Healthy Horizons

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Magazine & Wellness Resource Guide

Nick’s Kids: The Foundation That Keeps On Giving

Proudly Serving Tuscaloosa & Surrounding Areas

2009 Edition

Understanding

Sleep & Vascular Disorders

by James D. Geyer, M.D., FAASM

Page 51

by Creg Stephenson

Page 5

!

NEW y Kids,

Health y Focus nit Commu & Family h and Fait ions!

Sect

Also inside Uncovering AD/HD in Children • Crossword Puzzle • Visit the Paul W. Bryant Museum

No matter who you are, we have a healthcare plan that fits you.

If you need health insurance, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama has just the coverage you’re looking for. Our plans for individuals, seniors, families and businesses are all affordable, easy to understand and designed to fit budgets and lifestyles of all kinds. And they’re backed by the company that has been serving Alabamians for over 70 years. For today and for the future, turn to the one you know and trust – Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama.

Call 1 877 293-1850 or go to bcbsal.com today for more information.

More than traditional healthcare – It Is...

HOPE – and more;

Providing SOLUTIONS for difficult times when hope is in question;

BEING CLOSE in a time of fear; A FRIEND with time to share;

LAUGHTER in the midst of tears; DIGNITY; HUMANITY; What we are CALLED to do.

205-523-0101 • Toll-Free 1-877-362-7522 www.hospiceofwestalabama.com

Inside this issue

Departments continued...

3 Hospice of West Alabama 4 Staying Fit After 40 4 BCBS of Alabama: Be Healthy & Be Happy 9 J.W. Sommer Rehabilitation 7 Amedisys: The Truth about Falls 8 University Oral & Facial Surgery, P.C.: Dental Implants 9 Norris Limb & Brace 11 Stuart D. Albea: The Power to Plan 20 Living with Alzheimers 21 The Smile Design Center: Dental Health 23 DCH Home Health Care Agency 29 NorthStar Paramedic Services 48 Promoting Prevention 50 Always There In-Home Care 51 Sleep & Vascular Disorders 52 Depression Hurts 53 UMC: College’s Health Service Library

Departments Feature Faces

5 Nick’s Kids: The Foundation That Keeps on Giving

Healthy Kids

12 Stuart D. Albea: Are You Prepared?

12 The Smile Design Center: Dentistry for Children 13 Uncovering AD/HD 14 Children’s Hospital: ‘Mommy I Saw Jesus’ 16 Helping Children Manage Their Anger 16 Helping Kids Be Kids 17 Dr. Riley Austin: A Child’s Eyes & Eye Exams 18 Nick’s Kids: Photo Album

Faith & Family

24 Dealing with Depression 25 Just Plain Honesty 25 Passing it On… 26 Marriage Maintenance 27 Security in Difficult Times 27 Just for Laughs

Community Focus

30 Greater Tuscaloosa Convention & Visitors Bureau 30 The First Tee at Ol’ Colony Golf 31 PARA Helps Teach Kids How to Swim 32 PARA’s Youth Tackle Football 33 PARA Goes Fishing 33 Pedestrian Safety 34 Big Oak Ranch 35 Learning for the Fun of It 36 Get Moving in Your National Forest 38 West Alabama Aids Outreach 39 Tuscaloosa Fire & Rescue Service 40 Joy to Life Foundation 42 Paul W. Bryant Museum 44 Crimson Tide Bass Anglers 47 Dr. Robert Bentley

Fun & Games

54 Crossword Puzzle 54 Memorable Moments 55 Word Search

Wellness resource guide 57 Emergency Numbers Directory 58 Wellness Directory 62 Helpful Numbers Directory

Welcome letter from our publishers

Staff & Credits

“Healthy Horizons” is quickly moving to its fifth year of publication. You, the maturing public, and our loyal advertisers are responsible for this wonderful growth. The very fact that you continue to tell us how much you enjoy and use the magazine is the greatest reward we receive for our meager efforts. Many of our readers have indicated that each issue is “a keeper” because of the Wellness Resource Guide and that the local advertisements are being used to help you solve the search for specific needs.

That, our friends, is another reward for us! The continuing goal of Healthy Horizons is to be useful to our senior citizens by providing them with information useful to them in their golden years. With this issue we trust that you will find that our continuing purpose of always improving our publication is being achieved. We believe this issue is the best of all. Thank you for using us to make your lives better by continuing to strive for Healthy Horizons.

May the Lord’s richest blessings rest on you and yours!

Publishers

Sales Executive

Mark Helms mhelms@cableone.net

D.H. Hunt dhum@cableone.net

Kim Helms

Executive Assistant

Art Direction

Jenny Cane jencain@cableone.net

Hodges Design Jason Hodges jhodges0512@charter.net

Contributing Writers Billy Helms, PhD Kimberly D. Helms, RN, MSN Jeff Speegle, ABC 33/40 Richard O’ Connor, Minister

Contact Us For advertising information or to request additonal copies of Healthy Horizons Magazine call 256.235.1955 or visit us online at healthyhmag.com

Customer Service Becki Stevens

beckistevenshealthyhorizons@gmail.com

Circulation David Ward

Healthy COMMUNITY WELLNESS GUIDE

P.O. Box 81 Choccolocco, AL 36254 Office: 256.235.1955 Fax: 256.235.1935 Online: healthyhmag.com

© 2009 by Healthy Horizons Magazine. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reprinted and reproduced, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing. Healthy Horizons is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. It is available in selected stores, physician offices, wellness centers, assisted living centers, hospitals and rehab centers. Please call for a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business.

Hospice of West Alabama

In Tuscaloosa, words like Tradition, Excel­lence, and Dedication are commonplace. In fact, they are often synonymous with an un­compromising commitment to being the best.

Hospice of West Alabama embraces those same ideals, and that’s why for more than a quarter of a century terminally-ill patients and their families in Tuscaloosa, Pickens, Bibb, Hale and Greene Counties have benefited from the highest quality of end-of-life medical care and support available in West Alabama. Hanging its hat on home care since 1982, Hospice of West Alabama (HOWA) has grown from a volunteer service based out of two Sunday School rooms in a local church to a 501 (c)(3) non-profit agency that is a part of the United Way and that operates with an annual budget of more than $5 million.

For many years, HOWA was the only provider of hospice services in the West Ala­bama community. But much has changed in recent years in regards to hospice care, and now there are multiple providers of services in almost every community in the country. Most hospice providers have a lot in common. However, there are some very important differences to understand in order to make sure a loved one receives the best care possible.

See our ad on the facing inside front cover.

Above and Beyond One major factor that distinguishes HOWA from most other providers in the area is its accreditation status. Because accreditation from a national accrediting organization such as The Joint Commission is optional for hospice services, most agencies have not submitted to this rigorous examination of the care they provide.

HOWA has been accred­ited by The Joint Commission since 1997 and was the first community based hospice provider in Alabama to earn this status. The Joint Commission is widely regarded as the Gold Standard for health care, and this ac­creditation reflects HOWA’s desire to extend far beyond the basic requirements for hos­pice care to ensure that all of the agency’s patients receive the highest level of safe and effective care.

What Does It Profit?

Another characteristic that differentiates HOWA from other providers is its non-profit status. Why does that matter? Being a nonprofit business enables the hospice to provide more and better care for several reasons. First, the non-profit hospice enjoys financial support from the community, as a United Way agency, and from other desig­nated gifts. These funds can then be used to provide many “extras” for the patient, such as specialized hospital beds, increased nursing care, in-home respite care, and extra homemaker services. The community

gifts also enable HOWA to provide care to indi­ viduals who have no health insurance.

An additional advantage of the non-profit status is that the agency’s resources are not taxed, leaving more of the resources avail­able for patient care. Plus, with a non-profit business, there is no requirement to “make a profit” for investors or owners, again allowing for the total commitment of resources to be utilized for patient/family care.

One of a Kind Along with the provision of home care for more than 27 years, HOWA also offers the only free-standing inpatient hospice facility in West Alabama. Located on the campus of the Tuscaloosa Veterans Affairs Medical Center, the $5 million, 10-bed inpatient unit has en­abled HOWA’s experienced staff to care for thousands of patients since it opened in 2004. Designed to be more like home than the sterile, medical environment of the hospi­tal, the facility boasts features such as a family kitchen, beauty salon, rooms with adjoining screened porches, outdoor patios, family rooms with fireplaces and a gazebo and foun­tain in a courtyard maintained by volunteers. The facility also offers a community room available for meetings of civic, church, social clubs, etc. In 2006 the house was named the Helen H. Hahn House, through a gift made in her honor by her family.

“Along with the provision of home care for more than 27 years, HOWA also offers the only free-standing inpatient hospice facility in West Alabama.”

A Ray of Hope Although physical care is a large component of HOWA’s comprehensive services, ad­dressing the emotional and spiritual needs of patients and families is also of the utmost importance.

That is why HOWA offers The Sunrise Center, a facility designed to provide grief support and counseling services to all of West Alabama.

Staffed with a full-time be­reavement counselor, The Sunrise Center is located less than 200 yards from the main of­fices. The main floor of the three-story center houses the agencyís monthly bereavement support and specialized grief support groups for adults and children.

On the second floor three bedrooms are available for short-term stays by family members of patients, and the third is a dedicated area for children and teen grief support services.

The experience and continuity of the lead­ ership and staff of Hospice of West Alabama distinguishes the agency from some newly established hospice providers. Dr. George Miller has served as the Medical Director for 25 years and is a founding member of the American Academy of Hospice & Palliative Care Physicians. The Executive Director, Latrelle Bell, has worked at HOWA for more than a decade. The staff of nurses, social workers, chaplains and certified aides bring literally hundreds of years of patient care ex­perience along with a strong commitment for excellence to every patient and family served by the agency.

Hospice, like so many other aspects of the health care system have become numerous and complex. Choosing the best provider is one of the most important decisions you can make on behalf of your loved one. We encourage you to interview hospice provid­ers, and to ask questions about their services and staff. We are sure that when you know the differences, you will choose Hospice of West Alabama.

helpful information phone:

205-523-0101 Toll Free: 1-877-362-7522 website:

hospiceofwestalabama.com

Community Wellness Guide

3

40

Staying Fit After

by Kimberly D. Helms, RN, MSN

The “battle of the bulge” is on and we seem to be losing the WAR!

What are we to do?

1) Drink plenty of water-water is vital for health and plays a role in every bodily function.

According to the Center for Disease Control (2008), water assist your body by regulating normal temperature, lubricating your joints, protects your spinal cord and helps eliminate waste in your body (by urination, perspiration and bowel movements).

2) Exercise-The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends both aerobic and muscle strengthening exercise. You should seek medical advice prior to implementing any type of exercise program. You may access the CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/everyone/guidelines/adults.html for specific recommendations for your age group.

Be Healthy and Be Happy Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama wants you to be as healthy as you can be.

That’s why Blue Cross created the BeHealthy web site — BeHealthy.com — to provide you with information and tools to help you take control of your health.

In addition to improving our health through diet and exercise, it appears there’s another important factor that has an impact. Harvard Medical School and the University of California, San Diego, have released information suggesting that happiness may have an effect on your health.

“Happiness has been shown to have an important effect on reduced mortality, pain reduction, and improved cardiac function. So better understanding of how happiness spreads can help us learn how to promote a healthier society," said Nicholas Christakis, a professor of medical sociology at Harvard Medical School in Boston. This information was reported on Yahoo!® News.

An April 2005 report on WebMD® released evidence saying “that happiness and health may overlap.” So, if you’re feeling down because of the economy or other reasons, here are some tips that may help raise your “happy meter.”

4

Healthy Horizons Magazine

These are some tips to utilize in your quest for health. It is difficult to “eat the right way” in the fast paced life that we all lead.

3) Eat a balanced diet-this is the hardest part for me!

• Limit trans and saturated fats • Limit your intake of foods high in cholesterol • Learn to read labels (look at fat content, try to purchase fat-free, mono or poly unsaturated fats)

• Dyslipidemia (for example, high total cholesterol or high levels of triglycerides) • Stroke • Liver and Gallbladder disease • Sleep apnea and respiratory problems • Osteoarthritis (a degeneration of cartilage and its underlying bone within a joint) • Gynecological problems (CDC, 2008)

4) Maintain a healthy weight Know your current weight • Our goal should be able to get on the scales without fear that our spouse or significant other is looking!

• Obtain and maintain a healthy weight

Reference: Center for Disease Control (2008). Nutrition for everyone. Retrieved December 9, 2008 from http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/nutrition/ nutrition_for_everyone/basics/index.htm

Figure your Body Mass Index • Overweight is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or higher; obesity is defined as a BMI of 30 or higher • Visit the following website for information on your current BMI http://www.consumer. gov/weightloss/bmi.htm

Be aware of the adverse effects of being overweight • Coronary heart disease • Type 2 diabetes • Cancers (endometrial, breast, and colon) • Hypertension (high blood pressure)

• Realize that enduring happiness

doesn't come from success as it's often defined.

• Take control of your time.

• Act happy.

• Seek work and leisure that engages your skills.

• Get aerobic exercise.

• Get enough sleep.

• Give priority to close relationships.

• Focus beyond yourself.

• Appreciate what you have.

• Try keeping a gratitude journal of what you're thankful for.

• Nurture your spiritual self.

• Tell positive stories about your life.

• Tell the truth, but look for the good.

• Live a multidimensional life.

• Focus on your choices and any power you have in your situation.

• Find and lead with your strengths.

Some of these get-happier suggestions encourage improving your health-related lifestyle.

Use the BeHealthy web site as your personal resource for health and wellness information.

You’ll have access to health tools and trackers, the latest news and information about health topics, and more. And since this web site is powered by WebMD, a respected source of online medical information, you can depend on it

for the most up-to-date, comprehensive health information.

If you’re looking for a resource to help you get started on a healthier lifestyle, BeHealthy. com may be just what you’re looking for; it’s a one-stop shop for health information. Here are just some of the tools you’ll find helpful on BeHealthy.com: •

•

•

Health Tools – Access interactive tools and quizzes related to nutrition, safety, medical conditions and more.

Symptom Checker – What’s making you feel bad? Answer a series of questions to help determine why you don’t feel your best.

Latest Health News – Get the latest health related news.

Visit www.behealthy.com and take advantage of these valuable resources.

BeHealthy.com is powered by WebMD. WebMD is an independent company that does not provide Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama products or services.

– Article submitted by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama

Feature Faces

A Special Section of

Healthy

Nick’s Kids:

The foundation that keeps on giving…

By Creg Stephenson The motto of the Nick’s Kids charitable foundation is “to work together in the spirit of faith and giving in our community. To promote and support children, family, teacher and student causes.”

Since Nick and Terry Saban arrived in Tuscaloosa nearly three years ago, the organization has put its money behind those words. Nick’s Kids recently passed the $1 million mark in charitable distributions, which have benefitted more than 150 local and statewide organizations.

The Sabans formed Nick’s Kids more than a decade ago, when Nick Saban was head coach at Michigan State. The foundation’s work has continued through the family’s stops at LSU, Miami and at Alabama, where Nick Saban recently began his third season as Crimson Tide head coach.

The inspiration for Nick’s Kids comes from Nick Saban’s father, the late Nick Sr., a long-time youth league coach and community leader in the family’s hometown of Fairmont, West Virginia.

“It’s gotten bigger and bigger and bigger,” Nick Saban said. “We have the opportunity to do something to raise some money, give some money, to help young people have a chance to be successful. The whole Nick’s Kids thing started because my dad kind of did these things. My mother and my family always said if you’re ever in a position, we want you to do

something to help young people. I think we do that as a college coach, but we also want to give back to the community and give it to some of the children who are less fortunate for whatever reasons.”

Saban’s on-field success as a coach also benefitted Nick’s Kids in a big way in 2008. Saban was awarded a $50,000 charitable grant for being named Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year following Alabama’s 12-2 campaign, which he turned over to Nick’s Kids before April’s ADay spring game. In addition, $20,000 was awarded to the University of Alabama’s general scholarship fund.

Though funds are also raised through individual donations as well as various speaking engagements by both Nick and Terry Saban, the highlight of the organization’s year is the annual Nick’s Kids Golf Tournament, held each July. Many of the all-time greats from Alabama

athletics return to Tuscaloosa each summer to take part.

“This is one of the most self-gratifying days we have all year long,” Saban said following this year’s golf tournament. “It’s great to win some games in the SEC, especially when you can win them on the road, but this day matches those.”

The Sabans have not limited their giving to Nick’s Kids, however. The family also recently donated $1 million to Alabama’s First-Generation Scholarship fund, which benefits students who are the first in their families to attend college.

See more photos of Nick’s Kids in our Healthy Kids special section on page 18.

Community Wellness Guide

5

Balanced for Life

It’s at the heart of what we do.

A Fall Prevention Program for Seniors

Amedisys Home Health Care

Do you find yourself sometimes unsteady, using assistive devices or limiting your daily activities due to fear of falling? Do you experience symptoms like dizziness when getting up or down or neuropathy – a loss of feeling in your feet?

Reform, AL

We may be able to help. Our therapists have comprehensive advanced training in balance and rehabilitation of the three systems of balance to help you prevent falls.

205.375.9255 • 800.277.7445 Tuscaloosa, AL 205.752.0606 • 800.261.4316 Brent, AL 205.926.6309 • 866.926.1564 Fayette, AL 205.932.5066 • 866.297.8253

With the right education and assistance, it may be possible to regain your confidence – and find your balance. www.amedisys.com

The Truth A Fall Prevention Program for Seniors About Falls

control. The Vestibular System can contribute up to 70% of our balance when our head and body are in motion.

