Syracuse Woman Magazine - June 2022

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

june PUBLISHER'S WORD David Tyler Honoring the decision-makers, caregivers and cajolers................................................................................ 6

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SPECIAL FEATURE Caring for the community...................................................................8 A journey to 'self-validation and purpose'...................... 14

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IN MEMORIAM Sister Kathleen Osbelt........................................................................16 ON THE COVER Eric and Kim Rose Partners in health................................................................... 19 WBOC LEADING LADY Rina Corigliano-Hart............................................................... 24

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OUR MEN'S HEALTH Men's health through the decades....................................26 PAST EVENTS The Poster Project...................................................................

Teal Run 2022............................................................................

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INSPIRE Judy Fero...................................................................................... 32 Robyn Bombard........................................................................ 34 Lynn Roberts Chapman........................................................ 36 MOVERS & SHAKERS.......................................................................... 38

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UPCOMING EVENTS............................................................................. 38

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PUBLISHER'S WORD

Honoring the decision-makers, caregivers and cajolers David Tyler

I’

m that kind of guy.

You know the kind. In fact, you may very well be living with one. Perhaps your husband, or son, or father?

The kind who will lean on any excuse in the world not to get that checkup.

The kind who will wait until some discomfort is unbearable before visiting a doctor. The kind who will remain cool, calm and collected in the face of all kinds of pressure, but will get the flop sweats in the presence of someone in a white lab coat.

Yeah, that kind of guy.

When I was a couple years out of college, just learning how to be an adult, my mother asked how long it had been since I had visited a dentist. It had been few years. It wasn’t high up on my early twenties’ priorities. So, after a couple months of gentle cajoling, she took matters into her own hands and scheduled an appointment for me with her dentist. I dutifully went, got the ivories polished and x-rays taken and the dentist scheduled a follow up appointment for a couple weeks later. So, again, I took the time off work, went to the appointment and met with the dentist, who told me there was nothing wrong with my teeth.

It’s probably standard procedure for a dentist to make a follow up appointment following a first-time visit, but taking the time off work and having to pay for a follow-up consult that I felt could easily have been done over the phone rankled me so much that I simply never went back to the dentist. For years. Decades.

When my mother would ask, I would just say I don’t have time and there’s nothing wrong with my teeth.

Until there was.

More than two decades later, I started to feel some pain and sensitivity to cold in certain parts of my mouth. At a party, I chatted with a friend who is a dentist and told him I needed to pay him a visit. When I told him it had been at least 20 years since my last dentist appointment, he certainly wasn’t shocked. He had heard it all before. There’s lots of us guys out there.

This time around, I was lucky to get away with two visits. There was a lot of chiseling and drilling and filling to reverse two decades of neglect. At some point during a particularly fun procedure called a debridement, I thought, ‘I should have listened to my mother.’

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, women make 80 percent of the healthcare decisions in families. And for families that have a member with extraordinary care needs, that responsibility usually falls unequally on women.

June is Men’s Health Awareness Month, and in this edition we focus on Central New York women who, in addition to their many other roles, take the lead in the care of their loved ones. With the help of our friends at Crouse Health, we also offer a brief primer on what men should be doing at various stages of their life to ensure their health. Just in case you have a guy like me in your family.

CORRECTION/CLARIFICATION: In the story Fighting Cystic Fibrosis... in the May edition of Syracuse Woman Magazine, the definition of Cystic Fibrosis was unclear. Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic disease that causes the body to produce thick sticky mucus in the lungs and digestive system. In the lungs, it traps bacteria which causes inflammation and lung infections, which over time decrease lung function. In the digestive system, the mucus blocks digestive enzymes from being secreted from the pancreas.We also wrote: “With the passage of the decades, more and more people with cystic fibrosis are living into their 50s, 60s and beyond.” That should have read "into their 30s, 40s and beyond."

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SyracuseWomanMag.com contact@syracusewomanmag.com

PUBLISHER

David Tyler dtyler@eaglenewsonline.com

DESIGN

Andrea Reeves

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Alice G. Patterson Rick Policastro Photography David Tyler

CONTRIBUTORS

Alyssa Dearborn Jason Gabak Kate Hanzalik Jason Klaiber

August Lindsey Lorna Oppedisano David Tyler

Cover photo by Alice G. Patterson

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Renée Moonan Linda Jabbour 315.657.7690 315.657.0849 Rmoonan@eaglenewsonline.com Ljabbour@eaglenewsonline.com

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Unlike any other publication in the Syracuse area, our feature articles address major topics that interest local women. Each issue includes articles on health, fashion, fitness, finance, home matters, dining, lifestyle and personal perspectives, as well as a spotlight on local Syracuse women. Ads are due on the 15th of the month prior to publication.

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The magazine is published 12 times a year by Community Media Group, LLC and Eagle Publications, 2501 James St., Suite 100, Syracuse, NY 13206 Copyright © 2022 Community Media Group, LLC. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or republished without the consent of the publishers.

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SPECIAL FEATURE

ROSEMARIE NELSON Caring for community Alyssa Dearborn

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R

unning is more than an important hobby for Rosemarie Nelson. For the Mountain Goat Race director, running is a part of her daily life. But running was not always the habit that it is now for Nelson.

“I went to college like many high school kids do and learned the ways of eating and drinking. And I realized I was gaining a few pounds. Mostly, I didn’t want to buy new clothes. So I would go out secretly during the night after dark and run loops in the quad.”

She said when asked how she started running, “I probably did that for a few months, dropped a few pounds, stopped running, and hit that cycle of every three or four months. I’d start and then I’d stop.”

It wasn’t until she began working at a bank – where she met her future husband – that she began to enjoy running.

“I met my husband, who was much more serious. He was like, just come and run ten laps. And it was a fun thing to do. And I really enjoyed it. I look at running now almost like brushing your teeth.

I would never get up and not brush my teeth,” she said. “I think that it does two things. One, it lets me behave a little bit less healthy. I feel like running allows me to keep that in balance. And the other aspect really is the mental process that you go through while running. I think that it’s both the physical as well as the mental health aspect that keeps me going.”

That habit of consistently running has allowed her to live a balanced lifestyle, participate in a community of fellow runners, and find ways to give back to the community. She has served as the president of the Mountain Goat Foundation, has been involved with Hospice, served on the American Heart Association’s board, and she is currently a board member of Syracuse University’s track club.

“I think that it’s because you have to have a passion,” she said when asked about the connection between running and her community involvement. “If you’re going to volunteer and do something, you want SYR ACUSE WOMAN MAGA ZI N E

to do something you’re having fun with. Make a connection. It’s a real social aspect of running with people who are of like mind, either supporting that same organization or just enjoying being out for a run.”

Using a passion to take care of one’s neighborhood is something Nelson has seen firsthand through her involvement with the Mountain Goat.

“So it’s a 10-mile run. It’s hilly, it’s challenging. People have a good time because if the weather’s good and the beer is good and the band is good, it’s a festival. So they do this in order to have a festival,” Nelson explained.

“We realized that while we were running 10 miles through the city, we said there’s parts of the city that aren’t so clean. So let’s get the Mountain Goat runners to help with Earth Day. Because we’re all training in the month of April and the Mountain Goat’s the first Sunday in May, we can tie training runs into an Earth Day clean up.

So suddenly we have people doing a training run and then they all get together with bags, gloves and we clean up sections of the Mountain Goat course.”

