Be a Great Health Advocate for You and Your Family

BY KAREN COOPER

Sometimes seeking medical care for yourself or a loved one can feel overwhelming. There are many caring, wonderful medical professionals out there, but medicine has also become a big business and experiences can often seem more transactional than personal. It’s so important to be prepared to be a health advocate for yourself and those you love. Being a health advocate means taking charge of your and your loved ones’ wellness. The world of medicine may be intimidating, but armed with the tools to advocate for yourself, you are guaranteed to feel more empowered. Here are some simple ways to start.

Start with the Appointment

Think about what you want from your appointment. Do you need a general wellness check or is there a specific problem you want to talk about? Which medical professional is the right one to see? Sit down and write out why you’re going to visit your healthcare professional. What symptoms are you having? Any pain? Where is it? What, if anything, have you done to treat it? Most importantly, what are you willing to do to improve your health? The more information you give your caregiver, the more easily he/she will be able to figure out what the issue is and what treatment options there may be.

Come Prepared

The more preparation you do prior to your visit with a Doctor, Nurse Practitioner, PA or other medical professional, the better. While you may not always feel well enough to do a Google search or read in your medical book, it can pay off in the long run, especially if you have a chronic condition or previously diagnosed illness. Understanding as much as possible about your specific illness or problem can make the visit go more smoothly and you will feel more confident in answering questions and asking for what you need. You may also want to take the time to understand what your health insurance will pay and what out-of-pocket costs you will incur.

Bring your Questions

You should always feel comfortable asking your medical provider questions! It’s best to make a list of questions prior to the visit, so you will not forget anything. Office visits can go quickly. Healthcare professionals are most often in a hurry and being armed with your questions ensures you will get all the answers you came for. If you ever find your provider is too rushed or unwilling to answer your questions, never be afraid to explore other options by finding someone who will take more time with you. Keep your Records

Maintaining your own records is easier than ever, now in the digital age. If you’ve ever switched medical providers, or seen a specialist, keeping your own records will ensure nothing gets lost in the shuffle. In addition, seeing that you’ve taken the time to compile your own medical records shows any medical professional that you are invested in your health. You should also review your medical bills closely. Many medical bills contain errors and the only way to find them is to keep an eagle eye on them and call the billing department if there is something that doesn’t seem correct or that you don’t understand.

Get a Second Opinion

According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, as many as one in twenty people can be victims of outpatient diagnostic errors and nearly everyone will be misdiagnosed at some point in their lives. Even if you’re comfortable with the diagnosis you’ve received, staying informed is the most important tool you will have. A good provider will welcome confirmation of their diagnosis and would not discourage their patient from learning more. You should get a second opinion if you are not feeling confident about a diagnosis or treatment plan.

Phone a Friend

Don’t be afraid to call for backup if you are feeling overwhelmed. A scary diagnosis, invasive tests, lengthy hospital stays or even a long drive to a clinic can all make us feel scared. Sometimes you are enough of an advocate for yourself and sometimes you need to call in the troops to help advocate for you. Having a person who is well-informed about your special situation will give you an additional resource for questions and answers, as well as provide you with more confidence to advocate for yourself.

Alzheimer’s Walk

5 Ways to Honor National Native American Heritage Month

BY MEGAN TAYLOR

Hispanic Heritage Month is held from September 15th to October 15th and Black History Month is observed during February, but did you know there is also a month honoring Native Americans? Throughout the 30 days of November, the cultures, traditions, histories and contributions of Native people are celebrated. Also known as Native American Heritage Month, American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month and National American Indian Heritage Month, this event dates back to the early 1900s. Dr. Arthur C. Parker, a Seneca Indian, persuaded the Boy Scouts of America to start a day for the “First Americans.” This event lasted for three years until 1915 when the Congress of the American Indian Association met and called for an annual American Indian Day. The association’s president, Rev. Sherman Coolidge issued a proclamation in September of that year and declared the second Saturday of May as American Indian Day. This declaration became the first formal recognition of Native Americans as citizens of the United States. A year later, in 1916, the governor of New York made the second Saturday in May also American Indian Day. Other states followed suit, but decided to celebrate the event as the fourth Friday in September. In 1986, President Ronald Reagan created the week-long celebration from November 23rd to 30th as American Indian Week. It wasn’t until 1990 when President George H.W. Bush approved a resolution that designated the month of November to be National American Indian Heritage Month. Today, this month is packed full of events and commemorations. Here are some ways you and your family can honor National Native American Heritage Month. 1. Visit a reservation or museum. Throughout the

United States, there are about 56.2 million acres of land and 326 reservations for various Indian tribes and individuals. While reservations are not tourist

attractions due to being the home for tribes and communities, many do welcome visitors and have museums for the public. One you can visit without traveling too far is Cherokee in the mountains of NC. The Museum of the Cherokee Indian has exhibits for all ages and hosts cultural events. 2. Read books and pieces of literature by Native

American authors. No matter how old you are, diversifying your books every now and then is a key thing to do in order to learn more about those around you. Spend some time this month reading some work by Native American authors. For adults,

Tommy Orange, Louise Erdrich, Stephen Graham

Jones and Joy Harjo are good choices. For children, try the writings of Debbie Reese, Joseph Bruchac and Monique Gray Smith. 3. Research Native American art. While immersing yourself in books, don’t forget to learn about Native

American art. American Indian artwork is created to honor one’s family and tribal ancestry. As you are researching and looking at pieces, be sure to gather information about the artist and the item’s meaning. If you are purchasing a piece, also learn about its history. 4. Support a Native-owned business or brand. While supporting locally owned businesses, also consider supporting Native-owned businesses and brands.

