Memphis Parent October 2019

O C T 2019

DOWN SYNDROME AWARENESS

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Meet Sarah, age 15:

Wants to be an astronaut but hates geometry (and heights) Reads Where the Wild Things Are to her little brother every night

Listens to Joy Division and The Wombats

Loves the feeling of grass between her toes

Pets every dog she sees

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OCTOBER 2019

W H AT ’ S I N S I D E D E F I N E S

SPECIAL NEEDS GUIDE

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Paisley has a rare disease — her mom shares their story.

By Shara Clark & Stacy Alexander

DOWN SYNDROME AWARENESS 10

JUMP-START FITNESS

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Proper exercise is key for fledgling athletes.

Celebrate those with Down syndrome.

By Samuel X. Cicci

H OPEN

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BER O T C :O

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By Jamie Lober

LIVING

PROJECT SEARCH

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Program helps young adults with disabilities.

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DOWN SYNDROME AWARENESS

WITH LOSS During the month of Oc One family’s celebrate people with D

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DEPARTMENTS

journey with breast cancer grief. LOBER Byand JAMIE

By Jennifer Boren

While Down syndrome may not often services like speech, occupational, ON THE speak of the person firs COVER be talked about, “There are more than and physical therapy can be a big help about the disability; em 1,500 individuals with Down syndrome and allow the kids to excel. A person’s abilities and no 26 Dad Libs 6 901 Fun For Boys in Grades 7-12 lliving MUSowls.org in the Mid-South,” says Martine pediatrician can be a great ally in treat the person with th Living with sensory Enjoy tricks, treats, Hobson, executive director ofand the working through any medical or respect as everyone els processing disorder more Down Syndrome Association of behavioral issues that arise. “The most the person speak for hi 32 Calendar and Events 8 Dear Teacher Memphis and the Mid-South. common thing I hear from new says Hobson.

Family-friendly fun all Using technology to MUS_MemParent_1/4sq.indd 1 9/9/19 9:39 AM The Centers for Disease Control parents is themonth fear long of the unknown A great way for all p build vocabulary and her the cause is to s and Prevention (CDC) define Down and uncertainty, but once they startPaisley (6) around 38 Favorite Moments 24 Outstanding Teacher mom Stacy syndrome as a condition in which a to get educated, their and whole outlook 22nd annual Step UP Fo Kid funnies Celebrating unsung Photographer: person has an extra chromosome, changes,” Hobson Syndrome 1-mile walk o photos says. heroesand Ziggy Mack the extra copy changes how the There is no known cause, and Down 2019, from noon until 4 baby’s body and brain develop, syndrome can happen to anyone. It is Christian Brothers Univ causing physical and mental a misconception that it can occur if will be entertainment, a challenges. you are pregnant at an older age.Parent is published prizes. Funds raised at t Memphis by Editor Shara Clark Contemporary Media, Inc. “Many but not all people with “About 80 percent of children who toward getting informa Art Director Bryan Rollins Down syndrome share common have Down syndrome are born to support to families affe Advertising Art Director CEO Anna Traverse syndrome and assisting features like almond-shaped eyes and women younger than 35,” Hobson Christopher Myers Director of Business Development short stature,” Hobson says. says. There are other false beliefs as New Parent Brunch, Re Graphic Designer Rachel Li Jeffrey A. Goldberg “However, like typical people who well, she adds. “It is a misconception adult self-advocacy, job Editorial Director Advertising Manager Sheryl Butler VanWyngarden share similar features, they look more that they cannot read andBruce write, as Pathways, inclusive sum Special Projects Director like their families than eachAccount other.”Executive the majority can.” and tutoring.

Michelle Musolf Molly Willmott The CDC also named some other It’s important to knowEmail the Marketing ManagerItBritt is important that M Ervin Production Operations Director Distribution Manager Carrie O’Guin common physical features like a Neal resources that are available to you parents teach their chil Margie Controller Ashley Haeger flattened face, short neck,Calendar small ears, and use them.

“Teaching reading is and accept all people, r Editor Meena Viswanathan Digital Services Director a tongue that sticks out of the mouth, most effective when teachers Kristinare Pawlowski their abilities. “People w Social Media Coordinator IT Director Joseph Carey small pinky fingers that sometimes syndrome are always ha Kalena Matthewswell-trained and have high Staff Writer Julia Baker curve toward the thumb, and poor expectations of students and their like typical people than STATEMENT OF PURPOSE P.O.isBox 1738, Memphis, TN 38101as they have t muscle tone. progress,” Hobson says. “It different, Memphis Parent strives to provide p: 901.521.9000 • f: 901.521.0129 There are some challenges kids advisable that kids with Down feelings, moods, and m information of value to all who are invested Send advertising queries to: with Grades DownPreK–8, syndrome may in face.

“Ten future. syndrome attend their public school, everybody else. our children’s sheryl@memphisparent.com Part-time program ages 2–4 to 15 percent of babies with Down and it is required by law that the “There are kids with us at memphisparent.com syndrome have a severe heart defect schoolsvisit accept and provide syndrome working all o Call 901-388-7321 for more information or visit sfawolves.org that requires surgical intervention in appropriate education through and they do great,” Hob memphis-parent memphisparent memphisparent the first month of life, and additionally, inclusion with their typical peers.”

“Early intervention, goo 4 Down syndrome is one of the most One of the largest messages that and therapies help your

St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School

OPEN HOUSE

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Tuesday, November 5th 5 -7 pm T O B E R

O C T O B E R

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OUR STAFF

EDITOR’S NOTE

BRIGHT SPOTS

PEDIATRIC DENTISTS Steven J. Fuson, DDS, MS Nathaniel Denson, DDS, MDS FAMILY DENTISTS Clayton Floriani, DDS Ashton Monks, DDS

ME, MY BROTHER KC, AND MY DAD KEITH

ORTHODONTISTS Taylor Collazo, DDS, MS Gregg Bouldien, DDS, MSD

FREE EXAM!

FOR CHILDREN UNDER 2 - EXPIRES 10/31/19

The late Stephen Hawking once said, ctober, “My advice to other disabled people would Down syndrome. be, concentrate on things your disability doesn’t prevent you doing well, and don’t regret the things it interferes with. Don’t st and not be disabled in spirit as well as physically.”

over the city, bson says. od health care, r loved one

SHARA CLARK

Editor

&

for the entire family!

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Laurelwood Shopping Center 389 Perkins Ext 901.685.8417 @cottontailsmemphis @cotton.tails1

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mphasize the ot limitations; he same If you were to ask my brother about his disability or how it affects se; and lethim, he’d likely look back at you with a toothy grin and reply, imself,” “What disability?” My brother Keith Clark Jr., or KC, as we call him, is 29 years old. He was born with cerebral palsy and has lived most of his life in a wheelchair. His case is severe, and he’ll never people to unite be able to walk. While his condition has unfortunately prevented support the or Down him from doing many things on his own, he is far from “disabled in7,spirit.” on October KC loves to crack jokes, play video games, watch television, go 4 p.m. at to summer camp, and sing to us at family gatherings. He enjoys versity. There activities, being and the center of attention, and he’s never once hinted at a sense of regret or longing. As far as he is concerned, he hasn’t the walk go ation and missed out on a thing. KC’s upbeat and genuinely happy — his presence brings feelings of gratitude and calm. While he may be ected by Down limited, he’s sharp as a tack, funny, and curious. He’s g programsphysically like actually asked me a few times to write a story about him, titled eading is Key, “The Life of an Entertainer.” Well, here’s the introduction, my b placement, sweet brother. mmer camp, In this issue, we introduce you to another special kid, Paisley Memphis Alexander, who has a rare genetic disorder. Her mother Stacy is a longtime friend of mine, and I’ve admired her courage as she’s ldren to love traversed this journey. Paisley’s father Rusty passed away after a regardless of car accident in 2016, and Stacy has had to brave many challenges who have Down alone. Read about Paisley and hear from Stacy herself in “Raising appy and more n they are a Miracle” (beginning on page 18).

In the meantime, remember to teach your kids about empathy the same memory as and compassion and remind them that everyone is different. And some folks, like KC and Paisley, are special little bright spots in an Down often gray world.

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Enjoy tricks, treats, and more this month.

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SATURDAY STRONG GIRL FEST

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on October 5th, Hutchison School hosts this event, with an all-girl Olympic agility course, engineering, science, and urban farming activities, girl-led performances about historical female role models, and more. Free community event for girls (ages 3-14). Visit stronggirlfest.org for details.

Take the whole family on a trip around the globe without ever having to leave Memphis!

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SUNDAY STEP UP FOR DOWN SYNDROME WALK

Christian Brothers University hosts this fund-raiser from noon until 4 p.m. on October 6th. Features a 1-mile fun run, children’s area, live entertainment, and food trucks. $15/adult. $10/child. To register, go to dsamsuds.org.

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FRIDAY ZOO BOO

The Memphis Zoo hosts seven nights of frights — October 1820, 25-27 & 31, 5:30-9:30 p.m. — with trick-or-treat stations, crafts, a haunted hayride, magic shows, and more. $15/person. Visit memphiszoo.org/zooboo for details.

FIESTA CON SONIA DE LOS SANTOS All Ages | November 2 | 10am | Halloran Centre A musical celebration of cultural heritage in English and Spanish.

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SATURDAY MEMPHIS PARENT SCHOOL EXPO

Memphis Parent hosts this free event at Memphis Botanic Garden, from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on October 26th. Parents will meet representatives from area schools, watch informational videos, and pick up take-home materials for planning their child’s education. Visit memphisparentschoolexpo.com for details.

FLICK-OR-TREAT MOVIE NIGHT

Also, on October 26th, trick or treat through Memphis Botanic Garden’s My Big Backyard from 5 to 7 p.m. Pre-show festivities include treat stations and activities. Movie schedule: It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (G) at 7:15 p.m. Casper (PG) at 7:45 p.m. $10.