“You’re giving back to the community that you’re creating traffic hazards for during the race,” she continued. “And they don’t even realize that they were picking up garbage in crappy areas, but they felt good about it because the community looked better. So the runners all appreciate it, the people who did the work are all proud of it, and you give back to the community.”

Nelson knows what it means to be a caretaker for her community.

Service is a value that was instilled in her early on in her career. It is also a virtue that she believes should be taught to everyone.

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SPECIAL FEATURE

Caring for community from page 9 “I think people volunteer because they get asked to. I think the very first time I ever thought about volunteering was because my very first job at the bank. And they were just all about community service.

United Way was a big thing. They did not just contribute to United Way, but they got employees involved. And we went to United Way agencies, helped with some of the services they provided, and you realized that what you did actually had an impact.

She and her husband are both alums of Syracuse University and feel it is important to give back to the athletic program, particularly the Olympic sports that don’t get as much attention as basketball and football.

“I think that there’s so much joy that comes out of that. I think that if people can find that niche, where they have fun or have a passion, then they don’t even realize that they’re volunteering,” she said.

“That is really key because if we aren’t all involved and engaged, then we aren’t a community.”

Being a community caregiver is a social responsibility that helps communities become more connected. Nelson encourages others to start with their neighborhoods, reminding them that if they see something, then they should do something.

“Litter. Pick it up. It’s ugly and it’s in your neighborhood. Or if you see that there’s a delay in Hospice, how can you support them?

What do they need? You see something that’s underserved, what can you do about that? That’s a way to take care of your community.” SWM

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WE ARE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE GIRLS INC. AT YWCA SUMMER PROGRAMS WITH HANDS ON STEM EDUCATION. For more information visit www.ywca-syracuse.org at YWCA of Syracuse and Onondaga County

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SPECIAL FEATURE

A journey to ‘self-validation and purpose’

COUPLE AUTHORS BOOK DOCUMENTING HUSBAND’S CHALLENGES AND SUCCESSES Jason Gabak

F

rom her days growing up in Elbridge, Lori Ann King’s life has taken her many places.

From Central New York to Colorado back to New York State and most recently King and her husband made a move to the Southwest when they decided to relocate to New Mexico after her husband Jim retired from his work as a personal trainer.

Throughout all of these moves there has been one constant in King’s life, writing.

Turning aspects of her own life into prose, King has had work published in multiple outlets including the Chicken Soup for the Soul book series as well as publishing her own books such as “Wheels to Wellbeing: A Practical Self-Care Guide to Living a More Balanced Life,” “Transform: Building the Mindset to Change Your Body and Your Life,” and “Come Back Strong, Balanced Wellness after Surgical Menopause.”

Most recently King teamed up with her husband for a new work titled “Raging Love: An Athlete’s Journey to Self-Validation and Purpose.”

Like his wife, Jim, has pursued many paths in his life.

Jim is a U.S. military veteran, a West Point graduate, a certified personal trainer, 1992 American Drug-Free Deadlift national champion and sport nutritionist.

The book, published by Europe’s leading sports publisher, Meyer & Meyer Sport, explores Jim’s journey from playing sports to achieving the ultimate success by becoming a powerlifting national champion and setting an unofficial world record.

According to a press release from the couple on the new book, it was when Jim stepped away from the ball, resolved his anger issues, and began assisting others in their journeys to greatness that he found peace and happiness.

“Having been driven my rage for so many years, it is easy for me to spot when athletes are running from something or over-using their sport as an outlet for anxiety or discontent,” Jim said. “My goal is to inspire them to find peace and happiness earlier in their life and hopefully, with less struggle.”

According to the press release, Jim spent a lifetime filled with a deep ache and emptiness inside as he constantly strove to prove his worth.

This left him exhausted and isolated. So often he used sports to outrun his pain.

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Rage stemming from childhood traumas served him well in sports, but not so well in his life and relationships.

He worked hard to release the demons of his childhood, he said.

“Being oppressed made me more sensitive to others living with oppression,” Jim said. “Racial discrimination helped me become more compassionate toward all human beings regardless of their color, age, race, gender, sexuality or other difference.”

The book is described as something akin to the hero’s journey following Jim as an athlete rising to fame as an angry, chronically injured powerlifting champion who discovers that success does not equal happiness. After the hollow victory, he fell into a state of unease and discontentment, and then rose again, finding happiness and purpose.

In the book Jim and his wife explore including Jim’s challenges and struggles with bullies, physical limitations, childhood abuse, disappointments, oppression, and racism—and how he evolved and adapted over seven decades all while learning to serve and develop the talents of others in a story they call a tale of perseverance and purpose, evolution, discipline, forgiveness and self-love.

This latest book in very much inline with King’s other works.

Many of these themes have also been prominent in King’s own books.

For instance she recalled growing up in Elbridge King recalled that at the age of 10 she told her father the one thing she wanted for Christmas was for him to quit smoking because she was afraid she was going to lose him. She went so far as to write the message, “PLEASE STOP SMOKING! I’m afraid you’re going to die,” on a poster.

According to King this made for an emotional Christmas morning but at the time it seemed her wish would go unmet.

But a year later King’s father would grant his daughter’s wish, something she said has had a positive effect on both their lives ever since.

King’s story can be found along with more than 100 other personal stories in “Chicken Soup for the Soul: Christmas Is in the Air.” King is a two-time contributor to the Chicken Soup for the Soul series.

Her first story in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, “Choosing Joy, came out in 2019’s “Chicken Soup for the Soul: Think Positive, Live OU R M EN' S H E ALTH EDITION

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Happy,” and is about the devastating surgery that changed her life overnight and how she took responsibility for her health and mindset to be more positive and live with joy.

King also detailed this experience in her first book.

At the age of 43, Lori Ann King had to undergo a full hysterectomy, an experience that changed the course of her life.

“I went into surgery expecting one result and came out with another,” King said. “I went into surgical menopause. This was very difficult. It was much earlier than most women go through it and in some ways more intense.”

But King, who has spent much of her life focused on health and wellness, decided to try to put words to her journey and share it with other women who faced the same set of circumstances she did.

The result was King’s first book, “Come Back Strong,” which details her experiences as well as shares her insights into how she coped with these changes in her life and the path to living her best life.

An Elbridge native, King is the daughter of Mary Lou and Richard Foster. After graduating from high school, King went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in recreation in Colorado before returning to the area to pursue graduate studies at Syracuse University.

She said writing is something she had long held an interest in and through her work in the health and wellness world she had started blogging.

When the opportunity to share a piece on her experience with surgical menopause came up, she found that her story contained more than the standard blog generally contains.

“I was doing a lot of writing, a lot of blogging and I came across a blog run by a woman in Africa,” King said. “She asked me to share something on my experience. I started writing and I ask how long she wanted it to be. She wanted 400 words and I had 4,000.”

King decided to keep writing and see where the words took her.

“I was really happy with the work and I wanted to see where this would go,” King said. “She understood and told me to keep going.

Coming full circle we eventually made an excerpt and shared it on her blog, but it turned into a full book.”

The book is currently available on a variety of formats including paperback and digital versions through numerous outlets such as Amazon and Barnes and Noble among others.

“It is exciting to have this journey and now to be able to stand here and have a copy of my book in my hands, it is an amazing feeling,” King said.

Even more impressive to King has been the response she has received so far for her work.

“I have had really good feedback,” King said. “I have had a lot of people tell me they have enjoyed the book or they have learned something from it or they could relate to it. That has been incredible.

I never expected to have such a great response to this.”

After her first book came out, King said she had more writing planned in the future as well as appearances for readings and talks about her current work.

