Soldier of the Week – Army National Guard Major Troy Scott

By Adria Markovic
YC/Co-Publisher
June 22, 2014

We at the Chronicle will be choosing a veteran to honor each week. We hope that you will pass this story around to everyone you know. If you see a vet out in the public, please stop and salute them and thank them for their service. This week we are honoring Major Troy Scott.

We have the world’s largest, baddest army,” said Major Troy Scott of the Army National Guard, while explaining how easily stereotypes against other nations’ militaries can often arise. “But when you’re building a coalition, you have to get past those obstacles.” MAJ Scott ‘s deployment to eastern Afghanistan in 2008- his first and for which he has received a Purple Heart, a Bronze Star, and the Army Commendation Medal with Valor for his service- was spent in the company of those whom many back home may not have expected.

Two thirds of the “Herculean” Task Force he commanded were members of the Polish military brigade – not American soldiers. MAJ Scott was assigned as Senior U.S. Advisor to the Polish Military Contingent in Afghanistan, operating as the Deputy Commander of the 1200 man Task Force White Eagle- predominately Poles- from March 2008 to October 2008.

It was the only coalition battalion-size task force under the 4th Brigade Combat Team of the 101st Airborne Division. On October 31, 2008 the Polish Military Contingent assumed responsibility of their own Brigade battle space, with MAJ Scott continuing on as advisor to the Polish brigade. Said MAJ Scott, “Sometimes U.S. Forces, we look at ourselves- and rightly so- as a superior force.” But, he explained, to watch one of our NATO partners (particularly the Poles) operate in Afghanistan and exceed expectations proved to be a tremendously gratifying experience

There has been a further impact to maintaining such a partnership as well. Keeping the Poles in Afghanistan allows the U.S. to keep 3 times the number of our soldiers out of Afghanistan. “The value is expediential- a combat multiplier,” he said. It was MAJ Scott’s job to ensure that the American expectations were understandable for the Poles, for whom English was not their second language, but their third. Scott, who had no previous experience with the Polish military or even the Polish language, observed the melding of two differing armies and cultures, fighting alongside one another for a shared goal in a foreign space.

Learning the land and history of the region was key to both MAJ Scott and his Task Force. During his deployment, his brigade participated in the largest coalition movement of personnel in Afghanistan, moving battle spaces from the Paktika province to the Ghazni province. “You have to be a little bit politician, engineer, city planner, lawyer,” described MAJ Scott. For his service and leadership, MAJ Scott has also been recommended for the Silver Star and Distinguished Service Cross.

 

Source: Our Military

Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think. dan@youngchronicle.com

Book Review: Helping Kids Who Are “Late, Lost, and Unprepared”

by Parents
Jan. 18, 2014

Do you routinely find your child’s completed homework forgotten on the floor of the car? Is her backpack a black hole from which nothing emerges? Does he struggle with taking turns or following directions? Late, Lost and Unprepared: A Parents’ Guide to Helping Children with Executive Functioning, by Joyce Cooper-Kahn, Ph.D., and Laurie Dietzel, Ph.D., offers practical tips to help parents and teachers guide disorganized children  at home and school.

Don’t be put off by the term “executive functioning,” which Cooper-Kahn and Dietzel define as the skills that “help you manage life tasks,” such as organizing a trip or a research paper. Much of the book is written as if they are chatting with parents on the playground, as in this passage:

“Practice these words: ‘Wow, you do have a problem. What do you think you can do about it?’ Apply as needed when your child forgets to bring his book home from school, arrives at the beach in the summer with no bathing suit, et cetera. Help with problem solving, as needed, rather than taking over the problem or getting stuck in chastising, lecturing, or punishing.”

