Health

August 3, 2010

Health The Examiner

• Tracey Shaffer

Quench thirst with coconut water

Creating a

support network Grain Valley woman starts parenting magazine for special needs kids - page 9

• larry jones

More people eating local| PAGE 3

Wellness 3-5, 8 • Calendar 6-7 • NUTRITION 10

wellness

Tuesday, August 3, 2010 Page 3

Food stamp recipients can get 2-for-1 value Beans & Greens program encourages low income families to buy local produce Have you been to the Farmer’s Market lately?

And, have you heard about the new program called “Beans and Greens?”

I want you to pass this information on to everyone, but especially to low income people and communities that will benefit from affordable, fresh and locally grown fruits and vegetables.

The Beans & Greens program is one that will match SNAP card (food stamp card) purchases at a pilot group of farmers’ markets in the Kansas City area. It is a very easy pro-

Larry Jones Larry Jones is director of the Independence Health Department. gram and long past due. If a person charges $5 against their SNAP card, they will be able to buy $10 worth of local produce. In other words, it is a two for one purchase. That is a good deal.

On June 25, the “Beans & Greens” program was launched in partnership with five local area farmers’ markets to encourage shoppers to participate in the Supplemental Nutritional

Assistance Program (SNAP) and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) to use their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT cards) or coupons to purchase locally grown, fruits and vegetables. Accessibility to fresh produce is the goal of this program for low income families.

Participating markets will accept the SNAP debit card and the SFMNP voucher to provide a dollar-for-dollar match for every food assistance dollar spent on locally grown produce.

Each market will offer cooking demonstrations, recipes and other nutrition education activities for families to help them understand the importance of eating locally grown produce and how to easily prepare it.

Currently six local farmers’ markets in Jackson and Wyandotte counties are participating in the “Beans & Greens” program.

Both farmers’ markets in Independence are participating in this program. Joe Antoine is the market manager and is very excited about this program.

The largest Independence farmers market is at The Square, located at Truman and Main.

During May farmers are there from 5 a.m. - 1 p.m. Saturdays. From June through October, crafters and farmers are there from 5 a.m. - 1 p.m. Saturdays and Wednesdays. A second farmers’ market opened this year at the Hartman Heritage, located off 39th Street. The hours of operation are 3 - 7 p.m. Tuesdays and 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Sundays, June through September.

Subscribers can swipe their cards at the market’s information booth for the desired dollar amount and receive that amount of tokens for transactions with farmers at the market.

The program will match the amount charged up to $30 per week.

Again, I want to encourage everyone to visit both farmers’ markets in Independence and please pass this information on to all who will benefit. For more information you may contact Antoine at 252-8860 or www.antoineseed. com.

Schools get smart about concussions Young athletes are particularly vulnerable to mild traumatic brain injuries The Missouri and Kansas State High School Activities Associations have adopted rules providing more protection for athletes with concussions. These are the most significant changes related to concussion ever implemented by either association.

Their actions will have far reaching effects on how concussion in sport is viewed by coaches, athletes and parents.

Specifically, the rule states, “an athlete who exhibits signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion (such as loss of consciousness, headache, dizziness, confusion, or balance problems) shall be immediately removed from the contest and shall not return to play until cleared by an appropriate health care professional.”

If it is determined by a health care professional that indeed there has been a concussion, the player is not allowed to return for the remainder of the contest.

Football officials have authority to remove a player from a game for evaluation, if they observe signs of concussion.

Both MSHSAA and KSHSAA have taken a bold move with these rules which will directly improve the health and well-being of student-

Lori Boyajian O'Neill Sports and wellness Dr. Lori Boyajian-O’Neill can be contacted at lori.boyajian-oneill@hcahealthcare.com. athletes. Congressional hearings and a flood of news reports have placed mTBI/concussion front and center in sport. These changes are the culmination of efforts on the national level involving many sports governing bodies including the National Federation of High Schools.

In a few weeks coaches will assemble their young charges on football fields across the metro. A new season full of possibilities.

Every team undefeated. Every player a star.

No players with concussions.

But, the reality is that in the U.S. over 50,000 high school footballers sustain a concussion annually. How quickly the symptoms are recognized and care rendered may mean the difference between a short recovery and a long term problems.

A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). It is not a ‘ding.’ An athlete does not ‘get his bell rung,’ he sustains a brain injury. These are archaic phrases that have no place in thoughtful discussions about brain injury in sport.