From her book to her latest entry into the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, King hopes other women can continue to relate to her message.

“I want women to know they can take control of their situations,” King said. “They can take control of their lives and we can live the kind of life we want to live.” SWM To learn more visit livinglifemoreabundantly.com/ and loriannking.com.

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IN MEMORIAM

SISTER KATHLEEN OSBELT

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ister Kathleen Osbelt, OSF, passed away May 4 at Francis House, the home for the terminally ill that she founded 31 years ago.

Sister Kathleen was born in Syracuse to Roy M. and Anna Mae Osbelt. She was 71 years of age and had been a Sister of St. Francis for 52 years. She grew up as a member of Holy Trinity Parish and after graduating from Assumption Academy in June of 1968, entered the Sisters of St. Francis in September of the same year.

She began her ministry of service to others as an elementary school teacher in New York and New Jersey. After this she returned to Syracuse as pastoral minister at St. Joseph Hospital Health Center followed by a four-year term as general secretary for the Sisters of St. Francis.

At this point in her life, sister felt strongly called to the ministry of caring for the terminally ill and comforting the families of those who love them. In 1991, she founded Francis House, a home for the terminally ill, a ministry in which she lovingly worked for 32 years.

Sister Kathleen also worked in community service as the director of Franciscan Sponsored Ministries and later as coordinator of the Franciscan Villa Construction. She was a pastoral minister at All Saints' Parish in Syracuse, and finally was resource center coordinator for her beloved Francis House.

Sister Kathleen's ongoing compassion for the terminally ill, inspired her to work as a member of the Aids Housing Coalition, while also being in regular contact with people who manage three of the Subsaharan Hospices.

Some of Sister Kathleen's awards include the Syracuse Post Standard Woman of Achievement; Governor's Award to Outstanding Women; Catholic Charities Bishop's Medallion; Eckerd Salute to Women National Award; 2003 Women of Distinction for NY State 50th District honor; 2003 Northeast Community Center Northside Hall of Fame and 2005 Northside Walkway of Fame. Furthermore, she found delight in being Grand Marshal for the Syracuse St. Patrick's Day Parade.

Sister Kathleen will be remembered for her responsiveness to the needs of her community and the Church, her creative spirit, her ability to relate to others on all levels, love of life, prayerfulness, graciousness, grand sense of humor, deep appreciation of her Franciscan Vocation and her spirit of thankfulness for God's gifts.

Sister Kathleen penned a piece for Syracuse Woman Magazine in 2021 describing her life and her experience in sisterhood. In that piece, she wrote: “How much more does God love each of us? I don’t want to miss any of it. Maybe my “seeing” has become more acute because I know I have a terminal illness. It’s a little like the young woman in the play, Our Town, who comes back for a day and realizes how painfully beautiful it all is.

As a Sister, my life has been full and blessed with so many people and creatures. We offer our lives as women dedicated to putting flesh on Jesus’ message of love, and as is often said of Francis House, we get so much more back than we give.” SWM

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COVER STORY

ERIC AND KIM ROSE

Partners in health Lorna Oppedisano

“Health is good for relationships.”

—Kim Rose

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COVER STORY

ERIC AND KIM ROSE

Partners in health

E

ric Rose thought he knew how to be and stay healthy.

Having spent decades as a wrestler, he learned at a young age how to lose weight. Through severe caloric restrictions, he could quickly drop from roughly 200 to 149 pounds.

“The first half of my life revolved around losing weight — constantly,” Eric said.

A chef by trade, Eric was in kitchens for 60-plus hours a week at his job with Sysco, giving him access to food all day. When he stopped wrestling, he gained weight. After multiple knee operations, he couldn’t move the way he had when he was younger.

“Basically, I couldn’t outrun my fork like I used to,” he said.

The weight put pressure on his joints. His sleep was poor. His job, which required time on the road, sitting in his car for hours at a time, was stressful. He wasn’t fully present with his wife, Kim, who was worried about her husband’s health and wellbeing.

“I just felt crummy and frustrated, probably more than anything because I thought I knew how to lose weight. My old ways didn’t work. As I got older, my metabolism slowed down,” Eric said.

“Ultimately, it led to this health journey.”

Now healthy for four years, Eric, along with Kim, his partner in life and business, strive to help others develop healthy lifestyles with their company, Rose Health.

History of Health

Growing up, Kim’s relationship with health was different from Eric’s. Having done her very first fun run at 5 years old, she discovered a love of running at a very young age, following in the footsteps of her father, also a runner. She continued the habit into high school, where she ran track and cross country.

For Kim, it wasn’t just about maintaining weight, but also about sleeping well, feeling good and having energy.

Now, though she doesn’t run as much as she once did, the healthy habits remain.

“I’m very active. I walk a lot. I do yoga. I do strength training. I jog every once in a while, but it’s certainly not about that sole purpose of, ‘I need to exercise,’” she said. “It’s more incorporated into what I do every day because I want to.

I want to move.”

“The first half of my life revolved around losing weight — constantly...

Basically, I couldn’t outrun my fork like I used to.”

—Eric Rose JU N E 2022 2022

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When Eric stopped wrestling and his health habits began to slide, it was a difficult time for them both. For Eric, every day became a struggle.

“That was the saying I used most: ‘If I could just get through the day.’

I had a lack of energy. I didn’t sleep well,” he said. “It was more than my weight.”

Kim was frustrated because her husband wasn’t showing up, she remembered. Along with Eric’s and Kim’s busy full-time careers, they also have two sons, now 15 and 17 years old; their shared plate of responsibilities was already quite full. So, when Eric tried very timeconsuming weight loss approaches, such as earning a black belt in karate, it added extra stress to the family.

“I supported the premise of it, but then in the day-to-day, it was really hard,” Kim said. “To work out two hours a day, that’s a lot.” After Eric achieved the black belt, losing weight in the process, he injured his knee, leading back to weight gain and poor health.

Kim wanted to help Eric but didn’t know how to do that. She would watch her husband try different approaches, often extreme and ultimately proving to be unsustainable. Wanting to be encouraging, Kim was supportive as Eric tried new methods, but often let things go if he started to backslide.

“He would try things that work in the short term but are hard to maintain for a lifestyle,” Kim said.

Discovering the Why

About four years ago, Eric he realized the methods he’d been trying were unsustainable. He knew he needed help. He started noticing social media posts from a friend he had wrestled with years ago, who had since moved to Arizona and gone through his own health journey.

“He was changing people’s lives,” Eric said. “I got to the point where I couldn’t do this on my own, so I called him.”

Reaching out to ask for help wasn’t a hard decision to make, Eric said. With the help of his friend, he lost 49 pounds in 11 weeks.

Having someone coach him through the decision-making processes and digging into the “Why?” behind his choices helped immensely.

“It was more than a diet. It addressed the whole lifestyle,” Eric said, adding he hadn’t thought of things that way before. “I just thought, ‘I need to lose weight and life would be fine.’ I never thought about how if you focus on your sleep, you’ll have more energy to do other things and then possibly work out.”

Partners in Health

Once he discovered this lifestyle change, Eric knew he wanted to share it with other people and wanted Kim along on the journey.

After seeing her husband try so many other alternatives to reach better health, Kim was skeptical at first.

“I didn’t say it out loud and I was very supportive on the outside, but I thought, ‘OK, it’s just going to be another thing.’

When he lost the weight and he felt so amazing, he was showing up. He was mentally present, as well as physically present,” Kim said. “And that’s when he said, ‘The whole world needs to know about this and I want you to coach with me.’”