Our Balanced for Life Program is a comprehensive geriatric program that evaluates each youonefind yourself sometimes unsteady, using Falls are theDo number cause of non-fatal, patient to develop a systematic approach to unintentional injuries treated in a hospital ER treatment.

The goalactivities is restorationdue and manageassistive devices or limiting your daily department–and the number one reason for ment of the balance disorder to facilitate safe, fear of falling?

Do you experience symptoms like admission to a to skilled nursing facility. In the U.S. independent living within the home. alone, one out of every three adults over the age

Balanced for Life enables us to deliver the dizziness when getting up or down or neuropathy of 65 falls each year, and more than 50% fall highest quality of care for our patients while – aThis loss of feeling in your feet? more than once. annual rate increases to measuring outcomes and reducing patient one out of every two over the age of 80. need for urgent care dues to falls. The program But falls are not a normal part of aging. Acutilizes clinical tracks, which focus on patient may be able to help.

Our therapists have adaptation, balcording to the We National Institute of Health, falls education, self-management, don’t “just happen” and people don’t fall betraining and environmental assessment comprehensive advancedance training in balance and cause they get older. Falls occur due to several for external risk factors. reasons. Dizziness, for example, is the number rehabilitation of the three systems of balance to is unsteady, If you or someone you know one reason for patients over the age of 75 to using assistive devices or limiting the activities help you prevent falls. visit a physician and can contribute to falls. of daily living due to fear of falling or balance More than half of the causes of dizziness are problems, it’s time to contact Amedisys or your Otologic or Vestibular, which is the body’s sysphysician to see if you are eligible for our proWith the right education and assistance, it may be tem that provides the main source for balance gram.

With the right education possible to regain your confidence – and findand assistance, it “Our Balanced for Life Program may be possible to regain your confidence and your balance. is a comprehensive geriatric find your balance.

For more information please call Amedisys program that evaluates each Home Health of Tuscaloosa at 205.752.0606 or patient to develop a systematic visit www.amedisys.com.

approach to treatment.”

Facing the End

by Kimberly D. Helms, RN, MSN End of life discussions are often difficult to initiate with healthcare providers and even more difficult to initiate with family members. Healthcare providers frequently focus on life saving endeavors, while family members are struggling with the thought of losing a loved one. However, there comes a time in an individual’s life when one must face the issue of dying. This is a difficult journey, yet one we all must face at some point. Understanding end of life care can positively impact a patient’s life (Center for Disease Control, 2008).

Family members may be called upon to make decisions regarding the care a loved one will receive. Having an understanding of your loved one’s preferences and desires can make these difficult decisions somewhat easier. For this reason older adults should be encouraged to discuss their wishes with their family members and physicians prior to an acute illness.

Anxiety levels are high when a loved one is seriously ill and that is an extremely difficult time to make important decisions regarding healthcare (Center for Disease Control, 2008).

The Value of Palliative & Hospice Care: Options for End of Life Care What is palliative care?

Palliative care is aimed at achieving optimal quality of life for patients who are diagnosed with a terminal illness. Healthcare providers use a “holistic” approach. This basically means that the focus of treatment is on pain management, symptom management and other needs which arise with a serious illness. Palliative care has the goal of meeting the patient’s needs on an emotional, social, spiritual and physiological level. A patient’s cultural beliefs and values are taken into consideration when planning care which will be provided. Quality of life for the dying patient is a major objective of palliative care (Center for Disease Control, 2008).

Amedisys Home Health Care Reform, AL 205.375.9255 • 800.277.7445 Tuscaloosa, AL 205.752.0606 • 800.261.4316 Brent, AL 205.926.6309 • 866.926.1564 Fayette, AL 205.932.5066 • 866.297.8253

www.amedisys.com

bereavement. Medicare reimburses for hospice care. The patient must meet specific criteria for Medicare to pay for services. This criterion includes: (a) a terminal diagnosis, (b) life expectancy of less than six months, (c) willingness to decline any further treatment. A patient may be recertified for hospice care at the end of six months if their condition still meets criteria for hospice care (Center for Disease Control, 2008).

Reference: Center for Disease Control (2008). End of life issues. Retrieved December 8, 2008 from http:// www.cdc.gov/aging/EOL.htm

What does hospice care mean?

Hospice care consists of a team of healthcare providers and volunteers. This team delivers a deliberate, well thought out plan of care to terminally ill patients. It includes a collaborative team effort geared toward improving the quality of life experienced by patients. .Hospice is unique in the fact that supportive care is available to the family of the dying patient during a time of crisis and also provides support during

Community Wellness Guide

7

Dental Implants….

Your Doorway to Self-Confidence And Peace Of Mind By: Jason Payne Dental implants are changing the way people live. They are designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth which look, feel and function like natural teeth. Giving the person who has lost teeth the ability to eat virtually anything and knowing that their teeth appear natural and their facial contour preserved, patients of dental implants can now smile with confidence.

As oral and maxillofacial surgeons, Drs. McIlwain, Carlson, Link and Fairburn manage a wide variety of problems relating to the mouth, teeth and facial regions. These oral surgeons practice a full scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery with expertise ranging from dental implant surgery and wisdom teeth removal to corrective jaw surgery.

The implants themselves are tiny titanium posts, which are inserted into the jawbone where teeth are missing. These metal anchors act as tooth root substitutes and are surgically

placed into the jawbone. The bone bonds with the titanium, creating a strong foundation for artificial teeth. Small posts are then attached to the implant and these posts provide stable anchors for artificial replacement teeth. Due to being surgically placed below the gums, implants fuse to the jawbone and serve as a base for individual replacement teeth that are permanent and not taken out.

Also, due to the stability of the implants, replacement teeth not only look and feel more natural, but many patients find the secure fit more comfortable than conventional substi-

tutes. For many people, dental implants offer a smile that looks and feels very natural.

Using the most recent advances in dental implant technology, Drs. McIlwain, Carlson, Link and Fairburn are also able to offer “Teeth In A Day.” This revolutionary concept is becoming the industries standard of care and provides patients with fully functioning dental implants in one single procedure. The computer-guided implant surgery gives accurate implant results with less chair time and allows for no stitches.

Your smile is a person’s first impression of you…Make it your best.

NORRIS LIMB AND BRACE

NORRIS LIMB AND BRACE

Who We Are For over thirty years Norris Limb and Brace, formerly West Alabama Limb Company and Tuscaloosa Orthopedic Appliance, have been providing complete prosthetic and orthotic services to Tuscaloosa and the surrounding areas.

Located across from DCH Regional Medical Center, Norris Limb and Brace has long been recognized for providing personal care and service and also having the antique pedal cars in their front window.

T. Mark Norris, owner of West Alabama Limb Company, combined his business with Tuscaloosa Orthopedic Appliance Company after the retirement of James “Buddy” Mason.

Norris Limb and Brace is a local, family owned business. After Mark’s son, Josh, graduated from the University of Alabama and completed his training at Northwestern University in Chicago, he joined the staff. He

“The staff now has over a hundred years of combined experience and service.”

provides the expert assistance needed to help accommodate the increasing number of patients seeking the individualized care that patients have come to expect from Norris Limb and Brace.

The staff now has over a hundred years of combined experience and service. Their team approach assures that the individual needs of each patient are met. The custom designed orthotics and prosthetics are made on site. Patients have learned that the Norris Limb and Brace commitment to their philosophy, “Our family cares for your family”, can make the difference between ordinary or outstanding when it comes to orthotics and prosthetics.

Prosthetics Norris Limb and Brace strives to restore all the mobility and function that is possible in each individual case. Their products are designed to balance function, durability, comfort, and pleasing appearance. Free evaluations are provided upon request, and help determine the appropriate level of technology appropriate for any amputee.

Orthotics Norris Limb and Brace provides multiple types of orthotic and prosthetic appliances to our clientele. Our ABC Certified Orthotist,

“Norris Limb and Brace has a new name but will never change its tradition of their commitment to each patient, and to the community of Tuscaloosa and West Alabama.”

Wanda Reedy, specializes in orthotics for the lower limbs, knees, and feet, to upper limbs, hand, and the entire spine. Her expertise extends from pediatric to adult geriatric bracing.

Norris Limb and Brace offers a wide variety of compression therapy garments, diabetic shoes and inserts, along with mastectomy products and bracing for individuals with congenital conditions or post-polio symptoms.

Norris Limb and Brace has a new name but will never change its tradition of their commitment to each patient, and to the community of Tuscaloosa and West Alabama.

helpful information phone:

205-349-5388 Toll Free: 1-866-461-0049 address:

508 Paul Bryant Drive East Tuscaloosa, AL

Community Wellness Guide

9

Proudly serving

the Tuscaloosa area When your patients need reliable, on-time medical transportation that’s hassle-free, call the most trusted name in the business. From bariatric to neo-natal, from across town to across the state, American Medical Response can meet your transportation needs.

Our vehicles are reliable and ready to go; our crews are some of the besttrained and most knowledgeable around. Call Tuscaloosa’s hometown ambulance service any time, day or night.

for 15

years.

One Call Does it All. 205-759-4443

• Auto Accidents • Personal Injury • DUI No Fee for Initial Consultation

• Estate Planning • Family Law • Juvenile Law

2717 Sixth Street, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35401

205.248.9556 Alabama State Bar requires: No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal servies performed by other lawyers.

The Power to Plan Planning for the twilight of one’s life is not a topic most people enjoy discussing. It is such an unpleasant topic that it is often ignored until it is too late.

For example, a Power of Attorney or an Advance Directive for Healthcare, more commonly referred to as a Living Will, must be signed while a person is still competent to understand the document she is signing.

Unfortunately, many families do not consider the importance of these documents until it is too late, often because of misinformation about what these documents are and what they do.

A Power of Attorney is a document that addresses all non-medical concerns of the person executing the document. A Power of Attorney can be as broad or as limited in scope as the person executing desires; and when properly drafted, it will withstand all scrutiny, including that of financial institutions and courts of law.

An Advance Directive for Healthcare is a document that addresses the medical wishes of the executor. Again, a properly drafted Advance Directive will be honored by the

“It is important that while we still have the power to plan for ourselves, we do so by utilizing the tools the law provides to protect our health and our assets.

A Power of Attorney and an Advance Directive for healthcare are indispensable parts of caring for ourselves and our families.”

medical community and must be followed.

The common misconception about both of these documents is that once they are signed, the person signing them loses the ability to make her own decisions. This is simply not true. What is true is that neither of these documents removes the signor’s ability to make decisions; it only allows a designated person to make decisions in the event the signor cannot.

Consider the tragic yet not uncommon situation where the execution of a Power of Attorney and Advance Directive is delayed by a parent because the parent believes she is capable of handling her affairs alone.

Suddenly or over time, the parent begins to lose the mental faculties that have enabled her to handle her affairs, and when it finally becomes clear that these documents are necessary, the parent is not competent under the law to sign the documents. The family is faced with an expensive and emotionally draining process of going to court to handle the affairs, which is easily avoided if proper

care is taken to prepare for the worst while enjoying the best.

It is important that while we still have the power to plan for ourselves, we do so by utilizing the tools the law provides to protect our health and our assets. A Power of Attorney and an Advance Directive for healthcare are indispensable parts of caring for ourselves and our families.

Article by:

helpful information phone:

205-248-9556 address:

2717 Sixth Street Tuscaloosa, AL

Community Wellness Guide

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HealthyKids Are You

Prepared?

As parents, it is our responsibility to make sure our children stay healthy, both physically and mentally. We take them for routine physicals, make sure they play outside for exercise, and prepare meals that contribute to the growth of the mind and body. We make sure they go to school and we spend countless hours helping with homework. We do this because we love them and we want what is best for them.

Unfortunately, most parents are not prepared for what would happen if both parents were to

Dentistry for Children As parents we have a great opportunity (and responsibility) to get our children started off on the right path to good dental health that will most likely transfer into good habits as an adult.

Done properly, “at the end of the day”, we will have saved a lot of grief and a lot of money.

In this short segment we will discuss some basic things about dentistry for children. We will do this by attempting to answer some of the most frequent questions that parents ask us about dental care for those precious little ones.

Q. As a mother, are there any special prenatal things I should know about teeth development for my yet to be born child?

A. YES. The most important is a healthy diet and faithfully taking vitamin/mineral supplements prescribed by your obstetrician. Additionally, there is recent good research that suggest a connection between periodontal (gum) disease and low birth weight babies. This clearly suggests that all expectant mothers should be gum disease free.

Gum disease screening is a routine part of our exams at The Smile Design Center.

Q. At what age should my child have their first dental check-up?

A. Children should have their first dental check up sometime between the ages of 2 and 3

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Healthy Horizons Magazine

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die prematurely. Important questions remain unanswered– Who will care for my children? Will there be money to provide for them when I am gone? Who will control my children’s money?

When parents pass away without a plan for their children, a necessary court battle begins.

Someone must be granted custody of the children, and it falls to the courts to determine that person. Often, both sets of grandparents go to court to get custody of the children. Instead of all the family gathering together to serve the needs of the children, inevitably the fight for custody leads to bitterness and anxiety that is harmful to the emotional health of the children.

The law provides a mechanism for parents to provide for their children in such circumstances.

Through proper estate planning, parents can appoint a guardian for their children, and they can select anyone who will be a fit guardian.

Sometimes parents select siblings or grandparents as guardians. Sometimes a close family friend is chosen. It is important that parents exercise their right to choose who will best raise their children rather than allowing bitterness to develop within the family over the care and custody of the children.

As is often the case in these situations, there is also the issue of handling the children’s new

found assets. Absent proper estate planning, a cumbersome and costly court proceeding must be initiated to administer the children’s inheritance. The assets include not only the probate estates of the parent, but also any life insurance proceeds that are payable to the children. The expense and oversight of the courts can usually be avoided by establishing a trust to handle the children’s inheritance. Through proper planning, a parent can appoint a person to administer the assets and tend to the financial needs of the children simply, easily, and without the burden of court oversight.

To be the wonderful parents to our children that we are called to be, we must look after them as best we can while we can. Proper estate planning provides us peace of mind in knowing that our dreams for our children will continue even if we are not here to fulfill them.

years, which is about the time that they will have completed the eruption of all twenty of their “baby” or primary teeth. We encourage parents to allow their children to accompany them to their own check ups once or twice prior to the child’s first visit so that they can become somewhat acclimated to the new environment of the dental office. Additionally, we try to gauge just how far the child is prepared to go on the first visit. It is not unusual to take 2 to 3 visits before the child is emotionally ready to actually allow the hygienist to clean and polish their teeth and possibly take a computer x-ray.

own (mom and dad) dental visits.

Step three: Do not tell the child about dental visits (either yours or theirs) until the day the actual visit is scheduled. Treat it as you would if you were telling your child you were going to the grocery store. Children often share their bad experiences. So if your child’s friend(s) know that your child has a dental visit scheduled, the friend is likely to relate an embellished bad experience, thereby crating fear for your child Step four: Offer praise for any positive behavior, no matter how small.

Step five: Select a dental office whose personality seems “child friendly”.

Q. Should I take my child to a children’s dental specialist (pedodontist)?

A. The best answer is “maybe”. However, if after several attempts the child just cannot adapt to the dental environment, a referal to a pedodontist where they may be administered some light sedation in order to accomplish necessary treatment. Most children, however, do just fine in the family dental practice.

Q. How can I address the fear my child may have regarding dental treatment?

A. As I mentioned previously, introducing the child slowly to the dental office by allowing them to accompany mom or dad on two or more occasions prior to their actual visit is step one.

Step two: Speak in positive terms about your

Article submitted by:

Q. Is it okay for children to use “laughing gas” during their treatment?

A. The short answer is Yes. It often helps to reduce the child’s anxiety, but of course it will depend upon the child’s overall comfort level, etc.

Most children under 5 will be a little afraid of putting on “the Mickey Mouse nose” piece, but will do just fine with gentle care and encouragement.

Article submitted by:

G. Earl Hydrick, DDS & Christopher T. Taylor, DMD 205.750.8008 300 TownCenter Blvd. www.smiledesigncenter.net

Uncovering Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD)

“According to a study conducted by the Center

By Brinkley C. Pearce, M.A.

for Disease Control (CDC),

As parents, you want to ensure the best for your children. You take them to the most trusted doctors and pediatricians, you send them to reputable schools and you protect their physical well-being. However, many parents are not aware of one of the most common difficulties that face children and adolescents; Attention

parents of children with AD/ HD report nearly three times as many problems with peers than parents of children

Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD).

AD/HD affects approximately 4.5 million children and adolescents in the United

without AD/HD.”

States alone. Individuals with this disorder are often forgetful and easily distracted and have difficulty focusing, paying attention, listening to instructions, taking turns, controlling impulsive behavior, sitting still, etc. Because of these difficulties, AD/HD can negatively impact a child’s behavior, social life and school performance.

According to a study conducted by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), parents of children with AD/HD report nearly three times as many problems with peers than parents of children without AD/HD. Parents also report that children with a history of AD/HD are nearly 10 times as likely to have difficulties that interfere with their child’s friendships.