Reservations required. Call 636-4130.

O C T O B E R

2 0 1 99

COMPANHIA URBANA DE DANÇA Ages 7+ | November 9 | 10am | Halloran Centre

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An energetic show mixing contemporary Brazilian dance and hip-hop.

Tickets: $15 Group discounts available ORPHEUM-MEMPHIS.COM/SATURDAYSERIES

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THURSDAY HALLOWEEN NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM

From 5 to 8 p.m. on October 31st at the Stax Museum, children wander through the control room, listen to the mysterious sounds in the Hall of Records, and explore the sacred Southern soulful universe for tricks, treats, arts, and crafts. Also get down on the dance floor, roam with costumed characters and face painters, and enjoy a movie in the theater. Free. 942-7685.

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At Lausanne’s Open House on November 3, you’ll have a chance to see how we engage students and grow their love of learning.

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Come explore Lausanne and see why our co-educational, PK through 12th grade campus is the best place for your child to thrive. Visit lausanneschool.com/openhouse today.

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DEAR TEACHER By Marge Eberts & Peggy Gisler

TECHNOLOGY + VOCABULARY Q My child, a sixth grader, loves technology.

She also has a weak vocabulary. Are there any ways to combine technology and building vocabulary? — Multitasker

Love.

Think.

Live.

A

Love. Think. Live. These three words are the heart of our mission at Harding Academy. We teach

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creatively and learn with open minds, and to live

O C T O B E R

students to love others as Christ loves them, to think

to see that mission in action.

courageously to the glory of God. Visit an Open House

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It’s important for children to have a good vocabulary.

Academic success depends on the ability to understand what is read. Having a good vocabulary is one of the keys to comprehending material, especially new material.

Most children have a sufficient everyday vocabulary to communicate easily with others. However, the language of textbooks and classroom work is often far more difficult, as it involves language not ordinarily used in daily conversation.

Fortunately, there are ways to expand your daughter’s vocabulary that involve technology.

You might start with having her explore word games. This way, she could be having fun while expanding her vocabulary.

Your daughter might search with you online for word games.

Make sure appropriate websites are chosen.

One site you might consider is vocabulary.com. It has a fun quiz that older elementary students can use to improve their vocabulary online. The quiz gives four potential meanings for a word, and students select the one they think fits. It’s ideal for elementary students because it provides a hint for students who have no idea what a particular word means.

Online reference tools can help your child immediately look up a word she does not recognize. She will be more likely to use this type of tool rather than a print dictionary, and many of these tools are free. Explore several with your daughter. Some can be mounted on the browser toolbar for ease of use.

Because students who have the best vocabulary are those who have acquired it through reading, encourage your daughter to read books that appeal to her. Many e-books have dictionary help that offers not only the definition of a word but also its pronunciation.

Your child should also begin to use the vocabulary help that is offered on many websites. For example, there is a word wizard that pops up when students are reading Scholastic News online. It is also possible for her to hear the articles being read aloud.

Finally, for your child to increase her vocabulary, encourage her to listen to audio narration of books, especially those that will let her have access to dictionary definitions of words that she might not know. And it would be wise to ask her teachers about websites that can be used to increase vocabulary. They are likely to have some excellent suggestions.

Parents should send questions and comments to dearteacher@ dearteacher.com or to the Dear Teacher website. ©Compass Syndicate Corporation, 2019

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JUMP-START FITNESS Proper exercise is key to improving a child’s quality of life.

By SAMUEL X. CICCI

O C T O B E R

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Itʼs hard to beat the elation an athlete feels after making a huge play in sports. Whether itʼs hitting a home run, bending a soccer ball into the top corner for a winning goal, or draining a go-ahead basket, every meaningful sporting contribution is sure to bring great joy. But big plays donʼt happen in a vacuum. In order to reach their maximum potential, young athletes should strive to be in good physical health.

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There are numerous benefits to maintaining a moderate level of physical fitness. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 60 minutes of exercise a day can go a long way to improving a child’s overall quality of life.

Not only can it help reduce the risk of developing severe health conditions, but it also prevents symptoms of anxiety and depression. The CDC also found that kids who are physically active have improved cognitive performance and typically achieve higher grades in school.

But how early is too early when finding a fitness program for your child? Jay Mathis, a track and basketball coach and physical education teacher at St. Agnes Academy-St. Dominic School, affirms it’s fine to get them started young. “There’s a lot of data saying that it’s safe to start kids on a fitness and strength program around 7 or 8 years old,” says Mathis, “although I prefer to wait until they’re a bit older. The most formative years for strength and conditioning will be in the 10 to 14 years range.”

Early fitness habits continue past childhood if approached correctly. Mathis, who also holds independent clinics focused on speed, strength, and conditioning, stresses this to parents when he takes on a new crop of students. While not everyone will always play sports competitively, children who build up more positive thoughts about fitness are more likely to participate in casual leagues as adults and stay active.

“Keeping their fitness programs consistent is key,” Mathis says. “It imparts valuable ideals like self-discipline, which is a big factor, especially with boys.”

When getting started, it’s crucial that the programs are monitored in a controlled environment. The most important thing right out of the gate is teaching proper form; when

building that habit young, injuries can be avoided further down the line.

“I usually put my younger kids on dumbbells only, as that doesn’t affect growth plates or their young spinal columns, as might happen when lifting a bar,” says Mathis. “With lighter weights, we can put a greater focus on proper technique.”

Mathis recommends a few light sets of dumbbell exercises with 10 to 12 repetitions. It’s also important to remember that every athlete is different. What works for one child might not be the right strategy with another. “Since I work with athletes from a variety of sports,” Mathis says, “I like to analyze each I think the best way independently so we can set the proper parameters for each to figure out a way individual to find the good and forward is to just let bad, and see what we need to do the kids play, and to make them better athletes.”

Nowadays, there’s a heavy theyʼll find what emphasis on specialization piques their interest.” regimens for athletes. However, many kids aren’t quite certain on what sports they’d like to participate in, or even sure if they want to be athletes at all. Mathis warns that too much of a specific focus early on can cause youth to lose enthusiasm for exercise and burn out. Plus, repeated focus on one area can lead to repetitive use injuries.

“You see this a lot in orthopaedics,” says Mathis. “These kids aren’t getting a broad range of motion when exercising. I may be old-school in this way, but I think the best way to figure out a way forward is to just let the kids play, and they’ll find what piques their interest.”

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O C T O B E R

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DOWN SYNDROME AWARENESS While Down syndrome may not often be talked about, “There are more than 1,500 individuals with Down syndrome living in the Mid-South,” says Martine Hobson, executive director of the Down Syndrome Association of Memphis and the Mid-South.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) define Down syndrome as a condition in which a person has an extra chromosome, and the extra copy changes how the baby’s body and brain develop, causing physical and mental challenges.

“Many but not all people with Down syndrome share common features like almond-shaped eyes and short stature,” Hobson says.

“However, like typical people who share similar features, they look more like their families than each other.”

The CDC also named some other common physical features like a flattened face, short neck, small ears, a tongue that sticks out of the mouth, small pinky fingers that sometimes curve toward the thumb, and poor muscle tone.

There are some challenges kids with Down syndrome may face. “Ten to 15 percent of babies with Down syndrome have a severe heart defect that requires surgical intervention in the first month of life, and additionally, Down syndrome is one of the most common causes of intellectual disability,” says Hobson.

The cognitive delays can be mild to severe. Despite these hurdles,

During the month of October, celebrate people with Down syndrome.

By JAMIE LOBER

services like speech, occupational, speak of the person first and not and physical therapy can be a big help about the disability; emphasize the and allow the kids to excel. A person’s abilities and not limitations; pediatrician can be a great ally in treat the person with the same working through any medical or respect as everyone else; and let behavioral issues that arise. “The most the person speak for himself,” common thing I hear from new says Hobson. parents is the fear of the unknown A great way for all people to unite and uncertainty, but once they start around the cause is to support the to get educated, their whole outlook 22nd annual Step UP For Down changes,” Hobson says.

Syndrome 1-mile walk on October 7, There is no known cause, and Down 2019, from noon until 4 p.m. at syndrome can happen to anyone. It is Christian Brothers University. There a misconception that it can occur if will be entertainment, activities, and you are pregnant at an older age. prizes. Funds raised at the walk go “About 80 percent of children who toward getting information and have Down syndrome are born to support to families affected by Down women younger than 35,” Hobson syndrome and assisting programs like says. There are other false beliefs as New Parent Brunch, Reading is Key, well, she adds. “It is a misconception adult self-advocacy, job placement, that they cannot read and write, as Pathways, inclusive summer camp, the majority can.” and tutoring.

It’s important to know the It is important that Memphis resources that are available to you parents teach their children to love and use them. “Teaching reading is and accept all people, regardless of most effective when teachers are their abilities. “People who have Down well-trained and have high syndrome are always happy and more expectations of students and their like typical people than they are progress,” Hobson says. “It is different, as they have the same advisable that kids with Down feelings, moods, and memory as syndrome attend their public school, everybody else. and it is required by law that the “There are kids with Down schools accept and provide syndrome working all over the city, appropriate education through and they do great,” Hobson says. inclusion with their typical peers.”

“Early intervention, good health care, One of the largest messages that and therapies help your loved one educators, advocates, and doctors with Down syndrome be the best they alike want to deliver is that individuals can be, which is what we want for with Down syndrome are people like our kids.” anyone else. “We want people to

Jamie Lober, author of Pink Power (getpinkpower.com), is dedicated to providing information on women’s and pediatric health topics.

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Our balanced approach to education encourages students to look deeper and dream bigger to find their God-given purpose.

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PROJECT SEARCH Employment preparation program helps young adults with disabilities.