The money spent at these businesses helps their economic communities and social causes. A quick search online will show what companies are in your vicinity. You can also consider sending a donation to charities that aid Native communities and causes. 5. Learn about Native American Culture. One of the biggest things you can do during this month is to educate yourself and your family about the diversity of Native cultures, Native Americans and Indigenous people throughout the world.

In the United States, there are 574 federally recognized tribes with rich cultures, languages and customs. For North Carolina, we are home to eight recognized tribes – the Coharie, the Eastern

Band of Cherokee Indians, the Haliwa-Saponi, the

Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, the Meherrin, the Sappony, the Occanecci Band of the Saponi

Nation and the Waccamaw Siouan. By familiarizing yourself with their culture and way of life, you may just be surprised by how much you can learn about

Native Americans, their cultures, accomplishments and contributions that you may not have known about before. National Native American Heritage Month is here. Let’s make it our goal to honor Native Americans and their heritage in multiple ways throughout the month of November.

What Three Counselors (and Moms) Want You to Know

BY PRISCILLA ST. JOHN

Three women gather in a welcoming office overlooking the pond on Forsyth Country Day Schools’ campus. They are the school’s dedicated counselors who together serve the needs of students from age 2 through grade 12. They’re also moms. Meet Upper School Counselor Dr. Melissa Mann-Bailey, Middle School Counselor Mrs. Jenifer Gornik, and Lower School Counselor Mrs. Megan Martin-Wall. Pour yourself a cup of coffee or tea and settle in for a chat. “Building relationships with kids comes down to two things: connection and communication,” Mrs. Martin-Wall says. Here’s how to do both more effectively.

Knock Down the Barriers

“When you’re talking to your children, never stand over them. Be considerate of their physical space,” Dr. Mann-Bailey says. If you’re behind a desk or counter, move so that you are next to them. “Let there be no physical barriers. Talk to them eye to eye, heart to heart, soul to soul. It’s authentic and it lets you meet them where they are.”

Ditch the Distractions

We’re always telling our kids to put down their phones or to turn off the Xbox, but we need to practice what we preach. “Put your phone down. Turn the TV off. Be present. Don’t even do other business, like folding laundry,” Dr. MannBailey says. Mrs. Gornik agrees. “If you’re in the middle of something and your child needs to talk, say, ‘I care about what you have to say and want to be able to listen fully to what’s on your mind. Just give me a moment to finish this and I’m all yours’.” “If you’re in the car, turn the radio off and be fully present,” Mrs. Martin-Wall says.

Make the Time

We live in a world of perpetual busyness, and we need to make the time to build our relationships with our loved ones. Mrs. Martin-Wall advocates stealing a little time. “Skip the carpool every now and then in order to be alone with your child,” she says. “A little one-on-one time does wonders.” “Figure out creative ways to build relationships with your children,” Dr. Mann-Bailey says. “Hone in on who they are. If they like cooking, cook together and talk together. Take them for a walk. It’s another way to let them see you in a different light.”

Be Vulnerable

For older elementary-school students on up, don’t feel the need to be “perfect” in front of them or to maintain the facade that you have it all together - especially during a pandemic. “As parents, we need to be able to identify our own emotions,” Dr. Mann-Bailey says. “Children can pick up on those emotions, so give yourself some grace.” Mrs. Gornik agrees. “We want kids to share, so we can be an example of that. Model what you want them to do, which is communicate openly with you and other adults in their lives. We all make mistakes; they are opportunities for learning and growth.”

Provide a Safe Space

In order to get your children to connect and communicate, you have to give them a safe space to do so.

“Just listen,” Mrs. Martin-Wall says. “Don’t minimize or dismiss what they’re saying with something like: ‘You’ll be fine. Don’t worry about it.’ It minimizes what they are feeling. Just reflect on what you’re hearing. You can then say, ‘I’m sorry that happened. How can I help you?’” “Let them know it’s OK not to be OK,” Mrs. Gornik says. “We don’t have to fix it. We don’t have to make them happy in that moment or give them all that they want. It’s OK to feel uncomfortable.” Dr. Mann-Bailey wants you to pay close attention to what your child yearns for. “Listen to what their aspirations are and lean into that more,” she says. “It’s so beneficial.” In order to keep the space safe and build trust between you and your child, respect your child’s privacy. “Keep things confidential,” Dr. Mann-Bailey says. “Don’t tell the whole family what your child told you. They trusted you. Get their permission if you want to tell anyone else.”