Although most individuals are somewhat familiar with the existence of ADHD, most do not realize that there are several subtypes of this disorder. The type that most think about, and the one that typically gets noticed, is the Hyperactive – Impulsive Type, as these are the children that are overactive, fidgety, talkative and present significant behavioral challenges to both teachers and parents. However, there is also an Inattentive Type of AD/HD that is characterized by difficulty organizing and completing tasks, focusing on details and paying attention to instructions or conversations. Although underlying distractibility and forgetfulness can have a significant impact on the child, the absence of behavioral issues frequently causes this subtype of AD/HD to be overlooked. Finally, there is the Combined Type of AD/HD, which presents with a combination of the behavioral and attention deficits from the other two subtypes.

Another thing that many parents do not realize is that AD/HD is frequently accompanied by

a specific learning disability or other underlying emotional dysfunction. Roughly five percent of children have AD/HD without a learning disability, five percent have a learning disability without AD/HD and four percent have both AD/HD and a learning disability. Therefore, the attention issue may be only one piece of a more complex puzzle that requires intervention, necessitating a thorough evaluation to accurately identify all the issues that need to be addressed if the child/ individual is to reach full potential.

Interestingly, the state of Alabama has the highest AD/HD diagnostic rate in the country (11% of the population). Unfortunately, this likely reflects a high rate of misdiagnosis, with many children receiving treatment for AD/HD to the exclusion of other, perhaps more important, underlying problems.

The Neuropsychology Clinic, P.C. operates a lab that specializes in the diagnosis of AD/HD, learning disability and other cognitive difficulties that affect children, adolescents and mature adults. Using a holistic method of evaluation involving a series of written, verbal and computer-based assessments of cognitive abilities, academic achievement and emotional functioning, as well as information from the medical history and the observations of family members, we can effectively diagnose or rule out the disorders that most commonly affect children, including the presence (and subtype) of AD/HD, learning disabilities, and potential underlying emotional problems.

Only with an accurate diagnosis can meaningful and effective interventions be developed.

Untreated, AD/HD poses significant difficulties; however, with proper diagnosis, treatment and intervention, the impact of this disorder can be minimized and interventions put in place that will allow the individual to realize his or her full potential.

“Although most individuals are somewhat familiar with the existence of ADHD, most do not realize that there are several subtypes of this disorder.”

Community Wellness Guide

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Healthy Kids 'Mommy, I Saw Jesus'

It was supposed to be a day of celebration as a junior league baseball team held its year-end party. But the day turned into a parent’s worst nightmare when 4-year-old Kennedy Buettner of Tuscaloosa was pulled lifeless from the bottom of the pool.

Kennedy had been underwater for over five minutes. He had no heartbeat. He wasn’t breathing. And his little body was so bloated he was barely recognizable. “As a doctor, upon looking at him I would have pronounced him dead,” says Kennedy’s dad, Craig. “I immediately began CPR on him until the paramedics arrived.”

deep end. I headed to the front of the house

Paramedics rushed him to a local hospital, where he was placed onthinking a ventilator – thestreet passing would of every second weighted the be the next by worst his dire condition. But the doctors knew right away their hospital was not equipped to save Kennedy’s life. That’s when they place he could be. called Children’s Hospital of Alabama. A specialized, lifesaver helicopter airlifted Kennedy to Children's – the only facility in Alabama offering the highly advanced, pediatric-specific care he needed for a chance at survival.

I returned to the patio and told Craig that

I could notwefind Kennedy. got up Kennedy’s parents knew immediately they were in the right place.

“Everyone came in contact He with also was caring and and After our 4-year-old son compassionate. It is truly a place of hope,” says Kennedy’s mom, Amy.to “The teamWe of doctors and nurses at went theincredible pool area. searched and called Children’s pulled him through.” nearly drowned, the doctors for more than five minutes. As we were both Miraculously, Kennedy was able to leave Children's Hospital just one week after his accident, sitting on his granddaddy's returning from searching around the yard, we said he would never be the same shoulders. Today Kennedy is 12 years old and just fine. He is an A/B honor roll student, sports enthusiast and inspiration to heard them allwithout was our many. “The Lord used Children’s Hospital to save our son’s life,” says Amy.the “We screams. know our sonAbove would not be here again.

And they were right. that facility, without those doctors and without those nurses. The care that we were given will never be forgotten."

By Amy Buettner

It began as a typical late spring evening in our little city of Tuscaloosa.

But June 15, 2000, was destined to become a night my family will never forget. My oldest son Jacob's baseball team had just lost a playoff game that, on paper, they were supposed to win. My husband, Craig, who was helping coach the team with a friend, had promised the boys that if they won, they would have a pool party.

But seeing the sulking faces of a bunch of 10-year-olds, Craig and his friend decided to let the boys have the party anyway.

So, at the home of one of the young players, the team and their families enjoyed the warm evening air. Everyone was having a great time in and around the pool. After swimming, we all gathered together to eat on the patio. The nine-foot-deep pool lay 20 yards away from the patio.

After getting our five children settled, my husband and I sat down to eat. Kennedy, our 4-year-old son, sat a few feet away on his towel, eating a hot dog with the "big boys."

Halfway through my meal, I realized Kennedy was no longer on his towel. At this point, many of the younger children had finished eating and were up playing on bikes and riding toys.

I thought Kennedy was probably riding one of the toys, but I had an overwhelming sense that I needed to find my son.

I immediately went to the pool and did not see him. I scanned the area in and around the pool, looking for his little red swimsuit. I never thought to look on the bottom of the pool's

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Healthy Horizons Magazine

10-year-old son Jacob yelling, "Daddy, Daddy, Kennedy was on the bottom of the pool!" I heard someone yell, "Call 911."

I ran toward the pool, what I saw makes To learn moreand about Kennedy, readnow. other stories my heart achetoeven There on of thehope concrete or to share your He own story, visit lay my precious Kennedy. was limp, bloated www.childofchildrens.com. to twice his size, and his coloring was a sick grayish blue. Craig, a family physician, was already crouched over our son, performing CPR. Kneeling behind him were two men praying and quoting Scripture.

This could not be happening, I said to myself, not to my child. I fell to my knees, grabbing Kennedy's legs, which felt like rubber, and prayed for the Lord to please save my son. I found out later that Kennedy did not have a heartbeat for the first five minutes of CPR. After 12 minutes of CPR, the ambulance arrived. Kennedy was breathing and he had a heart rate of 120. Craig rode to the hospital in the ambulance with Kennedy. Our 5-week-old baby son and I were driven by our dear friend, who was also one of the men on their knees praying for Kennedy. This friend prayed and quoted Scripture the entire trip.

After arriving at the local hospital, Kennedy was intubated. His lungs were swelling and he was having seizures and posturing, which is a sign of brain damage.

Several of Craig's medical colleagues were there at the hospital, taking care of Kennedy.

They worked feverishly, but they were not optimistic about his chances. He had been without oxygen for too long. The pediatrician who had trained Craig several years ago actually pulled me aside and explained how bleak the situation was, that Kennedy would likely have severe brain damage—if, in fact, he survived.

The ER doctors worked diligently, but they knew Kennedy needed to get to Children's Hospital for the best care. It was a 20-minute trip for Kennedy on the Lifesaver helicopter. It would take Craig and I an hour by car. As we left, we knew things were not looking good for our little boy.

When we arrived at Children's, we were amazed at everyone who drove to Birmingham to support and pray for us. The prayers began to ripple through our community. After the doctors worked on Kennedy, the icu physician came out to tell us that Kennedy was in critical condition but there was a chance for survival.

“Several of Craig’s medical colleagues were there at the hospital, taking care of Kennedy.

They worked feverishly, but they were not optimistic about his chances. He had been without oxygen for too long.”

He told us Kennedy might not recognize us and that he might thrash around uncontrollably. He also told us that there was a five-day waiting period during which Kennedy's brain could begin swelling.

After the doctor left, I again prayed for my precious little boy. I prayed for complete healing, but I would take Kennedy anyway God would give him back to me.

We were able to see Kennedy a few hours later. My little man had tubes everywhere, one down his throat into his lungs, one arterial line into his heart, numerous ivs, and a catheter in his bladder.

He was a pitiful sight, but he was alive.

The next few days consisted of waiting and praying. Kennedy's lungs were very sick. Yet, two days after being found and pulled off the bottom of a swimming pool by a team of 9- and 10-yearold boys (a miracle in itself), our little son began to show signs that he was still with us.

The first signs were fighting with the tube down his throat, squeezing our hands on command, and the most exciting moment was the first time he gave us a little thumbs up. Throughout this time of waiting, God sent us caring family, friends, and hospital staff. But most comforting was his Word. Each day, the Lord spoke to us through Scripture.

On June 18, God told me to read Psalm 18: “He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the Lord was my support. He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me (vv. 16-19, NIV).”

I knew my little boy was going to be completely healed.

Exactly one week after the accident, Kennedy was released from Children's. A child who was supposed to die, or at least have severe brain damage, left the hospital on his granddad's shoulders. Minutes after arriving back home in Tuscaloosa, he asked his dad, "Daddy, will you play baseball with me?" I am sure you can guess what his daddy's answer was.

Adapted from Kids Life: The Magazine for West Alabama Parents (May/June 2001), © 2001 Amy Buettner. Used by permission.

Kennedy Healthy Horizons:Layout 1

8/31/2009

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A Special Section of

Healthy

Kennedy Buettner

is a child of Children’s.

It was supposed to be a day of celebration as a junior league baseball team held its year-end party. But the day turned into a parent’s worst nightmare when 4-year-old Kennedy Buettner of Tuscaloosa was pulled lifeless from the bottom of the pool.

Kennedy had been underwater for over five minutes. He had no heartbeat. He wasn’t breathing. And his little body was so bloated he was barely recognizable. “As a doctor, upon looking at him I would have pronounced him dead,” says Kennedy’s dad, Craig. “I immediately began CPR on him until the paramedics arrived.”

Paramedics rushed him to a local hospital, where he was placed on a ventilator – the passing of every second weighted by his dire condition. But the doctors knew right away their hospital was not equipped to save Kennedy’s life. That’s when they called Children’s Hospital of Alabama. A specialized, lifesaver helicopter airlifted Kennedy to Children's – the only facility in Alabama offering the highly advanced, pediatric-specific care he needed for a chance at survival.

Kennedy’s parents knew immediately they were in the right place. “Everyone we came in contact with was caring and compassionate. It is truly a place of hope,” says Kennedy’s mom, Amy. “The incredible team of doctors and nurses at Children’s pulled him through.”

Miraculously, Kennedy was able to leave Children's Hospital just one week after his accident, sitting on his granddaddy's shoulders. Today Kennedy is 12 years old and just fine. He is an A/B honor roll student, sports enthusiast and inspiration to many. “The Lord used Children’s Hospital to save our son’s life,” says Amy. “We know our son would not be here without that facility, without those doctors and without those nurses. The care that we were given will never be forgotten."

To learn more about Kennedy, to read other stories of hope or to share your own story, visit

www.childofchildrens.com.

Healthy Kids Helping Children Manage Their Anger How many times had your parents told you, “No! Stop doing that!” or “Don’t talk to me that way”, or “Don’t hit your brother”. Would it have been easier if someone told you what to do when you were angry, rather than all those things ‘not to do’? That is exactly what Child Abuse Prevention Services of Tuscaloosa, Inc. is trying to do through the Second Step Program.

Anger is a normal feeling that all people experience, just like happy, sad, scared, and proud. It’s not a bad thing to feel anger, though it certainly is not comfortable, but it is what we do with those feelings that are so important. Angry behavior that hurts other people or things is not okay. So how do we teach our children how to express anger appropriately?

The Second Step Violence Prevention Program teaches students how to recognize feelings and be able to identify them with appropriate words. Then children can express their feelings to optimize communication with others, sometimes aiding in understanding and problem solving. You can help your children identify feelings by modeling and labeling them as you feel them, for example, “I’m feeling excited

“Helping Kids be Kids” By: Timothy Holley Registered Occupational Therapist & Director of Outpatient Services Childhood should be a time for having fun, playing, discovering new things, and making friends. This is also a time when parents typically enjoy watching their children develop physically, emotionally and socially, while engaging in age appropriate activities. It should not be a time for parents to have to search for ways to overcome developmental challenges, as well as finding the most appropriate therapeutic services for their child.

Many parents spend a great deal of their child’s life managing conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, Downs Syndrome, Cleft Palate, Cerebral Palsy and other conditions.

Physical and Occupational Therapists, as well as Speech Language Pathologists work together with families to create a plan to manage these developmental disabilities.

When you have children you are excited when they reach certain developmental milestones such as saying “Mommy and Daddy”, tying their shoes, toilet training, and other self help skills. Did you know that children have

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Healthy Horizons Magazine

about going to your ballgame”, or by discussing how a photo of a character in a book is feeling.

We can also teach children that using “I statements” is a very powerful, assertive, but not aggressive way, to express their needs and wants to others, without accusing or attacking another person if there is a problem. When feelings escalate to anger, children will benefit in recognizing how their body is responding and how to control their bodies and their thoughts in order to solve the problem causing these feelings.

When anger is so strong that their body tenses up, maybe you see fists, or those lips pressed together, and eyes narrowing, it could be a teachable moment to talk with your child about how their body is feeling right now, and guide them to relax their muscles, shake out those fists, and put their hands on their tummies. Show them that if they take deep, slow breaths; breathe in through their nose, then slowly release through their mouth like they are blowing bubbles through a wand, that they can relax their body (their hand should move out slightly when breathing in). Second Step plays a ‘spaghetti’ game where children pretend they are put into a pot of warm water and the noodles are becoming soft, bendable, and float in the water. We can also teach them words to calm themselves down; “Okay, I can handle this,” or “just breathe; it will be okay,” and “calm down.”

Counting out loud slowly can take the focus off the antagonist and refocus their thoughts and energy to self-control. When the child is feeling more in control of his/her body, they can think more clearly how to solve the problem.

Solving a problem requires thinking; brainstorming and coming up with solutions that are safe, fair, and will work, and hopefully, make others feel better. Teaching our children to calm down is an essential tool to helping them learn how to solve problems in life.

For more information about Child Abuse Prevention Services or its programs, please contact Leila Holley at (205)758-1159.

occupations as well as adults? This is called “play.” Children with special needs may require Pediatric Therapy programs to help them be successful at reaching their maximal potential in functional performance, whether it is play, selfcare, school performance, or social interaction.

Speech Language Pathologists target the improvement of communication skills and oral/ motor feeding disorders; as well as addressing receptive/expressive language delays, articulation disorders, stuttering, and voice/resonance disorders. Physical Therapy addresses a wide range of developmental gross motor delays, positioning, and mobility needs. Physical Therapy may target muscle tone and range of motion (ROM) dysfunctions to promote functional independence and mobility. Occupational Therapy focuses on improving a child’s occupational performance level, through providing treatment/intervention in the areas of fine motor/ gross motor skills, positioning, sensory deficits, wheelchair management, social and cognitive skills. These skills are important through life, be it within the school system, at work or in the community. Easter Seals West Alabama also provides sensory integration and praxis testing for children who have mild to severe sensory needs that can interfere with attention, feeding, modulation, and engagement.

Easter Seals West Alabama is committed to providing comprehensive pediatric rehabilitation care. The goal of Easter Seals is to provide optimum benefit and satisfaction with your child’s physician, teacher, school therapists and youthe parent. Success depends on everyone’s involvement.

Children who have been identified as having difficulty meeting their developmental milestones should be referred to therapy services.

Easter Seals West Alabama offers individual therapy to meet your child’s needs. We are located at 1110 Dr. Edward Hillard Drive, Tuscaloosa or you may call 205-759-1211 ext. 246.

A Special Section of

A Child’s Eyes & the Importance of Children’s Eye Exams Because many studies have shown that approximately 80 percent of learning comes from the visual system, it is extremely important for children to have their eyes checked early and routinely to ensure classroom success.

The first eye exam should be by six months of age to check for normal ocular development plus checking for any eye disease, while routine comprehensive exams should be at age three, before school starts, and then every two years, unless advised differently by the eye doctor.

While most school systems give vision screenings that are beneficial in detecting some problems, especially decreased distance vision, these screenings do not substitute for comprehensive eye exams that diagnose other issues like problems with near vison, astigmatism, ocular alignment, color vision, and eye diseases, among other things.

Most importantly, the sooner a problem is diagnosed, the easier and more successful the treatment will be. So contact a local eye doctor to set up an appointment for your child.

Healthy

Parents should also schedule their child an eye exam if they exhibit any of the following: • Headaches • Red eyes • Poor hand-eye coordination • Bumps into objects • An eye turning in, out, up, or down • Turns or tilts head a lot to help them see better • Loses place when reading or using a finger when reading • Avoids reading or other close work • Rubs eyes a lot • Squints when watching T.V. or while reading • Behavioral problems • Performs below potential

helpful information phone:

205-333-7859 address:

5710 McFarland Blvd.

Northport, AL

Dr. Riley Austin Optometrist • Eye Examinations • Cataract Consultation • Laser Surgery Consultation

• Eye Infections • Glaucoma Management • Contact Lenses

(205) 333-7859 5710 McFarland Blvd. • Northport, AL (Located inside NORTHPORT Wal-Mart Supercenter)

Healthy Kids

Nick’s Kids:

The foundation that keeps on giving‌ Photo Album: Children and volunteers with Nick Saben and his wife Terry.

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Healthy Horizons Magazine

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Is your child talking yet?

Many parents worry about this!

Ask yourself these questions:     

Is your child 18 months or older?

Is your child attempting to communicate things to you by pointing/gesturing ?

Does your child talk or jabber while playing?

Do they play well with other children?

If they are at age 3, do they speak clearly enough for strangers to understand?