O C T O B E R

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L E F T TO R I G H T: E L R O N ZO A K I N S , R E B E C C A K I G A I TA , R O D P O W E L L

By JULIA BAKER

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Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare (MLH) understands that there’s a need for young adults and teenagers with intellectual and developmental disabilities to have an active role in society and in the workplace.

To coincide with this vision, five years ago the hospital group implemented the Project SEARCH Transition-toWork Program, a national employment preparation program that is designed to transition special needs students from high school to employment through internships.

Through them, interns gain useful workplace knowledge and skills essential for work in entry-level positions at participating locations.

Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital was the first of the MLH group to participate in the program. Last year, the program was extended to include Methodist North Hospital.

To qualify for the program, special needs high school students in the Shelby County Schools (SCS) system must be referred by their teachers and then undergo an assessment process. Once accepted, interns begin the one-year program, starting off with classroom instruction and skills training.

“During their first three weeks,

students learn about the Project SEARCH curriculum, which is provided to us by Shelby County Schools,” says Rebecca Kigaita, a second-year Project SEARCH teacher at Methodist North Hospital.

Classroom studies cover a variety of topics, including team building, workplace safety, technology, selfadvocacy, preparing for and maintaining employment, health and wellness, and money management.

Once the training period is over, interns begin 10-week rotational internships, applying what they’ve learned in the classroom.

At Methodist North, interns rotate through departments, executing tasks like food preparation, sanitation, sterile processing, security, material management, ground maintenance, patient transport, and administrative work.

Project SEARCH in Memphis has partnered with host sites (which include the Peabody and Sheraton Hotels), SCS, Vocational

Rehabilitation Services, and Milestone Staffing to provide employment readiness services to interns.

Not only does SCS refer students to the program, they also provide mentorship and leadership training to associates who are paired with the interns during rotations. “This has been transformative not only for the students, but also for our associates,” says Kevin Barton, human resources director at Methodist North Hospital.

SCS has also begun to take what they’ve learned through Project SEARCH and apply it to curriculums in their special education classes.

Interns attend employment planning meetings during rotations so that Milestone Staffing and Vocational Rehabilitation Services can match their skills to employment best suited to them. These partners work together to provide comprehensive training and support for interns during the program and beyond. Milestone Staffing provides

CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

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Join us for Open House!

Germantown Campus (PK-5): Thursday, Nov. 7 @ 8:30 – 10:00 AM Collierville Campus (6-12): Sunday, Nov. 10 @ 2:00 – 3:30 PM Memphis Campus (PK-5): Thursday, Nov. 14 @ 8:00 – 10:00 AM

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14

SERVING CHILDREN 2K THROUGH 8TH GRADE Come be a part of our family and let us be a part of yours.

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Benefiting

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on-site trainers and support, “This has been investigates long-term employment transformative and support like Ticket-to-Work or not only for PASS plans, and works as a liaison the students, between managers, workers, and but also for co-workers. Vocational Rehabilitation our Services helps provide funding for associates.” services, as well as other intern support, such as transportation, meals, and uniforms.

Kigaita thinks programs like this are empowering to her students.“These students and interns have been told all their lives, ‘You cannot do this because you have a disability, and you are not capable,’” she says. “But in the program, we empower them and remind them that they have strengths and they can capitalize on those strengths to become a better person and a productive member of society.”

With a combined employment rate of 75 percent between Methodist North Hospital and Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, the possibilities for interns are endless.

“Our students are pursuing a variety of opportunities,” Barton says. “One student went to work for the TSA, and we had actually offered him a position. But how amazing it was for him to be in a position to turn us down because his goal was to work with TSA!” Another graduate, Rod Powell, got a job working for Methodist North Hospital. He was offered two positions, but he chose to work transporting patients after discharge over material management.

“I like talking to people and encouraging people who are in pain,” says Powell. “Also, I like learning the independence and work skills.”

Elronzo Akins, a new intern to the program, spoke about his excitement for joining Project SEARCH. “I’m excited to learn about the hospital, meet new faces, and gain new skills,” he says.

“I know this program is good for kids with disabilities, and I know I can do it.” Akins hopes to work in patient escort or food and nutrition at Methodist North when his internship is complete.

Besides successfully gaining employment opportunities, interns are exhibiting growth in confidence and independence.

Karen Faught, director of human resources at Le Bonheur, has noticed a complete turnaround with interns at her host site.

“When interns start the program, they’re just barely talking above a whisper, and by the end of the program, they’re able to speak in front of groups. Once they get acclimated into the work area, you can’t even tell who the graduates are,” she says. “Some of our students have even gotten driver’s licenses and cars as a result of our program.”

Faught says the program is a natural addition to Le Bonheur.

“We enjoy the program, and it’s an excellent fit for us because a lot of the students were patients here. So they already knew the hospital and their way around it,” she says.

To learn more about Project SEARCH, or to inquire about implementing this program at your organization, visit projectsearch.us.

Julia Baker, a second-generation journalist, is a staff writer for Memphis Parent magazine and a University of Memphis junior.

16

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P H OTO B Y Z I G G Y M A C K

COVER STORY

Paisley has a rare disease — her mom shares their story.

By SHARA CLARK

Just before she turned 2,

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after what seemed like endless tests, appointments with multiple doctors, and consultations with several specialists, Paisley Alexander was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder: Schwartz–Jampel 18

syndrome.

But doctors knew when Paisley was still in the womb that she would have health issues. Some even suggested abortion. Her mother, Stacy, refused that option.

Today, Paisley is 6 years old. In a typical six-month span, she has as many as 10 doctor appointments. “Since May, we’ve had seven,” Stacy says. “Pediatrician, ENT, neurosurgeon, MRI and CT scans, modified barium swallow study, pulmonology and cardiology clinic with echocardiogram and EKG.” Paisley has chronic lung problems, repetitive pneumonia and respiratory illnesses, and severe obstructive sleep apnea. “She is on CPAP at night with one liter of oxygen,” Stacy says. “Her SATs drop down in the 60s and 70s throughout the night, and, over time, the oxygen deprivation could affect her organs, mainly her heart. She has a rare form of cardiomyopathy called left ventricular noncompaction, meaning she has extra muscle fiber/tissue in the left chamber of her heart that could cause blood clots. Twentyfive percent of cardiomyopathy LVNC patients end up needing heart surgery.”

The “medical chaos” they’ve endured in the first years of Paisley’s life has ranged from conflicting diagnoses to several “fevers of unknown origin” where Paisley

would run fevers up to 105 with no indication of viral or bacterial infection.

This would result in hospital stays, sometimes up to two weeks, running tests and trying to pinpoint the cause. Paisley has undergone speech therapy because of her cleft palate, occupational therapy, and physical therapy — the latter two once a week.

These days, Stacy says, “She is better overall — getting bigger and stronger. We haven’t been in the hospital since last July.

The most pressing issue now is her frequent cold/cough. She just never really stays well.

“And we have to keep her cool. Being hot is dangerous for her — it makes her work harder to breathe, which speeds up her heart rate and could potentially cause cardiac arrest. Because of the oxygen deprivation, the option to give her a tracheotomy is being discussed among her ENT and pulmonologist.”

Today, despite her medical struggles, Paisley is high-spirited and vibrant. She attends first grade in Olive Branch, Mississippi. In August, she was the recipient of a beautiful, hand-built backyard playhouse from Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Paisley is a miracle in more ways than one, and Stacy wants to share some of the ups and downs of their journey.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

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A Special Mom’s Journey

20

It wasn’t until my 20-week ultrasound, at age 29, that I realized you could grieve even though no one had died.

Hearing the news that there were abnormalities that could result in death after birth or that my child could possibly be born and have no quality of life was devastating in itself, but it was more than that. I already had a little boy who was perfect in every way. I was married, and we were pregnant with what was supposed to be our perfect baby girl.

The image of a happy, healthy family was etched in my mind, almost like a memory, as if I had already seen it.

Life was going to be wonderful. I had a great job, made good money, had plans to buy a bigger house as soon as my daughter was born, and we were going to live happily ever after.

The moment we found out there

was something wrong with our baby girl, our world crumbled. We had major decisions to make. We were told that terminating the pregnancy would be our best option because, more often than not, babies with such abnormalities have no quality of life if they survive. We could choose to do amniocentesis to test for certain things and risk miscarriage, or we could have the baby and risk losing her at birth. My pictureperfect family was gone. I grieved through the rest of the pregnancy, not only for the loss of that dream, but also for the loss of the life I’d always known because, no matter the outcome, my life would be forever changed.

For nearly the first two years of Paisley’s life, we were told she had a form of dwarfism called Kniest

dysplasia. I learned everything about it — the basics, the complications, and associated risks. Because I researched so much, I was able to identify some things that didn’t quite add up. I questioned her genetics doctor about my concerns, but she stuck to the diagnosis. I pushed to see doctors at Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Children’s Hospital in Wilmington, Delaware, who specialize in dwarfism and rare syndromes. Her medical history was sent to them, and they agreed to see us. It was December 2014 when we found out that Paisley has Schwartz-Jampel syndrome. This diagnosis was so rare that there was very little documented on it, and the risks involved were greater.

Fast-forward to today, and I am still grieving. Only for different

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O C T O B E R

20 1 9

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Responsible Citizens in their Communities physically able. She’ll and the World Signs and symptoms of never know the joy of things like running, the disorder include: swimming, jumping on • Short stature and bone a trampoline, riding a abnormalities, such as a short bike or scooter, playing November 9, 2019 neck, outward-bowed chest, sports (independently, curved spine, hip deformity, and anyhow). All I can do is fragile bones remind other kids that • Joint deformities that affect she wants to play, too, mobility and likes to be included.

