoscale Informal Science Education (NISE) network. 10:30am2:30pm. Danville Science Center.

434.791.5160.

13 - October 12: Butterfly, Hello! and Thyme. All Ages. Just in Thyme for spring planting, we welcome a new season of butterflies in the Butterfly Station and Garden. Herb fair 9am— 12pm; Garden opening 11am–3pm.

Danville Science Center - 434.791.5160.

25 - URW Annual “Youth Day” : 3-5pm. 539 Arnett Blvd. Danville.

25 - Afternoons with the Masters: Registration. Under the direction of Karan Johnson, students, ages 6-8, learn about famous artists and the way they created their masterpieces. 975 Main Street, Danville,Va. 24541 - 434-7935644. www.danvillemuseum.org

e n t e rta i n m e n t

Arts/Exhibits

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DANVILLE

a rts

MISS!

19 - All About Herbs-Oregano/Marjoram: The Artisan Center.

276.656.5461.

AREAEventsGuide

DON’T

12 - Music Night: Spencer-Penn Centre. 276.957.5757.

| April 2013 | Showcase Magazine 29

Continued from Page 37

AREAEventsGuide

Learn safe hunting practices and qualify for a concealed weapons permit. To register contact Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. 6-9:30pm. Ballou Park Nature Center.

Danville - 888.516.0844. www.dgif.virginia.gov.

22, 23 - Boating Safety Education: Learn the rules of the water in this free class.

Register through the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. 6-9:30pm. Ballou Nature Center. Danville - 1.888.516.0844. www.dgif.virginia.gov.

30 - Invasion of the Non-Indigenous Plants: Virginia Tech Extension and Outdoor Recreation team up to teach you about nonindigenous plants and the harm they can do to our natural areas. 7-8.30p.m. Ballou Nature Center. Danville - 434.799.5215. www. playdanvilleva.us.

Kuumba-West African Dance Company.

Join Patricia Hall and the members of Kuumba for live drumming and energetic dancing.

There is no cost, but you must pre-register. TH Kuumba Kids 6:oopm-6:30pm and Kuumba for Adults 6:30pm-7:45pm. City Auditorium. For more information, visit www.playdanvilleva.com or call 434.797.8848.

Art W/ Flo. Flo Haynes will instruct the students how to paint using the wet on wet

chipping, putting and score keeping. Golf clubs provided. Ages 8-13. Cost is $35/session/child, non-city residents $45. Class will be held 6:007:00pm at Glenwood Community Center. Call 799-5150.

25 - Nature Captured Through Photography: Follow a Dr. David Hoffman, nature photographer, along the Dan River as he demonstrates photography techniques for capturing wildlife on film. 5:30-7pm. Dan Daniel

Boogie Mondays – 7-8:30pm. Ballou Park Recreation Center – 434.799.5216.

Hobbies/Sports

Tai-Chi II (Day Classes): Increases strength, balance, flexibility, and explores your inner self! Paul Schwarz instructs. $5 per class.

April 8, 15, 22 & 29 – 11:15am-12:30pm – Ballou Recreation Center - 760 West Main Street, Danville,VA - 434.799.5216. jonesci@ ci.danville.va.us.

Ongoing - Zumba with Jennifer. The Zumba® program fuses hypnotic Latin rhythms and easy-to-follow moves to create a oneof-a-kind fitness program that will blow you away. TTH 7:00pm. $5.00/class. For class times and dates, visit www.playdanvilleva.com or call (434) 797-8848.

Boogie Mondays. Exciting ballroom dancing class with a different dance taught each month from Cha-Cha and Swing to Waltz and Rumba.

M 7-8:30pm. Ballou Park Center. No program April 1 – 434.799.5216.

Blood Pressure & Body Mass Index (BMI) Checks - Taken by Ballou Recreation Center staff. Call for locations/times - 434.799.5216.

YMCA. All new classes. M 7:00am and F 12:00pm Hit Class. T 6:00pm Pilates. $5.00 for non-members. Call 434.792.0621 with any questions.

Cardio Step Class. Step away those pounds to your favorite songs. Burn calories and shed inches in this up-tempo, high-energy class. Ages 18 and over. TTH 8:15am-9:15am, 12:00pm-1:00pm, 4:00pm-5:00pm. Danville City Auditorium Power Zone Fitness Center. $5/week CR $7.50/NCR. For more information, visit www.playdanvilleva.com or call 434.797.8848.