Using easy-to-read summaries, case studies, tips and “Try This!” boxes, Late, Lost and Unprepared offers, among others, “Strategies to Help a Child…

• Control Running Off in Stores
• Adapt to New Situations
• Complete Chores
• Who Has Trouble Following Directions
• Who Does Homework but Doesn’t Turn It In
• Who is Genuinely Surprised When She Gets in Trouble for Misbehavior

Real people, real solutions: The clinical psychologists offer stories of families who are finding solutions. For example, Ivan has trouble remembering anything except his peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Before Ivan goes to bed each night, his parents remind him to put his homework folder in the fridge on top of his lunch. Forgotten homework problem solved.

Prioritize goals. Work on one goal at a time, the authors say. While her messy room may bother you, her disorganized backpack may be a higher priority.       

Short-term supports, long-term success. Cooper-Kahn and Dietzel advocate a two-pronged approach. In the short run, parents need to help a child manage demands, whether chores, school work, or putting the brakes on interrupting. That may mean picking up the books in his room while he cleans up the art supplies, or having him dictate to you the first sentence of a paper, to help him start a task that may otherwise seem overwhelming.

Meanwhile, parents must work on the long-term goals that will help a child develop habits so that certain tasks — handing in the homework, hanging up the jacket — eventually become automatic. “Here’s the bad news; It really does require repetition, ad nauseum,” they write. The good news? By offering both support and skill building, and adopting a “no victims” approach, parents can help guide a disorganized child to success.

 

Source: Parenting

Editor’s Note: We welcome your comments.  Please Login  or Register to post a comment on this article. Thank you and we appreciate your support!

Could You Have Adult ADD?

by Leigh Erin Connealt
MD
June 15, 20104

Discussions of ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) normally revolve around children with behavioral and/or learning difficulties. But ADHD and its cousin, ADD (attention deficit disorder without hyperactivity, which is more common in grown-ups), can persist into adulthood. In fact, over half of the adults who were diagnosed as children still have the disorder — that’s about 4 percent of all adults in the U.S.

Although people with ADD look the same as everyone else, the disorder manifests itself in behavior, such as forgetfulness, trouble concentrating, and impulsiveness. If you have ever dealt with a person who has ADD, you know how frustrating it can be, as my patient Mark learned. And if you have the condition yourself, you may be all too aware of how disappointing it is to have the best intentions and not be able to fulfill them.

To make matters worse, adult ADD sufferers are rarely able to correct the situation without some sort of intervention, such as medication, nutrients, therapy, or a support group. But instead of getting treatment, they often self-medicate by shopping, drinking, using illegal drugs, or engaging in other potentially risky behavior that can spin out of control.

 

Recognizing the Symptoms of ADD

Individuals with ADD may become depressed and/or anxious over their seeming inability to accomplish things, setting the stage for new symptoms and complications. And many people don’t even realize they have symptoms of ADD.

 

Symptoms of ADHD and ADD

• Trouble concentrating, especially when reading
• Being easily distracted
• Disorganization and procrastination
• Addictive behavior (e.g., drugs, drinking, gambling, overeating, excessive shopping)
• Restlessness
• Anxiety, depression, mood swings
• Impulsive and risky behavior, including reckless driving
• Low self-esteem
• Inability to finish projects, lacking motivation
• Forgetfulness, chronic lateness
• Being short-tempered, inability to tolerate frustration

Developed in conjunction with the World Health Association (WHO), the following link provides a quick adult ADHD screening test.

 

Taking Control Beyond the Prescription Pad

Oftentimes, adults with ADD know they start many more projects than they finish; and they probably realize that forgetfulness, distractions, and failure to follow through are problems for them. But they may mistakenly blame themselves for being lazy, scatterbrained, or weak-willed, since few adults have been formally diagnosed, a process that requires a psychiatrist or psychologist.

The truth is, people with ADD are often very intelligent and highly creative, but their brains just work differently, so certain things are difficult for them — difficult, but not impossible. Albert Einstein, Bill Gates, Bill Cosby, Eleanor Roosevelt, and former President Dwight Eisenhower are all thought to have had ADD, and they managed to achieve great things. The question is, what is the best way to manage ADD?