Children typically begin talking by age 12-18 months using 1-2 word sentences and following simple commands (ex: “Come here”).

If you are concerned, your child needs to be evaluated by a certified Speech-Language Pathologist.

Please call us if you have any questions!

West Alabama Speech Pathology Services 507 Energy Center Blvd., Suite 301 Northport, Alabama 37473 Phone: 205-345-5488 Fax: 205-345-8819 April Joyner, MS, CCC-SLP Cell Phone: 205-522-5040 Betsy Hass, MS, CCC-SLP Cell Phone: 205-799-7727

Living with Alzheimer’s Disease

by Kimberly D. Helms, RN, MSN

Providing care for a parent or loved one with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) can be an overwhelming and often difficult task. Challenges arise on a daily basis which caregivers must deal with. These challenges can make caregivers at a higher risk for depression and acute illness.

Often caregivers experience illness themselves from the stress associated with providing care for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease.

Support from extended family members, friends and the surrounding community can ease the struggles which caregivers face. Facing the issues which accompany this illness can be extremely stressful and often overwhelming.

“Each individual with Alzheimer’s disease is unique in regards to symptoms and behaviors.”

Caregivers are often faced with difficulty in: • Dealing with patterns of behaviors exhibited by the individual with Alzheimer’s disease.

• Difficulty in managing activities of daily living (such as dressing, bathing, and eating).

• Medication administration.

• Taking away the car keys.

Each individual with Alzheimer’s disease is unique in regards to symptoms and behaviors. It is important to “care for yourself” so that you may “care for others”. There are some simple actions which caregivers can do which will help “live with Alzheimer’s disease”.

Here are some tips: • Love yourself • Care for yourself • Take a break (you deserve it) • Have regular medical check ups • Go for a walk • Seek help from extended family or your church family • Eat a balanced diet Reference: The National Institute on Aging (2008). Tips for caregivers. Retrieved December 4, 2008 from http://www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/Publications/caregiverguide.htm#intro

Accredited By Joint Commission On Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations

Med-South, Inc. Home Medical Equipment

Full Range of Medical Equipment Including: • Power Wheelchairs & Scooters • Home Oxygen • Lift Chairs • CPAPS • Mask & Supplies • Diabetic Shoes & Supplies

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Serving Tuscaloosa & Surrounding Counties For Over 20 Years

Dental Health…

What’s important to you, the consumer (patient)? And how does our practice (The Smile Design Center) fit into that?

When someone allows us the privilege of being their dental provider our first response (other than being grateful for their trust) is to ask… What’s important to you about your dental health? As one might expect we get a variety of responses. Some with emphasis on the short term (as in pain relief) and some with a longer term vision. In this short article we will explore several different answers our patients share with us when we ask – What’s important to you?

“I want to keep my teeth for the rest of my life.”

A very noble goal and one we fully support as attainable when the patient is committed to all necessary steps required to reach it. We, of course, would begin with a comprehensive assessment of “where you are now”, in terms of being free of gum disease and cavities; and what level of home care and frequency of cleanings and check ups will be required to maintain optimum health. Once these questions are

answered, then it is pretty straight forward to be able to construct a road map to reach the goal of a lifetime of healthy smiles. This is often a process that could take several years if the treatment plan is complex or if treatment needs to be spread out due to insurance or finances.

“I’m embarrassed with my smile.

What are my options?”

This is usually an easy one because most of the time this issue relates to unsightly cavities or old porcelain metal crowns with the “black line at the gum”. Preferred options for treatment range from natural tooth colored bonding to porcelain crowns or veneers. Visit www.smiledesigncenter.net to view “before and after” photos of this type of treatment. Another less common issue is crooked or misaligned front teeth. The preferred treatment is typically braces; however, in some cases porcelain crowns or veneers can provide a solution.

“What will my insurance cover?”

This is, without a doubt, the toughest one to deal with. Not so much that it is difficult to know what will or will not be covered (although this can get real “hairy” to figure out), but how can we balance what is actually the best treatment for the situation(s) we face, with the details of the insurance coverage. The insurance benefits that

have been negotiated (usually between the patient’s employer and the insurance company) have more to do with who is paying the cost of the policy and how much; than it does with what is the best treatment. In many cases, it is a not so subtle way of forcing a compromise in what level of care a patient can have. Our overriding goal is to help everyone obtain the maximum coverage while minimizing the compromise.

“Please doctor; just get me out of this pain!”

Yes we do accept new patients who are experiencing mouth pain. However, we are firm in our belief that once the dental emergency has been dealt with, our continuing relationship will be based on an active interest in preventing future emergencies through a mutual commitment to prevention and continuing care.

“I just want great dental care for me and my family.”

Well, we have nice people waiting to receive your phone call today because that is exactly what the doctors and support staff at The Smile Design Center are all about!

Article submitted by:

Cosmetic & Family Dentistry

Let us help you toward a more healthy, attractive smile!

300 TownCenter Blvd. • Tuscaloosa, AL 35406

205.750.8008

G. Earl Hydrick, DDS & Christopher T. Taylor, DMD 205.750.8008 www.smiledesigncenter.net

Hope

What does

look like?

Hope is the DCH Cancer Center When someone is told they have cancer, more than anything else, they are looking for hope. At the new DCH Cancer Center, hope looks like the most advanced technology in the world.

Our linear accelerators, the machines that deliver radiation treatments, are simply the best you will find anywhere. And our diagnostic capabilities are top notch.

Hope looks like the latest cancer-fighting medicines delivered by cancer specialists who have trained at some of the top centers in the country. Our medical oncology patients are served in a new area that is spacious and open, yet private and comfortable.

At the DCH Cancer Center, hope feels like the embrace of caring professionals who give comfort and support. Our staff sees the whole person, not just the cancer. Our terrace garden, wellness room, chapel, art room, and patient boutique address the emotional as well as the medical needs of our patients. We call it “environment of care.” Our patients call it compassion.

Thanks to the generous support of the community, hope looks like the new DCH Cancer Center. It’s an astonishing place, a place where compassion, technology and design come together to meet the needs of body and spirit.

Accredited with Commendation by the American College of Surgeons

809 University Boulevard East | Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 | 205.759.7800 | 800.338.2948 LEADING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY / SKILLED, CARING STAFF / FAMILY-CENTERED ENVIRONMENT

dchsystem.com/cancer

DCH Home Health Care Agency: Helping Thousands of West Alabamians Live Independently There’s no place like home. And when we are recovering from an illness or injury, we want to be at home if it’s at all possible.

Home health services provided by DCH Home Health Care Agency help thousand of West Alabamians live independently with a disability or chronic illness.

“A compassionate, highly skilled healthcare team serves patients receiving home care,” said Marcia Bailey, director of clinical services for DCH Home Health Agency. “The staff includes registered nurses with three to five years of experience in a variety of patient care areas and dietitians; respiratory, physical, occupational and speech therapy therapists; social workers; and home health aides.”

“What sets the DCH Home Care services apart from others is that the services are part of the Health System,” Ms. Bailey said. “This is important because the clinical information available to the caregivers is just a phone call away or at their fingertips on their computers.”

DCH Home Health Care Agency is accredited by the Joint Commission, licensed by the state of Alabama and certified as a Medicare provider. DCH Home Care offers skilled nursing care, physical therapy, speech therapy, nutritional services, medical social services and personal care. The licensed, professional staff at DCH Home Care can provide many services in the home, including cardiac monitoring and teaching, diabetes education and management, pain management, medication education and administration and IV therapy.

DCH Home Care offers several programs to help keep patients living independently in the home. The Collaborative Disease Management Program involves the physician, patient, payor and provider in a process to improve the patient’s quality of life and functional abilities. This will help prevent hospitalizations and allow patients to remain at home as long as possible.

The Patient Self-Management Program is designed to increase the patient’s knowledge, skill and confidence in managing his

DCH Cancer Center Builds a Foundation for New Hope Thanks to you, the people of West Alabama, the new DCH Cancer Center has joined the fight against cancer.

The original DCH Cancer Center has been the region’s leader in cancer care since 1986, but the community outgrew the facility and the equipment reached the end of its useful life. The new DCH Cancer Center, which offers four times the space of the original center, continues the tradition of providing radiation and chemotherapy under one roof from the area’s most skilled and caring professionals.

Radiation therapy is provided by two Varian Linear Accelerators, the most advanced machines of their kind in the world. The advanced technology increases reliability, limits delays and increases the number of patients who can

or her condition. The program’s goal is to increase the ability of patients to identify changes in their clinical status before the changes become acute and critical.

DCH Home Care staff contact patients by phone to check on their progress and determine needs based on goals set by the patient’s physician. To qualify for home health care, you must be under the care of a physician and need skilled services related to a medical diagnosis. Your insurance policy establishes the criteria for home health coverage. Some require individuals to be “homebound,” while others do not. Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance companies pay for home health care when it is reasonable, necessary and prescribed by your physician.

After contacting your physician, a registered nurse will arrange to meet you in your home to discuss your health care problems and needs. An assessment will be performed and the findings reported to your physician. All services provided are arranged and approved by your physician.

DCH Home Care Services offers two other important services in Tuscaloosa County. DCH Lifeline Services is a personal response system available through DCH Home Care in Tuscaloosa County. Lifeline allows people to be self-sufficient in their home and get help when needed. The response service is activated when a person pushes what’s called a help button.

When the help button is pushed, a trained Lifeline Monitor is contacted. The monitor then calls the person through the Lifeline system to find out what kind of help may be needed.

DCH Home Medical Equipment is also helping thousands of West Alabamians get

be treated every day. Their increased speed also increases patient comfort.

Running nearly the entire length of the first floor of the building is the area where patients receive chemotherapy. Custommade treatment areas have the capacity to treat up to 24 patients at one time in an open yet private environment.

On the main floor, patients will find an art gallery, a coffee shop, an appearance boutique with certified fitters for prosthetics, the Belcher Chapel and the Family Resource Library. The Wellness Room located on the first floor offers patients a place to participate in exercise classes and support groups.

Gifts large and small from thousands of West Alabamians helped make the new DCH Cancer Center possible. You’ve helped build an astonishing place, a place where compassion, technology and design come together to meet the needs of body and spirit.

a good night sleep. DCH Home Medical Equipment provides Continuous Positive Airway Pressure equipment and services to patients who have been diagnosed with sleep apnea and prescribed the use of a CPAP therapy.

Patients who are found to have sleep apnea are prescribed CPAP, a speciallyfitted mask that is connected to an air flow device that stimulates normal breathing and promotes restful sleep.

DCH Home Medical Equipment provides the CPAP machine and accessories (mask, tubing, filters). A Respiratory Therapist trained to care for people with breathing disorders is responsible for patient care.

Once it’s been confirmed that a person has sleep apnea and his or her physician orders CPAP therapy, the Respiratory Therapist works with the DCH Sleep Lab staff and the physician to develop a plan of care based on individual needs and personal wishes.

The Respiratory Therapist also ensures a proper fit of the mask and teaches people how to care for their condition and equipment.

The DCH Home Care trained clinical staff is on-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week for questions or problems with CPAP therapy or equipment. They will call a person’s physician when, and if, necessary.

For information, call 205-759-7010 or toll-free at 1-800-833-0687 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., or go to www.dchsystem.com/homecare.

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Healthy

Community & Family Focus Healthy CommunityFaith Section

Dealing with

helplessness hopelessness sadness isolation

Depression

Everyone goes through periods of despondency– sadness, depression– times when things are not going the way we think they should go. Emotional pain, grief, and sadness are feelings experienced by everyone at some point in life. The Christian perspective says that Jesus Christ is the answer to depression.

What is depression? Someone has defined it as “a feeling of helplessness and hopelessness that leads to an almost overwhelming sense of sadness.” That is a psychologist’s definition.

You and I would simply say it is “getting the blues” or feeling down.

There is, admittedly, a difference between the stresses that come upon us daily– those times when we just need to be left alone for a while and renew our thinking a bit to help us out of the emotional doldrums– and attacks of serious depression. Certainly, we should be trying to eliminate as many of those minor “down times” as we possibly can so that we can enjoy life and live it to the fullest. But in this article we are talking about something much more severe. Real depression, that which can stop the flow of your life and paralyze you emotionally for days and weeks and sometimes even longer, is a real and present danger for us all. While there are those who need psychiatric help, and professional assistance should be sought when necessary, for most of us, depression has emotional and circumstantial causes rather than chemical or biological ones.

What most people do not realize is that the best textbook on human emotional help is the Bible. It should not surprise us to find that God has placed in His word abundant help for our hearts and minds, when we consider that He formed us, and therefore knows us better than anyone on earth ever could, including ourselves.

And what is encouraging is the fact that some of God’s most faithful servants have found themselves in the pit of depression. Great Bible heroes like Moses, David, Elijah and John the Baptist all went through depression, and these periods are recorded for us so that we might know several important points.

First, having serious emotional problems does not mean that we have done something wrong.

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John the Baptist, for example, was serving God faithfully, even about to sacrifice his life for Christ, when he was at his lowest point emotionally. It is tempting for us to think that if we were “what we are supposed to be” we would not be depressed, for those who are close to God have nothing to be depressed about. But this is simply not the case, and the Bible proves it.

Another thing we learn is that God is close to us even when we don’t feel that He is. When we are depressed, we do not “feel” the Lord’s presence in the same way we do when our minds are functioning with healthy thoughts. But feelings– which come and go– have nothing to do with the reality of our relationship with God or His presence with us. We know He is with us, not because we “feel” that He is, but because He has promised that He will NEVER leave or forsake us.

He was with David, Moses and Elijah when they were down, and He is with you as well.

Finally we learn that we must battle depression the same way they did: by turning to God. Christ is the one who can heal our broken heart.

He said, “Come unto me all of you who are heavy-hearted and I will give you rest… Learn of me and you will find rest for your soul.” I encourage you to take emotional pain very seriously, and by so doing, turn to the one who can help us more than anyone or anything. The best way for you succeed in life and ensure that you maintain a spirit of joy no matter what the circumstances is to give your heart to the Lord.

Do not try to face depression alone. That is a mistake. Make sure that you spend time daily with God in prayer and meditation upon the Bible. You will be amazed at how emotionally refreshed ten minutes of concentrated prayer can make you feel. Make sure that you are associating regularly with positive, uplifting people. This is most easily and effectively done by being an active member of a strong Bible-

believing church. Most importantly, make sure that God is at the center of your life every day.

By building your existence around the one who made and understands you, you will guarantee yourself ultimate victory over the pitfalls of life.

Article by

Richard O’ Connor

Minister

Just Plain Honesty

By Billy R. Helms, Ph.D

M

ost seniors, by virtue of longevity, were taught to be honest. Unfortunately some have failed to pass on that vital trait to the ensuing generation(s). Indeed, some have intentionally practiced dishonestly. Otherwise how can we account for the flagrant dishonesty so common in today’s world?

Who can look at deceptive actions in the business community and deny that “just plain honesty” is passé for most? The massive fraud uncovered in the financial sector whose tentacles have penetrated the housing, mortgage, financial and all related markets displays the proliferation of dishonesty fostered by greed with no sense of dishonesty or guilt. Even some government officials seem to have been deeply involved.

Most of us have no part in the upper echelons listed above, but what about our participation at the main street level? The salesperson who gouges the consumer either by “talk” or inflated prices? The professional who charges exorbitant fees for services. The blue collar ser-

Passing it on…

What will you do with your gift?

I

remember being in a bible class one night at Riverchase Church of Christ. Our teacher Tim Genry opened the class by giving each one of us a dollar. There must have been 70 people in that classroom! I remember thinking “well, this is kind of weird...getting paid to go to bible class.” It sure was a good way to hold our attention, even if it bordered on bribery. Tim’s point (and by the way, he refused to take the money back) was to think about what we do with what we get every day. Some of us walked into that classroom thinking we didn’t have anything, but we left there with a dollar bill in our pocket. Some of us may have spent it on a soft drink. Some of us may have given it to the Salvation Army, but the point is we had something to give. The good Lord above has given each of us gifts. Part of our life journey is finding out what that gift is or what those gifts are. There are some days we feel like we have no talent at all. Then again, there are some days when we feel like we can take on the world. Whenever I need to be reminded about the imperfection in us all, I read the stories about Peter in the Bible. Peter was as confident and brash as they get. If Peter had played football, he’d have been the quarterback. But then again, he wasn’t so confident when Jesus asked him to walk on the water. Or how about that time he

vice person who takes advantage of those who must use his services because they have no knowledge of how to do what must be done.

After all, how many of us can do repairs to electrical, plumbing, structural, or mechanical matters that plague us all at one time or another.

One family was charged about $150 for parts and $850 for four hours labor for a necessary repair. Another was told that when replacing a water heater certain other devices were necessary (about $300 worth) to meet the “state code.” As it turned out there was no “state code” and the regional code that applied was not necessary in a single family residence.

This one had a happy ending with a full refund as demanded by the Attorney General of the state. The list could go on and on but greed and fundamental dishonesty bear terrible fruits.

You get the idea, huh? Well, now to a more personal level. What about misrepresenting facts when dealing with others, possibly not even dealing with money? When truth is thrown aside and no sense of principle is embraced and truth is ignored, what has happened to basically honest people? Can we just skirt around truth and still claim to be honest? When encouraged to accomplish something, and we agree,

isn’t it less than honest not to do what we’ve

denied Jesus 3 times? That probably threw him off his game a little bit. But who’s the guy who bounces back and delivers one of the most powerful sermons of all time in Acts 2? It’s our good friend, but very human Peter. God is ready to do great things in ALL of us. He can work through us on our good days and even in our bad days.