MSHSAA and KSHSAA rules are solidly in line with current medical science which has determined unequivocally that it is dangerous to return to play when symptoms of mTBI/ concussion are present.

Permanent brain injury can result when a young athlete sustains another head injury when not fully recovered from a prior mTBI/ concussion.

There has been a steady and remarkable advancement in our understanding of mTBI/ concussion in sport over the past 10 years.

Only recently has our scientific understanding been translated into improved care for athletes,

“A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). It is not a ‘ding.’ An athlete does not ‘get his bell rung,’ he sustains a brain injury. ” at any level of competition. This is due, in part, to lack of education among athletes and coaches. Knowledge is power.

The CDC offers great resources for coaches, parents and athletes through their Heads Up for Concussion program.

Educational information is free and available at http://www.cdc.gov/concussion/HeadsUp/youth.html.

Every single high school athlete and coach should be informed of the symptoms and consequences of mTBI/concussion.

There are no high school games worth playing with an mTBI/concussion. Not one.

Page 4 Tuesday, August 3, 2010

wellness

Jury still out on joint pain before rain

By MARIANNE PAYNE GateHouse News Service

Kay Clemens thinks she does a better job than the weathermen.

“A lot of people don’t believe you can say it is going to rain,” said the osteoarthritis patient from Athens, Ill. “I can always tell when it is going to do something outside because the aching gets really bad.”

Pain sufferers long have been known to curse the cold, humidity or changes in barometric pressure, possibly explaining the phrase “feeling under the weather.” The discussion dates back to Hippocrates in 400 B.C. and still has no definitive answer.

Despite anecdotal evidence, experts have yet to acknowledge a cause-and-effect relationship between weather changes and physical discomfort.

At the same time, rheumatologists can’t ignore the complaints of their patients.

“Obviously, on a daily basis, I hear that their knee, or whatever, is the weather indicator,” said rheumatologist Dr. Jeffery Horvath at

the Springfield (Ill.) Clinic. “I hear it enough, there must be something to it.”

Dr. Robert Trapp, rheumatologist at the Arthritis Center in Springfield, said most of his patients claim they can consistently sense a storm approaching as early as two to three days in advance.

“I personally believe that many of them can,” Trapp said, “although when you look at scientific studies, there is a lot more controversy.”

The argument for There hasn’t been much research into whether the weather affects how an arthritic person feels. And what research exists has no definitive answer.

One study had subjects in Argentina keep journals describing their symptoms, which were then compared to weather reports. The study found the people with arthritis were more affected by weather changes than the control group, but the association was not strong enough to predict weather.

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GateHouse News Service Researchers acknowledge some people feel pain when it’s about to rain, but they aren’t sure why.

One often-cited study was headed by arthritis specialist J. Hollander in 1961. Hollander built a climate chamber, where he sealed 12 arthritic patients inside and adjusted atmospheric conditions. The subjects were unaware of the changes as they occurred.

Patients reported pain with low barometric pressure and high humidity. When the barometric pressure drops, it often means rain and/or cooler weather is coming. Hollander theorized that a drop in pressure causes the already enflamed joints to swell.

Trapp explained it this way: “In this enclosed space within the joint, think of it as a balloon that is not inflated. The pressure outside of the space will theoretically allow the pressure inside the joint to increase.”

The argument against However, other studies find no connection between changes in the weather and pain, and at least one study suggests it’s all in a person’s head.

Dr. Amos Tversky, a Stanford University psychologist, monitored 18 patients, 17 of whom claimed their arthritis was influenced by the weather. The study tracked the patients’ symptoms for 15 months and compared the data to local weather reports.

Tversky’s study found no correlation

between pain and weather. Instead, he attributed the relationship to the innate human tendency to look for patterns. The study is consistent with Tversky’s other work, which seeks to debunk human instinct. Tversky previously found no evidence that a basketball player with a “hot hand” cheats probability.

“People look for patterns - and find them - when they aren’t really there,” Trapp said.

Along the same lines, some say that if there is a connection, it could be influenced by other factors. A cold and rainy day affects mood or pain threshold. People do not get out and get the exercise needed to keep arthritis pain at bay.

If weather does affect arthritis, some people may be more sensitive to fluctuations than others. Clemens said she believes she is sensitive to those atmospheric changes and no one can convince her otherwise.

Recently, she vacationed in Arizona.

“I felt better for two and a half weeks,” she said, although she would never leave her family to move to a warmer climate.