Kim decided to join Eric on his journey right after he lost the weight, about three months after he connected with his coach.

Continued on page 22

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COVER STORY

Partners health fromfrom pagepage 21 21 Eric andinKim Rose “I said, ‘Sure, why not,’ and that completely changed my daily energy and my ability to not be as overwhelmed. So, mine was more of how healthy body played into healthy mind,” Kim said. “When you feel really good, you can handle a lot more. You’re mentally present and not just physically present.”

The couple founded their business, Rose Health, in the summer of 2018 and have worked together to help people on their health journeys ever since.

Kim handles more of the task-driven aspects of the business, while Eric does more of the social events and networking. They share the coaching responsibilities, working to help people both individually and together. They coach their clients toward healthier lifestyles, addressing everything from proper hydration to gut health to quality sleep to better grocery shopping and cooking habits.

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In their four years as coaches, they’ve worked with more than 300 people. They teach them the same lesson Eric learned: it’s not about a number on the scale.

“It’s not about the weight, but about what people can do when they lose the weight,” Eric said.

The duo agrees working together has helped to center them as a couple. Regardless of their busy schedules, they start most days with a cup of coffee, talking about their clients’ progress. Their routines together have been a game changer, Eric said.

“Health is good for relationships,” Kim said with a smile. SWM For information about Rose Health, use the QR code or email Eric Rose at ekrosehealth@icloud.com.

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WBOC LEADING LADY

RINA CORIGLIANO-HART David Tyler

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ina Corigliano-Hart, CLCS, was a stay-at-home mother with two young children when her husband, Fred, came home from work one day with a new life insurance policy that she didn’t think was up to snuff. So, she called the agency who sold him the policy, CNY Health Associates, and told the agent why she didn’t like it and not to submit the policy.

That phone call was the beginning of a career in insurance that has now lasted for more than 20 years. The owner of the agency, Dave Lindberg, must have heard something in Rina’s voice that told him she would fit well in the insurance industry and asked if she would consider coming to work for him.

“He, for whatever reason, thought that I was spunky enough,” Rina said.

“Every year after that he said ‘When are you going to work for me. I’d love for you to come work for me.’”

And as soon as her youngest child was ready for preschool, that’s what she did.

Rina worked two days a week in the three-person shop, learning the ropes of the industry with Dave and Jan Lindberg, who she describes as her mentors. It was there that she learned the “foundational things,” like how to network and how to have a passion for small business owners.

She was there for four years until Dave Lindberg’s sudden passing.

Jan Lindberg, when selling the agency to Business Consulting Group, a unit of OneGroup, made sure that Rina went with the business to the new firm and when she started with BCG, she was fully licensed and ready for a full-time role as an employee benefits consultant.

In that role, Rina managed the employee benefits for members of the Great Liverpool Chamber of Commerce.

At the time – prior to health care reform - small businesses could purchase benefit plans through chambers and business organizations and it gave Rina a first-hand look at the valuable services organizations like chambers of commerce could perform for local businesses.

As health care reform came into fruition, Rina saw the need in the small business community for support navigating the many twists and turns that came with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. “Whether you believed in health care reform or not, clients still needed help and guidance in managing that,” Rina said. “And I wanted to be able to say, 20 years from now, or 20 years from then, that I was able to help them with that.”

After seven years as an employee benefits consultant helping clients with their health and dental benefits, in 2016 Rina was tapped to head OneGroup’s newly-created OneSelect Division, a business insurance platform designed exclusively for small, quickly growing companies

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looking to simplify their operations, reduce their administrative burden, and expand their access to any array of business experts.

OneSelect was created for “that tech start-up that knows everything about their business, but knows nothing about running that business,” she said.

“One Select was really created to be a concierge type of platform for that.”

It also was an opportunity for Rina to take advantage of one of her greatest strengths: networking. She ramped up her involvement in organizations like WISE, the Syracuse Tech Garden, WBOC, and a variety of local chambers of commerce.

“That new job with One Select really put me in the position to get out into the community and have conversations with business owners and start-ups and those types of entrepreneurs,” she said. “People get a greater confidence in wanting to do business with you if they see you working in the community.”

Of WBOC, Rina said that as a corporate professional, she was initially a little hesitant to get involved with an organization devoted to female entrepreneurs, but the organization has welcomed her with open arms and it has become a wonderful two-way street.

“A lot of those women were very much community minded in the same way that I am,” Rina said. “What I found over the years is that the communities that I’ve become a part of seem to all be connected in a really wonderful way. Syracuse is a small enough town that something like that can happen.”

Most recently, Rina accepted a position as a OneGroup Business Risk Strategist, working with clients both on a local and national level. In that new role, she consults with clients on various services and solutions including employee health and welfare benefits, business and personal insurance solutions, risk management, claims management and financial services.

Despite growing into a position with both a national and local focus, she remains devoted to the local business and community groups.

She currently serves as president of the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and serves on the WISE Womens Business Center Advisory Board and is the WISE External Relations Committee Chair.

With her children now grown and out of the house, in her free time, she said she enjoys local fairs and festivals and watching local musical acts with Fred.

“Once I became an empty nester,” she said, “my husband and I suddenly discovered that we still like each other, so we’re very much in those newlywed years again.” SWM

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EASTWOOD SHOPS FULL PAGE AD

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MEN'S HEALTH

Men's health through the decades

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ccording to the Department of Labor, women are the primary healthcare decision makers in the home 80 percent of the time. As such, women are often keeping track of men’s health: appointments, check-ups and screenings.

June is Men’s Health month, a great time to check in with the men in your life and remind them of the important steps they can take now to ensure a lifetime of good health.

At any age, being physically active, not smoking, maintaining a healthy diet and staying at a healthy weight, drinking alcohol only in moderation and taking preventative medicines if recommended by your healthcare provider can aid in men’s (and women’s) overall health.

The following screening recommendations are a great starting point, but a primary care provider (PCP) is an integral part of maintaining health throughout any decade.

IN YOUR 30s GENERAL HEALTH SCREENINGS Yearly full check-up with a primary care provider including weight and height F Discuss your sleep habits at this appointment F Discuss a need for a thyroid screening at this appointment IMMUNIZATIONS F Tetanus-Diphtheria booster – needed every 10 years F Yearly Influenza vaccine DIABETES Get screened if you have sustained blood pressure greater than 135/80, take medicine for high blood pressure or are at risk for diabetes (talk to your PCP) CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH F Blood pressure screening – every two years F Cholesterol screening - ask your PCP if needed REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH F Discuss testicular exam and STI tests with your PCP

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EYES, EARS AND TEETH F Eye exam if you have visual problems or changes in your vision F Hearing test – every 10 years F Dental exam – every 6 months SKIN HEALTH F Do a monthly self-exam for moles and get checked every three years by a provider

IN YOUR 40s GENERAL HEALTH SCREENINGS Yearly full check-up with a primary care provider including weight and height F Discuss your sleep habits at this appointment F Discuss a need for a thyroid screening at this appointment IMMUNIZATIONS F Tetanus-Diphtheria booster – needed every 10 years F Yearly Influenza vaccine DIABETES Get screened if you have sustained blood pressure greater than 135/80, take medicine for high blood pressure or are at risk for diabetes (talk to your PCP) CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH F Blood pressure screening – every two years F Cholesterol screening - ask your PCP if needed REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH Discuss testicular exam and STI tests with your PCP PROSTATE HEALTH Speak to your PCP about a Digital Rectal Exam and/or ProstateSpecific Antigen EYES, EARS AND TEETH F Eye exam - every 2-4 years F Hearing test – every 10 years F Dental exam – every 6 months SKIN HEALTH Do a monthly self-exam for moles and get checked every three years by a provider OU R M EN' S H E ALTH EDITION