If we keep a smile on our face and a skip in our step on our bad days, that’s when God really shines through! Search for that gift. Use it. I’m a sportscaster. I love one-syllable words. Run. Hit. Shoot. Score. Christians can get inspiration from simple words like search. Use. And then there’s another one that’s very powerful. Let. L-E-T. Let Him work in you.

We’ve been taught to share (Hey, there’s another one-syllable word...the Bible is full of ‘em.)

In Acts 20:35, Paul wrote “...you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He himself said “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Another beautiful one-syllable word is love. In 1962 a child was born to Gene and Ruth Ann Stallings. At the time Gene was an assistant football coach at Alabama. 30 years later he would be the head coach at Alabama and lead the Crimson Tide to a national championship. But on this day in 1962, Gene and Ruth Ann’s lives would be changed forever. Their baby John Mark was born with Down’s Syndrome. At first, Stallings and his wife didn’t want to believe it. But he says and I quote... “The good Lord knew what was best for

us.” John Mark wasn’t supposed to live past five years old. He lived to be 46. He died in August.

Once John Mark met you, he never forgot your name. He couldn’t spell C-A-T, but Stallings said John Mark knew everything about L-O-V-E. He loved people in an unconditional way. He genuinely cared about them and the situations they were in. He helped a lot of people with special needs at the RISE Foundation in Tuscaloosa.

More than 4,000 people attended his funeral in Paris, Texas. Stallings summed up John Mark’s life in this way “He did the VERY BEST with what he had.” Stallings always said if his football players at Alabama would’ve had that attitude, they would have been unbeatable.

God gave us the very best He had. John 3:16 says “For God so loved the world, He gave us His only begotten Son so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.” He gave His Son for us and it’s His Son that told us “it’s more blessed to give than to receive.” We’ve all been given a very special gift.

What will we do with it?

committed to do? And when we tell “little white lies” to avoid the embarrassment for not doing that thing, are we not much less than honest.

Certainly all of us fall into the category of not fully living up to “just plain honesty,” wouldn’t we all be better off if we all were people of integrity?

Someone has well said that “integrity” is what we are when nobody is watching. True!

“A man’s word is his bond” was once a highly esteemed philosophy. Some good people would lose much materially rather than go back on their word. Many, many years ago I watched my father as he sold an old car. The two men came to an agreement and the buyer was given the keys on his word that he’d bring the money the next day. You see, they were members of the same fraternal society. Next day the man showed up with the money. “A man’s word is his bond.” We’re all members of the “human race society.” Shouldn’t those same principles apply across the board?

“Just plain honesty.” Now there’s a trait that I’d be pleased to be known as having and also to be known for putting it into practice. Wouldn’t you?

Article by

Jeff Speegle

Community Wellness Guide

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Healthy

& Family Healthy CommunityFaith Section

Marriage

Maintenance

I

f you are like me you have a little sticker in the corner of your car’s windshield to remind you to change the oil in your car at a certain mileage. Computers have little pop-ups to remind us that new and updated information is available to keep our computer running at peak performance. And of course we get postcard reminders from our doctors and dentists telling us it’s time for a check-up. These little messages do a pretty good job of keeping us informed that it’s been a while since we last made sure a particular area of our life was working properly. However, the reminders do no good if they go unheeded.

Many of us know that marriage takes a lot of work. If a successful marriage is to be attained and enjoyed it must be given the time and effort to flourish– marriage cannot be put on cruise control. Just as we work to maintain other areas of our life we must also work to maintain our marriage.

There is a verse from the book of Leviticus that says, “The fire shall be ever burning upon the altar; it shall never go out.” Now,

in the context it is talking about a fire burning as an offering to God. Yet it also makes a great application for our marriages today. This is a picture of how that steadily burning flame, that never goes out, expresses the love that runs between two hearts in a great marriage.

Our marriage flame, like the flame on that altar, should never go out.

The flame that was burning to God had to be cared for every day. As the old ashes were carried off and new wood applied it was then and only then that the offering could reach God. The priest had to tend to the flame EVERY DAY. So it is with your marriage: Take time to tend the flame every day. Easier said than done? Let me give you a few practical suggestions:

1) Use Positive Communication Every Day God says “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good for the use of edifying…” No marriage will succeed when the only communication comes in the form of sarcasm, negativity and criticism. You may have to schedule time to talk– but do it! One day your kids will be grown and gone and if you don’t communicate now you won’t know each other later.

2) Spend Time Together Every Day It’s great to spend time with the whole family, but set aside some time each day to talk or just sit together. Each week have a date night– just the two of you. “We don’t have the time” is the usual response I receive when I recommend this advice. But my answer is still the same, “If you cannot take the time to keep the iron of your marriage hot, than you have too many irons in the fire and you need to get some out!”

3) Show Appreciation Every Day Don’t take your mate for granted. Do the “little things”. Saying, “I Love You” and doing things to show it. Husbands, it wouldn’t kill us to help our wives with the housework or laundry on occasion. Wives, show your interest in your husband’s work and hobbies. Be reminded of this: Appreciation is the ability to have sincere interest in someone other than self!

4) Readily Resolve Conflict Every Day Listen, don’t ever believe that families that break up have problems, and families that stay together don’t. Family breakups have nothing to do with problems. There are millions of people that have kept their marriage together, with bigger problems than some people who have broken up.

The key is the ability to be ready to resolve conflict. Remember, in Leviticus the priest had to take the old ashes out every day. We need to do that as well. Take the old ashes of conflict out every day. God reminds us to never the let sun go down on our wrath.

5) Practice Christianity in the Home Every Day Many people are familiar with the golden rule. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Where should that start? In church?

At work? With my friends? Those are all good places to practice the rule but it must start at home! If you claim to be a Christian and yet don’t demonstrate it in the way you treat your spouse and children at home… then you are no Christian at all!

Just as you cannot change the oil in your car once and be done– You cannot do these things for a week or two and think it will fix problems or keep you from having problems in your marriage. These are lifetime principles! It is my prayer that you will continually maintain your marriage so you may enjoy all the blessings that come from a godly home.

“It is my prayer that you will continually maintain your marriage so you may enjoy all the blessings that come from a godly home.”

Article by

Richard O’ Connor Minister

Security in Difficult Times

By Billy R. Helms, Ph.D

Who can doubt that we are in difficult times especially economically? We might add to that times are tough politically, socially, and even spiritually.

Those of us who can claim status as “seniors” (and some of us “super-seniors”) have seen many ups and downs over the years.

I was born early in the great depression years and was seven years old before I had a nickel to call my own. Many of those reading this can identify with that situation. It is my fervent prayer that my children and grandchildren will never have to live through such times. Although those of us who did live through it as children didn’t know times were hard. Everybody was in the same boat and took happiness where they could find it. Families, friends and neighbors spent pleasant times together. We were, indeed, made ready for a multitude of challenges in our lifetimes.

Just for

Laughs

Funny Church Bloopers Don’t let worry kill you.

Let the Church help.

Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our church and community.

For those of you who have children and don’t know it, we have a nursery downstairs.

We are pleased to announce the birth of David Alan Belzer, the sin of Rev and Mrs. Julius Belzer.

Thursday at 5 p.m. there will be a meeting of the Little Mothers Club. All wishing to become Little Mothers, please see the minister in his private study.

In well over half a century as a preacher and counselor, a lot of insight into people and circumstances has been gained. Formal education has taken a back seat to observing the lives of a host of people. Each person has his own set of problems and they are very personal and special to them even if many others may have similar things with which to cope.

Years ago I read (and I wish I could remember the author) that there are two things that everyone wants, significance and security.

Reduced to simpler words, everyone wants to have a sense of self-importance, and everyone wants to know that they are safe and that all will be well.

Further explanation of this principle noted that Jesus died for you and that proves you are important, and that God promises eternal life to the obedient and faithful. We just can’t ask for more than that, can we? We now can well understand that material security is temporary and fickle.

Recently the latest version of insecurity has reemerged with the economic crash of 2008.

“In well over half a century as a preacher and counselor, a lot of insight into people and circumstances has been gained.”

This being Easter Sunday, we will ask Mrs. Lewis to come forward and lay an egg on the altar.

The ladies of the church have cast off clothing of every kind and they may be seen in the church basement Friday.

Pastor is on vacation. Massages can be given to church secretary.

The Senior Choir invites any member of the congregation who enjoys sinning to join the choir.

Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles, and other items to be recycled.

Proceeds will be used to cripple children.

What meager savings we’ve been able to accumulate for retirement has shrunken considerably. This has happened to many seniors (younger folks also, but they have longer to recover!) and that gives us a bit of a shaking that results in a degree of insecurity to each of us.

Okay, I’ll admit, when things started going south with investments, I felt a strong nudge of excessive concern (worry)! After a couple of days my more logical side gave me a strong kick. Remember the words of the old hymn?

“Be not dismayed what ere betide, God will take care of you.” Wow! My concern was with material security when at my age (and yours) the eternal security in Jesus is far and away the greatest blessing and concern of all. Remember Philippians 3:20-21 (NASB)? “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.” Then, look at 2 Corinthians 5:1 (NASB) “For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”

How’s that for security no matter the circumstances of life?

The Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10. All ladies are invited to lunch in the fellowship hall after the B.S. is done.

The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday morning.

The audience is asked to remain seated until the end of the recession.

Low Self-Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 to 8:30 p.m. Please use the back door.

Ushers will eat latecomers.

The outreach committee has enlisted 25 visitors to make calls on people who are not afflicted with any church.

The third verse of Blessed Assurance will be sung without musical accomplishment.

Evening Massage—6 p.m.

For those of you who have children and don’t know it, we have a nursery downstairs.

(All were submitted via email June, 2009 by unknown author.)

Community Wellness Guide

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NorthStar Paramedic Services

“Dedicated to providing personalized and professional care to our community�

NorthStar Emergency Medical Services

(205) 345-0911

NorthStar Paramedic Services As an experienced local provider of ambulance transportation services, with a depth of regional resources, NorthStar Paramedic Services is committed to developing partnerships with communities focused on offering dependable, clinically sophisticated emergency medical care and transportation services.

We take great pride in our history of working with communities throughout the state to create tailor-made solutions to their local medical transportation needs while delivering prompt, high quality, cost-effective healthcare services. NorthStar provides clinically superior and innovative EMS services to communities throughout the state of Alabama working with EMS policymakers, public safety agencies, fire departments, local residents, and community groups to ensure exemplary levels of patient care and customer service in a fiscally responsible and cooperative manner.

NorthStar’s regional headquarters is located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama where operations began on April 1, 1992 with two ambulances serving Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. Since this time, NorthStar has grown into Alabama’s premier ambulance service, currently serving nine counties. NorthStar deploys a fleet of 80 ambulances throughout the nine-county Central Alabama area and employs approximately 450 personnel, including support and management staff. While NorthStar has a strong regional presence, local operations are managed by the local Management and Support Teams.

NorthStar Emergency Medical Services

NorthStar’s mission statement is “Dedicated to providing personalized and professional care to our community”. Our mission and core values are centered on the patient and our customers serve as our compass, ensuring that the sizable business of ambulance service and related care is delivered on a human scale— one person to another, with compassion and respect. We align training, initiatives, metrics, and rewards so that everyone has the tools to succeed in their role and then we hold each person accountable for his or her part of the mission and plan. NorthStar’s culture encourages frequent dialog between management and field employees to achieve our mission, promote our values, celebrate our successes, and learn and grow from our experiences.

NorthStar Paramedic Services provides: • Basic Life Support (BLS) • Advanced Life Support (ALS) • Critical Care Transport (CCT) • Specialty Care Transport (SCT) • Wheelchair Transport We have built our reputation through our focus on local leadership, commitment to clinical sophistication, and the development of a strong

“NorthStar deploys a fleet of 80 ambulances throughout the nine-county Central Alabama area and employs approximately 450 personnel, including support and management staff.” relationship with each community we serve. We continue to recognize that we build our business by serving one patient at a time, by meeting the needs of each customer we contact. Although we are proud of our regional presence, our core philosophy centers on responding to local needs through strong, customer-centered relationships within each community. We leverage our regional strengths to enhance service and increase clinical sophistication at the local level, again focusing on our local customers and local caregivers.

No other provider in the Central Alabama area has the depth of experience and resources that NorthStar can offer. NorthStar Paramedic Services and its predecessor companies have served in Central Alabama for 17 years.

– Written By NorthStar Paramedic Services

Community Wellness Guide

29

Community focus Greater Tuscaloosa Convention and Visitors Bureau Not so long ago, the mention of Tuscaloosa brought on hours of conversation about one thing – the University of Alabama’s great sports tradition that has captivated the world for generations. But as Crimson Tide legends have evolved through the years, so has news of the area’s diverse list of growing attractions and opportunities.

Since its founding in 1990, the Greater Tuscaloosa Convention & Visitors Bureau has been getting the word out about the many features that make their favorite town a premier tourist destination in the South. Today, Tuscaloosa, which has appeared in Money magazine’s annual list of the country’s best places to live, is a nexus of educational, cultural and recreational attractions that draws tens of thousands of visitors every year.

The First Tee at Ol’ Colony Golf PARA and Ol’ Colony Golf Complex welcomed the opening of The First Tee, a junior golfer program in 2001.

The program progressed and two to three years ago burst into action with the hiring of a full-time director and a dedicated First Tee Teaching Facility.

Since then, 400 youth per year participated in the program on location at Ol’ Colony and approximately 1,000 youth are reached through local schools.

“Thanks to Brion Hardin, whom the teaching facility is named for, and an extremely active board (of directors) we have really blossomed,” said Mike Shivetts, director of The First Tee program. “With The First Tee teaching facility and now the construction of a short course and practice area, these junior golfers are enjoying a tremendous benefit,” he said.

Shivetts says, “The First Tee program is a great way to invest in a child’s future. It teaches

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Healthy Horizons Magazine

A Special Section of

The Tuscaloosa CVB provides special-event attendees with visitors’ guides and maps, which include a complete list of area attractions, restaurants, entertainment venues and general information about the area.

Making it even easier to obtain information about the city are the bureau’s own radio station and Web site. Listeners can set their radio dials to Welcome 103.3 LPFM – the only one of its kind in the state – to hear about community events, Tuscaloosa history briefs and road and weather conditions. Meanwhile www.visittuscaloosa.com offers a variety of information, including a list of area accommodations, attractions, local links and a calendar of events.

Attractions for Every Age and Interest In addition to University of Alabama athletics, Tuscaloosa visitors can choose from a variety of recreational attractions and entertainment options. Points of interest include a historic theater, 33 public parks and multiple galleries, museums and antebellum homes.

Fans of water sports relish Tuscaloosa’s beautiful lakes and rivers while golfers tee it up on the area’s many gorgeous golf links.

More than 500 works of American art spanning from 1775 to the present are located at the

Healthy

Westervelt Warner Museum of American Art. The museum includes a top collection of American paintings, sculptures, furniture, and decorative arts from the late 18th to the early 20th century.

Murphy African-American Museum is a must-see for black heritage scholars and amateurs alike. African-American contractors built the two-story bungalow in the late 1920s with brick and hand-hewn sills salvaged from the old State Capital building in Tuscaloosa.

Paul W. Bryant Museum on the University of Alabama campus takes visitors through 100 years of Crimson Tide history and features photographs, artworks, sports memorabilia and touch-screen computer displays.

Also on the university campus, the Alabama Museum of Natural History highlights the natural diversity of Alabama through exhibits from the Age of Dinosaurs, the Coal Age and the Ice Age. The museum resides in historic Smith Hall, one of the finest examples of Beaux-Arts architecture in the region.

Located in downtown Tuscaloosa, the Children’s Hands-On Museum is a dynamic learning experience that stimulates curiosity, creativity, and shared discovery in all ages.

“We have had a wonderful time participating in The First Tee program.

My youngest child can’t wait to be old enough to play after seeing my oldest enjoying the game. We want to play as many years as we can.” kids life lessons as well as an introduction to the game of golf.” The First Tee’s nine core values are: honesty, judgment, perseverance, integrity, responsibility, confidence, sportsmanship, courtesy and respect.

Susan Stabler, whose son is involved said, “We have had a wonderful time participating in The First Tee program. My youngest child can’t wait to be old enough to play after seeing my oldest enjoying the game. We want to play as many years as we can.”

The First Tee of Tuscaloosa is a junior golf program for youth ages 6-18. The program is somewhat unique in that it incorporates life skills education in which participants learn valuable lessons about the importance of maintaining a positive attitude, how to define and set goals, how to make decisions by thinking about the consequences, honesty, respect, confidence, etiquette, and sportsmanship from the golf course to every day life.

Learn more about The First Tee of Tuscaloosa and junior golf at Ol’ Colony by visiting www.thefirsttee.org and www.tcpara.org and click on Ol’ Colony Golf, or contact Mike Shivetts at 205-562-3201.

PARA Helps Teach Kids How to Swim Splashing, wading, and paddling— it must mean a great day in the water. Playing in a pool, by a lake or river can be a real treat on a hot day. Swimming is a lot of fun, but drowning is a real danger.

Let's find out how to stay safe in the water.

Why Is It Important to Be Safe in the Water?

Fish are able to live and breathe under water, but people need air to breathe. People drown when too much water gets into their lungs. When that happens, the lungs can’t carry enough oxygen to the brain and the rest of the body.

Drowning is the second most common cause of death from injuries among kids under the age of 14. Drowning can happen so fast — sometimes in less than two minutes after a person’s head goes under the water. That leaves very little time for someone to help.