Would arthritis sufferers feel better if they all moved to Arizona?

Maybe. However, no climate is free of arthritis sufferers.

The Phoenix phone book lists plenty of rheumatologists.

wellness

Tuesday, August 3, 2010 Page 5

Ergonomic yard tools can reduce back aches

By LAURA KNAPP GateHouse News Service

If just thinking about doing yard work this fall makes your back ache, you might want to consider getting some ergonomic yard tools to ease the pain.

designed to help you maintain good posture while raking and reduce the need to twist or lean, which in turn reduces the risk of back injury. Curved handles help rakers use their muscles more efficiently, and there are lightweight models with telescopic handles to accommodate people who are hesitant to bend over for fear of pain.

ergonomic shovels often have extra-wide grips that fit two hands, so you can give an extra strong push on the really heavy stuff.

looped handles that provide more comfort and control. Floral pruners, pruning shears, hand trowels and garden scissors all can be found with special ergonomic designs.

Pruning

Gardening

Hoeing Preparing the soil in your garden can be a snap with an ergonomically designed hoe.

Like the garden rake, these hoes often come with swan necks and long handles to maximize physical efficiency. Instead of having to stoop, bend or kneel to weed or remove dead annuals, you can do so while standing with an ergonomic hoe, saving your back a lot of strain.

Shoveling Raking Raking leaves doesn’t have to leave you sore the next morning. Ergonomic rakes are

These shovels are not only good for the snow; they can be used to scoop up mulch or compost as you winterize your garden. The handles are angled to allow maximum use of muscles, so straining won’t be necessary. Also,

Ergonomic pruners are designed to reduce the pain and strain hands endure while clipping and cutting. The handles of these tools help keep hands more relaxed while doing work, maximizing leverage to reduce the effort needed. For instance, some tools come with

Swan-neck rakes with curved tines makes it easier to rake deeply into the soil when you winterize your garden this fall. These garden rakes are designed to really dig into the dirt without too much effort at pushing and pulling, reducing strain on back muscles.

Page 6 Tuesday, August 3, 2010

calendar

healthCALENDAR Items for the Health Calendar may be e-mailed to jill.ritchie@examiner.net or mailed to: The Examiner, P.O. Box 459, Independence, Mo. 64051, attention Jill Ritchie. The following items are for Aug. 4 through 10, unless otherwise stated.

Spotlights

Blue Springs The following classes are being offer by Blue Springs Parks & Recreation and will take place at Club 7 Fitness, 1201 N.W. Woods Chapel Road. All classes are $40. To register for any of the classes, call 228-0137.

BODYPUMP, 6:35 to 7:35 p.m. Thursdays Aug. 5Sept. 23; 8 to 9 p.m. Saturdays Aug. 7-Sept. 25; 9 to 10 a.m. Sundays Aug. 8-Sept. 26.

YOGA, 7 to 8:15 p.m. Wednesdays Aug. 4-Sept. 22; 6:30 to 7:40 p.m. Sundays Aug. 8-Sept. 26.

Independence BLOOD DRIVE, 2 to 6 p.m. today, First Presbyterian Church, Westminster Hall, 417 W. Lexington Ave. If you have medical eligibility questions, call 1-800-245-7035, you many also contact Joy Young at 816-358-6133.

Addiction groups

Independence Straight Talk, Narcotics Anonymous, 8 p.m., Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, First Baptist Church.

Narcotics Anonymous Help Line: 531-2250.

Living Free – Al Anon meeting, 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, 1723 Appleton Ave. 461-0039.

Community Substance Abuse Committee, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Independence Police Building.

Blue Springs ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, meetings available daily, most sessions are closed, and there are beginner meetings also, 1428-B W. U.S. 40 (behind Betty’s Diner).

There is a total of 29 meetings per week. For times, call 471-7229.

CHAPEL HILL AL-ANON, 6:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday; 9 a.m. Saturday, 1428-B W. U.S. 40 (behind Betty’s Diner).

BLUE SPRINGS ALATEEN, 3 to 4 p.m. Sunday, 1428-B W. U.S. 40 (behind Betty’s Diner).

Raytown NEW DAY AL-ANON, 10 a.m. Wednesday, Blue Ridge Trinity Lutheran Church. 353-5446.

Bereavement groups

Blue Springs Widowed Persons support group, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, St. Mary’s Medical Center, Annex A. 2240677 or 229-8093.