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IN YOUR 50s GENERAL HEALTH SCREENINGS Yearly full check-up with a primary care provider including weight and height F Discuss your sleep habits at this appointment F Discuss a need for a thyroid screening at this appointment IMMUNIZATIONS F Tetanus-Diphtheria booster – needed every 10 years F Yearly Influenza vaccine DIABETES Get screened if you have sustained blood pressure greater than 135/80, take medicine for high blood pressure or are at risk for diabetes (talk to your PCP) CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH F Blood pressure screening – every two years F Cholesterol screening - ask your PCP if needed REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH Discuss testicular exam and STI tests with your PCP PROSTATE HEALTH Speak to your PCP about a Digital Rectal Exam and/or ProstateSpecific Antigen EYES, EARS AND TEETH F Eye exam - every 2-4 years F Hearing test – discuss with your PCP F Dental exam – every 6 months SKIN HEALTH Do a monthly self-exam for moles and get checked every year by a provider COLORECTAL HEALTH Fecal occult blood test, flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy – talk to your provider about which screening is right for you and how often you may need it

IN YOUR 60s GENERAL HEALTH SCREENINGS Yearly full check-up with a primary care provider including weight and height F Discuss your sleep habits at this appointment F Discuss a need for a thyroid screening at this appointment IMMUNIZATIONS F Tetanus-Diphtheria booster – needed every 10 years F Yearly Influenza vaccine F One-time only Pneumococcal vaccine F One-time only Herpes zoster DIABETES Get screened if you have sustained blood pressure greater than 135/80, take medicine for high blood pressure or are at risk for diabetes (talk to your PCP) CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH F Blood pressure screening – every two years F Cholesterol screening - ask your PCP if needed F If you were ever a smoker, get a onetime Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm screening REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH Discuss testicular exam and STI tests with your PCP

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PROSTATE HEALTH Speak to your PCP about a Digital Rectal Exam and/or ProstateSpecific Antigen EYES, EARS AND TEETH F Eye exam - every 1-2 years F Hearing test – discuss with your PCP F Dental exam – every 6 months SKIN HEALTH Do a monthly self-exam for moles and get checked every year by a provider COLORECTAL HEALTH Fecal occult blood test, flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy – talk to your provider about which screening is right for you and how often you may need it

IN YOUR 70s GENERAL HEALTH SCREENINGS Yearly full check-up with a primary care provider including weight and height F Discuss your sleep habits at this appointment F Discuss a need for a thyroid screening at this appointment IMMUNIZATIONS F Tetanus-Diphtheria booster – needed every 10 years F Yearly Influenza vaccine F One-time only Pneumococcal vaccine F One-time only Herpes zoster DIABETES Get screened if you have sustained blood pressure greater than 135/80, take medicine for high blood pressure or are at risk for diabetes (talk to your PCP) CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH F Blood pressure screening – every two years F Cholesterol screening - ask your PCP if needed F If you were ever a smoker, get a onetime Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm screening REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH Discuss testicular exam and STI tests with your PCP PROSTATE HEALTH Speak to your PCP about a Digital Rectal Exam and/or ProstateSpecific Antigen EYES, EARS AND TEETH F Eye exam - every 1-2 years F Hearing test – discuss with your PCP F Dental exam – every 6 months SKIN HEALTH Do a monthly self-exam for moles and get checked every year by a provider COLORECTAL HEALTH Fecal occult blood test, flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy – talk to your provider about which screening is right for you and how often you may need it. SWM Information provided by Crouse Health.

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PAST EVENTS

The Poster Project

Jim Emmons (top left), co-founder of the Syracuse Poster Project, conceived of the project in 2000 and with Roger DeMuth’s help, made it a reality; bringing together community poets and artists to create an annual series of illustrated poetry posters. The process begins with a call for poetry, soliciting the three-line form of poetry known as haiku over the summer. This year was the first year that they allowed short poems outside of the traditional haiku. Poets then submit work about downtown, the city-at-large or the nearby countryside.

Approximately 100 poets participate each year. The 21th anniversary series compe-tition consisted of 10 posters, inspired by this year's special prompt to write in the vein of various 'Syracuse Spirits.' All posters are available for purchase at: posterproject.org. First place: Cynthia Perrine, poet; Thomas Harris, artist. Second place: Amy Zamkoff, poet; Leah Hennessey, artist. Third place: David Pasinski, poet; Tyler Hill, artist.

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PAST EVENTS

Teal Run 2022 The 14th Annual Teal Ribbon Run/Walk for ovarian cancer awareness kicked off on May 14 at Lewis Park in Minoa.

The Teal Ribbon Run is one of Hope for Heather’s largest community awareness events. Funds raised are used to support ovarian cancer awareness, local patient support and research. Photos by Rick Policastro Photography.

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INSPIRE

JUDY FERO

Through World War II, Slocum specialized in communications as a soldier in the United States Army. Along the way, he developed a fondness for the homing pigeons used by the military forces.

Fero and her dad pose for a selfie on Thanksgiving in 2021.

Known as quite the character around his Howlett Hill neighborhood, Joe Slocum is pictured here with a furry friend.

When she was a little girl, Fero saw her dad as a protector.

Nowadays, she tries her best to assume that role for his sake.

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Joe Slocum proudly showing off his giant sunflowers.

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A daughter’s love softens the blow of memory loss Jason Klaiber

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rowing up Judy Fero depended on her father in various times of need, seeing him as an accessible and protective figure in her life despite their contrasting hobbies.

Later on, when her mother was dealing with hip osteoarthritis and a form of dementia prior to her passing in 2013, he picked up the slack by covering the cooking, cleaning and shopping duties for his other half.

These days, though, Fero feels continually inspired to attend to her aging father in gratitude for those years of parenting and the example he set in her presence.

Now 98, Joe Slocum has yet to be clinically diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, but he shows many of the tell-tale signs according to his youngest daughter.

Often he fails to recognize her and other once-familiar faces, and sometimes he wishes to go home when he’s already there.

Like a barometer his mood has become almost “weatherdependent,” Fero says—brimming with positivity on the average warm, sunshiny day and growing more “sullen” on cold, rainy ones.

With his memory loss also comes a blow or two to his so-called “social graces,” she adds, citing his reduced and occasionally even absent filter.

From Fero’s recollection, it was around the time her dad hit the age of 95 that his cognitive decline became more noticeable. At that point, he was still driving his compact car, but it became commonplace for him to get lost on the road and misgauge his surroundings a block away from his driveway.

After one too many disoriented detours, Slocum’s physician made a recommendation based on judgment, age and reaction time that he was no longer fit to drive despite his protests and clean driving record, causing Fero to prevent any serious accidents by requesting that the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles revoke her father’s license.

Just last year, in a separate episode, he neglected to eat or drink enough and collapsed from dehydration in the summer heat as Fero was mowing the lawn.

It was at that moment that she realized it would be a bigger task to look after her dad than one might think.

“It takes a village,” said Fero, 59. “If you can find good caregivers, they’re worth their weight in gold.”

With the help of a pair of caretakers who visit daily and a Camillus doctor’s wellness check-ups, she manages to keep an eye on her dad, vowing to herself that she would never admit him to a nursing home.