Many drownings and near-drownings occur when a kid accidentally falls into a swimming pool. But accidents can happen anywhere— at someone’s home or even at your own house, and that’s why you need to know how to be safe around water.

Swimming Pools Pools are awesome! What could be better than a dip in the pool and fun in the sun? But remember a pool’s sides and bottom are usually made of concrete, a rock-hard material. A slip or fall could be painful and dangerous.

Have you seen those big numbers painted on the side of the pool? Those are called depth markers— they tell you how deep the water is at that point. You should always look before you jump into a pool. You should also only dive off the diving board. Never dive off the side of the pool unless an adult says that the water is deep enough. The water may be shallower than you think. If you hit the bottom . . . ouch! You might get knocked out or you could hurt your neck very badly.

Test the pool’s water temperature before you plunge in. PARA’s indoor pools are heated to optimum temperature but cold water can shock your body and make your blood pressure and heart rate go up. You might accidentally open your mouth to yell and accidentally breathe in some water. Cold water can also slow your muscles, making it hard to swim.

• Always obey pool rules.

• Swim with a buddy.

• If you’re learning to swim, ask your mom or dad to make sure your flotation devices are Coast Guard approved.

• Walk slowly in the pool area. Don’t run.

• Swim at a depth that is safe for you. If you’re just learning to swim, stay in the shallow end.

• Don’t push or jump on others. You could accidentally hurt someone or yourself.

• Don’t chew gum or eat while you swim— you could choke.

“Drowning is the second most common cause of death from injuries among kids under the age of 14. Drowning can happen so fast– sometimes in less than two minutes after a person’s head goes under the water. That leaves very little time for someone to help.”

Learn to swim. PARA offers moderately priced swim lesson for people of all ages– infants and toddlers, youth and adults. It’s never too late to learn to swim!

ers in life. PARA had over 50 students to complete the “Learn to Swim” program and trained 13 Water Safety Aides and four Lifeguards.

Grants for programming similar to the JLT grant are remarkable and PARA is very thankful!

My hopes are that the kids that learned to swim and were trained as Water Safety Instructor Aides will be future Lifeguards and Water Safety Instructors.”

PARA’s Aquatics Director Mark Harrison enjoys teaching and understands why learning to swim is such an important life skill. “Alabama has so many rivers, lakes and waterways– learning to swim can literally save a life,” says Harrison.

Adult swim lessons are becoming increasingly popular as more adults seek recreational activities and exercises to stay fit. Swimming is one of the most beneficial ways to get a good cardio workout and offers a low impact, high energy form of exercising,” he says.

Harrison went on to share, “The Junior League of Tuscaloosa Swim Program at Freeman Pool last summer was a great success!

Our classes were full as we also trained Water Safety Instructor Aides. These are people in the community who are developing into future lead-

PARA’s swim classes are affordably priced and conveniently located near you!

• McAbee Center’s Dockery Pool located at 3801 Loop Road • Miller Center pools located at 300 Bobby Miller Parkway • Freeman Pool located in A.L. Freeman Park at 3301-18th Street • Bower’s Park Pool located at 2101 Bowers Park Drive –Adapted from Kidshealth.org

Here’s some other good advice for the pool: • Always have an adult watch you when you are in the pool — even in your own backyard. Never go in the pool if there is no adult around.

Community Wellness Guide

31

Communityfocus PARA’s Youth Tackle Football Teams Play All-Star Games Have you always wanted to be a football star? Have you always wanted to play in Bryant Denny Stadium? This is your chance! PARA’s youth football teams play All-Star games at Stillman Stadium and Bryant Denny Stadium.

“The All-Star players are selected from their youth tackle football leagues by players and coaches who vote for the All-Star team members based on sportsmanship, character, attitude, leadership and athletic ability,” says Wendy Harris, PARA program supervisor for adult athletics. “This is an after season reward for kids who have given their best,” she indicated.

For 43 years the Tuscaloosa Quarterback Club has generously sponsored the Bryant Denny Stadium experience for PARA’s All-Star teams. “We are extremely thankful to Harry Lee, club president, who was instrumental in beginning this tradition for PARA’s players,” Harris says.

The Instructional League (ages 7-8) play in Stillman Stadium and Division I (ages 9-10) and Division II (ages 11-12) play in Bryant Denny Stadium.

Tickets for the games are $1 per person, per game and are available in advance at the Jerry Belk Activity Center or on the day of the games at the stadium gate. Ticket fees support the PARA youth football scholarship program, also sponsored by the Tuscaloosa Quarterback Club, which offers scholarships to eligible players.

“We hope a scholarship will encourage players to do well in school and earn their own scholarship whether it is for athletics or any other field. We want them to learn to be good citizens,” Harris explained.

The Stillman Stadium event, although a newer tradition, expands the opportunity for young-

er youth who ultimately may have the benefit of playing in both stadiums.

Several hundred friends, family members and an interested community gather to watch each of the All-Star games. Play PARA and Play Stillman and Bryant Denny stadiums!

To learn more about tackle football please contact Wendy Harris at 205/562-3220.

To learn more about flag football please contact Frank Blewitt at 205/562-3220.

To learn more about cheerleading please contact Melinda Wiggins at 205/562-3230.

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A Special Section of PARA Partnering with Local Youth Organizations for Catch and Release Fishing Experience The Tuscaloosa County Park & Recreation Authority partnered with several local youth organizations to sponsor a catfish fishing experience on March 20 at the Tuscaloosa Police Firing Range pond below the Lake Tuscaloosa dam.

“PARA is happy to share this fishing event with hundreds of youth from several different organizations,” says Gary Minor, superintendent of recreation. “With all the waterways in Alabama fishing is a natural outdoor experience,” he said.

The event was made possible through a “Take Me Fishing” grant provided PARA by the National Recreation and Parks Association.

“The fishing event will be “catch and release” with 1,500 pounds of ¾ -1 ½ pound catfish released in the pond earlier in the week. The fish were purchased through funds from the grant from South Fresh Fingerlings in Newbern, Ala.,” Minor reported.

Area youth were out of school for a weather day holiday. Youth invited to the event were par-

Pedestrian Safety

By Capt. C.A. Wilkinson, Tuscaloosa Police Department Regular physical activity is one of the most important things that one can do, whether young or old, to reduce risks of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers, control your weight (thwart obesity), strengthen bones and muscles and improve ability to do daily activities. Walking is generally a safe thing for most to do. It’s a way to be active. It’s free! It’s enjoyable!

And it doesn’t require any special equipment or training.

Don’t know when to walk? How’s about starting with walking your children to school, doing it safely? Then make it a year round habit that will contribute to less traffic, safer streets, cleaner air and a healthier you and them. Join millions nationwide and internationally on October 7, 2009 and walk your children to school.

Each year thousands or pedestrians, many of them children, are injured in motor vehicle crashes. Before you walk review and teach, by explaining, safe walking rules to your children.

These rules should include but not be limited to sidewalks, crosswalks, crossing streets, and traffic signals.

ticipants in the following programs:

• Police Athletic League • PARAkids Day Camp • Northport Housing Authority • Barnes Branch YMCA • Boys & Girls Club

So let’s start. Rule 1: When sidewalks are present they should be used. If there are no sidewalks then walk as far over to the left hand side of the roadway as possible facing traffic so you can see the front of the cars and see what they are doing. If they are driving dangerously, this will allow you to try to safely get out of their way in a timely manner.

Rule 2: When crossing streets cross at intersections or street corners and use the crosswalks. This is where motorists expect to see you crossing. Stop and check in all directions before walking out into the street to cross.

Don’t dart or dash out into the roadway. When unsure how close a vehicle is and whether or not you have time to cross it is best to wait for them to pass. If there are traffic signals at the intersection obey them. Remember, red means to stop. Green means to go but, before you go be sure to look left, right, then left again and check to see if cars are turning across your path. Make sure that the traffic has come to a complete stop.

Rule 3: When walking along a long stretch of sidewalks watch for driveways. When you reach one stop and check that no one is backing out of it onto the roadway.

Rule 4: Wear clothing that will help to make you more noticeable day or night. White, light or bright clothing with reflective material helps.

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The kids fished with rods and reels and used chicken livers and worms for bait. “About 200 kids enjoyed fishing that day, some for the first time in their lives. PARA’s staff enjoyed sharing and facilitating this fun and educational experience,” said Minor.

Rule 5: Do not play in the street of between parked cars.

Rule 6: If you must cross a street from between parked cars, be extra careful. Walk out to the edge of the car, lean out and look in all directions before crossing to ensure it is safe to cross.

Rule 7: Parents and other responsible caregivers should always accompany young children on a safe and enjoyable walk and promote healthy behaviors.

Lastly, why should we walk? When we decide to put on those walking shoes or strap on those bike helmets instead of riding in a car we reduce the amount of air pollutants emitted by automobiles, the hazardous or toxic ones know or suspected of causing serious health problems.

Community Wellness Guide

33

Communityfocus bama’s legendary football coach, Paul “Bear” Bryant. After college, he gave up the chance to play in the NFL because he felt drawn to making a difference in the lives of orphaned, abused and neglected children.

When he talked about the early days of his dream, John’s typically booming voice softens with gratitude, “Here’s a guy who found out early what he was put on this earth to do.”

In the past 30 years, over 1,700 children have called Big Oak home. Their lives have been changed, one by one.

J

ohn Croyle speaks with passion when he says Shelley’s name. Even though it happened 20 years ago, John can still see the frail 12-year-old, nervously rocking herself on the bench outside a courtroom where a hearing would determine her future. All she wanted was a chance to sleep without fear and wake up with hope. A judge would determine if she got that chance.

John knew Shelley had been brutally raped by her father while her mother held her down; he’d read the court transcripts. But he read even more when he looked into her sad eyes.

He’d seen that look of despair many times before, and it never failed to grip his heart.

By the time he met Shelley in 1995, John was no stranger to family court. He’d rescued countless boys from lives of abuse and neglect since 1974, gaining custody or guardianship of them and bringing them to live in the Christian home environment of Big Oak Boys’ Ranch in Gadsden, Alabama.

“I’ll take Shelley,” John implored the judge, who countered that the Ranch had been established for boys only. “Then my wife and I will take Shelley into our own home,” John pleaded.

“Please, give her this chance. If you send Shelley back to her parents, she’ll be dead within six months.”

But, for reasons of his own, the judge’s ears and heart were deaf to John’s pleas. John’s hands were tied, and he watched helplessly as the frail

34

Healthy Horizons Magazine

John has four promises he makes personally to every child who comes to lives at Big Oak: little girl with the sad eyes slowly walked out of the courtroom door and back to her parents.

As it turned out, John was wrong. Shelley didn’t die in six months; she was battered to death by her father three months later. Her tragic death – so needless, so preventable – was a life-altering event for John, who sums up the painful experience: “Tee and I promised God that, when the time was right, we would open a home for girls. We promised God that, with His help, we would not allow this to happen to another girl, ever again.”

In 1988, that promised ranch for girls swung open its gates, providing love and hope to girls who, like Shelley, just want a chance to sleep without fear and wake with hope.

John thinks of Shelley every morning when he drives into Big Oak Girls’ Ranch in Springville, Alabama. The street, named after the little girl who never lived there, is a straight shot into the heart of John Croyle’s God-given vision and lifelong dream. The 325-acre facility has been home to scores of girls.

John Croyle stands well over 6 feet tall. He played defensive end for the University of Ala-

1. I love you 2. I’ll never lie to you 3. I’ll stick with you ‘til you’re grown 4. There are boundaries. Don’t cross them.

That’s Big Oak in a nutshell: love and boundaries. Big Oak Girls’ Ranch and Big Oak Boys’ Ranch are rooted in the words of Isaiah 61:3, “So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord that He may be glorified.” It’s a perfect image of the transformation that takes place to those who come to live under the shade of Big Oak. For the first time in many of their young lives, they feel wanted, cared for and protected.

The roots of an oak tree are strong and deep, drinking in up to 50 gallons of water daily.

At Big Oak Ranch, children thirsty for hope and happiness drink deeply as they live – for the first time in their lives – without fear of being hurt or abandoned. They can finally relax, breathe deeply, feel rooted, and thrive in family settings that are based on godly love.

For more information about Big Oak Ranch, please call our administrative office at (205) 4676226, or visit our website at www.bigoak.org.

Learning For

A Special Section of

Learning for the Fun of It !

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at The University of Alabama (OLLI at UA) is a visionary, member-driven program that allows mature adults to pursue a variety of programs designed for fun and learning.

Initiated at UA in 2006, the OLLI is a nationally-renowned program for adult learners and has 122 lifelong learning institutes across the country.

“In three short years, OLLI at UA has grown to over 600 members and offers more than 36 courses in a given semester, as well as numerous field trips, social gatherings and other programs aimed at mature learners."

As the program is strictly member-driven and volunteer-based many members also serve as instructors who volunteer their time, sharing their knowledge and talents with fellow members.

In three short years, OLLI at UA has grown to over 600 members and offers more than 36 courses in a given semester, as well as numerous field trips, social gatherings and other programs aimed at mature learners.

This fall, courses include a number of computer training classes, social networking, history, art, astronomy, creative writing, foreign language, gardening, book discussion, investing during retirement and many more.

New offerings include a seminar on baseball “From the Clubhouse to the Press Box,” a unique perspective on all aspects of our national pastime.

Field trips this fall include visits to the Black Belt Heritage Trail, Plantation Homes of the Black Belt, the Southern Museum of Flight and Barber Motorsports Park, Battlefields of North Mississippi and South Tennessee and a tour of the Southern Progress Corporation offices in Birmingham.

In addition to the aforementioned opportunities, the program offers a

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Osher Lifelong Learning In Alabam

series of “Wonderful Weekly Bonuses.” These at University programs areThe offered at no additional cost of beyond the initial membership fee and include classes on ceramics, travel and music.

Plans are already underway for an exciting spring 2010, the highlight of which is a trip to Greece.

For more information, contact Lois Strachan in the OLLI office at 205-348-6482.

To find out more about our program Lois Strachan at 348-6482 or visit

www.olli.ua.edu.

www.olli.ua.edu

Mention This Ad And Receiv

Learning For The Fun Of It! Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at The University of Alabama

To find out more about our program, call Lois Strachan at 348-6482 or visit us at

www.olli.ua.edu.

Mention This Ad And Receive A Free Gift!

Communityfocus

Get Moving in Your National Forest

E

xercising does not have to be in a gym.

Stepping outdoors can improve your overall health. The U.S. Forest Service is encouraging people to get moving in the National Forests in Alabama by exercising in the Bankhead, Talladega, Tuskegee and Conecuh National Forests. A drive to one of Alabama’s national forests provides opportunities for hiking, running, walking, bicycling, and swimming, and canoeing. Exercising in the great outdoors can burn just as many calories as jogging on a treadmill, and an additional benefit includes watching nature.

“Exercising outdoors is one of the best things nature has to offer,” said Miera C. Nagy, forest supervisor for the National Forests in Alabama. “Rather than staring at the same wall daily, you can witness changes in nature every minute while you’re getting your heart rate up.”

Alabama’s four national forests have more than 342 miles of various types of trails located in northwest, northeast, west central, east central, and south Alabama. The trails are easy to moderate in terms of difficulty. “Our trails are beautiful and peaceful landscapes that can be used for walking, running, or bicycling,” Nagy said. “A short 30-minute workout in the national forest can reduce stress and be a form of cardiovascular exercise.” In addition to trails, the Forest Service manages 27 recreation sites that include some beaches for those who enjoy swimming. There are also places for canoeing and other water sports.

A good rule of thumb when choosing an outdoor exercising activity in the national forest is to be prepared before you leave. According to Mike Cook, safety officer for the National Forests in Alabama, there are some things you should know before deciding to hit the trail for the first time to ensure a safe and pleasurable experience.

For example, visitors should contact a district office to obtain maps that highlight trails or discuss exercise plans with a recreation specialist.

Cook said, “You should be familiar with the type of recreation activity the trail is designed for and be aware of the terrain, distance and elevation before using the trail.”

Maps can provide detailed description about the trail and help in deciding which workout is

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Healthy Horizons Magazine

right for you. In terms of outer wear, a good pair of trail hiking shoes can provide a harder sole for stepping on rocks and terrain changes will protect feet. Of primary importance is to be equipped with the following 10 essentials on all hiking trips: map, compass, whistle (3 blasts for help), flashlight, sharp knife, fire starter, water, first-aid kit, extra food and clothing suitable for the season.

For those who enjoy cycling as a form of exercising, mountain bicycles are the appropriate choice for designated mountain bike trails.

There are also beach areas in the Bankhead, Conecuh, and Talladega National Forest (Shoal Creek and Oakmulgee Districts). Visitors interested in swimming should be aware that lifeguards are not present. If you’re exercising in the national forest, it is always smart to bring items such as water to prevent dehydration, sunscreen to protect your skin, comfortable clothing appropriate for the season, and sunglasses for eye protection. “We want our visitors to be safe while they enjoy the national forests and improve their health,” Cook said.

Developed recreation sites throughout the National Forests in Alabama are open for the

2009 recreation season. Visitors can enjoy additional outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, picnicking, bird-watching, camping, horseback riding, and all-terrain vehicle riding on designated trails. Visit the Forest Service website at www.southernregion.fs.fed.us/alabama for maps, fees, site closures, restrictions and rules for visitors.