Independents Singles Ministry grief support group, 7 p.m. Tuesday, First United Methodist Church. 228-3788.

Adult Bereavement support group, sponsored by St. Mary’s Medical Center, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. several times throughout the year, Vesper Hall. To register, 655-5490.

Independence GRIEFSHARE SUPPORT GROUP, 4 to 5:30 p.m.

Sunday, Birchwood Church, 3883 Blue Ridge Blvd. Call Debbie Craigg, 516-6971.

Kansas City Heartland Widowed Persons Service, 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Waid’s Restaurant, 103rd and State Line. Call Bonnie Apple, 913-888-7848.

Other Infant loss group, sponsored by Carondelet Health. 655-5582.

Miscellaneous

Independence MATERNITY UNIT TOURS, Centerpoint Medical Center. Call 751-3000 for dates and to register.

Food handler/manager permit training classes, food handler classes, 3:30 p.m. Thursdays at Truman Memorial Building, 1 and 3:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Independence Health Department; manager classes, 9 a.m. Monday. Fee. To register, 325-7803.

Blue Springs Break Time Club, sponsored by Shepherd Center of Blue Springs, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Timothy Lutheran Church. For older adults with some physical and/or mental limitations. A donation of $10 to the cost of the program is suggested. 228-5300.

Kansas City hospice volunteers needed, Continua Hospice is looking for volunteers for evenings and weekends. Call Rosalea DeMott, volunteer coordinator, 444-2273.

Prenatal/Infant/Child programs

Blue Springs Blue Springs/Lee’s Summit Tough Love support group, for families dealing with unacceptable adolescent behavior, 7:30 to 9:40 p.m. Tuesday, First Christian Church. 913-492-1200.

Moms & Moms-to-be prenatal and postnatal class, 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday, Family YMCA. 224-9620.

Kansas City Breastfeeding class, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday,

| Yourtake |

What steps do you take to prevent yourself from getting overheated? leanna dinwiddle

Independence

“I walked to get lunch today. My work is only a few blocks away. I have my water and a cell phone.”

melissa cramer

Independence

“I stay indoors or when I’m outside, I stay in the shade.”

dominic cantwell

Independence

“I go inside every 30 or 40 minutes and get water or something to drink.”

– Michael Glover

Truman Medical Center-Lakewood boardroom. Fee is waived for WIC clients. 795-4397.

Truman Medical Center-Lakewood WIC Nutrition Program, for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or gave birth less than six months ago. 404-4WIC. Childbirth education class at Truman Medical Center. If you’re pregnant and need information on childbirth and parenting classes. 556-4040.

Screenings/Immunizations

Independence Blood pressure checks for older adults, 9:30 a.m. to noon Monday, Sermon Center. 325-7370.

HEALTH SCREENINGS for those 50 years and older, 10 to 11:15 a.m. Wednesday, Palmer Center.

Screenings for blood sugar, blood pressure and diabetic foot screenings. Free. 325-6200.

Blue Springs DIABETIC FOOT SCREENINGS, sponsored by St. Mary’s Medical Center for Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine, 11 a.m. to noon Thursday, Vesper Hall. Free.

228-0181.

Grain Valley IMMUNIZATION AND BLOOD PRESSURE CLINIC, sponsored by the Jackson County Health Department, 1 to 3:30 p.m. Monday, Grain Valley Community Center. Blood pressure checks and childhood immunizations are free. TB tests and payable vaccines by appointment only. 404-6443.

Support groups

Independence Domestic violence group for men, 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Family Conservancy of Eastern Jackson County. 373-7577.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving, INDEPENDENCE GROUP, has grief survivors meeting Monday in Independence. Help for bereaved or injured victims, volunteers accepted. For time and location, call Michelle Fordemwalt, 295-1545.

Caring Communities Kinship, 7 p.m. Monday, Cler-Mont Community School. LiLi Moe, 796-6041.

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS “Rebel Lunch Bunch” luncheon, 1 p.m. Tuesday, O’Charley’s. Kimberly, 4194276 or Nita, 255-8944.

ALZHEIMER’S SUPPORT GROUP, 10 a.m. Tuesday, Villages of Jackson Creek-Memory Care. Free and open to the public. Call Monica Benson, 478-5689.

Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, East Independence Church of Christ. Kathleen Bessmer, 913-613-5251.

Multiple Sclerosis, 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Red Lobster. 833-4151.

Moms Off Meth, 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, First Christian Church, Room 206. Free. Terri, 210-9574.