• Muscle abnormalities, such as an I grieve for the inability to relax muscles, uncertainty in some of increased muscle size, and Saturday, November 9 her diagnoses. In muscle weakness February 2017, Paisley 9 a.m. Preschool • Characteristic facial features, For children ages 2-4. Join us for Storytime at the Anchor was diagnosed with Center Library before a visit to the Preschool. Parents will including a “fixed” expression; a cardiomyopathy LVNC take a self-guided tour while the children do activities with small, puckered mouth; a small teachers in the classroom. (left ventricular nonlower jaw; and eye abnormalities compaction) and 10:30 a.m. Soar into SK SJS is caused by mutations in the For children turning 5 by June 1. Children and parents will diastolic dysfunction. It explore the SK and science/technology classrooms in the HSPG2 gene. Most cases are was one of the scariest Lower School. inherited in an autosomal recessive days of my life. She Coed | Age 2 - 8th Grade | Midtown pattern. To have the disorder, a could go into cardiac gslschool.org • 246 S. Belvedere Blvd., Memphis, TN 38104 person must have a mutation in both arrest at any moment.

901.278.0200 • learnmore@gslschool.org copies of the responsible gene in Of course, the same each cell, and inherit one mutated uncertainty revolves copy of the gene from each parent. ‘‘Leading Provider of Inflatable FUN!‘‘ around each of us, but Each parent is referred to as a carrier. when it’s your child and Carriers of an autosomal recessive As there’s no cure, it condition typically do not have any breaks you. You little as signs or symptoms. become the mom or $100 friend in a group that for Source: rarediseases.info.nih.gov no one can relate to. all day It’s isolating.

FUN! Luckily, I have people in my life who have stood by me, and I’m forever grateful for their love and support. But there’s still a Call Us Today! 901-360-9000 void — not having that common ground with someone else.

Looking around at a playground or seeing my friends’ kids, the CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

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O C T O B E R

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same age as Paisley, makes me sad, jealous, angry, and confused.

I wish my baby could run and play. I wish people didn’t stare at her or ask me, “What’s wrong with her?”

One of the hardest parts of special-needs parenting is advocating. I can’t tell you how many doctors I have had to correct because they didn’t do their homework on I’m not a superhero.

Paisley. Having her made I’m not inspiring. me feel like a med student.

I was learning so much People just don’t about all sorts of medical conditions and terminology. realize that when it Hanging on to everything happens to you, that every single doctor told me — constantly you have a choice to looking stuff up and researching on my own. either fail or rise to At one point, we had 12 the circumstances doctors we followed up with once, twice, or three and do what you times a year. The appointments were have to do. constant. And it seemed as though every appointment held more bad news. I would adjust to a new diagnosis only to go to another doctor and get another one, or worse, doctors would give conflicting information and rely on me to communicate what other doctors were telling us.

It was hard work, but you do whatever is necessary for your child. So I took notes and shared the info as I went along to other doctor appointments. You absolutely have to advocate for your child. Some of these doctors see so many patients in a day, your child can become another number. We’re grateful for the few great doctors we’ve had — for their genuine interest in Paisley and willingness to learn about her syndrome and all that it entails.

I’m not a superhero. I’m not inspiring. People just don’t realize that when it happens to you, you have a choice to either fail or rise to the circumstances and do what you have to do. I’ve learned to be grateful for the troubles we face because I’ve encountered so many other kids and families with stories and journeys much more intense than ours. Having this mindset helps me get through some of our biggest struggles. All of this has opened my eyes to the fact that life is fleeting and precious.

Every day is a gift. I look at my daughter and consider everything she’s gone through in her short six years and I’m reminded that I am blessed and have no room to complain because she is such a bright, positive spirit. It’s all about perspective.

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MICHELLE HENSLEY

By JULIA BAKER

You can’t understand someone until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes.

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Michelle Hensley (center) with her students and assistants

Michelle Hensley, a high school level special needs teacher at Shrine School, did just this, although rather inadvertently.

Hensley was in her junior year at the University of Memphis, studying to become a pharmacist, when her fate took a sharp turn and she was involved in a bad accident, leaving her in a coma for over a month. She suffered from injuries and amnesia, and she had to relearn how to execute basic skills like eating and walking.

“I was in the hospital all summer long, and after that I had to go to physical, occupational, and speech therapies. I had to learn how to do everything again,” she says. “I went back to school and work, and I realized I was a different person. I realized that I was needed as a special education teacher because if I could overcome all these obstacles and do this again, I can teach these kids to do it, too.”

Although she knew it would take her extra time to start a new major, Hensley changed the focus of her education to comprehensive K-12 education. Once she graduated, she began teaching Adaptive Functional

Skills (AFS) special education classes something for five minutes,” she says. at Oak Elementary School, and after a “This test is required in every year, she moved on to teach kindergar- classroom, but I love being able to ten and first grade at Shrine School. familiarize myself with what they can Hensley uses music to teach her and can’t do and what they do and students. “Music can get to everyone,” don’t like before I start planning my she says. “Sensory learning is everylesson plans or themes for the year.” thing for these children.”

With the help of these types of This year, Hensley rose up to assessments and by working hands-on teaching at the high school level. So with her students, Hensley gets to a accustomed to teaching younger chilpoint where she really understands dren, and in new territory, she was at a her students and is able to comloss of what musical lessons she would municate with them based off their prepare for her students. nonverbal cues.

“I was so used to playing Elmo and “I’ve really come to understand Sesame Street for my kindergarteners my students,” she says. “They’re all and first graders, but I didn’t know nonverbal, so seeing how they interact what high school kids would want to through facial expressions is the best. listen to,” she says.

They’re all so smart, but they’re just “I sent questionnaires to the stuck in bodies that can’t move.” parents of my new students, and I Hensley offers up advice to other was amazed to see that many of their prospective special education teachers. favorite TV shows were still Elmo.”

“Don’t be afraid to get dirty and go all Hensley enjoys getting to know in. Get up off the floor and be with her students. “At the beginning of them and do with them. Lots of people each year, we have to give them an don’t want to work with this population, assessment called FISH [Functional but you just have to remember that Independent Skills Handbook], where they’re like any other child, but with we have students do things like look at barriers, and you have to treat them something for three seconds or hold like that.”

We want to shine a light on your child’s teacher, or even a teacher who made a difference in your life.

Submit your nomination today by emailing teacher@memphisparent.com.

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DAD LIBS

SENSORY SIGNS When it comes to your kid’s health, talk to the experts.

By JEFF HULETT

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“We try to be active in our kids’ health and health goals, but when push comes to shove, we are not the experts.”

Having children is one of the best things my wife Annie and I ever decided to do. Even when we first started dating way back in the early aughts, we knew we were both family people and aspired to one day be parents. I always saw myself as a dad. At the time, we didn’t know it would be us raising kids together. I thank my lucky stars every day for how it played out.

When our first child Ella was born in 2011, we were so thrilled and bowled over with raw emotion. We had her at Baptist Women’s Hospital, a natural childbirth in the hospital setting. We thought we were so prepared. What a beautiful, wild day that was.

Fast-forward to 2015, when Ella started exhibiting behavior that we couldn’t quite put our fingers on. We knew something was bothering her, but she couldn’t articulate to us what it was.

Generally speaking, Ella is a very bright and happy little girl. What we observed was that Ella’s struggles seemed to relate to her relationship with her clothing. Socks and shoes were too tight; tags were too scratchy, that sort of thing. It was frustrating because her behavior manifested itself into some of the most intense tantrums I’ve ever witnessed. The type of tantrums that leave a parent feeling helpless.

So we did what most people do when faced with uncertainty — we hit the interwebs and went down many a rabbit hole. Bad idea. Before long, we realized we could lean on the professionals.

Thankfully, we have many friends in the Memphis health care field, and we were able to bring one such friend, an occupational therapist, to our house for an evaluation.

After an hour of talking with Ella, her therapist came to us with the conclusion that Ella was struggling with what is called Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). SPD is a condition where multisensory integration is not adequately processed in order to provide appropriate responses to the demands of the environment.

Imagine if you were in a situation that just completely overwhelmed your senses and you had no way to cope. That’s Sensory Processing Disorder in a nutshell. And when you are a 3-yearold trying to navigate your world, this type of

impediment can send you spiraling out of control.

Hence, the over-the-top tantrums.

In some cases, SPD can also lead to obsessive compulsive tendencies like washing your hands over and over again or double-checking.

The good news is that there are tools and comfort measures that can help. The Wilbarger Protocol (also referred to as brushing therapy) is often a part of a sensory integration or sensory therapy programs. This is where brushing starts at the arms and works down to the feet. The face, chest, and stomach are never brushed because these are sensitive areas. The idea is that this soothing effort would calm Ella’s nerves and help her cope with the clothes she’s trying to wear.

There are also clothes available that are invaluable to the needs of kids struggling with SPD. We absolutely rely on H&M for the loose-fitting dresses they sell every spring and summer. We also employ seamless socks and encourage her to wear flip-flops, when appropriate. In the early days, she wore flip-flops in the dead of winter. Pro tip: Pick your battles!

Now that Ella is almost 8, she’s incredibly self-aware of what triggers her episodes. For example, the other day was the first day of soccer practice, and she knew she had to wear shin guards and bulky soccer socks. While she initially resisted, after some soothing and redirection, Ella rallied and eventually put on the gear with no issue. Of course, the second practice was over, she ripped that gear off like someone trying to traverse the desert wearing a parka.

Talk to the professionals. I’m a PR guy, and my wife is a teacher. We try to be active in our kids’ health and health goals, but when push comes to shove, we are not the experts. We would never have been able to help Ella if we hadn’t sought professional help.

Jeff Hulett is a freelance writer, musician, and PR consultant in Memphis. He lives in the Vollintine Evergreen neighborhood with his wife Annie, two girls Ella and Beatrice, and two dogs Chalupa and Princess Freckles.