Working Out - Baby Boomer Style.

These classes will instruct baby boomers how to incorporate walking, cardio activity and weight training into their fitness routine..

The classes will highlight exercises specially designed for older adults. City Auditorium Power Zone Fitness Center. TTH 9:00am10:30am. $5/week CR/ $7.50 NCR. For more information, visit www.playdanvilleva.com or call 434.797.8848.

Ladies, It’s Time To Work It Out. These classes will instruct Ladies how to incorporate walking, cardio activity and weight training into their fitness routine. City Auditorium Power Zone Fitness Center. TTH 10:00am12:00pm. $5/week CR/ $7.50 NCR. For more information, visit www.playdanvilleva.com or call 434.797.8848.

African Dance by Nguzo Saba. Have an awesome time learning West African dance technique to live drumming! All levels are encouraged to register; for dance junkies, dancers in training and curious newcomers! W 6:00pm at Danville City Auditorium. No Fee. For more information, visit www.playdanvilleva. com or call 434.797.8848.

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technique. New students are welcome. W 9:30am-12:30pm Glenwood Community Ctr. Or W 6:00pm-9:00pm Ballou Annex Building.

4-week class. $31.50 CR/$44.00 NCR. For more information, visit www.playdanvilleva.com or call 434.797.8848.

3 - Virginia International Raceway Open House - To benefit Victory Junction. Kyle Petty is scheduled to join us as we open the track to the public so they can be a part of the action on this historic 3.27-mile road course.

Admission is free. Parade laps are $25.VIR 434.822.7700.

3 - 17 - Archery – Adults - Gain knowledge, skills and experience in this class. Participants will learn using state-of-the-art re-curve bows and equipment. Cost is $40, non-city residents $50.00. Class will be held Wednesdays, 6:307:30pm at Coates Recreation Center. Call 799-5150.

6 - God’s Storehouse Community Indoor Yard Sale: All are welcomed to donate items for God’s Storehouse to sell (drop off at 750 Memorial Dr) OR pay $10 to set up your own table with items to sell. 7:00am-1:00pm at 778 Westover Dr. Danville,VA. For more information: Email godsstorehouse@comcast. net or call 793-3663.

6 - Spring Fling Horse Show: Performance and Fun Classes for all breeds.

10 am - until. Ag Complex, Chatham - 434.548.9600/434.251.8914. www. southsidesaddleclub.weebly.com 6 - Beginner Line Dance Workshop: Geared toward dancers who are familiar with basic line dance steps and who want to learn fun, new dances ranging from Ultra to High Beginner levels. Instructors welcome. $12 advance; $15 day of event. 9am-5:30pm - Ballou Recreation Center - 760 West Main Street, Danville,VA - 434.799.5216. jonesci@ ci.danville.va.us.

9 - Fundamentals of Golf: Class is designed to teach the novice golfer the basics of driving,

Memorial Park. Danville - 434.799.5215. www. playdanvilleva.us 27 - Dan River Autism Awareness 5k: Autism Spectrum Disorders are almost 5 times more common among boys (1 in 54) than among girls (1 in 252). Show your support for individuals with autism and their families, increase awareness about autism, and fundraise for The Autism Education Fund. Riverwalk Trail at Anglers Park in Danville - danriverautism5k. org 27 - High Tech Treasure Hunt: Introduce yourself to geocaching and GPS technology with an exciting afternoon treasure hunt.

1-5p.m. Anglers Park. Danville - 434.799.5215. www.playdanvilleva.us.

Martinsville Arts/Exhibits

4 - Book Discussion: The Spencer-Penn Book Club will meet in the Hylton Library.

3:00pm. Spencer-Penn Centre, 276-957-5757. www.TheCentreatSpencerPenn.com 1, 2 - Spencer-Penn Centre Photography Exhibition and Sale. Items will be on display for the month of April. Enter items on April 1 and 2 from 2:00pm-7:00pm. Call the Centre for registration form and rules.

Spencer-Penn Centre, 276.957.5757. www.

TheCentreatSpencerPenn.com

Entertainment

6 - Big Country Buffet Breakfast: Country ham, sausage, bacon, eggs, gravy, red-eye and sausage homemade biscuits, grits, apples, juice and coffee. Adults:$7.00, Children: $3.00. Spencer-Penn Centre.

6:00am-10:00am. 276.957.5757. www.