CARETAKER’S OF PEOPLE WITH ALZHEIMER’S, 5 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Comprehensive Mental Health Services. Call Pat Aldridge, 254-3652, Ext. 222.

SARCOIDOSIS support group, 7 p.m. Thursday, Trinity Episcopal Church. Call Jon Egger, 309-0381.

ALZHEIMER’S support group, 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Tuesday, Fairmount Community Center. 254-8334.

Caring Communities Divorce and Step Family, 6:30 p.m. once a month, days vary, Blue Hills Elementary School. 796-6290.

Blue Springs Overcomer’s Outreach 12-step, 7 to 8 p.m.

Monday, Blue Springs Assembly. 229-3298.

Arthritis lecture series, 10 a.m. Thursday,

More on page 7

Tuesday, August 3, 2010 Page 7

calendar

healthCALENDAR Continued from page 6 Family YMCA. Topics: Fibromyalgia, living with arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and more. 224-9620.

Diabetes, 7 to 8 p.m. Monday, St. Mary’s Medical Center Birthing Center Conference Room. 655-5244.

CHADD (Parents of Children with Attention Deficit Disorder), 7 p.m. Tuesday, Care Net Clinic. Call Jessie Roggenbach, 228-6222.

CANCER support group, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, First United Methodist Church, Room 100. Call 2298108.

Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue, Blue Springs Wellness Group, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, James Walker Elementary. 220-7356.

PARENTS OF NICU BABIES, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, St. Mary’s Birthing Center. Moms delivering at other facilities are welcome. 655-5574, option 5.

Breastfeeding, offered by St. Mary’s Medical Center, 10 a.m. Thursday, 206 Mock Ave., Suite 101.

655-5574.

CARDIAC REHABILITATION support group, Thursday, St. Mary’s Medical Center. Time varies, call 655-5433.

CHRISTIAN 12-STEP RECOVERY PROGRAM, 7 p.m. Friday, Blue Springs Christian Church. Call Steve, 229-7311, Ext. 243.

Lee’s Summit Dealing with loss, 1 p.m. Monday, John Knox Village, Ambassador meeting room. Call Darlene Gutshall, 347-2310.

Self-help group for people with Multiple Sclerosis, 7 p.m. Thursday, Cass Browning Community Center. Call Pauline Felkins, 524-7702.

Raytown Autism and ADHD, 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, First Baptist Church. Call Johnna, 525-2931 or Janet, 4788117.

Dietary Intervention Network for Autism (D.I.N.A.) meeting, 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, First Baptist Church. 419-3705.

Cancer, 7 p.m. Tuesday, First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall. 525-9876.

Other Agoraphobia, 7 p.m. 649-9863.

Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse, daily meetings, Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault. 931-4527.

Groups sponsored by Carondelet Health. For the BreathEasy group call 655-5236; and for cancer group call 224-3489.

National Organization of Circumcision Information Resource Center, 913-652-1542 or visit www.nocirc.org.

Weight Management

Independence T.O.P.S. Mo. 291, 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. Monday, St. Michael’s Episcopal Church. 461-0811.

T.O.P.S. Mo. 251, 9:15 a.m. Tuesday, Maywood Baptist Church. 478-0723 or 252-2392.

T.O.P.S. Mo. 331, 5 p.m. Tuesday, College Park

Keeping Kids Healthy through their first day, cold, scrape, earache, broken bone…

At Blue Springs Pediatrics, your child’s health is top priority for us.

Our mission is to provide quality, efficient and effective medical care for your children. Schedule an appointment today for a new patient consultation, and together we’ll look after your child’s health and well-being.

Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Blue Springs Pediatrics A division of Lee’s Summit Physician’s Group

816.554.6520

1600 NW South Outer Rd., Blue Springs, MO www.bluespringspediatric.com

Community of Christ. 254-7075.

T.O.P.S. Mo. 24, 9 a.m. Thursday, New Walnut Park Church. 373-6146 or 650-5262.

T.O.P.S. Mo. 100, 9 a.m. Thursday, Farview Restoration Branch. 356-5278.

T.O.P.S., 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Fairmount Community Center. 254-8334.

T.O.P.S. Mo. 892, 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church. 356-9219.

T.O.P.S. Mo. 482, 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, Calvary Presbyterian Church. 452-3029.

Healthy Reflections, 10 a.m. Thursday, Sermon Center. 325-7370.