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27

Living WITH Loss

Mourning a parent: one family’s journey with breast cancer and grief.

by JENNIFER BOREN

According to the American Cancer Society, more than 180,000 women each year are diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, and two-thirds of those are age 55 and older. When Asuka Taga Yow learned she had Invasive Ductal Carcinoma at age 39, her diagnosis came as a shock. She was a seemingly healthy young adult, a mother of two, and starting a new career as the community kitchen coordinator at Memphis Tilth. This October, as thousands of people rally in support of breast cancer research, donate to causes, and take to the streets for charity runs, the Yow family remembers Asuka, who lost her battle with breast cancer this past April.

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suka was the kind of person who, no matter how long you had known her, made you feel as if you were the most important person in the room. Her love for her children, Vincent and Evan, was no different. From the beginning of her cancer diagnosis to her final days, her boys remained her top priority. Being a mother was one of her proudest accomplishments, and it showed.

Friends often envied the delicious bento boxes she packed each day for their school lunch. She continued to prepare those lunches throughout her illness whenever she could, maximizing the days she felt well between treatments.

One of the first challenges of her diagnosis would be how to tell the boys that she was sick.

Her husband, Jeremy Yow, shares, “We had to agree on what we wanted to tell them, and we sat them down to tell them what was going on. We didn’t want to delay that or hide what was going on once the diagnosis was confirmed.”

One thing Jeremy wishes they had done differently in the beginning was to get a second opinion. He says, “I don’t know that it would’ve

changed anything, but I think we were too quick to latch onto the plan, thinking the treatments would work.” Throughout her illness, he remained optimistic. “Maybe I didn’t always see it that these could be the last few months of time I had with her. I don’t think people should worry they are going to die because that’s not usually the case with many cancers, but it is important to acknowledge that it is a possibility so you can spend more meaningful time with them.”

According to Angela Hamblen, executive director of Baptist Centers for Good Grief, honesty is important when working with children who are grieving. She says, “Children can cope with what they know. They cannot cope with what they don’t know, meaning it’s okay to tell children facts.” Hamblen suggests caregivers look at the child’s age and what they can handle. “It is important for children to understand on an age-appropriate level what has happened, and we use language such as ‘they died’ or ‘their body stopped working.’” Adults often want to protect children by withholding information, but doing so may cause more distress.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

2019

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Asuka’s community rallied around her and the family from the very beginning of her cancer diagnosis.

Jeremy suggests families dealing with a critical illness not shy away from help. “There are a lot of things that only you can manage, but let people help you,” he says. “Don’t be stubborn out of a sense of pride or a need for privacy.”

Allowing people in her community to help was one way that Asuka kept family and friends informed so they knew what was happening.

“Letting people care about her provided ways for them to be a part of her life in ways that maybe they wouldn’t have been able to if we had kept people in the dark about what was going on,” Jeremy says.

Asuka’s illness brought about many changes for the Yow family.

Naturally, her cancer brought the boys closer to her, but they also kept on being kids.

Jeremy recalls, “The one thing about kids is, it is hard to tell how they really feel about things. They are still kids. The keep playing, they want to see friends, they don’t dwell on the gravity of the situation.”

As Asuka’s cancer progressed and her treatments took a greater toll on her body, the boys did worry more about her and how she was feeling.

Hamblen says children often grieve in spurts. She explains, “Where adults are often deep in their grief, feeling the heaviness all the time, children naturally come in and out of their grief.” One moment a child may be upset or angry about their loss, but then the next moment they may be running and playing.

Some may see this behavior and think they aren’t grieving properly, but Hamblen urges caregivers to support the grieving child no matter what. “Children do grieve,” she says, “but they grieve differently than adults.”

Moving Forward When a child loses a parent, they will continue to grieve for the rest of their lives. However, it is important to know the loss does not mean they are guaranteed a life of hardships.

With a strong support system and opportunities for expression, Hamblen says children can go on to lead happy and normal lives balanced with their grief.

Asuka Yow

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“The challenge now is how to find a balance between talking about Asuka and not forcing the boys to talk about something they are still struggling with.”

The Yow family is trying to do just that. “The challenge now is how to find a balance between talking about Asuka and not forcing the boys to talk about something they are still struggling with,” says Jeremy. The boys are seeing a grief counselor through the hospice agency, and this has been helpful, especially since Jeremy is dealing with the loss himself.

Asuka’s illness has also provided an opportunity for the boys to grow closer to her family living in Japan.

The whole family rallied around Asuka through several surgeries and many treatments, and the boys plan to continue spending summers abroad with them.

How can you help?

If you are the caregiver of a grieving child, Angela Hamblen suggests the following: Keep a normal routine for the child. Especially with the loss of a parent, children may feel as if their whole lives have been uprooted.

Sticking to a normal schedule can help children know what to expect.

Maintain discipline in the home.

When one parent passes away, caregivers are often reluctant to enforce rules, but preserving responsibilities and consequences creates a sense of safety for children. Hamblen suggests consequences be administered with a bit of grace, especially when the child is grieving.

Show your feelings. Let the child see you have feelings, too.

Hamblen says it is okay for children to see you cry. Expressing your disappointment in a healthy way gives children permission to express their grief. If caregivers withhold expressions of grief, the child may begin to internalize that there is something wrong with them because they feel so sad.

Continue to talk about the parent who died. Saying the person’s name helps children maintain a connection to their deceased parent while a new normal is being developed. Hamblen encourages caregivers to share memories with children and keep things that belonged to the parent in the house.

The Yow family plans to continue to support the work Asuka did with Memphis Tilth through donations.

Contributions can be made to memphistilth.org in memory of Asuka Yow. The Baptist Centers for Good Grief has three locations in the Mid-South: Collierville, Midtown Memphis, and Jonesboro, Arkansas.

More information and a helpful FAQ can be located at baptistgriefcenters.org.

Jennifer Boren is the lead library media specialist for Collierville Schools and blogs at bookjabber.wordpress.com.

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P H O T O B Y G O O D G O L LY P H O T O G R A P H Y

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 28

SUMMON YOUR CREATIVITY IN OUR FIRST-EVER

IT’S THAT TIME. SHO W OFF YOUR LITTLE GHOULS !

SOME TIPS!

1. Get Creative The costume may be spooky , but think about dressing up your surround ings!

2. Keep it practical A little color correction is fine, but keep the Photoshop magic in the spe llbook.

3. Have fun There’s more to Halloween than creepy creatures. Be whatever you want to be!

8 1 T C O THRU NOV1 Visit MEMPHISPARENT.COM for more info and prize details.

M E M PH I SPA R ENT.COM

E N T E R

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OCTOBER CALENDAR

By MEENA VISWANATHAN

2nd Annual

Memphis Parent School Expo MEMPHIS BOTANIC GARDEN

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26 � 10 A.M.-1:30 P.M.

Parents will meet representatives from community schools, watch informational videos, and pick up take-home materials for planning their child’s education. FREE.

VISIT MEMPHISPARENTSCHOOLEXPO.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION.

1 ∙ TUESDAY

Farmer’s Market at The Agricenter. The Agricenter.

Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Saturday, 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Free. For more info, visit agricenter.org.

Caterpillar Club. Memphis Botanic Garden (MBG).

On select Tuesdays & Wednesdays (October 1 & 2, 15 & 16, and 29 & 30), 10-11 a.m., with different themes.

Choose Tuesday or Wednesday session. Oct. 1 & 2: Over the Stream & Through the Woods. Oct. 15 & 16: Birds Eat Berries. Oct. 29 & 30: Hooray for Harvest. Ages 2-5 years. Six-class semester fee: $75.

Call 636-4122 to register.

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2 ∙ WEDNESDAY

Toddler Time. Universal Parenting Place (UPP) @ Baptist Memorial Hospital for Women. On select Wednesdays (Oct. 2, 9, 16, & 30), from 10:30 a.m. until noon. Play group geared for parents and children ages 1-3 years. Free. 227-9558.

3 ∙ THURSDAY

Super Hero Day. Brown Baptist MB Church.

5-8 p.m. Chick-fil-A Southaven presents a meet & greet with Marvel/DC Heroes and also Real Life Heroes from the Southaven Police, Fire, and Emergency Services and the Desoto County Sheriff Search and Rescue. Features interactive demos with Real Life Heroes and photo ops with Heroes. $10/person. Includes Chick-fil-A boxed meal and beverage, cotton candy, and popcorn. Go to eventbrite.com for tickets. #TBT Film Series: “Throwback Thursdays.” Studio on the Square. Thursdays at 7 p.m. Malco debuts a new

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Thursday Night Series highlighting throwback flix from the ’80s and ’90s, plus a few surprises thrown in the mix. $6/film. Go to malco.com to purchase advance tickets.

4 ∙ FRIDAY

Food Truck Friday. Dixon Gallery and Gardens.

Fridays, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Free garden admission during Food Truck Friday. 761-5250.

5 ∙ SATURDAY

Memphis Farmers Market (MFM) 2019 Season.

MFM @ Central Train Station Pavilion. Saturdays, from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. Free. For details, visit memphisfarmersmarket.org.

NICU Reunion. Baptist Women’s Hospital. 9 a.m. until noon. Families with babies born and cared for in the hospital’s NICU join for games and visits with NICU doctors and nurses. Free. 227-9873.

PB&J: Lucky 7 Brass Band. Germantown Performing Arts Center (GPAC). 9:30 & 10:30 a.m. Ages 8 and under. Kick off PB&J season with Lucky 7 Brass Band, comprised of Memphis music veterans mixed in with some of the city’s young talent. $8/child. Includes up to two adults. 751-7500.

Strong GIRL Fest. Hutchison School. 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Compete in the all-girl Olympic agility course, test your engineering skills to build bridges, get your hands dirty with urban farming, watch girl-led performances about historical female role models, or discover your inner scientist with hands-on experiments and dissections. The truly inspired can take the stage as Madam President or work together

to save the world in team mission challenges.

Free community event for girls (ages 3-14).

Visit stronggirlfest.org for details.