The pharmaceutical industry has cashed in on ADD big time. Today, millions of children are taking medication — mostly amphetamines — to control symptoms of ADD, while the debate over the appropriateness of medicating children rages on. Medication is less likely to be used for treating adults. In part, that’s because conventional medicines, primarily amphetamines like Ritalin, Concerta, and Adderall, don’t have the same effect on grown-ups. In addition, these drugs can raise blood pressure and the heart rate and create psychological dependency; and they are linked to a long list of negative side effects, so they’re just not suitable for many people.

11 Healthy Ways to Ease ADD Symptoms

If you’re considering medication for ADD, let me say this: Medication alone does not make ADD go away. It simply helps some people focus for longer than usual. A psychiatrist must prescribe most ADD medication, so the process is expensive, and the side effects can be serious, including everything from digestive disorders to insomnia and impotence as well as heart palpitations and arrhythmia. Clearly, these are not drugs to be taken lightly.

Meanwhile, you can achieve excellent results with changes to your diet as well as by taking certain nutrients and avoiding some substances, such as sugar and high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS). Here are my suggestions:

1. Eat real food.

I recommend at least three to five small meals daily to nourish your brain with a steady supply of nutrients. Be sure to include protein at each meal along with complex carbohydrates that break down more slowly than simple carbs, such as sugary snacks or processed food. Individuals with ADD need to maintain healthy insulin levels in the body, so the brain has access to the glucose it needs to function. Insulin plays a major role in brain function, so much so that Alzheimer’s disease is now considered type 3 diabetes or diabetes of the brain.

2. Stay hydrated.

Drink plenty of fresh, clean water to maintain healthy hydration. Your brain, which is about 70 to 80 percent water, needs hydration as much as the rest of your body.

3. Maintain high levels of essential nutrients.

Take a daily multivitamin and a separate multimineral formula containing at least 400 mg of magnesium, 100 mcg of selenium, and 7 to 10 mg of zinc. Several studies show that correcting deficiencies of minerals like magnesium, selenium, and zinc improve ADD symptoms.

4. Get a daily dose of omega-3 fatty acids.

Numerous studies show that these good fats, primarily found in certain types of fish, can enhance brain functions. For best results, look for a product that has roughly twice as much DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) as EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid). I especially like the stable, purified omega-3s found in Calamarine oil.

5. Avoid high-fructose corn syrup and sugar.

HFCS is a cheap sugar substitute with no health benefits and plenty of downsides, including a possible connection to the obesity epidemic. Whenever you see this ingredient on a food or beverage label, consider it a warning and pass on that particular product. HFCS may contain traces of the heavy metal mercury, something that could worsen ADD or cause additional health complications for those with a HFCS intolerance. In addition, HFCS robs the body of the mineral zinc, which plays a role in removing mercury from the body — just what you don’t need!

6. Walk it off.

Although most adults outgrow the hyperactivity aspect of ADHD, not all do. If you find that you’re plagued by restlessness, turn that urge to move to your advantage and go for a walk. Even if the weather isn’t cooperating, you canwalk — or even jog or dance — in place. Activity provides the brain with more oxygen than being sedentary does, and that’s a definite bonus since oxygen is an all-important element in brain function.

7. Get sufficient shut-eye.

Too little sleep makes it difficult to think clearly — whether you have ADD or not — so do yourself a favor and follow my advice on getting a good night’s sleep.

8. Get in the habit of doing the most important — not the most interesting — thing first.

Many people with ADD find it easy to become so thoroughly engrossed in something they particularly enjoy that they miss appointments, forget to eat, stay up half the night, or worse.

Claudia, a longtime patient, told me about the day she realized how serious ADD can be. A talented artist, she had just come home from a shopping trip to buy new painting supplies. Unfortunately, Claudia took the shopping bag into the house first and became so involved in working with the new materials that she forgot her two young children were still in the car unattended. Only when the four-year-old finally made his way into the house did she realize what had happened. “Talk about a wake-up call,” she told me. “Every time I remember that day, I shudder at what might have happened. Some days, getting the kids in and out of the car is such an ordeal, but I never — and I do mean never — do anything before getting them safely in the house now.”