TheCentreAtSpencerPenn.com 12 - Music Night: Open Mic 5:30pm and band begins at 6:20 pm. Almost There, Highway 61, and MishMash Trio. $3.00 donation for admission. Concessions at 5:00. Spencer-Penn

Thank you for voting for us

This Could Be You Kelly Chelsey Brandi Brooke April Kim Krissi 111 Sandy Court Ste. B Danville - 434-792-2211

A Mini Salute to

Presented by the Averett Theatre and Music Departments

Schedule Online at schedulicity.com

April 11-13, 2013, 7:30 p.m.

Pritchett Auditorium Adults $9 Student/Senior Citizens $7 For Tickets: Box Office 434-791-5712 or at the door Open to the Public

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| April 2013 | Showcase Magazine 31

Centre, 276.957.5757. www.TheCentreatSpencerPenn.com

Lifestyle/Lectures

Ongoing - Open computer lab. No instruction offered and a fee will be charged to use printers. MTH 10:00am5:00pm. Spencer-Penn Centre, 276-957-5757. www.

TheCentreatSpencerPenn.com 17 - Photographing your Work: Having trouble getting photographs of your work for a website or to submit to a show? Are you tired of digital photos that make your creations look dull or the wrong color? Examine background choices, light sources, camera and lens selection, and exposure. Learn how to capture sharper images and more realistic colors, $39.

6:00-9:00 pm. The Artisan Center, 54 West Church Street, Martinsville - 276.656.5461. www.TheArtisanCenter.org 19 - All About Herbs-Oregano/Marjoram: Explore the history and folklore of some common herbs found in most kitchen spice racks; discuss their properties and possible uses to enhance your daily life. Experiment in the kitchen to make dishes and/or preparations for personal use. Herbs to be used include Oregano/Marjoram, $35. 5:30-8:30 pm. The Artisan Center, 54 West Church Street, Martinsville. 276.656.5461. www.TheArtisanCenter.org

Hobbies/Sports

Thru April 29 - Aerobics. Mandy Jones instructor. 6:30pm7:30pm. $1.00 per lesson. Spencer-Penn Centre, 276.957.5757. www.TheCentreatSpencerPenn.com 2 - 30 - Yoga. Bob Tuggle instructor. 6:30pm-7:30pm. $1.00 per class. Spencer-Penn Centre, 276.957.5757. www.

TheCentreatSpencerPenn.com 4 - 25 - Chair Aerobics/Zumba Gold. 11:30am. Free. M/ HC Coalition for Health & Wellness. Spencer-Penn Centre, 276.957.5757. www.TheCentreatSpencerPenn.com 4 - Photography Club Meeting. Digital photography for amateurs. $12.00 annual dues. 6:30pm. http://spcphoto. angelfire.com. Spencer-Penn Centre. 276.957.5757. www.

TheCentreatSpencerPenn.com

fun & games solutions

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by Paulette Dean Executive Director, Danville Humane Society

It probably will come as no great surprise when I say that the world is a different place now than it was in June 1992 when I started working as the director of the Danville Area Humane Society. We had one computer in the shelter,

but did not have any Internet connection for years after that.

When approached about getting e-mail, I said I could not imagine why I would need e-mail.

A couple of years ago, we opened a Facebook page. At this writing, we have almost 2,100 likes, which is wonderful. We can post information about our policies, our events, and the good and bad news of days at the shelter. Now, when we post something, within just a few minutes, the post has been seen by hundreds of people. When we posted a picture of a box filled with puppies that had been abandoned, 11,000 people saw that picture!

Our PetFinder account brings e-mails (I love that now) from all over the country, inquiring about adoptions.

And, that brings me to the point of this column – we are heartened by how many people love and respect animals.

Although some reject the following quote, others believe that Tocqueville, a Frenchman who came to the United States in the 1800s said, “America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America ceases to be great.”

It is apparent that, even though there is a lot of cruelty and neglect, most people are kindhearted folks who seek to help, not harm, the creatures with whom we share this earth.

If, in the future, the majority of people seek to harm them, that will be a tragic witness to how low society can sink.

Mahatma Gandhi, a renowned Indian nationalist once said, “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” SM

Barley This large boy looks like a Saint Bernard mix, but he may be a springer spaniel/basset hound mix. We know that he is a gentle giant.

Danville Humane Society, 434.799.0843 www.showcasemagazine.com

| April 2013 | Showcase Magazine 33

Paid Advertisement

Connecting with Life at

This is the third article in a series of stories explaining the mission and activities at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research in Danville.