Chucalissa Family Day. C.H. Nash Museum at Chucalissa. On select Saturdays at 10 a.m. & 1:30 p.m. Family programs and craft activities change weekly. Oct. 5 – Music/Coloring Books. Oct. 12 – Mystery Box/Beading. Oct. 26 – Sports & Hunting/ Pottery. $6/adult. $4/child ages 4-11. Free for children 3 and under. 785-3160.

Family Studio. Dixon Gallery and Gardens. 10 a.m. until noon. Free. 761-5250.

6 ∙ SUNDAY

22nd Annual STEP UP for Down Syndrome Walk.

Christian Brothers University. Noon until 4 p.m.

Features a 1-mile fun run, children’s area, live entertainment, and food trucks. Prizes awarded for the highest fundraisers and the largest teams. $15/ adult. $10/child. Go to dsamsuds.org to register.

Magically Mozart. Dixon Gallery and Gardens. 2-5 p.m. Families enjoy operatic excerpts from classics such as The Magic Flute, activities, and games. Free.

257-3100.

7 ∙ MONDAY

Mom and Baby Yoga. UPP @ Baptist Memorial Hospital for Women. Mondays, 10-11 a.m. Geared for children ages 1 and under. Free. 227-9558.

9 ∙ WEDNESDAY

Food Truck Garden Party: Star Wars Night.

MBG. 5-8 p.m. Features live music by Movie

Night and food from the Memphis Food Truckers Alliance. $10/adult. $5/child. 636-4100.

Park. 6-9 p.m. Bring a blanket or lawn chair to enjoy tunes by the river. Free. Find the event on Facebook for details.

14 ∙ MONDAY

County Spider-Man, and more. Features video game tournament and free play area, costume contest for kids and adults with cash prizes, panels, and vendors.

Kids 12 and under get in free with supervised adult admission. Visit memphiscomicexpo.com for details.

Wonderful World of Signing. Children’s Museum of Memphis (CMOM). 1-3 p.m. Volunteers from Quota teach key phrases to test signing skills at stations positioned throughout the museum. Prizes awarded for participants. Free with admission. 458-2678.

15 ∙ TUESDAY

Fall Art Break. Dixon Gallery and Gardens. Oct. 1518, from 10 a.m. until noon. Ages 6 and up. Families explore a variety of materials with a week of handson activities. Free. 761-5250.

11 ∙ FRIDAY

47th Annual Pink Palace Crafts Fair. Audubon Park. October 11-13. Friday & Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Features more than 100 craftsmen and artists, live entertainment, a kids’ activities tent, craftsman demo tent, petting zoo, train ride, and food trucks. Free parking. Call 636-2362 for tickets.

Stroller Strides. UPP @ Baptist Memorial Hospital for Women. Fridays, from 11 a.m. until noon. Each 45-minute workout is comprised of strength training, cardio, and core restoration, all while entertaining the little ones with songs, activities, and fun. Free. 227-9558.

12 ∙ SATURDAY

Saturday Sketch. Dixon Gallery and Gardens.

10-11 a.m. Children ages 15 and up join a local artist and learn about sketching in the gardens and galleries. Free. 761-5250.

Mommy, Me, & Music. Studio A @ Stax Museum.

10:30-11:15 a.m. Families enjoy hands-on activities and soulful sounds facilitated by the Director of Education, her tiny tot, and their friends from Children’s Museum of Memphis and Music for Aardvarks. Free. 942-7685.

Kids in the Garden. Dixon Gallery and Gardens. The workshop takes place from 10:30 a.m. until noon.

Ages 7-10. Free. Reservations required. 761-5250.

Steve Trash - Ecology is Awesome. Bartlett Performing Arts & Conference Center (BPACC).

2:30-4 p.m. This family-friendly show focuses on the science of ecology using music, tricks, and more. $15/adult. $10/child. 385-5588.

A Vibe on the Island: DJ Night. Mud Island River

17 ∙ THURSDAY

#TBT - The Bus Tours through Soulsville. Stax Museum. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Join for an interactive tour through the Soulsville community, learning about the community’s assets. Teen researchers from the Camp Stax program created this tour for families. Call 942-7685 for details.

18 ∙ FRIDAY

Reelfoot Lake Pelican Festival. Reelfoot Lake State Park in Tiptonville, TN. October 18-20, from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. Festivities include Pelican Pontoon Tours, duck decoy and concrete pelican painting, native nocturnal animals with Bob Tarter, night hike with owls, and more. Admission is free. $14 for guided tours. $7 to paint ducks or pelicans. Reservations required for guided tours.

Call (731) 253-9652 for more info.

Zoo Boo. Memphis Zoo. October 18-20, 25-27 & 31, 5:30-9:30 p.m. The seven nights of frights include trick-or-treat stations, crafts, a haunted hayride, magic shows, Dracula’s disco and more. $15/person.

Advance discounts available. For details, visit memphiszoo.org/zooboo.

“Light Up the Night.” Beale Street Landing. 6-9 p.m.

Celebrate Dyslexia Awareness Month lighting the bridge red. Learn more about dyslexia, gain access to resources, and mingle with other families. Food trucks on site. Free. Registration required. Go to eventbrite.com for details.

19 ∙ SATURDAY

Le Bonheur Pumpkin Run 5K. Marsh Headquarters.

9-11 a.m. Features 5K, Family Walk, and Kids Fun Run. Boo Bash post-race party includes live entertainment, children’s activities, and food.

Halloween costumes are welcome. Registration: $27/ adult. $15/child ages 12 and under. $17 for ghost runner. Go to pumpkinrun.org for registration.

Memphis Comic Expo. The Agricenter. October 19 & 20. Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Bring the kids to meet their favorite characters like Bluff City Batman, Bluff City Ironman, Desoto

AUTHOR EVENT AND BOOK SIGNING WITH MO’S BOWS’ MOZIAH BRIDGES Novel. Saturday, October 19, 2 p.m. Ages 10 and up. Moziah Bridges, with mother Tramica Morris, signs and discusses his book Mo’s Bows: A Young Person’s Guide to Start-Up Success: Measure, Cut, Stitch Your Way to a Great Business. Free.

Simon & Siouxsie of Snake City. Lichterman Nature Center. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Meet National Geographic Wild’s Simon & Siouxsie of Snake City, take pictures, and get their autographs at this special event. Limited tickets available. A separate ticket is required for entry into the nature center. Go to eventbrite.com for reservations.

International Archaeology Day. C.H. Nash Museum at Chucalissa. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Families enjoy craft demonstrations, try their hand at flint-knapping, create a craft to take home, throw darts, join a guided tour of the certified arboretum and more.

Free. 785-3160.

Repair Days 2019 Family Fun Day. Metal Museum.

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Families try their hand at metalworking through hands-on activities, watch foundry artists pour molten iron, view latest Master Metalsmith exhibition, and more. Free general admission, some fees for activities. 774-6380.

Soulsville USA Festival. Stax Museum. 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

At this annual festival, children listen to Camp Stax audio tour, engage in arts and crafts, and add to the community wall as Stax Goes Pink to honor those affected by breast cancer. Free. 942-7685.

22 ∙ TUESDAY

Peppa Pig Live! The Orpheum. 6 p.m. Join Peppa and her friends in their singing, dance, games, and surprises as they go on a camping adventure. $32.50-$80. Call 525-3000 for tickets.

26 ∙ SATURDAY

2nd Annual Memphis Parent School Expo. MBG. 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Parents meet representatives from

M M EE M PP H I S P A R E N T .. C CO OM M

SEW-OLOGY

Dixon Gallery and Gardens. Saturdays (Oct, 26, Nov. 2 & 9), 1:30-4 p.m. Ages 10-13.

Sew-ology explores the world of sewing from hand-stitching to making with a machine. $45. Must be able to attend all three sessions.

Supplies and snack included.

Call 761-5250 to register.

Live in Studio A. Stax Museum. 2 p.m. Join for a live concert with the Stax Music Academy Alumni Band, The 926. Also includes a fall break arts and crafts edition of See. Touch Ask. eXplore. (S.T.A.X.) for children. Free for Shelby County residents.

942-7685.

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community schools, watch informational videos, and pick up take-home materials for planning their child’s education. Free. For more information, visit memphisparentschoolexpo.com.

Spooktacular Fall Festival. CMOM. 10 a.m.1 p.m. Ages 2-10. Activities include pumpkin crafts, games, face painting, and more. $20.

Includes museum admission. 458-2678.

RiverArtsFest. Riverside Drive between Jefferson and Beale. October 26 & 27.

Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. A street celebration of fine arts and local music with live art demonstrations and hands-on activities for all ages. Admission is $5. Free for kids 10 and under. Free entry after 5 p.m. on Saturday. For details, visit riverartsmemphis.org.

Magic Carpet Celebrates Halloween with Dia de Muertos. Buckman Arts Center at St. Mary’s. 10 a.m. Children ages 2 and up explore the spiritual world of Dia de Muertos with Cazateatro Bilingual Theater. $5/child. Free to adults. 537-1483.

Flick-or-Treat Movie Night. MBG. Gates open at 5 p.m. Trick or treat through My Big Backyard, 5-7 p.m. Movie schedule: It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (G) at 7:15 p.m. Casper (PG) at 7:45 p.m. Preshow festivities include treat stations and activities. Kettle corn, drinks, food truck concessions, and photo ops available throughout the evening. $10. Includes activities and film. Reservations required.

636-4130.

Fairy Tale Trail presents The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Bobby Lanier Farm Park. 6:30 p.m. Fairy Tale Trail features an outdoor play performed by kids for kids. $5/ person. Visit gctcomeplay.org for details.

27 ∙ SUNDAY

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Superpower Dogs Puppy Pageant. Pink Palace Museum. 1-3 p.m. Features activities exploring animal superpowers, such as Animal Senses from Lichterman Nature Center, Tennessee Task Force One demos, and more. CTI Theater Superpower Dogs 3D movie begins at 3 p.m.