Overeaters Anonymous, 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Monday, Maywood Baptist Church. Handicap accessible. Call Wanda G., 833-2632.

Love Me Slender, 1 p.m. Tuesday, Van Horn Health Source. 418-4070.

CEA-HOW (Compulsive Eaters AnonymousHOW Concept), 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Unity Church of Independence, 14304 E. 39th St. Call Lisa at 679-7009 or visit www.ceahow.org.

Blue Springs T.O.P.S. Mo. 772, 10 a.m. Tuesday, First Baptist Church West Annex. 228-3741.

SOS (Save-Our-Selves) Weight Management, 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesdays, Vesper Hall. Participate in this weight management program and supportive group discussion. Cost, $1 per meeting. 228-0181.

Oak Grove Overeaters Anonymous, 10:30 a.m. Thurs-

day, Davis Center. Call Barbara, 229-9524.

Kansas City Overeaters Anonymous, 7 p.m. Monday, Ascension Lutheran Church. Shawna, 836-8466.

Lee’s Summit Overeaters Anonymous, 7 p.m. Monday, Unity Village, Administrative Building, Room 221. Call Lisa, 833-2636.

CEA-HOW (Compulsive Eaters AnonymousHOW Concept), 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, First Presbyterian Church. Call Lisa at 679-7009 or visit www.ceahow.org.

Raytown Overeaters Anonymous, 4 p.m. Sunday, Quiet House, 65th and Elm. 353-2691.

Other Overeaters Anonymous, a 12-step program for compulsive eaters. 913-383-5933 or www.overeatersanonymous.org.

Women’s Issues

Independence Women’s Empowerment Groups, sponsored by the Child Abuse Prevention Association (CAPA), 6:30 to 8:30 Monday. For locations, call Karen Costa, 252-8388, Ext. 16.

Other Hope House Inc. weekly support groups, open to any female who has been or is now involved in an abusive relationship. For times and location, call the hotline at 461-4673.

— Jillayne Ritchie

Page 8 Tuesday, August 3, 2010

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Steele, a medical doctor, has been a member of the board of directors since July 2003 and was elected to the executive finance committee in 2007.

Saint Luke’s Health System recognizes Independence woman An Independence woman has been named this year’s Global Health Volunteer of the Year for Saint Luke’s Health System.

Jan Scott, an executive administrative assistant at Saint Luke’s Health System, was recognized for her volunteer work with The

Salvation Army, Special Olympics and Habitat for Humanity as well as local churches and national organizations. Also, Scott has volunteered for missions at the Crow Creek Indian Reservation in South Dakota and in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

Dr. Tammy Neblock-Beirne, a medical doctor at Saint Luke’s was recognized at 2010 Global Health Volunteer.

Physician elected to American Osteopathic Association Board Joseph M. Yasso, an osteopathic physician in Independence, was elected vice president of the American Osteopathic Association Board of Trustees during an annual business meeting in Chicago.

Yasso is the medical director of Heritage Physicians Group in Independence.

— Michael Glover

cover

Tuesday, August 3, 2010 Page 9

Helping other parents Stephanie Myers knew she wasn’t the only one raising a special needs child

By MICHAEL GLOVER michael.glover@examiner.net

Stephanie Myers stared at the magazine cover. It’s not just any magazine. It’s her magazine.

“My two favorite people in the world,” Myers said of the two cover boys. One is her husband, Brad, and the other is Brayden, her 2-year-old.

Brayden was the reason Stephanie decided to start the magazine, “Parenting Children with Special Needs.” He was born with chronic kidney disease.

Eighteen weeks into the couple’s first pregnancy, a sonogram revealed an enlargement of his kidneys. A second sonogram confirmed that Brayden’s kidneys were indeed enlarged.

Stephanie underwent a process that required the withdrawing of amniotic fluid, allowing doctors to figure out what was happening with her unborn son.

Testing revealed he had swallowed and retained all of Stephanie’s amniotic fluid, which had been trapped in his body. This threatened organ development.

Through an emergency caesarean section, Brayden was born. But he had blown a hole in his right and left lung, threatening his life.

“They put tubes in his lungs just so he could breathe,” said Brad.

The doctor informed Stephanie that her baby was not expected to live more than 24 hours. Miraculously, his condition improved.

He was taken off the breathing apparatus. Doctors repaired his lungs.

Brayden, however, suffers from chronic kidney disease. He’s prone to kidney infections and takes antibiotics to counter that.