As our economy is transforming into one that is surrounded by advanced technology, green energy and one that holds a strong emphasis on furthering education, the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research is focusing on getting people of all ages excited about topics in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).

One of the main ways the Institute is enlightening the community in STEM education is through the STEM Mobile Learning Lab. You may have seen the 38 foot mobile classroom at your school, local community event or just passed it on the street. The STEM Mobile Lab travels around to schools, neighborhoods, churches, organizations, community events and many other locations, delivering STEM education by providing hands on activities to K-12 students and lifelong learners.

Participants enjoy a high level of exposure to STEM topics and are able to completely immerse themselves in STEM, being immediately engaged in presentations and the hands on activities.

one activity Waller is currently teaching high school students, involves instructing the students on how to build hydro cars. The students are given a set of directions, expected to read and follow the directions hence the “mind-on” and then incorporate the “handson” approach, by using the parts available to fully construct the hydro car. Other activities onboard the lab include building weather stations, series and parallel light circuits, using high powered microscopes, incorporating technology through the use of laptops and iPads and furthering their knowledge about renewable resources such as solar power. “I’ve got to intrigue my students and open their eyes to something they have never seen before,” Waller said.

The STEM Mobile Learning Lab has big plans for the future as it continues to serve as the Institute’s outreach service for the community. The activities onboard the lab will align with the research activities ongoing at the Institute as well as the latest and greatest in new technology. From spring 2010 to present, the lab has hosted more than 20,000 visitors and traveled to over 300 locations in the Southern Virginia region. In October 2012, the STEM Mobile Lab visited the Danville Science Center for the second Annual Danville River Festival, where almost 500 participants visited the mobile lab.

While on board the STEM Mobile Lab, Michelle Pooler, an attendee from Apex, North Carolina said, “This makes me want to go back to school again and learn more about science.”

Bruce Waller, STEM Mobile Learning Lab Liaison leads the activities on the STEM lab. Waller has a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and taught pre-algebra and algebra to middle school students before coming to the Institute. “Math was a subject most kids struggled with,” Waller said. “I wanted to get them excited about math and teach them applications so they would understand how they would actually use math in real life situations.”

Onboard the STEM lab, Waller faces a similar challenge.

“Now I have to get them excited about all of the STEM subjects. And on top of that, I’m not just dealing with middle school aged students. It’s a very diverse age group and I must identify ways to get them all excited,” Waller said. Waller engages participants through a “hands-on, minds-on” approach. For example,

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Bruce Waller

STEM Mobile Learning Lab Liaison

DRF and the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce

Vivek Wadhwa

2012-2013 Speaker Series Continues

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.

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.

SPEAKER SERIES IN REVIEW 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.

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.

The Speaker Series continued in February with a MacArthur “Genius” Award recipient, Bill Strickland of Pittsburgh-based ManchesterBidwell. In addition to his evening presentation, Bill also spoke with locals going through or exploring workforce development training and with students on the subject of the arts as trade or career and how creativity can benefit all aspects of one’s life.

LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED CLIA CERTIFIED COLA ACCREDITED

S E RV I CE S W E PROV I D E

Elta O. Lunsford M.T. LAB MANAGER

Jeannie Wade M.A. LAB TECHNICIAN

115 MALL DRIVE DANVILLE, VA 24540 434.792.LABS (5227) Fax: 434.792.5229 elta@piedmontlabs.net www.piedmontlabs.net

O O O O O O O O O O O O

Walk-ins Welcome Prompt STAT Lab Results Employer Drug Testing On-Site Patient Specimen Collection Health Fairs Prompt & Professional Courier Service Direct Access Testing (DAT) Therapeutic Drug Levels Electronic Physician & Facility Ordering Auto-Fax Lab Results Remote Physician Access to Lab Results Medicare, Medicaid, & Most Major Insurances Accepted

MASTERCARD, DISCOVER AND VISA CARDS ACCEPTED

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| April 2013 | Showcase Magazine 35

Vision of Health— A Blind Woman’s Wellness Pursuit

by Bobby Allen Roach

Wanting to lose weight is a challenge for everyone. In Danville, there are a variety of options for people who are looking to improve their health and physique.

Melissa Layne has been working out at Curves on Trade Street for the past year to achieve her wellness goals. Losing weight can be challenging, especially when contending with multiple factors such as distraction, unhealthy eating habits, or lack of motivation. For Melissa, the challenges are greater — she is blind. Her inability to see has not stopped her from staying active and she said the team at Curves has been remarkable in assisting her with her fitness aspirations.