Day to day, Fero works as an account clerk in the food services division for the North Syracuse Central School District, a job that calls on her to reconcile the money for its 11 schools in order to make sure all the kids are fed.

When it comes to taking care of her near-centenarian father, she handles the driving and the shopping, and she clothes and bathes him. Additionally, she calls him on the phone every morning to ask how he’s doing and what he had for breakfast.

In a pinch, she heads as fast as she can to his household in the town of Onondaga either from her workplace or her own home 10 miles away on the north side of Syracuse.

As her dad’s mental decline advances and worsens, the sight of it all saddens her and fills her with “anticipatory grief.”

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“It’s gut-wrenching to see,” Fero said. “And it’s frustrating I think in the sense that you see the decline and know it’s not gonna get better.

There’s a progression to it.”

The bright spots still have a way of peeking through, however.

Music particularly helps him to tap his toes and reminisce, Fero said, throwing in that he has the time of his life watching footage of the leisure-suit-wearing Lawrence Welk and the hip-swiveling Elvis Presley.

“It’s interesting how music can bring back the emotions,” she said, though she prefers the musical stylings of The Doors and Pink Floyd to Welk. “My dad remembers things and melodies from long ago, but recent things just don’t stick as much.”

Fero also mentioned her father’s love of animals. Seeing the neighbor’s dog makes him “feel like a million bucks,” she said, but nothing compares to the pigeons he kept as pets through the years.

A veteran of the United States Army, Slocum served in World War II on the communications end, right alongside the homing pigeons used for reconnaissance and message deliveries.

His affinity for these birds continued for decades after he got out of the war, and up until only a handful of years ago, he would release them and time them for sport as an active member of the Syracuse Racing Pigeon Club.

Eventually, the trouble he had summoning the energy for the competitive activity was coupled with sorrow after an uninvited badger decimated his carrier pigeon loft. He decided then to give away his remaining birds to fellow club members and friends.

“In the club, they took them and used them as breeding stock too, so there’s probably some of his birds’ great grandchildren flying around today,” Fero said.

Though his memory has slipped and some of his spiritedness has gone as of late, Slocum is still able to ascend staircases, pick dandelions in the yard and garden, Fero remarked.

“I’m really blessed that he’s as healthy as he is,” she said. “Plus not everyone makes it to 98.”

At the moment, Fero said the best she can do is help her father live comfortably and lessen any suffering in the time he has left, all while making it known again and again that he’s well-loved. SWM

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INSPIRE

ROBYN BOMBARD

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The power of a mother's love Kate Hanzalik

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oday, Robyn Bombard looks back on what she calls “a crazy, stressful time” in her life, and perhaps sighs with relief.

This former high-powered media executive could handle the stress of her job with ease, but in 1998, shortly after giving birth to her son Parker, life became tumultuous. “I noticed he wasn’t hitting some of the markers that babies hit. He wasn’t eye tracking. He would go rigid when I would take him out of the car. He wouldn’t sleep through the night . . . often screaming. I was losing it.” His confounding behavior became the catalyst for change in her life, her son’s and for the Syracuse community.

This was the early days of Google so little information was available.

She arranged for occupational therapists and speech therapists into her home. Yet after a year, he still couldn’t crawl, walk, or speak.

“No one could give me answers,” she said.

After analyzing Parker’s doctor bills, she noticed he suffered from the same ailments again and again. “I said [to the pediatrician], ‘Something is wrong.’ They thought I was just a nervous first-time mother.” She was in disbelief. “So, I left there, cried my head off in the car, and then proceeded to a different pediatrician where I saw the same doctor all the time.” This was her first of many lessons in perseverance.

By the time Parker was two, she learned about Fragile X Syndrome (FRX) a genetic mutation that impacts a person’s intellect, behavior, and ability to learn. Parker’s self-harming behavior, such as head banging, was just one symptom. She requested a diagnostic, and the results were positive. This meant her son would never drive, never live alone, and, like others with FRX, Bombard said, “They get to a certain age and that’s it physiologically, it’s a neurological disorder causing a learning disability.” She said she was “a mess” when she found out.

“This was obviously life changing for our family.”

Taking action

“Like all moms, there’s no manual. For most of us, we’re mama bears, we’re protective,” she said. “But when you’re in a situation where you have a child with special needs, it’s a hundred times harder because you’re navigating the healthcare process, insurance and government forms, you’re navigating the school system.”

To accomplish this huge undertaking, she needed more time to focus on Parker. She stepped down from her role as vice president at WSPX-TV and became a commercial realtor, which allowed for a more flexible schedule.

With this diagnosis, she sought out the best education for Parker.

This led them to the innovative Pre-K school, Jowonio. “It was a huge turning point,” Bombard said. “He learned sign language, which helped him to tell us basic needs; music was part of his daily learning.” They put him on a daily schedule, an essential for people with FRX, and things started to improve slightly.

One day, when Parker was almost six years old, we were driving in the car. Suddenly, he said, “Hello, Mama.” I almost drove the car into the ditch. “I started crying,” she said. “I was like, what did you say?!

Just to hear his voice for the very first time, INCREDIBLE!” While Robyn and Parker’s struggles to communicate seem to be a problem of the past, everyday interactions with others are challenging. This challenge has become an opportunity to educate.

“It is difficult for others to understand if they don’t have a child in this boat. Please don’t talk about a person with special needs in front of them, they CAN hear,” she said. “I realize it can be awkward at first but include them in your conversation.”

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Such lack of understanding even impacted his K-12 education.

At the onset, the Fayetteville-Manlius (F-M) school district was difficult in terms of their special education department. “We struggled with that for a long time, and Parker’s dad and I finally went higher up in the school system, and we got full-day kindergarten.”

Bombard praises the therapy Parker received while at F-M, noting that, “These ladies (therapists and special education teachers) hung right in there with us through the years. We have been very fortunate to have had some incredible mentors as well!

Today, Parker is a high school graduate. He recently moved into his own house and has a live-in support person. He is now doing his own laundry and grocery shopping. He’s enjoying his freedom.

But the social isolation is still there.

“One of the biggest things is lack of a social circle,” she said.

“Parker will look out the window and ask me, ‘What friends, mommy?

What friends?’ And it breaks my heart . . . I don’t care who you are.

All of us need to feel needed, wanted, loved, cared for; friends to do stuff with.”

A vision for the future

Throughout her journey, Bombard learned much more can be done in the Syracuse area to support young adults with disabilities.

“These people are productive, they want to help, they want a community, they want to earn money.” Local dayhabs, working from a 1960s model of operation, lack productive activities. She realizes that bigger, more metropolitan markets offer more creative, cutting-edge services and teaching strategies, but she believes that Syracuse can be just as innovative.

“I would love to see change,” she said. True to her word, she is working with other parents to develop a community center for people with disabilities, much like senior assisted living. They need to find the right leadership, a strong board and a strong executive director who lives on site. They could use any help they can get, so please email her if you’re interested, robynbombard@localsyr.com. Mail to: RobynBombard@localsyr.com“There is strength in numbers,” she said.

On a positive note, there are many CNY Agencies to help you navigate the systems that have improved immensely over the last decade, as well as technological advances to help smooth the way. In addition, early intervention is key to lead to better outcomes for your child.

