BEAT THE HEAT

BY ANNA TSEKOS

Summer is here, and this school’s kids have reasons to be excited. But we have to stay safe over the course of this fun break. Summer safety includes but is not limited to protecting your skin, eyes, teeth, and ears. It also includes staying hydrated.

Skin

Putting on sunscreen can protect your skin from sunburn. Sunscreen is very important for preventing skin cancer. You also have to protect your skin from bug bites and stings. If you get one, do not scratch. It can lead to infection. Putting on insect repellent can prevent bites.

“Put on bug spray before going outside, wear close-toed shoes, and check the ground while walking,” Remy Bourgeois, a first grader, and her mother shared. Remy knows from experience. She lay in a fire ant pile during a hideand-seek game when she was a preschooler.

Eyes

Wear sunglasses! No, I mean it. According to my.clevelandclinic.org, staring directly into the sun can increase the risk of photokeratitis, an eye disease. The same website shares that photokeratitis is a condition that occurs following unprotected exposure to ultraviolet radiation and causes blurry vision, pain, watery eyes, and light sensitivity. Also, if you realize that you are losing your vision, becoming near or farsighted, tell an adult as soon as possible.

Teeth

Like it or not, dental health is important unless you want to end up with green teeth. Brushing reduces the risk of cavities, gum disease, and more. Make sure you brush correctly. Ask your dentist for tips. Do not forget to brush two times a day even if it is a break from school.

Staying hydrated is very important.

EARS

You might want to go to a big party or concert during the summer break. That is okay. But think about it. The loud noises can destroy delicate cells in your ears, causing hearing problems. Symptoms of hearing problems are ringing, whistling, clicking, or roaring in your ears. Wearing ear protection can save you from getting tinnitus, the result of such damage.

HYDRATION

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Water hydrates your body, bringing nutrients and minerals to your muscles. In high heat, you might find yourself craving water even more. Make sure to hydrate multiple times a day. Staying hydrated helps you stay active.

Of course, staying hydrated can become a little overwhelming. So, to avoid too many stops for water, stay out of the direct sun.

“Stay in the shade and stay hydrated as best you can. If there is no shade, then wear your shade - hats, sunglasses, lightweight long sleeves,” said a Roberts mom and personal trainer, Martha Gau.

Have fun this summer and stay safe!

People with Angelman Syndrome usually have speech impairments, ataxia, which is problems with balance and movement, or delayed development. National Organization of Rare Diseases reports that 1 in 12,000 to 20,000 people live with Angelman Syndrome.

My Aunt Bonnie talked to me about her daughter, who lived with Angelman Syndrome, being late with milestones and not talking, except for squeals and laughs. Angelman Syndrome also impacts the family members who help to care for their loved one with the syndrome.

A caretaker who helps someone with Angelman Syndrome should do things that make that person happy, like play with them or tell jokes, or just laugh even though, according to Psychology Today, “research papers commonly list a ‘happy demeanor’ as a core trait of the condition.

The Discovery And Research Of Angelman Syndrome

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, in 1965, Harry Angelman discovered the Angelman Syndrome. When I interviewed Bonnie, she said that before the condition was called Angelman Syndrome, it was named Happy Puppet Syndrome.

“Clinical research uses human volunteers to help researchers learn more about a disorder and perhaps find better ways to safely detect, treat, or prevent disease,” the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke says.

Our community neighbor, Texas Children’s Hospital, continues to conduct research on Angelman Syndrome.

If you want to help those who have a loved one with Angelman Syndrome, you can donate to charities that help, like The Angelman Syndrome Foundation. Also, if you meet someone with Angelman Syndrome, treat them exactly like a normal friend.