9. Rethink your approach to difficult tasks.

If, for example, you struggle with clutter (a common characteristic of ADD sufferers), break the job into small sections and tackle them one at a time. In other words, don’t attempt to reorganize every closet in the house on the same day. Pick one closet to straighten each week to give yourself time to make decisions about what you’ll throw away, give away, and keep. When that closet is completed, move on to the next.

10. Use the 20-minute-timer technique on complex, multistep jobs.

Set a kitchen timer for 20 minutes, and really apply yourself to the task at hand for that time period. When the timer rings, do something rewarding for a few minutes — stand up and walk in place for a couple minutes, make a fresh cup of green tea, take a few minutes to do some stretching, or meditate. Then reset the timer and get back to work. Breaking large jobs into smaller chunks makes them more manageable, and the periodic rewards relieve the stress that comes with any prolonged effort.

11. Detox, detox, detox.

Many people with ADD find that getting heavy metals out of their bodies helps improve symptoms. There are several different ways to do that, detailed in my earlier newsletter on detoxification.

Since ADD can wreak havoc on relationships and jobs, many people with the disorder have found it helpful to participate in a support group, like CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder). Sometimes, simply recognizing why you’re having problems completing tasks and getting organized can be a huge relief. It’s also very helpful to have like-minded individuals to talk to and share strategies for overcoming the disorder.

Just remember, ADD is a challenge you can overcome. Start with a nutrition overhaul, make sure you’re getting the right nutrients, and work on developing new habits. It may take some time, but many people have found that making simple changes is all it takes to stay on track and win the battle with ADD.

 

Source: Newport Natural Health

Editor’s Note: We welcome your comments.  Please Login  or Register to post a comment on this article. Thank you and we appreciate your support!

 

 

 

On Father’s Day: The Memory of Our Fathers

By Lizzie
June 15, 2014

We are called upon to cherish with high veneration and grateful recollections, the memory of our fathers. Both the ties of nature and the dictates of policy demand this. And surely no nation had ever less occasion to be ashamed of its ancestry, or more occasion for gratulation in that respect; for while most nations trace their origin to barbarians, the foundations of our nation were laid by civilized men, by Christians. Many of them were men of distinguished families, of powerful talents, of great learning and of preeminent wisdom, of decision of character, and of most inflexible integrity. And yet not unfrequently they have been treated as if they had no virtues; while their sins and follies have been sedulously immortalized in satirical anecdote.

The influence of such treatment of our fathers is too manifest. It creates and lets loose upon their institutions, the vandal spirit of innovation and overthrow; for after the memory of our fathers shall have been rendered contemptible, who will appreciate and sustain their institutions? “The memory of our fathers” should be the watchword of liberty throughout the land; for, imperfect as they were, the world before had not seen their like, nor will it soon, we fear, behold their like again. Such models of moral excellence, such apostles of civil and religious liberty, such shades of the illustrious dead looking down upon their descendants with approbation or reproof, according as they follow or depart from the good way, constitute a censorship inferior only to the eye of God; and to ridicule them is national suicide.

The doctrines of our fathers have been represented as gloomy, superstitious, severe, irrational, and of a licentious tendency. But when other systems shall have produced a piety as devoted, a morality as pure, a patriotism as disinterested, and a state of society as happy, as have prevailed where their doctrines have been most prevalent, it may be in season to seed an answer to this objection.

The persecutions instituted by our fathers have been the occasion of ceaseless obloquy upon their fair fame. And truly, it was a fault of no ordinary magnitude that sometimes they did persecute. But let him whose ancestors were not ten times guiltier, cast the first stone, and the ashes of our fathers will no more be disturbed. Theirs was the fault of the age, and it will be easy to show that no class of men had, at that time, approximated so nearly to just apprehensions of religious liberty; and that it is to them that the world is indebted for the more just and definite views which now prevail.