Go to memphismuseums.org for details.

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30 ∙ WEDNESDAY

Out to Lunch Concert. Harris Concert Hall.

12:30 p.m. Bring your lunch and enjoy an hour of music presented by the School of Music.

Free. 678-2541.

31 ∙ THURSDAY

Halloween Night at the Museum. Stax Museum. 5-8 p.m. Children wander through the control room, listen to the “mysterious” sounds in the Hall of Records, and explore the “sacred” Southern soulful universe for tricks, treats, arts, and crafts. Also get down on the dance floor, roam with costumed characters and face painters, and enjoy a movie in the theater. Free. 942-7685.

ONGOING EVENTS MUSEUMS AND EXHIBITS

The Pink Palace Museum. City of Hope: Resurrection City and the 1968 Poor People’s Campaign poster exhibition. Through June 21. Sun, Earth, Universe.

In collaboration with NASA, the National Informal STEM Education Network (NISE Net) presents this interactive exhibit about Earth and space. The exhibit features hands-on and engaging activities for families with children ages 6-12. Making Memphis: 200 Years of Community. Through October 20.

636-2362.

CTI 3D Giant Theater. Walking with Dinosaurs: Prehistoric Planet 3D. Now showing. Apollo 11: First Steps Edition. Now showing. 636-2362.

AutoZone Dome at the Sharpe Planetarium. Back to the Moon: For Good. Now showing. Seasonal Stargazing. Now showing. One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure. Until further notice. 636-2362.

OTHER PROGRAMS

Celebrate “National Coffee with a Cop Day.” MAPCO on Winchester Rd. Wednesday, October 2, 8:30-10 a.m. Residents meet up for coffee with Memphis Police, ask questions in an open forum, and learn how MAPCO and law enforcement have joined forces to keep communities safe. Free.

Call (305) 504-2749 for details.

Mallory-Neely Top Hat Tours. Mallory-Neely House.

Friday, October 4, 6-7:30 p.m. Put on your top hat and join for a behind-the-scenes tour of the mansion and servants quarters. Reservations required. Call 523-1484 for details.

Celebration of Remembrance: Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Day. Germantown Historic Church. Tuesday, October 15, 6:30 p.m. Join the Remembrance Ceremony in observance of National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day. Free.

516-6907.

Reception and Gallery Talk for Master Metalsmith: Sarah Perkins. Metal Museum. Saturday, October 19, 4-5 p.m. Reception and gallery talk with 2019 Master Metalsmith Sarah Perkins. Free. 774-6380.

The Big Picture: Rethinking Dyslexia Movie Screening.

Thursday, October 24, 6:30 p.m. @ The Ridgeway Theater. Friday, October 25, 8:30 a.m. @ Bodine School. Contact Gay Landaiche at glandaiche@ bodineschool.org to RSVP.

CLASSES & WORKSHOPS

Breastfeeding Class. Baptist Women’s Hospital.

Thursday, October 3, 6:30-8:30 p.m. $30. Call 227-9873 to register.

ACT Workshop. Collierville Burch Library. Saturday, October 5, from 10:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. This workshop will introduce students to unique academic methods for improving ACT scores.

Students bring own lunch. Drinks and snacks provided. Registration fee of $50 must be paid to Memphis ACT Tutors before October 4th. Go to memphisacttutors.com to register and pre-pay.

Family Metalsmithing: Pumpkin Patch. Metal Museum. Sunday, October 6, 2-4 p.m. Families learn to create a pumpkin out of strips of copper, then use textures and embossing tools to individualize their design. $30/family. Reservations required.

774-6380.

Mini Metalsmiths: Spiders. Metal Museum.

Wednesday, October 9, 3:45-4:45 p.m. Children ages 3-6 use a specialty hammer and anvil to forge and form clay for the body of a spider, then use pipe cleaners to fabricate its legs. $10. Reservations required. 774-6380.

Postpartum Prep Class. Mama Circle Member House, 1368 N. Parkway. Wednesday, October 9, 6-9 p.m. A class for pregnant couples to learn how to best prepare for the postpartum period, taught by a doula and pelvic floor physical therapist. $50 per couple. Call 336-4168 to register.

Cooking with Kids at the Garden. MBG. Saturday, October 12, 2-4 p.m. Children go on a culinary tour of the Urban Home Demonstration Garden and learn about the different ingredients that make up their tasty treats. Little chefs make linguine and salad. $15. Call 636-4115 to register by October 7.

Fall Speaker Series: “Inside the Curious World of Dyslexia.” The Erika Center @ Bodine School.

Tuesday, October 16, 6 p.m. Speaker: Dr. T. Durant Fleming. Free and open to the public. Contact Gay Landaiche at glandaiche@bodineschool.org to RSVP. Kathy Wakile teaches Halloween Desserts Class.

Remington College. Thursday, October 17, 6-8 p.m.

The Halloween-themed seminar kicks off Remington College Culinary Training Center’s “Eat Live Love INDULGE with Kathy Wakile cooking class. Students signing up get tips from Wakile, along with a signed copy of her book. $150. Space is limited. Visit remingtoncollege.edu to register.

Saturday Childbirth Class. Baptist Women’s Hospital.

Saturday, October 19, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. $75. Call 227-9873 to register.

Make Your Own: Golden Snitch. Metal Museum.

Saturday, October 26. Two sessions offered from 10 until noon and 2:30-4:30 p.m. Ages 10 and up. Families learn how to apply gold leaf to create the body and have an assortment of materials to create the wings to personalize their snitch. $10.

Reservations required. 774-6380.

Sew-ology. Dixon Gallery and Gardens. Saturdays (Oct, 26, Nov. 2 & 9), 1:30-4 p.m. Ages 10-13. Sewology explores the world of sewing from handstitching to making with a machine. $45. Must be able to attend all three sessions. Supplies and snack included. Call 761-5250 to register.

Breastfeeding Class. Mama Circle Member House, 1368 N. Parkway. Wednesday, October 30, 6-9 p.m.

A class for pregnant couples to learn how to prepare for breastfeeding. $50 per couple. Call 336-4168 to register.

Home School Days: “Harvest Festival.” MBG. Wednesday, October 16, 2-3:30 p.m. Children ages 5 and up join for hands-on learning experience. $5. Garden admission not included. Call 636-4100 to prepay and register.

FUND-RAISERS

MLC Memorial Golf Scramble.

Windyke Country Club. Wednesday, October 2. Check-in begins at 11:30 a.m. Shotgun at 1 p.m. Celebrate Madonna Learning Center’s (MLC) 50 Years of Miracle in the community with a day of golf.

Features on-course games, silent auction items, and prizes. Lunch and beverages provided. Benefits MLC’s educational programs for children and adults with disabilities. Call 752-5767 for details.

Gandhi150 Memphis Celebration.

The Esplanade in Cordova. Saturday, October 5, 6 p.m. Indian Community Fund for Greater Memphis hosts this gala dinner to celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Chief Guest: Harsh Vardhan Shringla, India’s Ambassador to the United States. Other key guests include mayors, elected officials, and business leaders in the community. $100/person. Benefits various nonprofits in the area. Go to icfmemphis.org for reservations.

The Art of Dinner: Autumn Vegetable Dinner Party. Church Health Nutrition Hub. Friday, October 18, 6 p.m. In this interactive cooking class, Chef Joshua House guides through a three-course menu. $65. Benefits the nutrition programming at the Church Health Nutrition Hub. For tickets, go to churchhealth.org.

Repair Days Silent Auction. Metal Museum. Saturday, October 19, 4-6:45 p.m. An opportunity to bid on works of art by metalsmiths and artists across the country. Benefits Metal Museum programming throughout the year. Free. 774-6380.

Art on Fire 2019. Dixon Gallery and Gardens. Saturday, October 19, 7-11 p.m. Festive fall party on the Dixon’s South Lawn features bonfire, food, live music, the Hot Off the Wall art sale, a silent auction, and more. General admission: $75/ person. Hot Spot ticket: $250/ person. Benefits Dixon’s education outreach programs. 761-5250.

17th Annual CMOM Golf Scramble.

Memphis Country Club. Monday, October 21. Registration at 11 a.m.

Shotgun at noon. Enjoy a day of golf at the Memphis Country Club while supporting CMOM. $2000 for a foursome team. Reservations required. 458-2678.

THEATRE PERFORMANCES

Postmodern Jukebox. The Orpheum.

Thursday, October 3, at 8 p.m. The musical collective circumnavigates the globe in 2019 on their Welcome to the Twenties 2.0 tour. $30-$70.

Call 525-3000 for tickets.

Head Over Heels. The Circuit Playhouse. October 4-27. Thursday through Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday at 2 p.m. The Circuit rocks with the regional premiere of Head Over Heels. Special ticket pricing for opening weekend, $27. Pay-whatyou-can performance is October 10th. 726-4656.

Dear Evan Hansen. The Orpheum.

October 8-13. Tuesday through Friday at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, at 2 & 8 p.m.; Sunday, at 1 & 6:30 p.m. This Tony award-winning musical portrays life and the way we live it. $30-$130.

Call 525-3000 for details.

DO GOOD. BETTER. 901.726.5725 momentumnonprofit.org We help Mid-South nonprofits succeed.

Season Launch: Jupiter & Ohlsson.

GPAC. Saturday. October 12, 7:30 p.m. Internationally acclaimed pianist Garrick Ohlsson revisits Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 2 to launch the celebration of IRIS’ 20th anniversary.

The program features works from IRIS’ opening season. $45-$70. Call 751-7669 for tickets.

MSO Salutes the Greatest Hits of Rock & Soul! Cannon Center for the Performing Arts. Saturday, October 12, 7:30 p.m. Memphis Symphony Orchestra (MSO) kicks off the Pops season with singer Gavin Hope and MSO assistant conductor Kalena Bovell. $17-$85. Call 537-2525 for tickets.