“Today Parker is doing well, a complete joy to be around with a heart the size of Chicago,” she said. “He teaches me every day how to be a better person and see the world through his lens. Remember that faith and your love for your child will pull you through and give you the strength to persevere.” SWM

Helpful Links:

For more information about Fragile X, please refer to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fxs/data.html#:~:text=Studies%20 estimate%20that%20between%201,have%20a%20fragile%20X%20 premutation To learn about Jowonio School, please visit, https://jowonio.org/ For more resources, refer to the Gebbie Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic at Syracuse University at https://thecollege.syr.edu/departmentcommunication-sciences-disorders/gebbie-speech-language-hearing-clinic/ SYR ACUSE WOMAN MAG.COM

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INSPIRE

LYNN ROBERTS CHAPMAN “Giving up was never an option!”

August Lindsey

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t two years old, Lynn Chapman’s life changed forever and a life-long lesson on how to love unconditionally began. On a September morning in 1959, her brother – Scott Alan Roberts – was born at Syracuse General Hospital. The otherwise healthy baby suffered a tragic brain injury at birth, the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck, cutting off critical oxygen during the birthing process.

With today’s standard diagnostic equipment, the tragedy would have been averted with Scott delivered by C-section.

From that day on, the lives of the family he was born into – a 31-yearold dad, 29-year-old mother, six- and four-year-old brothers and toddler Lynn - the only girl - were never the same.

Throughout the 1960s and into the 70s, our culture gave little thought nor consideration to people born with disabilities. In fact, the word “disability” was not even used – instead “crippled,” “spastic,” “retarded” “impaired,” and “handicapped” were the labels given on the rare occasions such discussions occurred at all. Those afflicted were primarily institutionalized, a recommendation given to Scott’s parents after the infant received an official diagnosis of cerebral palsy due to his extensive brain damage.

Lynn’s mom and dad chose not to send Scott away – he remained at home until February 14, 1969, leaving when he was nine years old. It is no exaggeration to say that Lynn never remembers a time up until her 11th year when the focus of the family household was not almost entirely on caring for Scott, who never developmentally progressed beyond a six-month old infant.

Looking back, she understands the strain the family was under, although she never knew any other home life.

“Scott had to be monitored 24/7/365, bathed, fed, diapers changed, teeth brushed and lulled to sleep. Each year he was growing bigger, progressing from toddler to a small boy, and with puberty only a couple of years away, a host of other challenges lay on the horizon,” Lynn recalls. At that time in the 1960s there were no outside resources available to help care for those in need, it was entirely up to the family. “Today, up to six hours of at-home care is provided by NY State, but not then,” she remembers. “It was all hands-on deck, but the main responsibility for Scott’s care fell on my mom, who stayed at home while my dad worked and we went to school.”

“My brothers and I all had our assigned tasks daily caring for Scott, and that increased during school vacations over the holidays and summer.

Occasionally sympathetic neighbors or family friends would volunteer to relieve family members,” Lynn recalls. “I’d go to visit girlfriends from school, hang out in their room or go for walks – it was a totally different experience than I was used to, and I found it tremendously exciting to have all that freedom, even for a few hours.”

“On the flip side, though, when I returned to home and checked in with Scott, seeing him stare back at me with his piercing blue eyes when I said hello and held his hand, I knew our connection was real – ‘he’ was in that broken body and you couldn’t help pouring out love for him because his presence was so pure, so open. But there is no question his care was a constant family commitment every minute, every hour of every day,” recalls Lynn.

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During the final four years that Scott remained at home, a new attempt was made to aid in his development with a series of physical exercises called “patterning” promoted by the Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential, based in Philadelphia. The theory was that the undamaged portions of Scott’s brain could be programmed to take over the tasks normally performed by the injured areas. This brought an even higher level of time commitment by the family, as the exercises had to be performed five times a day, six days a week by at least three people. “We were taught, especially from my mother, that giving up on Scott was never an option,” Lynn remembers. “She would enlist help from the neighbors, community groups, our church and others to fulfill the task, and, of course, us kids.

My dad was gung-ho in the beginning to try this new treatment, but eventually became totally disillusioned when little measurable developmental progress was made. This created a major rift between my parents.”

The rift eventually escalated, and the family fractured, Lynn’s dad filing for divorce and her mom suffering a nervous breakdown as the prospect of being unable to keep Scott at home became a reality. The only solution available was Scott’s admission to the NY State facility for custodial care in Rome, 45 minutes from Scott’s home in Liverpool. Lynn’s mom had to begin work full time out of the house, her dad remarried and moved to Florida with a new family. Ironically, it was not until decades later that Scott’s father saw him again, eventually accompanying Lynn for a visit after being stricken with Parkinson’s Disease and unable to make the trip on his own.

Looking back to the day she realized Scott had left, Lynn is still emotional; holding back tears as she recalls the experience: “It was Valentine’s Day, and I came home from school with a card I made for Scott – but his room was empty. As kids, we weren’t told he was going, it just happened. As heartbreaking as it was for us, I think now as an adult how traumatic it must have been for him – not understanding why his environment had changed with everything he had known up to that point different with no familiar faces, voices, routine. I can only imagine how scared he must have been, and alone.”

The process of giving a child to the custodial care of New York State is a delicate balance between the child becoming a ward of the State and the parent, if wishing to stay involved, the legal guardian. Lynn’s mom insisted on that designation and sought to advocate for Scott’s care as best she could from day one. She and her mother – Scott’s grandmother – drove weekly to visit Scott at Rome State School, usually accompanied by one of the children. The conditions at that time were not the best, residents were kept stationary either in beds or wheelchairs for much of the day, sometimes sedated more than necessary to aid in behavior compliance.

“My mom asked tough questions about Scott’s care with each weekly visit, monitoring everything from personal hygiene to prescribed drug doses, her legal guardianship granting her direct influence, which she passionately invoked. She was a great role model for me, as I would eventually share legal guardianship for Scott with her starting in 1984, and then take over completely when she passed in 2012,” Lynn states.

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The Roberts siblings clockwise from top; Lynn, Eric, Scott and Mark circa 1967.

Scott and his mother, Louise, in 2011; her last Mother's Day with him.

After graduating from Liverpool High School in 1975, Lynn went to Mohawk Valley Community College and received an associate degree in Human Services. “The actual degree included a ‘concentration in mental retardation’ – wording that is totally taboo today, but that’s what it was then,” Lynn muses. “While at MVCC, I interned at Rome Developmental Center, which had evolved from Rome State School, although I wasn’t allowed on Scott’s ward.” Lynn went on to earn her RN license from St. Joseph’s School of Nursing and recently retired as School Nurse at Liverpool High School.

Scott’s mom successfully petitioned the State in 1977 to move Scott to Syracuse Developmental Center so he could be closer to family.

In the meantime, New York State was gradually changing its approach to caring for challenged individuals. “The push was to leave the institutional setting behind in favor of an environment favoring resident ‘normalization’ – this eventually led to Scott leaving Syracuse Developmental Center in SYR ACUSE WOMAN MAGA ZI N E

The Roberts siblings clockwise from left; Lynn, Eric, Mark and Scott in 2021.

1994 for a NYS group home on a residential street in North Syracuse, equipped with facilities and personnel to care for up to five individuals.

It was here that Scott first met his roommate for the next two and a half decades – Danny Bracy, who is approximately the same age and shares the same developmental issues as Scott. “Over the years they have developed their own way of communicating and enjoying each other’s company,” states Lynn. “It’s so great!”

While there have been health scares over the years, Scott is still healthy at 62 years old and beloved by the staff at the residential home.

Scott’s family has expanded to nephews and nieces and great nephews and nieces, all of whom visit regularly.