The superstition and bigotry of our fathers are themes on which some of their descendants, themselves far enough from superstition, if not from bigotry, have delighted to dwell. But when we look abroad, and behold the condition of the world, compared with the condition of New England, we may justly exclaim, “Would to God that the ancestors of all the nations had been not only almost, but altogether such bigots as our fathers were.”

Note:  I originally found this in the old McGuffey’s Sixth Eclectic Reader, but my thanks to “Sluice Box Adventures” for putting it online for us.

Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers at TPN

 

Editor’s Note: We welcome your comments.  Please Login  or Register to post a comment on this article. Thank you and we appreciate your support!

 

Happy Father’s Day

By Leigh Erin Connealy,
MD
June 15, 2014

For many families, Father’s Day is a bit different than the lavish, emotional tributes of Mother’s Day. And that’s fine. I know my husband – father of seven! – appreciates being remembered, but likes to keep things low key. And somehow it seems appropriate to honor our fathers with a little less fanfare than Mom. Like so many fathers, my own dad traveled a great deal for work. But my five siblings and I knew that even though Daddy wasn’t home, he still loved us more than anything in the world.

If Mom was the heart of our family, Dad was the backbone. He gave us all a solid foundation to build on, teaching us the importance of courage, determination, hard work, and respecting ourselves and others. Of course, it can be a bit of challenge to find the right words to express our feelings. So today, in honor of all our fathers, I’d like to share a poem that I think captures those emotions so well. The poem is “How Lucky To Have Had So Good a Father” by Italian composer Domenico Scarlatti:

Happy Father’s Day!

Wishing you and yours health and happiness,

 

Editor’s Note: We welcome your comments.  Please Login  or Register to post a comment on this article. Thank you and we appreciate your support!

Do You Know What Makes a Real Dad?

By Dan Samaria
Publisher/GCC
June 15, 2013

We have had so much response since I first wrote this in June 20, 2010, that I want to share with you again.

I have had so many readers who figured out that I was David. We had the most hits on this story for this day.

We hope that you enjoy it and pass it around to everyone you know.

This is a story about a man (we will call him David) who has worked with kids all his life, but was never blessed by God of haven’t any of his own.

Throughout his life he always enjoyed helping others, especially those children that didn’t have a father in their life.

You might ask yourself why?

David never had the opportunity of having a loving father being there when he went to bed or woke up in the morning. Or having one that would go to his baseball game and cheer him on.

The best way to describe it is there is a song by Bob Carlisle called “Butterfly Kisses”. If you have not heard it, I strongly suggest that you get it.

It is about a dad who sings about his daughter as she is getting ready to start her new life with her husband.

It reminded him of his butterfly kisses that he received or gave to his daughter as she was growing up. I don’t want to say any more. I don’t want to mess up his message.

When David was 10 he was put into a home for kids whose parents didn’t want them.

Where he was abused, locked in closets where he was given medication to keep him quite. He spent 3 years there.

The only thing that saved him was his faith in GOD and a police officer  who came by to visit him on a daily basis. He taught him that he was special and that it was not his fault for being there.

This man showed him the true meaning of being a DAD. He always reminded David that what makes a dad is someone who is there for others.

He reminded him that it takes more than being related to a child by blood, to be a “real” Dad.

David has always lived by that, as he always worked with children especially those, that didn’t have a father in their lives. He wanted to be sure that no child would go through what he had been through.

He wanted to work with big brothers, but he was turned down because he would be too close to the child. Let me say this first, the big brothers that he applied to work with was in New York.

They only wanted him to see the child only on Saturdays and to have no other attachment to that child on any other time I am not saying this is all the Big Brother Programs.

David felt that he couldn’y give part time love, because he felt that a child needed full time love.

Today, David is still not married but he feels lucky and as if he is a father.

He hopes that he has made a difference in four children’s lives.

First one, he was there to teach a little girl how to ride a bike, help her with her homework and just be there so she could say things that she would only say to her dad.