Romeo and Juliet. Playhouse on the Square. October 12-20.

Ballet Memphis kicks off its 33rd season with Steven McMahon’s Romeo and Juliet set to the iconic score by Sergei Prokofiev.

Visit balletmemphis.org for details.

IRIS at the Brooks featuring guest artist Garrick Ohlsson. Memphis Brooks Museum of Art. Sunday, October 13, 3-5 p.m. Pianist Garrick Ohlsson performs pieces

by Beethoven and others alongside IRIS musicians at the Hohenberg Auditorium. The concert is paired

Volunteer with the whole family.

Go to www.volunteerodyssey.com and filter by age or email Ariana at ariana@volunteerodyssey.com

MEM PH I SPA R ENT.COM

HOME SCHOOL CLASSES

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with a featured museum exhibit and reception. $40. Call 751-7669 for tickets.

HELP Empower Deaf Children to HELP Listen,Deaf Learn, and Talk.

HELP Empower Children to Listen, Learn, and Deaf Talk. Children to Empower Listen, Learn, and Talk.

HELP r Deaf Children to

Film Screening: Amazing Grace.

Stax Museum. Monday, October 14, 7 p.m. The long-awaited concert film documenting the recording of Aretha Franklin’s epic 1972 gospel album, Amazing Grace. Film screening is followed by a reception at the Memphis Slim House. Free. Go to eventbrite.com to RSVP.

Learn, and Talk.

Octubafest. Harris Concert Hall.

Wednesday, October 16, 7:30 p.m.; Thursday, October 17, at 5:30 & 7:30 p.m. The 2019 series features an internationally renowned guest artist, University of Memphis faculty, and U of M student performers. Free.

678-2541.

Penn & Teller. The Orpheum. Friday, October 18, 8 p.m. Penn & Teller redefine the genre of magic and bring their own distinct niche in comedy. $32.50-$80. Call 525-3000 for tickets.

Zimbabwe’s Nobuntu. Buckman Arts Center at St. Mary’s. Sunday, October 20, 7 p.m. Zimbabwe’s celebrated all-female, a cappella quintet brings a unique blend of indigenous folk, Afro-jazz, and gospel music to the Buckman. $30/ adult. $25/child. 537-1483.

Swan Lake. GPAC. Saturday, October 26, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, October 27, 2:30 p.m. The U of M Symphony Orchestra partners with Collage Dance Collective of Memphis for this special presentation of the classical ballet Swan Lake by Tchaikovsky. $25/person. 751-7500.

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STORY TIME AT AREA BOOKSTORES AND MUSEUMS

BARNES & NOBLE BOOKSELLERS The Avenue Carriage Crossing Mall, 853-3264 Saturdays at 11 a.m. Ages 1-6.

BARNES & NOBLE BOOKSELLERS 2774 N. Germantown Pkwy., 386-2468 Tuesdays and Saturdays at 11 a.m. Oct. 1: How I Met My Monster. Oct. 5 & 8: A Night at the Bookstore: A Barnsie Adventure. Oct. 12 & 15: Elbow Grease vs. Motozilla. Oct. 19 & 22: A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood: The Poetry of Mister Rogers. Oct. 26 & 29: No More Monsters Under Your Bed! Free.

Baby & Me Story Time. Sundays, 11-11:30 a.m. Ages 3 and under. Oct. 6: Zoo (Peek-a-Flap Series). Oct. 13: Noses (Peek-a-Flap Series). Oct. 20: Moo (Peek-a-Flap Series). Oct. 27: Boo (Peek-a-Flap Series). Free.

Pajama Story Time: Good Night Little Blue Truck. Friday, October 18, 7-7:30 p.m. Join for a special Pajama Story Time. Free.

NOVEL 387 Perkins Ext., 922-5526 Story Time with Marjorie Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11 a.m.

Ages 3 and under.

Author Event and Book Signing with Mo’s Bows Moziah Bridges. Saturday, October 19, 2 p.m. Ages 10 and up.

Moziah Bridges with Tramica Morris signs and discusses his book Mo’s Bows: A Young Person’s Guide to StartUp Success: Measure, Cut, Stitch Your Way to a Great Business. Free.

Memphis Made - Center Stage presents Star & Micey. Buckman Arts Center at St. Mary’s. Friday, November 1, 8 p.m. Star & Micey Band celebrates over 10 years of making music in Memphis. $20/adult. $10/child. 537-1483.

MORTON MUSEUM OF COLLIERVILLE HISTORY 196 N. Main St., 457-2650 Story Time. On select Fridays (October 4, 11, & 18), 10:30-11 a.m.

Ages 5 and under. Enjoy a new story theme each week with songs, related craft, and snack. Free.

Leo Kottke. Buckman Arts Center at St. Mary’s. Saturday, November 2, 8 p.m. Guitar legend Leo celebrates 50 years of sharing inventive music and entertaining audiences with humorous monologues and vocal and instrumental career highlights. $40/ adult. $35/child. 537-1483.

Story Time with IRIS Orchestra.

Friday, October 25, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Children are encouraged to wear their costumes and come hear a Halloween-themed story followed by an instrument petting zoo and craft activity. Free.

PUMPKIN FUN Carve your jack-o’-lantern with more fun and less fuss.

By CHRISTINA KATZ

1. Pick the prettiest. Large or small, you are looking for sturdy stems, no bruises, and pumpkins that sit pretty. Place the pumpkin on a counter and stoop down to see how it looks at eye level before you buy. Don’t carry them home by the stems because they break easily.

2. Timing is everything. The internet is thick with tips for preserving pumpkins longer.

Don’t try them. Simply carve your pumpkins 3-5 days before Halloween for a stillstanding-tall guarantee.

3. Make cleanup a snap. The secret weapon for easy pumpkin-carving cleanup is probably out in your garage or shed. It’s a basic plastic tarp. Spread this time-saving savior inside on a cool day or outside on a warm day to contain your carving enthusiasm.

4. Use the proper tools. The best devices for carving jack-o’-lanterns don’t live in your kitchen drawers. Knives slip and spoons bend, so resist the urge to dip into your cutlery and instead purchase sturdy metal pumpkin scoops and kid-friendly carving saws you can use year after year.

© EVGENYATAMANENKO | DREAMSTIME.COM

5. Bigger is better. Enlarge designs for larger pumpkins. Use your home printer or stop by the local copy shop.

6. Start at the top. For large pumpkins, make the opening big enough for your hand and cut it at a 45-degree angle so the top will nest in place, instead of falling through.

7. Scrape, don’t dig. Don’t thin the walls of your pumpkin when scooping out the guts, so it will stay sturdy longer.

8. Draw it first. Freehand designs are cute and classic, and young children love them.

Use a medium-point washable marker to draw your design and then wipe away any remaining marks after carving.

9. Slit the paper. If you prefer to transfer a design and the pattern won’t wrap flat around your pumpkin, encourage it to cling by cutting a few up-and-down slits on the paper with an X-acto knife prior to carving.* 10. Poke hole-patterns. If you’ve always wanted to attempt a tricky pattern, attach the design to your pumpkin with blue painter’s tape and poke shallow holes along the lines, just through the pumpkin’s skin with a thumbtack, skinny nail, or hat pin.

Then connect the dots with your carving saw to achieve whatever fancy look you like.* 11. Get your hand in there. Push carved pieces out from the inside with a finger.

Go over delicate edges with a filet knife if pieces are stuck to avoid tearing pumpkin skin.* 12. Discard pulp outdoors. Do not put pulp into your garbage disposal. The place for pumpkin guts is your compost or yard clippings pile. Remove seeds for roasting and gently shake pulp off your plastic tarp before hosing it off and hanging it out to dry.

13. Keep jacks cool. In warm weather, keep carved pumpkins cool during the day. For longer-lasting displays, avoid direct sunlight.

Display them at night and with batterypowered candles to avoid interior damage and fire hazards.

BEYOND THE GOOFY GRIN: 10 PLAYFUL PUMPKIN DESIGNS A traditional jack-o’-lantern design is great. But why not branch out over the years?

Here are few dramatic, yet easy designs for older kids and adults to try.

1. Holier than thou. Use a power drill to make holes all over the sides and top.

2. Wordy gourd. Try “Boo!” or “Eek!” to get started.

3. Fairy house village.

Transform pumpkins of various sizes into a resort for magical creatures.

4. Cookie-cutter face. Gently hammer metal cutters into your pumpkin with a rubber mallet.

5. Diorama window. Cut a larger-than-usual opening to reveal a scene inside.

6. Core curriculum. Use an apple corer to cut wider, spaced-out holes.

7. Location identification. Put your house number pumpkin by the front door or mailbox.

8. Tower of grins. Stack squatty, multi-colored jacks on top of each other for a wow effect.

9. The monogrammed look.

Carve one initial or up to three for a stately look.

10. Mum’s the pumpkin. Carve an opening on top for a pot of mums or flower bouquet.

* Techniques for parents only, not young children.

Author, journalist, and writing coach Christina Katz enjoys having family fun without spending hours on cleanup.

Her favorite parts of the jack-o’-lantern-carving process are picking out the perfect pumpkins and taking pictures of the results.

M M EE M M PP H H II SS PP A AR R EE N N TT .. C CO OM M

It’s that time of year again! Kiddies (and us big kids, too!) can dress up as their favorite characters, spooky ghouls, or grizzly goblins. Another part of this season’s fun is carving jack-o’-lanterns. Here are some tips to make the most out of your celebratory crafting.

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You want what’s best for your kids.

That’s us.

Le Bonheur is proud to be recognized by U.S. News and World Report as one of the nation’s best children’s hospitals for the ninth consecutive year. In fact, this year we received our highest honors ever.

We believe it’s because we have always put kids first.

When it comes to providing the best care for your children, there is no substitute for the care and expertise you’ll find only at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital.

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