She also said the other women make her feel welcome and help her when she’s working out. “No matter what’s going on, I’m able to do my workout.

I like the people who work here. The

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other exercisers are all friendly.”

In addition to the Curves Smart exercise program, which tracks your workout progress, Melissa is taking advantage of Curves’ dietary expertise. “I’m also doing Curves Complete, which is their diet program.

My challenge is food. I love to exercise, but my eating isn’t always the best. With Curves Complete, I’ve been able to do everything.

It’s all spelled out for you and it’s been easy for me to follow,” Melissa said.

The experience at Curves has been rewarding while also making Melissa feel relaxed. “I get a good workout and it’s a friendly atmosphere.

I feel comfortable coming in.”

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Curves of Danville is open Mondays,Wednesdays, and Fridays from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Call 434-799-7887 for more information. SM

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| April 2013 | Showcase Magazine 37

Special Needs Bring Special Gifts

mystified

by Misty Brooks

Month to month you will find Misty stating the outrageous or ridiculous truths in her day-to-day life, and you will realize that you are not alone in this maniacal concept known as parenting. Yes, welcome to 5150 Lunatic Lane- Where skills and tactics are tried, tested, and often fail. But she keeps doing it anyway!

Misty’s children Jason- 20, Corey-12, Spencer-11, Tucker-10, and Kendall-9 know all too well the joy and sorrow of being a big family. And new husband Scott is still waiting for the punch line.

I have to be up in 5 hours and 33 minutes to start my day, but I’m so excited I can’t sleep. I’m reading Mother Warriors by Jenny McCarthy and feel so inspired that I want to jump up and start baking a bunch of gluten-free bread!

But let me back up first.

Tucker turned 10-years-old last September. He’s in the fifth grade.

He’s 4’8” and weighs 60 pounds.

He has three brothers and a sister. He’s the baby boy. Tucker has a special gift. He doesn’t even know it though.

Looking back, Tucker was a fantastic baby. And I’m sure it wasn’t easy being a baby with a big brother (Spencer) just 11 months older than you, another brother (Corey) 28 months older than you...and finally, an even bigger brother (Jason) 10 years older than you. And let’s not forget the sister (Kendall) born 13 months after you.

Tucker weighed 6 pounds 15

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ounces when he was born, and was 21 inches long. The smallest of all of my babies, he was a good eater, slept well, and entertained himself whenever I needed him to.

look at my race car.” Cars had been his all-time favorite toy, so it came as no surprise that he would first decide that cars were worth talking about. Tucker loved Matchbox cars and would carry as many as he could in his hands. I can’t recall him playing with them, but he held them, lined them up, then held them some more. There were always seven of them.

While comparing children isn’t recommended, we all do it. And all of my children were different in some ways. For example, Spencer was completely potty-trained at 20 months.

Completely. No Spencer: “Autism requires patience accidents during and I don’t have a lot of that so it’s the day and no accidents during the hard for me to deal with.” night. When he had to go, he knew what This was around the same time to do. that Tucker became a little “Road Runner” as our neighbor Peggy To protect Tucker’s dignity, I called him. When Tucker had won’t go into toilet-habits, but at the chance to run, he ran. The 3-years-old I was ready to throw moment his feet hit the ground, in the towel! he was gone.

All of the children walked alone by Just before his fourth birthday, 10-months-old, and by 16 months Tucker started preschool. For the were having ‘mini’ conversations first time in his life he was made and telling us what they wanted, to spend the day under someone except for Tucker. He chose to else’s care. He’d never spent the talk when he got good and ready. day with anyone he didn’t know.

Around two and a half years of He’d never spent the dayin a room age, and having only said “da-da,” “ containing 20 other children. It ma-ma,” and “bye-bye,” Tucker said was sort of a nightmare. to his Granny (my mom), “Granny,

On the first day of school there was a note sent home from the teacher. “Tucker kicked, growled, screamed and spit at me today.” I can’t even tell you the thoughts that went through my mind. I was mortified to say the least. Poor Tucker. Poor teacher. What was I going to do? Is this my fault? What should I do?

Luckily because of the staggered start rule pre-k follows, Tucker’s next day of school wouldn’t be until the following week. I hesitantly sent him back. We’d had lots of talks about what it was going to be like, just as we did before that very first day. Since he wasn’t expelled and the teacher didn’t resign, I figured he just might make it through another week. Things got considerably better as days went on and I was so glad.