Ongoing injections, feedings and tubing is required for Brayden. He’s on growth hormones. Down the road, he will need a kidney transplant.

He was considered a miracle child because none of the doctors thought he would live.

Stephanie recalls a conversation that planted the magazine idea in her mind.

“One day (this April), I was sitting in the hospital with him and I started talking with another mom (who had a special needs child).

What do you do for support? What do you find as the hardest thing? What do you think if I started a magazine that had different information and just talked about daily life in raising a special needs child? Other parents could read it and understand every single article.”

“Parenting Children with Special Needs” was born.

“The biggest thing that I kind of struggled with as a parent is that you kind of always feel you have to hide behind what I call ‘a brick wall of emotions,’” Stephanie said. “It’s hard to talk with another family that doesn’t go through the same thing. It makes them feel uncomfortable. They don’t want to talk about something that makes you feel weird. They don’t understand how it affects everything you do. I wanted to help myself be able to relate and for other parents to be able to relate.

“There’s a lot of parents that have children with special needs that just fall through the cracks with a lack of support. There are a lot of people who have a lot of support and there are many who do not.”

She wrote in the magazine: “I want mothers and fathers, and the family and friends of these parents, to understand that there is nothing wrong with them...to be open to, and unafraid of, telling their stories.”

Stephanie hatched the magazine idea in April. On pieces of scrap paper, she wrote a list of ideas for the magazine.

“When we were in the hospital, I was asleep on the couch, she was like ‘Brad, Brad. I got an idea! It’s going to be good!’” said a smiling Brad.

The first issue (July/August) of the bi-monthy magazine was printed July 15. Stephanie has worked at several magazines, doing a variety of tasks. But never has she been a publisher.

“It’s been a learning experience... yeah, wow,” Stephanie said.

She works on the magazine at their rural Grain Valley home. Tasks included finding editorial content, lining up freelance writers, getting bids from printing companies, finding an art designer, working with a Website designer, among many other duties.

Each issue of Parenting Children with Special Needs will provide a “pay it forward,” that surprises families in need with money. At least $1,200 will be given away with the first issue.

“There’s times when we wouldn’t have made it without other people,” Brad said. “People we’ve never met have helped us.”

She gets story ideas from personal experiences, stories she hears from parents.

The magazine includes a resource guide, a calendar of events (for special needs children) articles on parents, wisdom from experienced health care professionals, and general knowledge of living life with a special needs kid.

A parent of a special needs child shares their story in each issue.

“The first two years were a struggle to try

The Examiner/ADAM VOGLER Stephanie Myers’ son Brayden was born with chronic kidney disease and not expected to live more than a day. to find resources,” said Stephanie.

Resources as in finding information on how to raise a special needs child, how to cope with the rollercoaster ride of emotions. Then resources in finding money to pay for the $1 million medical bill the couple found in the

mailbox the day they brought Brayden home.

She kept the first copy that rolled off the press, the first of 20,000 issues that printed.

The magazine is free. For more information on where to find the magazine, go to its website at www.pcwsn.com.

$25

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Page 10 Tuesday, August 3, 2010

nutrition

Get quenched with nature’s sports drink

Coconut water known as ‘nature’s beverage’ for thousands of years Did you know that the human body is about 70 percent water? During hot weather, it’s more important than ever to replace this fluid when we sweat.

Water is always a good choice for fluid replacement. You should drink at least one pint every 30 minutes during activity and even more when it’s hot outside. At a minimum, eight glasses of fluids are recommended each day.

Sports drinks are also good, as they contain necessary electrolytes for replenishing fluids during endurance activities; however, the average exerciser may not need the sugar and calories that most often accompany these types of beverages.

Coconut water, known as nature’s beverage for thousands of years, is the clear liquid inside young coconuts.

As the fruit matures, the coconut water gradually is replaced with the coconut meat and air. Fans of coconut water praise it for

Tracey Shaffer Food for Thought Tracey Shaffer, RD, LD, is a Hy-Vee dietitian at the Blue Springs location The information provided should not be construed as professional medical advice. E-mail her at 1033dietitian@hy-vee.com.

being relatively low-calorie and packed with nutrition. It is naturally loaded with key electrolytes, and at just 60 calories, a single serving of coconut water also provides as much potassium as a banana.

Plain coconut water has long been a popular beverage in the tropics, and has even been sold in ethnic markets and natural food stores for some time in the United States.