For more information about National Forests in Alabama recreational activities, please contact a district office nearest you or contact: The Supervisor’s Office in Montgomery (334) 832-4470 Bankhead District in Double Springs (205) 489-5111 Conecuh District in Andalusia (334) 222-2555 Shoal Creek District in Heflin (256) 463-2272 Talladega District in Talladega (256) 362-2909 Oakmulgee District in Centreville (205) 926-9765 Tuskegee District in Tuskegee (334) 727-2652

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A Special Section of

*

*

Corinth (Walking)

*

Difficulty

Bicycle Trails

*

Miles

Hiking Trails

Clear Creek (Walking/Hiking/Biking)

Site Location and Name

Fees

Swimming Areas

Get Moving in Your National Forest– Chart

Bankhead National Forest- Brent, AL 205-489-5111

Flint Creek (Off-highway Vehicles, Horseback Riding, Mountain Biking) Houston (Walking, Biking)

* *

$4.00 per vehicle

2.5

Easy to Moderate

$4.00 per vehicle

0.5

Easy

$3.00 per operator

16.3

Moderate to Difficult

*

$4.00 per vehicle

0.5

Easy

Natural Bridge Picnic Area (Walking)

*

None

1.5

Easy

Owl Creek Trails (Horse-back Riding, Mountain Biking)

*

$3.00 per vehicle

24.9

Sipsey River Picnic Area (Walking)

*

$3.00 per vehicle

0.5

Conecuh Trail (Hiking, Mountain Biking)

*

None

Open Pond (Walking)

*

$3.00 per vehicle

1.0

Easy

*

$3.00 per vehicle

1.0

Easy

Pine Glen (Walking)

*

No Fee/ Dayuse

0.5

Easy

Pinhoti Trail (Hiking Only)

*

None

Warden Station (Horse, Mountain Biking)

*

Moderate to Difficult Easy

Conecuh National Forest-Andalusia, AL 334-222-2555 19.3

Easy to Moderate

Talladega National Forest- Oakmulgee Ranger District Brent, AL 205-926-9765 Payne Lake (Walking) Talladega National Forest- Shoal Creek Ranger District Heflin, AL 256-463-2272

*

$3.00 per vehicle

161.6 33.0

Moderate to Difficult Easy to Moderate

Talladega National Forest- Talladega Ranger District Talladega, AL 256-362-2909 Skyward Loop Trail (Hiking Only)

*

None

6.0

Moderate to Difficult

Chinnabee Silent Trail (Hiking Only)

*

None

6.0

Moderate to Difficult

None

23.3

Kentuck ORV Trail (OHV, Mountain Biking)

*

Lake Chinnabee (Walking, Biking)

*

Lake Howard (Hiking, Mountain Biking)

*

Pinhoti Trail (Hiking Only)

*

*

None

1.0

None

14.0

None

135.0

Easy to Moderate Easy Easy to Moderate Moderate to Difficult

Tuskegee National Forest Tuskegee, AL 334-727-2652 Bartram Trail (Hiking, Mountain Biking)

*

*

None

8.5

Easy to Moderate

Pleasant Hill (Hiking, Mountain Biking)

*

*

None

4

Easy to Moderate

Please note: National Forests in Alabama trails have two trails designated for off-highway vehicle (OHV) use. If you are exercising on the Kentuck and Flint Creek Trails, you may also see visitors riding OHVs. Mountain bikers will share the Warden Station, Owl Creek and Flint Creek Trails with horse-back riders.

Community Wellness Guide

37

Communityfocus

HIV/AIDS in the South:

The Forgotten Epidemic

By Billy Kirkpatrick, Executive Director West Alabama AIDS Outreach (WAAO)

Although HIV/AIDS continues to expand in the southern United States, public interest has waned dramatically in the past decade. While it is true that treatment for HIV-positive individuals has improved and individuals are living longer and healthier lives with the disease, it is also true that infections are occurring at a disproportionate rate in the South and the disease continues to kill.

While this article is primarily focused toward West Alabama and the South, a few sobering national statistics are noteworthy: An estimated one million people are living with HIV in the United States and half of all new infections in the United States occur in people 25 years or younger. Recently, the CDC predicted 40,000 new HIV cases in the U.S for a given year. The actual number of infections turned out to be 56,000.

Make no mistake. The South is THE hotbed for HIV/AIDS in the U.S. The South reports an increase in new HIV cases nearly 7 times the national average. It is also the only region in the nation in which the death rate has increased in the last several years, an increase of greater than 10%. HIV disproportionately targets disenfranchised and poverty-stricken populations and the South has higher percentages of these populations than other regions of the country.

Similarly, rural populations of the South face specific difficulties due to HIV. Lack of convenient healthcare, education, and transportation create a haven for the spread of the disease.

“HIV disproportionately targets disenfranchised and poverty-stricken populations and the South has higher percentages of these populations than other regions of the country. Similarly, rural populations of the South face specific difficulties due to HIV. Lack of convenient healthcare, education, and transportation create a haven for the spread of the disease.”

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Healthy Horizons Magazine

Two specific issues affect the collective willingness to support AIDS service and accurate education in the South. The first might be termed an ‘unfounded’ approach to sexual discussion and education. The debate rages as to whether honest discussion of HIV-prevalence and comprehensive sex education in churches and public schools promotes behaviors that some find to be questionable or increases the likelihood that individuals will engage in high-risk behaviors. Though vast amounts of research demonstrate that this is not the case (and actually, quite the opposite), many institutions in the South are unwilling to engage in dialogue that may provide life-saving information to its students and members.

The second issue is the erroneous stigma that HIV/AIDS is an exclusively ‘gay’ disease. Although HIV’s initial presence in the United States was in the homosexual community, a major shift has occurred. Presently, 60% of HIV infections in the U.S. are found in the heterosexual community and 75% of new infections in women are heterosexually transmitted. Perceiving HIV as a ‘gay’ disease is a dangerous error for a heterosexual individual involved in risk behaviors and an unfounded excuse for not supporting the work of AIDS Service Organizations.

As the response to HIV/AIDS has been shockingly silent in the African-American community in the South, the epidemic has reached crisis levels for this group. Fifty-four percent (54%) of new infections occur among AfricanAmericans, although African-Americans account for less than 15% of the total population.

Sixty-four percent (64%) of the new infections in women occur in African American women and

75% of the clients of West Alabama AIDS Outreach are African-American.

In order to address all of the aforementioned issues, WAAO serves a 10-county area in West Alabama (Tuscaloosa, Bibb, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Lamar, Pickens, Perry, Walker, Sumter).

With the exception of Tuscaloosa, all of these counties are considered rural. As of March 31, 2009, the Alabama State Department of Public Health reports 825 documented cases of HIV in this area. [It is important to note that these are documented cases. Estimates are that an additional 25% of individuals are infected and are currently unaware]. WAAO provides comprehensive case management services to over 200 HIV-positive individuals. These services include medical case management, emergency financial assistance, housing assistance, access to food bank and hygiene resources, transportation to medical appointments and vital services, and mental health support groups. WAAO also provides prevention education to over 3.000 individuals annually. While all groups are eligible for this service, WAAO specifically targets groups considered to be at-risk. WAAO also provides free testing to over 400 individuals annually. Please visit www.waao.info for more information on our services, for detailed statistical information, or to find ways you can help. Donations and service time are greatly appreciated.

A Special Section of

Tuscaloosa Firefighters Ready to Help Kids with Autism

By Tilda Mims, Tuscaloosa Fire & Rescue Service 13-year-old girl with autism dies in a fire, refuses escape. Firefighters locate body in bathroom behind closed door.

10-year-old boy with autism removed from house fire by mother runs back into blazing home. Firefighters retrieve body in bedroom.

“Severely autistic” girl found alive after 20hour search. Nonverbal, fear of loud noises hinder rescuers If you think tragic headlines like these cannot happen in your hometown, you are sadly mistaken. Researchers report individuals with autism have up to seven times more contact with emergency responders than typical people. While some of the elevated risk is due to co-existing medical conditions such as seizure disorders, there is clearly an increased risk to the individual and emergency responders if associated behaviors are unrecognized or misinterpreted.

Autism is one of a group of disorders known as autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) that cause substantial impairments in social interaction and communication, and the presence of unusual reactions, behaviors, and interests.

ASDs are invisible disabilities. With no physical characteristics for guidance, related behaviors such as fearlessness, lack of eye contact or verbal communication, failure to respond, hypersensitivity to sounds and textures and repetitive motions, e.g., hand flapping, may be misinterpreted as drug abuse, psychosis, defiance, or criminal activity.

As part of its risk reduction program, the Tuscaloosa Fire & Rescue Service began ASD awareness training in 2007 with annual department-wide classes on correct interpretation and response to autism characteristics.

The Links at Tuscaloosa

Healthy

See our ad on page 32

The Links at Tuscaloosa is an 18-Hole Championship Golf Course designed by Lyndy Lindsey. The course itself boasts 4 tee boxes to allow for players of all skills levels to participate. The course is a vast 210 acre tract with Tif Dwarf Bermuda greens and 419 Bermuda grass elsewhere. From the most challenging blue tees, the course measures 6195 yards; while from the novice red tees the course measures in at 4709 yards.

The Club is open 7 days a week, from 7 am to dark in the summer and from 8 am to dark in the winter. This Lindsey golf Course has everything you want and need at an affordable price. Also included with a membership is access to the pool, hot tub, sauna, tanning beds, state-of-the art fitness center, game room, billiards and much more.

We are conveniently located just minutes from the University of Alabama campus at 1800 Links Blvd. Phone 205-247-9990. General Manager Rusty Stephens would love to show you around and answer any questions you may have about membership and our course.

When you become a member at the Links of Tuscaloosa golf & Country Club you will be able to play over 40 Lindsey Golf Courses in 8 states for just a cart fee. Visit our website at linksattuscaloosagolf.com

The training includes recognition, response scenarios and patient evaluations, with equal attention to needs of the ASD individual and personal safety of firefighters. Through this experience, the department is now partnered with two self-contained classes for children with ASD and the Arts ‘n Autism Program, an afterschool/summer program. In addition, response vehicles carry ASD picture cards for medical assessment of persons who are nonverbal and ability-appropriate toys are onboard to provide comfort.

The department has hosted two Fire Station Open House events for these families. The kids get to dress in authentic firefighter gear and sit behind the wheel of a fire truck, spray water at a mock flame, and check out the inside of a rescue truck. At these events and throughout the year, parents and caregivers are encouraged to help firefighters help their child by practicing personal emergency preparedness at home.

Tuscaloosa firefighters recommend several simple yet critical steps parents should take to ensure appropriate recognition and response to their child’s special needs in an emergency.

If available, flag your residence in the 911 system as the home of someone with autism.

The information will be relayed to emergency responders when there is a 911 call to your address.

Notify your local fire department if you modify your home in a way that may pose unexpected hazards. This includes deadbolt locks on interior doors, break-resistant glass and barred gates to prevent children from wandering.

Discuss emergency scenarios with your child and practice how to respond. There are several excellent resources for flash cards and games to make this an entertaining activity.

Use “on-the-spot” awareness objects such as autism alert stickers on vehicles, bracelets, shoelace tags and temporary tattoos for at-aglance identification.

Create an emergency profile and CD with your child’s photo and medical information to help responders locate and approach a missing autistic child.

The most frequently occurring disasters are not ones that require federal assistance but the day-to-day events that shake up a community.

For this reason, emergency preparedness must be a part of one’s daily routine. This is true for people of all ages, life stages and abilities.

Community Wellness Guide

39

Communityfocus Joy to Life Foundation Uses Unique Avenues To Get Message Out

By Tommy Fields, – Big Dreamz Creative You see them on streets, boulevards and lanes.

Pink license plates displaying imaginative messages like “PINK4U”, “CHKURS”, “FEELUM” and “SRVIVN”. While the messages can be fun, the tag has a serious purpose– to raise awareness of breast cancer and money to fight it. In fact, the tag is aptly named the “Joy to Life Fight Breast Cancer” car tag and to date, thousands have been sold throughout the state.

The tag is the culmination of years of hard work on the part of the Joy to Life Foundation.

Founded by Joy and Richard “Dickie” Blondheim, the Foundation was born out of Joy’s experience with breast cancer. After her successful treatment, the couple engaged in extensive research to uncover the greatest needs of women facing the same prognosis. Eventually, a partnership was formed between the Blondheims and the Alabama Department of Public Health’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program to provide free mammograms for medically underserved women under 50 years of age in three counties in South Central Alabama. “If we can reach these women early enough, we believe lives can be saved,” states Joy. “The car tag was something we’ve wanted to do for a long time,” says Dickie. “It not only helps get the word out about the Joy to Life Foundation, but it helps raise awareness of breast cancer in general. And all the money raised from the sale of the tags stays right here in Alabama to help fellow Alabamians.” And people have responded. Several thousand tags have been sold statewide and the Blondheims think they know why. “It’s a great looking tag.”

Joy says. “Not only is it pink, but people can personalize it to say whatever they want. We encourage people to send us pictures of their tag and we post it on our website. It’s fun to see what people come up with.” “We ask people to ‘Pink Their Ride’”, says Dickie “and they do.

They know that, just by purchasing and displaying this tag, they’re making a difference and actually helping to save lives. In fact, proceeds from the tag have allowed us to expand our free mammogram program into 28 counties throughout Alabama.”

While the “Fight Breast Cancer” car tag may be the most visible way that the Joy to Life Foundation is getting the word out, it is by

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Healthy Horizons Magazine

“While the ‘Fight Breast Cancer’ car tag may be the most visible way that the Joy to Life Foundation is getting the word out, it is by no means the only way. Our website, www.joytolife.org, is a clearinghouse for information about what we’re doing and how people can get involved” no means the only way. “Our website, www. joytolife.org, is a clearinghouse for information about what we’re doing and how people can get involved,” says Dickie. “We also have a new website that we’re very excited about called breastcancertv.net. We call it ‘BCTV’” While most websites may feature a video clip or two, www.breatcancertv.net is totally video driven.

“The videos provide information about topics of interest to the breast cancer community,” says Dickie. “We feature segments from local physicians that highlight topics like breast cancer risk factors, radiation treatment, self breast

The Joy to Life Foundation is raising breast cancer awareness state-wide and beyond with the use of their "Fight Breast Cancer" car tag, websites and video.

exam instruction and lymphedema.” The site also showcases breast cancer survivors telling their stories. “That was one of our main goals with BCTV,” says Joy. “Everyone has a story to tell and we wanted to have a place that people could go to hear these stories and be inspired by them. It really creates a feeling of ‘if they can make it, I can, too’”.

Add to these efforts a bass fishing tournament dubbed the “Pink Lure Tour”, “Pray in Pink” a collaboration with area houses of worship to educate their congregants about breast cancer, the annual “Walk of Life” 5K run/walk and numerous other events and it’s easy to see that the Joy to Life Foundation is using any avenue except the usual “beaten path” to share their life-saving message. For more information about the Joy to Life Foundation including ways to become involved, visit their website at www.joytolife.org or call them at (334) 284-LIFE (5433).

Call (334)284-LIFE for more information.

–Photo by Nancy Fields, Big Dreamz Creative

A Special Section of

ALL yOU NEEd STOREd IN ONE LOCATION. TuscaloosaChamber.com

Healthy

PLUG IN to online business services.

The Chamber’s website features a member’s only section that connects you to all you need to advance your business.

ACCESS West Alabama’s most

comprehensive online calendar of events.

The Chamber’s interactive calendar allows members and visitors to search for and find information on a wide range of events, request information, and even receive automated reminders.

COVERING your business

needs with features helpful to prospective, new and existing members—all available in one easy-to-use, timesaving website that’s a single mouse click away.

STORE up on a wealth of economic, governmental,

and community resources from an interactive online calendar to the latest in business development. Visit the site for The Chamber’s membership directory, area demographics, helpful business links, visitor and newcomer information, on-line training modules and more.

Tools That Mean Business.

What could you do with a Chamber membership? Log on to tuscaloosachamber.com to find out.

Communityfocus Plan Your Visit to the

Paul W. Bryant Museum Tuscaloosa, Alabama The Bryant Museum is based on a concept thought up by Coach Paul William ‘Bear’ Bryant.

As Bryant approached the then record of 314 collegiate football victories, he wanted a place that would honor all the players and coaches that made contributions to his legendary career.

His original intent was to place the team photographs in the concourse of Coleman Coliseum.

After discussions with university administrators and former Alabama football players, the plans of a full-fledged museum were formed.

An original committee of 55 people was assembled in 1983 to plan the museum. During the process it was decided that not only the players from Bryant’s era but the entire history of football at the University of Alabama should be included. The museum was included in a campus expansion plan that included a hotel, the Bryant Conference Center and a new Alumni Hall building. The site selected for the museum is directly across Bryant Drive from Coleman Coliseum and the football complex.

Emily Moore was named the founding director in 1985 and began the museum’s collection.

Material from the athletic department at the university comprised the bulk of the collection.

Coaching films, photographs, trophies, media guides, programs and many more items were

Coach Bryant leaning against the goalpost

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Healthy Horizons Magazine

moved from the museum’s temporary headquarters in the university’s Amelia Gayle Gorgas Library. Public calls for artifacts and materials produced many more items for the collection.

Former players and coaches supplied many personal and one-of-a kind pieces.

The museum was originally part of the University Museums system, which includes the Alabama Museum of Natural History, Gorgas House and Moundville Archaeological Park. Dr. Doug Jones, Executive Director of University Museums, led the building and exhibit design process. Today the museum is a unit of the university’s Academic Affairs division.