Scott: “It’s a challenge raising an autistic child, but at the same time it’s a blessing. I know he was brought to me for a reason and I am proud to be one of the people helping him grow into a great person.”

Tucker was diagnosed with ADHD during that school year. Ritalin was the answer. But because of some facial tics it induced, he was switched to Adderall, which may have been my best friend that year, Ms. Hall’s too.

And how Tucker’s kindergarten teacher didn’t just walk out on the job is beyond me. I praised her the entire year for her patience, and thanked her for it all the same. Tucker couldn’t take a nap, or sit on the rug with the other children. He suffered a broken leg, and made a new friend. What a busy year we had.

First grade was a bit solemn. Tucker was now on Vyvanse and seemed mellower. He was also sad that his friend wasn’t in his class.

But there was no preparation for what we faced in second grade.

Tucker was a different child from any previous year. He couldn’t stay on task. He couldn’t finish any work he started. Tucker’s teacher called me from school at least once a week. She was under the impression that Tucker was choosing not to do his work. She took all of his recess away, every day, so he could finish his work.

School was a dark and unhappy place for the little guy. And no one knew why. He would sit at his desk and pick his fingers until they bled. The teacher sent home bloody papers for me to see. His psychiatric doctor (the one who diagnosed the ADHD) changed his medication several times throughout the year, a different dose of Vyvanse, Concerta, and finally to Focalin. I had his hearing and vision checked. He already wore glasses, but the week when his lens prescription changed and his ADHD prescription changed, I was hopeful!

I only received more phone calls. The teacher said the same thing every single time. “Tucker is just choosing not to do the work.” She asked what my discipline tactics were at home.

I hated every day that I had to send him to school. And the day she called, to tell me that Tucker wouldn’t look at her or respond to her when she spoke to him, hurt my heart. I requested he be observed by someone in the school system. The results revealed possible sensory issues.

Jason: “Tucker’s behavior is

wild, but so is his creativity.”

Back to UVA we went.

I insisted something more was wrong. The doctor agreed. She referred Tucker to another division of study for academics.

By then second grade was over. We wouldn’t get a screening www.showcasemagazine.com

| April 2013 | Showcase Magazine 39

appointment for another eight months. In the meantime...third grade! I was nervous, optimistic, and skeptical all at once. We tried several more medications over the summer and seemed to have found a good fit. Third grade started with flying colors. And then it happened...Tucker couldn’t finish any of his work. I had one paper sent home with a note attached to let me know he was given 90 minutes to complete it, and it still wasn’t completed. Ugh. In November, we had an appointment at the Kluge Center for an Autism screening. By that point I would take whatever screenings I could get. We went through an intake process where “Janice” spent a couple of hours or so with us. Tucker did a few simple tests on paper, the rest of the time Janice and I talked about Tucker while she observed him. He was shown some bins of toys. He chose the cars.

He played with them on the floor for a few minutes, and then lined them up on the bench. Tucker made some loud noises that I had heard before. I think he makes them when he is uncomfortable, or doesn’t know what to do with himself. He ended the visit by asking to sweep. He’d located a broom propped behind a door. Janice gave him permission to sweep. He swept until it was time to go.

(IEP), which was very helpful. The IEP covered things like allowing the uses of a calculator, and no more than 2-3 step instructions. He also began occupational therapy (OT) once a week at school. With

Kendall: “Autism is a kind of behavior that he or she cannot control. You have to ignore bad behaviors, and distract him or her.”

Janice mailed me an overview of what she suspected. Likely outcome was Pervasive Developmental Disorder. We weren’t able to see a doctor for an official diagnosis until April.

Meanwhile, we made it to the academic screening in February. They didn’t find Tucker’s behavior to be Pervasive Developmental Disorder, but rather cognitive behavior. Tucker made eye contact with the academic observer once, and separately asked her a question relating to school. For those reasons they found Tucker not to be an autistic child.

I knew my child.Yes, he made eye contact with the only other person he shared a room with for 3 hours. And yes, he asked her about her favorite subject in school after she asked him. Now what? Where does this leave us?