Girls are close to their dads as boys to their moms. David befriended and even played “girly” games with her.

Second one David has been there for another girl since her father died when she was 12. He never tried to replace her father, but to be there when she needed someone.

The next two are brother and sister, this one is really hard on him. To protect the kids we will call them Alice and Sam.

To this day they are his kids even though they were adopted by someone else. Of course a mom and dad. I am jumping ahead of the story.

David became a foster parent to adopt both of them. He knew it would be hard, but they were worth fighting for.

He knew their history and that their father was not in their lives. He fell in love with them from the first day he seen them.

He was single and the system usually want to place children with two parents.

David told them that just because they have a mother and father doesn’t make them good parents.

During this process David went through hell, they looked at every part of his life. They even knew what color of diaper he wore as a baby.

The worst part about it he and the children were lead to believe that the system was going to work with him so that he could adopt them both which was never the case.

Alice was kept at his friend’s house since she was the foster parent and he took in Sam

Since the foster parent and David were friends this was suppose to make it easy for them when they came up for adoption.

David felt hopeless that he had no say in Alice’s life and would not be able to share the everyday life of a dad. He would only be allowed to see her when the foster mom would allow it.

When it was just those two everything was great. When others got involved things changed for the worse.

David felt alive and happy when they were around.

He would wake up every day sit down with Sam they would eat breakfast together they would talk about how Sam was doing in school and the day before, watch cartoons together.

Than they would get ready for school Sam always enjoyed his dad talking him.

David would always park about a half a block away. This was done at Sam’s request he wanted to hold his dad’s hands tightly as they talked while walking to class.

They both enjoyed this time together. Sam hated when his dad left.

As they arrived to the classroom Sam would turn to David and say “see you later dad” they would say together at the same time ‘love you’.

He would always talk to his teacher before class asked her how he was doing. He told the teacher he would always do the homework together with Sam.

And if they was no check mark that means he didn’t see it.

The teacher was not aware that he really wasn’t Sam’s father she would learn later differently. She approached David to tell him that he was more Sam’s father than others are to their kids.

After school Sam was picked up by bus for his after school program. David picked him up after work.

He always made time to play with Sam at the park they would play football or baseball before they went home.

When they got home, they would sit down together and work on Sam’s homework.  David would never do it because Sam wanted to do it himself.

One time David forgot to put check mark on it. Sam said “dad you forgot” he always enjoyed him sitting with him while he was doing his homework.

While David was cooking dinner Sam would watch TV, but sometimes he wanted to help.

They had a guinea pig name “Buddy” and Sam always cleaned the cage. He took so long because Sam wanted it done right.

When the system tried to put Sam on medication, it was David who fought to stop it.  He requested that the school do an evaluation on him to see why he was having so much trouble in school.

David was stepping on a lot of people’s toes especially the guardian who was assigned by the court.

The children were in his life for only 5 months and three weeks. He would find out later that if he had him one more week they would have to go to court to take him out of David’s life.

They knew that.

I would like to tell you how the kids reacted when they were with him.

They loved him and they would do things as a family. The best way to explain is it is to tell you a story.

David took Alice and Sam to the store to buy some toys.  A man approached him and said what beautiful kids you have.

David told the man that they were kids that he was going to adopt.

David could see that Alice was upset, when they got home.

He would say what I did wrong whatever it was I am sorry.

Alice told David that “I was upset that the man knew I was a foster kid not that you were going to be my dad.”

It brought tears to his eyes as they hugged.

When they were all together they did things like a family. One time David allowed Alice to make him up with makeup when Alice had her friends over.

The girls would laugh and David would hear them say “your dad is cool”.

Even though David only had them for 5 months and three weeks, it felt like a life time.

What happened next was very upsetting to David that lives with him today.

Sam was not good one morning nothing serious, he took too long to get dressed  David was upset with him.

As they arrived at the school everything was okay, Sam would always hold David’s hand s as they worked to the class.