“Scott is a reminder to all of us in the family that giving up is not an option, everyone deserves a good life... and he gives so much back. It really is unconditional two-way love... and what can be better than that?”

Lynn asks. SWM SYR ACUSE WOMAN MAG.COM

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UPCOMING EVENTS Friday June 3 to Saturday June 4

Taste of Syracuse

What: A legendary festival located in Syracuse, NY. Considered Syracuse’s “ kick off” of the summer, the Taste has been an annual festival for 25+ years. We celebrate local food, business, music and more in the heart of downtown Syracuse spanning from Clinton Square to the National Grid building.

Where: Downtown Syracuse When: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Saturday June 4

Liverpool Community Chorus: ‘Opening Up’

What: Back in full swing with its annual spring concert, “Opening Up,” the chorus is under the direction of Joseph Spado and accompanied by Gloria Card.

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: Liverpool High School Auditorium, Liverpool, NY Cost: General admission $12, seniors and students $10, kids 5 and under are free. To reserve advance tickets, call 315-715-8655.

Saturday June 4

Paige’s Butterfly Run

What: Held in conjunction with the Taste of Syracuse, this family-friendly run brings runners and walkers from across CNY to downtown Syracuse each year to participate in one of the region's premier 5K USATF certified races. The event raises money to fund local pediatric cancer research and patient programs at Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital. Also includes 3K fitness run/walk, 5K Centipede Team Division and a Caterpillar crawl for kids under 5 years old.

When: 7 a.m. to noon Where: James M. Hanley Federal Building, Syracuse Info: https://runsignup.com/pbr2022?t=1653072306

Saturday June 11 & Sunday June 12

CNY Fiber Arts Festival

What: A family-friendly festival featuring fiber animals (sheep, alpacas, goats, rabbits) and fiber arts.

Demonstrations of spinning, weaving, dyeing, and sheep shearing, activities for children.

Over 100 vendor booths under cover with unique homemade articles from natural fibers, photographs,and other farm products. Fleece sale, weaving competition, wheel corral and storybook loom for visitor participation. Nationally-recognized speakers in free lectures on knitting sustainably and textiles in history. Register for workshops in drop-spindle art yarn or ergonomics for fiber arts, among others. Music and great food complete the picture in an accessible rural setting only 40 minutes from Syracuse. Please, no dogs.

When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: Butternut Hill Campground, Route 20, Bouckville

Thursday June 16 – Saturday June 18

New York State Blues Festival

What: One of the largest free blues events in the Northeast.

This annual three-day musical celebration showcases a collection of regional and national artists from multiple genres. The mission of the NYS Blues Festival is to preserve, protect and promote blues music and culture.

When: Performances start at 5 p.m. Thursday, 4 p.m. Friday and 1 p.m. Saturday Where: Chevy Court, New York State Fairgrounds Info: https://www.nysbluesfest.com/

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Inducted into Girl Scouts Hall of Fame

Susan Swanson of Syracuse and Marcia Oney of Chase Mills were recently named to the Girl Scouts Hall of Fame by the NYPENN Pathways Council.

Swanson has been a Girl Scout for over 40 years and came to the GSNYPENN council by way of Georgia. She has held a variety of roles across several councils and with Girl Scouts of the USA. She is currently active and lends her time, dedication and many talents to GSNYPENN’s Alum Relations and History & Archives committees.

Swanson has helped organize and contributed materials for alum gatherings and the curation of historical exhibits for council events.

A Girl Scout for 65 years, Oney began her volunteer career with Thousand Islands Girl Scout legacy council and continues at GSNYPENN. For more than 50 years, she’s shared her time, energy, and skills as a dedicated and responsive volunteer with lasting impact.

She’s served as a troop and Service Unit leader, board member, day camp and encampment director, new leader mentor, adult learning facilitator, council delegate and all-around leader.

JU N E 2022

Honored by SUNY Oswego

Fayetteville’s Jean Palkowski Edminster is the 2022 winner of the Community Service Award from the Oswego Alumni Association.

She will receive the award during Reunion Weekend, June 9 to 12, at SUNY Oswego.

Following her retirement from North Syracuse School District in 2003, Edminster, SUNY Oswego class of 1970, has remained a highly active member of her community. Through her acts of volunteerism and support for not-for-profit organizations like the Everson Museum, Zonta and Symphoria, she has shown an undying commitment to children, women, veterans, refugees and the arts. Edminster’s work with the Greater Manlius Chamber of Commerce has also supported many charitable organizations in the Central New York region.

Through her volunteer work, Edminster has worked in a variety of roles, having served as a fundraiser for Everson and Symphoria, as well as helping organize events and working hands-on roles. She also supports the Women’s Opportunity Center of Onondaga and Tompkins Counties, where she donates professional clothing for women seeking jobs without the means to dress well.

Jean earned a bachelor’s in elementary education and French from SUNY Oswego. Her love of music was always apparent through her teachings, as she loved bringing in her guitar and singing with her students.

Edminster will receive the award during the Golden Alumni Society Reception and Luncheon from 12:30 – 3 p.m. on June 11 in the Deborah F. Stanley Arena and Convocation Hall in the Marano Campus Center.

Caz College professor earns award

Karen Steen, a professor of fashion studies and program director for fashion design at Cazenovia College, has been awarded the Ellen Swallow Richards Award for the Central New York Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Educations. The award is given to honor the founder of Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS).

Steen has supported local and state FCS programs for over 30 years.

Her contributions to students and teachers across New York include developing articulation agreements and relationships between Cazenovia College, and high schools and BOCES to support the NYS FCS student learning objectives in clothing and textiles, clothing production and fashion industry practices. Steen provides substantial support both in and out of the classroom, including development of classroom resources, curricula and assessment tools. She has coordinated with colleagues to provide on-campus tours, backstage tours at the College’s annual fashion show as well as assisting with FCS teacher professional development.

“Karen is well deserving of this award,” noted Kim Waale, division chair, Art & Design. “She is committed to utilizing her academic and technical expertise to reach into the community and empower individuals and provide them with career opportunities.”

Steen holds a bachelor of science in clothing design from Cornell University and a master's in vocational education from SUNY Oswego.

Joins Loretto as employee coach

Eleanor Williams, formerly a social worker for Onondaga County, was recently hired as an employee coach by Loretto. During a time when recruiting and retaining employees is challenging for the healthcare sector nationwide, Eleanor will be instrumental in guiding and mentoring a new generation of frontline workers.

Williams will work closely with new hires as well as existing employees to ensure each individual can find and access the appropriate resources to succeed in a career in long-term care. Different from a traditional management coach, Eleanor’s primary focus is to work with new hires to help them smoothly transition into their new roles and guide them through challenges as new employees in the long-term care sector. For many new hires, this is their first professional role in healthcare, and this group of new professionals' benefits from not only career coaching, but assistance on a wide range of matters.

Prior to joining Loretto, Williams spent more than a decade working in social services for Onondaga County first as a social service examiner and later as a caseworker. Most recently, Williams served as a child protective caseworker where she investigated case reports on behalf of clients, analysis of cases and directed clients to appropriate resources.

Williams holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Syracuse University.

She is currently working towards a master’s degree in social work – also at Syracuse University – and is anticipated to graduate in May 2024. She resides in Clay.

“I am excited to join Loretto and am grateful for this opportunity to continue to help people in our community,” said Williams, employee coach at Loretto. “I look forward to making a positive impact on all our employees and help them thrive both professionally and personally.”

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