What we learned in April was a little more comforting, yet frightening. The doctor at the Kluge Center did find Tucker to have Asperger’s syndrome versus high-functioning autism. Tucker was unable to make eye contact with that doctor, whom we were in the room with for about an hour and 20 minutes. Tucker was said to have qualitative impairment in social interaction, lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests, or achievements with other people, restricted pattern of interest that is abnormal, anxiety, significant sensory processing difficulties, ADHD, sleep onset disorder, hyper-reflexia, poor school Corey: “It’s hard, but I performance, and understand him more as poor handwriting.

the days go by.”

Whew. And those were just the initial findings. Additional issues and difficulties manifested. In October of that same year (2011), Tucker was evaluated by an occupational therapist. The problems found were impaired graphomotor skills, impaired developmental skills, and impaired sensory processing skills.

Tucker was also found to have difficulty with spatial awareness, which means that he lacks the understanding of two or more objects in relation to each other and to himself.

My feelings were mixed. I was happy for the diagnosis and all these findings. It meant that something was about to be done to help Tucker.

We went into the fourth grade with an Individualized Education Plan

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During fifth grade, I put Tucker on a gluten-free diet. With a bit of a battle and a lot of creativity he has now been on a gluten-free diet for 6 months. Recently, I introduced gluten back into his diet and saw the same old Tucker emerge.

Impulsivity and lack of self-control roared back at me like a lion. So, I’ve proven the diet to be working for him.

Luckily there is Baked Blessings, a gluten-free facility that has provided us with goodies and breads along the way.

few setbacks in the fourth grade, I was hopeful for the future. That summer, Tucker went to a therapeutic day treatment camp from June to August at the Madeline Centre in Danville. The Madeline Centre also handles Tucker’s in-home therapy that allows us eight hours a week with a trained therapist.

Currently, in the fifth grade, Tucker has a tremendous amount of selfawareness. He knows he’s different. He asks me why, and he cries. He bangs his head, and breaks things that are precious to him. During his fits of rage he screams that he hates himself, and that no one loves him. It’s almost impossible to bear. I just want to protect him from the world and create a place for him that always makes him happy, so he never has to know disappointment.

Due to unresolvable circumstances, I switched Tucker to a different school this past December. He’s made a wonderful adjustment and has gained self-esteem in the process. His new classroom is set up with him in mind. A few differences are more visual aide, longer transition periods, and one-on-one time from his teacher when needed. I couldn’t be happier with the results.

But outside of school, disappointment shows up over and over again.

Life is cruel enough for a child struggling to fit in, having the right clothes, and cool friends, etc. Life for a child with a special gift is even more challenging. Everyday tasks challenge him to be normal.

He doesn’t even know what normal means. None of us do, really.

It’s normal to count ceiling tiles in groups of ten. It’s normal to sleep under a shelving unit one foot off the ground. It’s normal to whistle at an astounding pitch while troubled by the fact that your brother won’t play his video game with you. Lost shoes, unfinished homework, refusing to get dressed every single day, obsession of the same exclusive toy for years...all normal.

The ‘normal’ behavior is where the real challenge comes in for me.

Tucker is predictably unpredictable. Period.You never know what you’re going to get, and you come to realize that. I can’t even stop to think about the things my other children Tucker: “Life is just miss out on hard sometimes.” because Tucker can’t go. I won’t stop and think about the things that I miss out on because I won’t leave Tucker with anyone because I’m afraid of the problem he could cause someone else, or the trouble he may endure if he gets upset. Tucker is easily overwhelmed and no one knows his triggers like I do. There is a struggle of some kind for us every day.

He’s run through the house laughing uncontrollable when I ask him to put his shoes on so we can leave. Other times, he’s calm and the first one ready to leave and eager to please me. He hides from me in the house and in public. He’s unable to hear the urgency in my voice when we are going to be late because I can’t find him, or if I’m afraid for his safety in public.

I still lose my cool with him from time to time, but I have learned so much about him by being observant and really focusing on his surroundings and what he’s exposed to. I will never fully understand what’s going on in his mind, but every day I get a little closer to figuring it out. I think it’s my job to figure him out, and then help him figure himself out.

Tucker’s special gift is his uncanny way of seeing, feeling, and hearing the world. When he realizes that, his gift will be shared with everyone.

Every one of my children are special to me. Jason, Corey, Spencer, Tucker, and Kendall: I know it’s hard at times, and life seems unfair. But you must embrace everything that comes your way. I love you all. SM

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| April 2013 | Showcase Magazine 41

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44 Showcase Magazine

| April 2013 | www.showcasemagazine.com