David would give him a hug and the boy would turn around and say “good bye dad see you later”. They did this every day.

The teachers and people in the front office at the kid’s school loved David; they could see that he was a better parent than some of the others.

So when DCF and the guardian were doing something they informed him, which was illegal for them to do.

David received a call from someone at the school informing him that DCF was here to get Sam. When David arrived at the school they informed that Sam has been taken by DCF,

David called the guardian, but she wouldn’t answer, so he called the social worker. Who informed him that they don’t have to tell him anything!

To this day he remembers the exact time and day that he lost his kids. It was Feb. 11 at 1:45 p.m. Every 11 at 1:45 p.m. he breaks down and cries.

It is now 65 months since he lost his kids. Thank God he had always taken a lot of pictures of them, and he also kept a daily journal from the first day that he got them and still does even today.

Since he has lost them there have been times that he has seen them, but he has not said anything not even Hi, but he was afraid of what would come out of his mouth, of what he might say.

David’s answer when asked why he didn’t he say anything when he saw them. He was afraid  he would say I love you both and that I did fight for you both and I still want to adopt you today.

He wanted the kids to hate him and get on with their lives with their new family.  He knew that was the right thing to do.

And when they turn 18 and if they decided to look him up he would tell them the whole story with the paperwork in his fight to get them and the journal that he keeps to this day.

There were people in the DCF that were on his side but they couldn’t do anything to help him, but they always let him know what was going on.

Sam was told by one of the social workers that David took Sam to the school and told DCF to pick him up, because he didn’t want him anymore, which was a LIE?

You tell me is this the true meaning of being a DAD?

Please Dads be there for your kids, give them “Butterfly Kisses” every chance you can. You will never know when that day will end that they are no longer in your life.

Take pictures, keep journals and always be there when they need you even if they don’t want you to.

They will always want and love you if you are.

 

 

Editor’s Note: We welcome your comments.  Please Login in or Register to post a comment on this article. Thank you and we appreciate your support!

 

Patient of the Week – Alexis

By St. Jude
PIO
June 14, 2014

Alexis is 7 years old

Diagnosis:

Alexis was found to suffer from neuroblastoma in April 2008.

Alexis colors quietly alongside her little sister, listening patiently as her sister chatters on about her drawing. Her sister loves to talk, but Alexis is shy. Their mom loves these moments, watching the girls play together. “They’re like best friends,” she said. “Alexis is a good big sister. She’s very patient.”

Alexis’ calm demeanor belies that fact that she has been battling neuroblastoma for more than half of her life.

Alexis was just 2 years old when she first walked through the doors of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Treatment for neuroblastoma is complicated. Alexis has undergone chemotherapy, radiation, a bone marrow transplant and multiple surgeries. Her cancer has come back twice, and each time, St. Jude has been there for her family.

When Alexis first arrived at St. Jude, her family didn’t know that St. Jude would not only cover the costs of Alexis’ treatment, but also housing, food and travel. “St. Jude took our worry away,” said her mom. “Then, we were able to focus on the most important thing—her treatment.”

Alexis’ family is grateful for St. Jude donors. “There’s just not enough you can say to someone who gives without ever seeing St. Jude,” said her mom. “Their generosity is overwhelming.”

Today, Alexis is home and doing well. She loves board games, drawing and playing with her little sister. Alexis returns to St. Jude for regular checkups.

 

Source: St Jude

Editor’s Note: To help give hope to children such as Alexis who are fighting life-threatening illnesses, please become a Partner In Hope.

We would like to know what you think. dan@youngchronicle.com

 

 

Officers of the Week- Off. Igor Soldo and Off. Alyn Beck

by Dan Samaria
Publisher/YC
June 14, 2014

Editor’s Note: We at the Chronicle, will never forget those police officers, who have given their lives on a daily bases to protect us all.. Each week we will honor one with their stories.