Recently, coconut water has emerged into mainstream supermarkets, and can be found in juice-box-style packages in an array of flavors, such as peach-mango and tangerine.

Although most coconut waters are sold as shelf-stable beverages, keep in mind that coconut water is intended to be consumed immediately once it has been opened, or stored in the refrigerator for no more than a day.

For a refreshing summer beverage, concoct a coconut-water cooler with the addition of mouth-watering melons and enhance nature’s beverage of choice.

Cantaloupe Cooler Serves 5 (1 cup each) All you need: 5 cups cubed cantaloupe 1 cup coconut water 2 tbsp granulated sugar ice All you do: 1. Combine cantaloupe, coconut water and sugar in blender. Blend until smooth.

2. If desired, strain before serving over ice.

Nutrition Facts per serving: 80 calories, 0 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 75 mg sodium, 18 g carbohydrates, 2 g fiber, 17 g sugar, 2 g protein.

Daily Values: 110% vitamin A, 100% vitamin C, 2% calcium, 2% iron.

Lose the salt, keep the flavor

By MARGARET MAPLES GateHouse News Service

A big gripe with low-sodium cooking is that without salt, meals lose vibrancy. We try to avoid high blood pressure and often end up with bland suppers. But you don’t have to choose between flavor and hypertension with Lemon Ginger Chicken, a dish from registered dietitian Lisa Andrews. She’s co-owner of Sound Bites Nutrition in Cincinnati.

“This simple recipe combines refreshing citrus, sweet ginger and cilantro,” she says, replacing the salt with other flavors. In a second flavorful health tip, Andrews recommends marinating the chicken for at least 15 minutes prior to cooking. She says marinating reduces production of two carcinogenic compounds, heterocyclic amines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which form when meat is cooked at high temperatures.

But getting back to sodium: According to an online report from the University of Colorado Extension, we require about 1,500 milligrams of sodium daily to balance water in our cells and make nerves and muscles function properly. The healthy maximum is 2,300 milligrams a

day, but some of us take in twice that amount.

Here’s a good reason to set down the salt shakers.

Lemon Ginger Chicken 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (fat trimmed) 1 1/2 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce 1 tablespoon oil (canola, peanut or sesame) 1 tablespoon fresh lemon or lime juice 1 tablespoon brown sugar (packed) 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger 1/2 teaspoon garlic, minced 1/8 cup chopped cilantro Place chicken breasts in a large sealable plastic bag. In a small measuring cup, whisk together soy sauce, oil and lemon juice. Whisk in brown sugar, ginger and garlic. Add cilantro.

Pour mixture into the bag with the chicken.

Seal it and marinate the chicken in the refrigerator for up to 6 hours before cooking. Discard marinade and grill the chicken for 7 to 10 minutes on each side until done. Alternatively, roast in a 400-degree oven. Serve with vegetables and brown rice. Makes 2 servings.

health

Tuesday, August 3, 2010 Page 11

Caring for dentures

By KATHRYN SUCICH GateHouse News Service

If you’re one of the millions of Americans who need dentures, you may have questions about what getting them will entail. Although dentures take some getting used to, they will improve your appearance and health. Here are five important things to know about dentures, according to the American Dental Association.

Different dentures You can get either full dentures that replace all your teeth or partial dentures to replace a few of them. You can also get “overdentures,” which are removable and fit over any remaining natural teeth.

Importance of oral health You may think that tooth brushing isn’t necessary if you don’t have any real teeth left, but you still need to take good care of your mouth. Each morning before you put on your dentures, you should brush your tongue, gums and palate with a soft-bristled brush. This will remove any plaque in your mouth, as well as get blood flowing in your gums.

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Eating and speaking Start out slowly when you start eating with new dentures. Eat softer food at first, but once you get used them, you should be able to eat normally. While speaking, some words might not sound right at first. Practicing speaking and reading out loud should help.

Taking medications Older people are more likely to use medications, and many of these medications affect your oral health and dentures. For example, a side effect of many medications is dry mouth; however, adequate levels of saliva are needed to keep dentures in place. Make sure you tell your dentist about any medications you’re using.

Dentures don’t last forever Dentures are fragile and can easily be cracked or chipped. With time, they will have to be relined or remade. See your dentist if your dentures become loose or show signs of wear. If you don’t get them fixed, it could affect chewing or your appearance.

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Seated (L-R): Craig Satterlee, MD

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Sports Medicine, Knees, Shoulders

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Podiatry, Foot & Ankle Surgery

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