Build Your Network

Part of helping your child grow up in a healthy way means building a team of caring adults who can offer help and support if needed - especially during a stressful time like the pandemic. Your pediatrician, school counselors, teachers, and coaches are great examples of this. “You can help kids communicate their feelings and find their voices to talk to the adults in their lives who care,” Dr. Mann-Bailey says. “Parents and schools and coaches can be the bridge. Notice what’s going on with your kids, pay attention, and be there for them.” At Forsyth Country Day School, partnering with parents to build better relationships makes our community stronger. If your child would benefit from an educational experience that values meaningful connections and meeting children where they are, please visit FCDS.org to learn more or call Nathan Battle at 336.946.1633 to schedule your tour today.

Forsyth Country Day School

Our forward-thinking approach to learning fosters curiosity, develops talents and interests, and builds confidence to prepare students for what's ahead! Schedule FCDSYour Tour Today!

FCDS.org l 336.945.3151

The open forum of a marketplace provides a refreshing getaway from shopping aisles. Each venue offers a unique setting that may include activities for children, live entertainment, and an array of foods. The curious shopper discovers she has direct access to fresh and locally grown fruits, herbs, flowers, and vegetables, dairy-based products, proteins, homemade goodies, and artisan-based, handmade crafts. In addition, the welcoming man or woman behind the table provides a small sampling of popular items. Whether you are a first-timer or repeat customer, take the time to introduce yourself, ask questions, and inquire if owners receive visitors or have a farm store. Most likely, the answer is “Yes” or “It’s coming soon!”

Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Market

Turning into the parking lot off 27th Street brings to mind a festival or fair of fun and unexpected encounters! Locals arrive Saturday mornings between 6:00 AM and 1:00 PM with the same expectation of excitement. The WinstonSalem Fairgrounds Market, the oldest farmer’s market in town, continues to host a variety of vendors who are passionate about their products, offering quality and personalized customer service. You’ll find both homegrown and handmade products. Perhaps you are already part of the Saura Creek Farm 10-month Box Program and receive a weekly supply of produce, or purchase fresh trout twice annually. If so, you already know Sumpter and Madison Smith, first-generation no-till regenerative farmers running a four-acre bio-intensive vegetable farm in Westfield, with a large-scale aquaponics system.

Meeting Sumpter and Madison Smith

Approaching the tables promoting Saura Creek Farms, SCF, you’ll meet a passionate couple who define why smallscale farming is profitable and promotes an active lifestyle. Together, they traveled in search of the perfect state to grow fruits and vegetables. Colorado? Montana? Yet, they found a diverse climate of flora and fauna in northern North Carolina while having ten-mile access to walking and hiking trails, rock climbing, horseback riding, the river, and Saura creek! Madison says, “I walk our land, bending, stretching, pulling weeds, and getting my hands in the soil. We’re living the best life, preserving and connecting with the natural land.”

Saura Creek Farm

Complementing the fields of fruits and vegetables is an impressive closed-loop aquaponics system, which uses geothermal and hydroelectric energy to maintain fragile temperatures. In their elongated water-based grow beds, lettuce varieties, such as oak leaf, buttercrunch, and spinach, thrive, maturing two to three weeks earlier in summer and five weeks during the winter season. Fish waste is the reason for each plant’s nutrients and success! Every six months, a new batch of fingerling trout begin the cycle in a selfsufficient operation. Sumpter seeks to assimilate his trouts’ feeding regime by raising their natural proteins found in the wild, such as mealworms, crickets, and other insects.

Fresh Fish

As pollution enters the streams, rivers, and oceans, fish consume levels of mercury through a process of bioaccumulation. On the other hand, trout raised in an aquaponics tank until mature have “mercury-free, hormone-free, antibiotic-free, and radiation-free” labeling. Twice annually, SCF offers an open invitation to purchase their mature, fattened trout, in early October and May. It’s an opportunity you don’t want to miss! Don’t wait! E-mail SCF today!

A Produce Box and Deliveries

Madison writes, “Our weekly Box Program is an easy way to bring fresh, nutrient-dense seasonal vegetables to your home! And, the offering changes almost weekly throughout the seasons.” Boxes come in two sizes, depending on a family’s size and personal needs. SCF offers flexibility to weekly orders, offering customers the chance to view online and select additional items. Our order window opens every Monday at 8 AM and closes each Friday at 5 PM. Our prepay system is safe and reliable, as easy as online grocery shopping!” Each order is hand-washed and packed, ready for a scheduled pick-up at one of three locations—Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and King.

Thanksgiving

In need of fresh produce before Thanksgiving? Saura Creek Farm delivers! Just imagine adding homegrown arugula, baby kale, beets, broccoli, carrots, microgreens, onions, and Swiss chard to your favorite holiday recipes! Sumpter and Madison will drive boxed goodies to your home for free, up to 25 miles from the farm. Reach out to www.sauracreekfarm.com and sign up!

Saura Creek Farm offers volunteer and tour dates for visitations. Check the website for available dates!

Presents

Saura Creek Farm