This week we are honoring: Police Officer Igor Soldo and Police Officer Alyn Beck

Both officers were shot and killed from ambush while eating lunch at a pizza restaurant in the 300 block of North Nellis Boulevard. Two subjects, a male and a female, approached them at their table and shot them execution style without warning. Despite being wounded, one of the officers returned fire before being incapacitated. The subjects then stole both officers’ weapons and ammunition and ran to a nearby Walmart, where they shot and killed a civilian. Responding officers followed the two into the Walmart and exchanged gunfire with the two. The male subject was killed by rifle fire from a responding officer and the female then committed suicide. Officer Soldo had served with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department for eight years.

 

Bio & Incident Details

Age: 31
Tour: 8 years, 2 months
Cause: Gunfire
Incident Date: 6/8/2014
Weapon: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect: 1 shot and killed; 1 committed suicide

 

Bio & Incident Details

Age: 41
Tour: 13 years, 10 months
Cause: Gunfire
Incident Date: 6/8/2014
Weapon: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect: 1 shot and killed; 1 committed suicide\

Officer Beck had served with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department for 14 years.

 

Source: Odmp

Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think dsthebugman@bellsouth.net

Wish of the Week – Three Special Kids

By MWF
June. 14, 2014

Back in October, 8-year-old Nova, who has cystic fibrosis, lived her wish to be a rock star. Make-A-Wish America board member Kevin O’Toole helped her compose “Someday,” an anthem about her rock-star dreams. Nova also starred in a video for “Someday.” More than 200 volunteers stepped forward to help grant her wish.

 

 

 

Next, we have Addy, who wished to be a pop star. She was diagnosed with cancer when she was 4 years old. Today, she’s 5 … and it’s music that keeps her inspired to stay strong. Her wish gave her a starring role in a video as she sang her favorite song. She hit the front page of wish.org in a flash of purple, and also appeared on websites nationwide, including US Weekly.

 

 

 

 

And today, we’re just starting to hear about 17-year-old Kiley’s wish to go perform with the Boston Pops. Her wish included a private lesson with one of the Pops musicians. Kiley plays the piccolo, and is diagnosed with a rare blood disorder. I hope to share more about Kiley’s wish in the future. (A colleague pointed out that today is also Kiley Minogue’s birthday … coincidence?)

 

 

 

 

Source: Make a Wish Foundation

Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com

 

 

 

 

10 Websites Safe for Kids

By Melissa Taylor
July 14, 21014

My kids could easily become addicted to technology, especially as they grow older and find more to do online. But, I still keep their screen time limited and focused on learning. Here are our top ten educational websites for kids.

1. PBS Kids

Find all your favorite PBS characters, each with learning games for kids to play: Clifford, Curious George, SuperWhy, The Cat in the Hat, and lots more.

2. Wonderopolis 

Discover a new wonder each day. Wonders are amazing facts and intriguing questions such as: Why are they called Lava Lamps? What Badger has a sweet tooth?

3. National Geographic Little Kids 

National Geographic Little Kids features games, crafts and recipes, science, videos, and animal information. It’s perfect for the 5 and under crowd.

4. National Geographic Kids 

Games, videos, information, cool photos, and more will keep your kids engaged and learning on this educational site.

5. Fun Brain

Math and reading video-like games like math baseball and Mad Libs Junior.

6. Whyville

Tweens hang out in Whyville to play learning games and socialize.

7. Pottermore 

J.K. Rowling created this site so kids could read the books and do interactive features and games. My kids LOVE it and can’t wait for all the books to be on the site.

8. Spatulatta

Get into cooking on this kid-friendly cooking website with lots of videos and recipes.

9. NGA Kids

This website gives users art adventures and activities from the National Gallery of Art.

10. Yahoo Kids This is the least educational of all the choices since the site includes both games and videos of all sorts. But, kids can find lots to learn on this interactive website like homework help, learning about science, and access to an encyclopedia.

Do you limit screen time, too?

Did I miss your favorite websites? What are they?

 

Source: Parenting

Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think. dan@youngchronicle.com

Next Page »