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gwinnett Est. 1988 Covering Norcross, Lilburn, Peachtree Corners, Duluth, Berkeley Lake
Vol. 30 No. 6
IMPACT
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Shhhh. Don’t touch me. That itches. Do you smell that?—Sensory Processing Disorder. By Carla W. Youmans GwinnettCitizen.com Everyday Matters because Every Day Matters
Favorite summer treats page 4
Servant Leadership page 12
This story is one that is close to my heart, supported with much research, and extremely personal. While I am not a doctor, I have lived the journey of Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) in the most intimate way when our son, Charlie (our only and miracle child) was diagnosed in Kindergarten. As an educator (and nerd), I research everything. Being informed in doctor’s appointments so that we are a team is key to me. I have been asked to share my knowledge at various events, with parent groups, and even with schools. The Youmans’ family exposure to SPD began with Charlie’s pediatrician checking his toe-walking after his 3 year old pre-school teacher at our church made a comment
in his conference that she noticed Charlie never walked flat-footed— he always walked on his toes. As first time parents, we thought, “Is that a big deal?” Ms. Sue just suggested that his toe-walking might need to be explored. We scheduled an appointment with our pediatrician. The decision was to watch and see if Charlie would outgrow this with some constant reminders to “go flat” and physical therapy/ stretching of his Achilles. At 5 years of age, it hurt for Charlie to walk and run. He could not put his feet flat. When asked to stand flat to be measured for his height, he couldn’t. We were sent to an orthopedic specialist at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and to more physical therapy. It was at this visit that things changed for our family. The physical therapist who became a part of our life for
See SENSORY on Page 14
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Figure 1 Photo Credit given to www.thesensoryspectrum.com
Rudolph Smith celebrates The village is changing 20 years with the City of Norcross By Carole Townsend GwinnettCitizen.com
By Staff Reports
Teens today
JUNE 2018
www.gwinnettcitizen.com
The City of Norcross is proud to have celebrated 20 years with City Manager Rudolph Smith on June 3rd! Rudolph, a Berrien County-native from Alapaha, Georgia, has been a vital and key component in many business deals, marketing tactics and finance projects over the years. Through his time with the city he has played various roles and in each he excelled greatly, not only accomplishing the city’s goals but exceeding their expectations every time. We are honored and proud to have him in our service and on our staff for so long and wish him all the best in his future with Norcross. Rudolph Smith first joined the City of Norcross in 1998 and was promoted to the City Manager position in November of 2008. He earned a degree in Accounting and Business Administration from the Abraham Baldwin College in Tifton back in 1980. Rudolph began his governSpecial Photo mental career in the City of AlapaNorcross City Manager Rudolph Smith ha, Georgia where he served for 18 has been a vital and key component in years in different positions including many business deals, marketing tactics Grant Administrator, City Clerk and and finance projects over the years on behalf of the City of Norcross.
See RUDOLPH on page 18
There’s an old African proverb that claims, “It takes a village to raise a child.” The proverb is often attributed to Hillary Clinton’s 1996 book titled It Takes a Village, but Clinton actually borrowed the phrase and the concept from the African continent. The wise claim is expressed in several different languages there, and while the premise seems perfectly clear on the surface, some have put forth the idea that Clinton meant that the state can raise your child better than you can. That’s a conversation for another day. Personally, I prefer to believe that the African people and (hopefully) Ms. Clinton mean to say that the upbringing of a child is done best when the entire village (community) participates. In that context, I agree 100 percent. When children are raised in a family but also as integral and important members of a community, I believe that they grow up to be adults who care about their communities. I also believe that the proverb means that, if parents aren’t around, the people of the “village” have a responsibility to step in and redirect a child who might be wandering off the straight and narrow path.
Special Photo
Carole Townsend
At least, that’s what I believe would happen in a perfect world. I’ll give you an example. When our youngest daughter was about 12 or 13 years old – that age at which a child yearns for some independence and a parent reluctantly doles it out in small portions – she invited some friends for a sleepover. We have a swimming pool (for this very reason), and anytime the kids had friends over, they often hung around outside well into the night. On this particular evening, our daughter and her friends decided they’d walk up to the neighborhood grocery store. I have no idea why they decided that, and no idea what they intended to buy once
See
VILLAGE on page 16