The building is an 8,000 square foot exhibit hall with an office/collection storage area of an equal size. The entire facility is temperature and humidity controlled to protect the collection.

Limestone slabs accented by granite tiles greet the visitor in the museum’s lobby.

Jerry G and Associates of Cleveland, Ohio were selected to design the original exhibits based on their work at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The Hall of Honor based on Bryant’s initial concept of honoring his players and coaches is the first exhibit the visitor views. In the center of the display is a bronze bust of Bryant sculpted

by Blair Buswell. Beginning with the first team in 1892, the display chronicles the history of football at the University of Alabama. Photographs, video and memorabilia are heavily used throughout the timeline. Some of the items displayed include, a re-creation of Coach Bryant’s office and a Waterford crystal reproduction of his trademark houndstooth hat. Several original paintings depicting great moments in Crimson Tide history are also on display. Temporary exhibits are created to feature events and sports not included in the permanent displays. A few examples of past displays are Tide players in World War II, Bryant’s life before coaching at Alabama and University of Alabama athletes who participated in the Olympic games.

Opening on October 8, 1988 the museum averages 40,000 visitors annually. The fall football season is the most popular time for visitor and spring is dominated by school group visits.

The summer months attract out-of -state travelers. Family groups are the main demographic.

The museum’s proximity to the Sheraton Four Points hotel and the Bryant Conference Center also contribute to the visitor count.

The Museum is available for after-hours events and receptions. Special programs are conducted throughout the year. An educational program called Art with the Experts targets fourth grade students each spring. Sports artist interact with the students as they introduce them to the world of sports through art. Other programs offered include sports broadcasting workshops and merit badge related sessions

Coach Bryant, Bob Hope, and Billy Graham at 315 Banquet in Washington D.C. for Scouts. The museum also hosts the namesakes of Coach Bryant for a tailgate style reception each year. Almost 500 namesakes are in the museum’s database.

The museum’s collection staff responds to requests for information from a wide range of audiences interested in sports history at the University of Alabama. Over one hundred video projects are completed each year using the archives for local and national media. Annually the staff answers approximately 600 requests for photographs and research from authors, former player’s families and the public. Over 100 books have been written using the resources of the museum.

The museum staff produces two television shows in cooperation with the Alabama Center for Public Television that air on the campus station, WVUA. Crimson Classics uses archive footage from the museum collection along with interviews former players, coaches and media about past Crimson Tide games. An interview show called Crimson Comments highlights noted individuals from the history of football at the Capstone. DVDs of these programs, with bonus material not seen on television, are for sale to the public.

The Bryant Museum is located at 300 Bryant Drive in Tuscaloosa, Alabama on the campus of the University of Alabama. The museum can be contacted by writing to Box 870385 Tuscaloosa, AL 35487. The toll free telephone number is 1-866-772-BEAR. On-line the museum’s web address is www.bryant.ua.edu and the e-mail contact is Bryant-info@ua.edu. A membership group, the Circle of Champions, is offered.

The Bryant Museum is open daily from 9am4pm. Hours are extended for home football game days. The museum is closed on major holidays.

Article submitted by: Ken Gaddy, Director Paul W. Bryant Museum

A Special Section of

Healthy

Communityfocus

Crimson Tide

Bass Anglers When the phrase “college bass fishing” is mentioned, it usually invokes curiosity from those around. Although college bass fishing is the fastest growing sport in the nation, a lot people still have not heard of it. Currently there are 200+ registered collegiate fishing teams across America. The Crimson Tide Bass Anglers were formed in 2005 and went on to win the 2006 National Championship. We are a club that brings people together who share the love of the great outdoors as well as a deep passion for competitive bass fishing.

We are coming off of a great 2008-2009 season! With club members entering in 10 collegiate tournaments across the nation, we had a top 10 finish in all but two! The Crimson Tide Bass Anglers are currently ranked 8th in the nation in college bass fishing. We will host six qualifiers this year, allowing each member of the club to fish against one another using a point

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Healthy Horizons Magazine

system to determine the top six competitors within the club. Once this is determined, we send our top six members to the Boat U.S. Collegiate Bass National Championship in Lewisville, TX on Lake Lewisville.

Also, our top two competitors will enter in the Under Armor College Bass National Championship held on the Arkansas River in Arkansas. The Crimson Tide Bass Anglers will host our 2009-2010 qualifiers on Lay Lake, Lake Mitchell, Logan Martin, Guntersville, Tuscaloosa, and Lake Martin. Our first tournament will be held on Logan Martin on November 14, 2009 and the very next weekend we will be back on Logan Martin fishing in the Auburn Fall Classic.

Around mid-summer we host our annual University of Alabama Invitational. This is a 2-day college tournament held on Lake Tuscaloosa with weigh in hosted at Woods-N-Water. The trophy has not left the great city of Tuscaloosa

“

When the phrase “college bass fishing” is mentioned, it usually invokes curiosity from those around. Although college bass fishing is the fastest growing sport in the nation, a lot people still have not heard of it.

Currently there are 200+ registered collegiate fishing teams across America.

”

David Rogers with a nice large mouth bass!

A Special Section of

Healthy

David Rogers and Jeremy Christan on Lake Tuscaloosa

“

Woods-N-Water of Tuscaloosa helps out in this area by hosting a day just for kids! The fishing team sends members to interact with the kids, teaching them how to cast, what new techniques are out there, and what lures to use at any given time.

We even learn a thing or two ourselves!

”

because the Crimson Tide Bass Anglers has won 1st place every year!

Because the NCAA has not sanctioned college bass fishing, the Crimson Tide Bass Anglers rely on a sponsorship through the University of Alabama as well as many other generous contributors. Our sponsors include: Woods-N-Water, Gemini, College Bass, Collegiate Bass, Strike King, TigerRodz, Vicious, Wired2Fish, Frogg Toggs, Spot Sticker, Plano, X-Point Hooks, and Triton Boats. Thanks to these fantastic sponsors we are able to fish across the nation and uphold the winning tradition that the University of Alabama is known for. The Crimson Tide Bass Anglers also try to do our part by getting the kids in our community active in fishing. As college students who are fortunate enough to fish in competitive tournaments across the nation, we are sometimes looked at as the “next generation” of professional bass fishing. Whether or not this becomes a reality for some of us, it is important to ensure that there is another group of young fisherman who share the same passion that we do and who will continue the tradition we have started. Woods-N-Water of Tuscaloosa helps out in this area by hosting a day just for kids! The fishing team sends members to interact with the kids, teaching them how to cast, what new techniques are out there, and what lures to use at any given time. We even learn a thing or two ourselves! We were fortunate enough

to also have the opportunity to help out with Casting for Kids this past year on Lake Guntersville. Casting for Kids is an organization where volunteers take disabled and disadvantaged children out for a day of fishing in the great outdoors. It was incredibly rewarding for us to be able to spend quality time with the kids and take them out for a memorable day of fishing!

The Crimson Tide Bass Anglers are extremely excited to start our 20092010 season! With November quickly approaching, it is time to put some fresh line on the reels and get our boats in the water!

If there are any questions or comments concerning the University of Alabama Bass Fishing Team please contact David Rogers, President of the Crimson Tide Bass Anglers, at drr.rogers@gmail.com –Written by, David Rogers

Community Wellness Guide

45

Communityfocus

A Special Section of

Dr. Robert Bentley to Offer Prescription for Alabama (TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA)—Tuscaloosa dermatologist Robert Bentley entered the race for Governor of Alabama on May 13th. He has been a doctor for 34 years and served in the Alabama House of Representatives since 2002. Dr. Bentley says after watching government from the sidelines, he wanted to enter the arena to offer solutions to help Alabamians.

“As a doctor, I visit with patients and listen to their concerns. I diagnose the problem, analyze it and come up with a solution. That’s the way I have approached serving in the Legislature, and that’s the way I’ll serve as Governor,” Dr. Bentley says.

Dr. Bentley has given up his medical practice to devote a full-time effort to running for Governor in 2010. He says the prognosis for Alabama in the short term will be one of tough choices and well-reasoned thinking. “Being a doctor has given me the opportunity to learn a great deal about people, their problems and finding solutions that work. The next Governor will face enormous challenges, and I believe I’m up to the task,” Dr. Bentley contends.

Robert Bentley was born and raised in rural Shelby County. His father owned and operated a small sawmill, and his mother looked after the four children. Robert was a bright student who played football and baseball, served as student body president and was a member of the state championship debate team his senior year.

“Those early days were formative. My parents were good, hard-working folks who in-

stilled a sense of responsibility in all of us,” Dr. Bentley says. He remembers his father as a populist Republican. “There were country club Republicans and blue collar Republicans. A sawmill owner wasn’t exactly the right profession to be anything but a populist Republican,” Dr. Bentley laughs.

Robert attended the University of Alabama to receive his undergraduate degree in chemistry and biology in just three years, and he knew his calling was to go into medicine. He enrolled in the University of Alabama School of Medicine, graduating as an M.D. in 1968 and began his residency at Carraway Hospital in Birmingham.

“During my first year of medical school, I met Dianne, and it was a perfect match,” Dr. Bentley says with a smile. The former Dianne Jones of Montgomery and Robert just celebrated their forty-fourth anniversary in July.

In 1969, during the Vietnam conflict, Robert was drafted in the Air Force where he was commissioned as a captain and served as a general medical officer, including being stationed in North Carolina. Following military service, Robert began a three-year residency at the University of Alabama in dermatology. The Bentleys made Tuscaloosa their home where he and Dianne raised four sons and where he worked in a medical practice for 34 years.

Robert ran for the Alabama House of Representatives and was elected in November 2002.

“I watched politics for a number of years, and then decided I wanted to be a part of the process. It has been a rewarding seven years, and I am grateful for the opportunity to serve,” Dr. Bentley says.

Robert Bentley says he knew when he first entered politics in 2002 that he would one day run for Governor. “Being in the Legislature and working with budgets provided a natural training ground for seeking higher office,” Robert asserts. “And now, more than ever, being adept at planning budgets and having fiscal expertise will be a selling point for anyone running for Governor,” he adds.

Robert firmed up his plans to run for Governor this past spring during the regular legislative session. “I went to Dianne and the boys, and I said, ‘Are you ready for this,’ and everyone was on board. I prayed about it, and the timing felt right to go in 2010,” Robert says.

On May 13 and 14, Robert, Dianne and staff chartered a bus to conduct a candidacy announcement tour. Although flying around the state by air would have been less grueling, Dr. Bentley said doing it by bus offered a more grassroots approach. “Touring Alabama by bus gives you and idea of the beauty and vastness of the state. Stopping along the way at country

Healthy

stores and chatting with everyday Alabamians gets you out of the bubble of Montgomery,” he suggests. During those two days, Dr. Bentley made official stops in Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, Huntsville, Montgomery, Opelika, Dothan and Mobile to kick off his candidacy.

Robert Bentley sees an Alabama of opportunity and prosperity. His “optimistic realism” as he calls it gives him the energy to start each new day. “We have it all here in Alabama—a workforce with an old-fashioned work ethic; natural resources perfectly suited for tourism and commerce; a reasonable tax structure; urban, suburban and rural locales for business opportunity,” Dr. Bentley opines.

Dr. Bentley says while he sees a glass half full, there may be rocky roads in the near future.

“If you process what’s being proposed out of Washington, it’s risky at best. Bailing out failing corporations, mandating government-run health care, dictating new energy policy are all providing the perfect storm for more economic bad news, and we need to be prepared as a state.”

Dr. Bentley is pursuing a full-court press on making health care reform a priority when elected. “The Obama Administration, with the blessing of Congress, is taking us down a slippery slope with regard to the delivery of medicine in America,” he says adamantly. “The dark clouds of socialized medicine loom on the horizon,” he warns. He contends that the doctor-patient relationship must be restored to make medicine work, and that means getting health insurance companies and bureaucrats out of the process.

Dr. Bentley advocates establishing health savings accounts so that patients can make their own choices. And he says doctors must do a better job of lowering the cost of medicine. “As doctors, we must offer our own prescription for fixing the problem, and that means doing our part to keep costs down by eliminating unnecessary procedures and tests.”

Dr. Bentley says he loves campaigning for Governor. And it’s not too far removed from practicing medicine. As far as governing the state goes, he says, “The diagnosis for the immediate future is a little more discomfort, but the long-term prognosis, is we’ll be fine—if we find the right doctor,” he says with a grin.

Community Wellness Guide

47

The conference, “Prevention: More

Than Just An Apple A Day,” was held

at the Hotel Capstone and the Bryant

Conference Center. Keynote speakers

included David Mathews, Ph.D.,

president and CEO of

Promoting Prevention

By Leslie Zganjar

On September 17-18, 2009, the University of Alabama College of Community Health Sciences hosted the 10th annual Rural Health Conference in Tuscaloosa. The theme was prevention, a critical component of the college’s overall mission to produce needed primary-care physicians particularly for rural Alabama, and to meet a growing demand for the kind of care that primary-care physicians are known for— preventing illness and managing chronic diseases.

The conference, “Prevention: More Than Just An Apple A Day,” was held at the Hotel Capstone and

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Healthy Horizons Magazine

David Mathews

the Bryant Conference Center. Keynote speakers included David Mathews, Ph.D., president and CEO of the Kettering Foundation and a former University of Alabama president who was instrumental in the creation of the college; Mark Williams, M.D., M.B.A., J.D., chief medical officer of the North Mississippi Health System, the country’s largest rural health care system, and chairman of the board of the Alabama Quality Assurance Foundation; Jeff Ingrum, senior vice president of Healthcare Networks for BlueCross BlueShield of Alabama; and Pamela Foster, M.D., M.P.H., an assistant professor in the college’s Department of Community and Rural Medicine and

deputy director of the college’s Rural Health Institute for Clinical and Translational Science, which conducts research to improve health in rural Alabama. The institute also plays a lead role in hosting the annual conferences.

This year’s conference featured breakout sessions focusing on prevention for particular health issues, such as stroke, cancer, obesity, and mental health, as well as the importance of prenatal care and immunizations. Each breakout session was facilitated by a member of the college’s medical faculty along with a community leader from rural Alabama.

Together, they presented their unique perspectives and findings and discussed their efforts to improve health in rural Alabama.

The annual Rural Health Conference typically draws several hundred attendees, including residents and community leaders, physicians, researchers, nurses, hospital administrators, social workers, nutritionists, government officials, policy makers, and representatives of faith-based organizations. In addition to presenting prominent speakers in the field, the conference also provides a forum for attendees to share knowledge and information and build partnerships—all in an effort to improve the health of rural Alabama and the people who live there.

Working together with concerned citizens and health-care providers from rural communities to identify solutions to the health issues affecting rural Alabama has always been a hallmark of the college’s efforts and will continue to be as the college educates physicians and health professionals to practice in new collaborative ways.

Currently, the college is developing an interdisciplinary, patient-centered, medical-home

Jeff Ingrum

Mark Williams,

model of care that employs the knowledge of primarycare physicians, nurses, nutritionists, social workers, mental health workers, and health educators in patient care while emphasizing wellness, prevention, and chronic-disease management. College Dean E. Eugene Marsh, M.D., says that such an approach is needed particularly in Alabama, where a high percentage of the population suffers from heart disease, stroke, and cancer, and where risk factors such as high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes are disproportionately represented. Research has shown that good primary care contributes to longer life expectancy and fewer deaths from these conditions.

“Prevention and quality-driven chronicdisease management can make a difference and are critical as we look for cost-effective ways of impacting the health problems and health disparities in Alabama,” Marsh says.

Collaboration with rural communities spurred the creation of the annual Rural Health Conferences a decade ago. At the time, says William Curry, M.D., associate dean for primary care and rural health in the School of Medicine and former dean of the College of Community Health Sciences, college leaders believed it was important for academic instructors and researchers to collaborate with rural community leaders and policy makers “to learn from one another—about needs, about opportunities, about the history of what had been tried around the state and nation.”

Please contact the College of Community Health Sciences, 850 5th Avenue East, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 (205-348-1288) for additional information on this or any other health care item. We are here to help you and our surrounding communities.

Pamela Foster

any changes/corrections to them are later submitted, but not published.

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Healthy Horizons Magazine

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Northport, AL 35476

website: www.alwaysthereinhomecare.com

Sleep & Vascular Disorders –James D. Geyer, M.D., FAASM Alabama Neurology and Sleep Medicine Vascular diseases, including heart attack, stroke, congestive heart failure, and high blood pressure, are the most common causes of illness and death in industrialized countries. Sleep-related breathing disorders are also widespread and increasingly common because of their link to obesity, with approximately 20 million Americans suffering from obstructive sleep apnea. Given the frequency of the two problems, sleep disorders and vascular disorders, it is not surprising that the two conditions often coexist. The interactions between the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and vascular diseases are much more complex than originally thought and this is more than mere coexistence. Sleep-related breathing disorders, insomnia, and even normal changes associated with REM or dream sleep can adversely affect vascular diseases.

Obstructive sleep apnea is a risk factor for developing or worsening high blood pressure. The stress on the body associated with sleep-related breathing disorders likely causes increased blood pressure. Patients with normal blood pressure have a dip in the blood pressure while they are asleep. In patients with sleep apnea, there is typically a loss of nocturnal dipping, the normal drop in blood pressure which occurs during sleep. Following the loss of nocturnal dipping, some patients develop elevated blood pressure throughout the night and day.

Obstructive sleep apnea is an independent risk factor for the development of both nocturnal and daytime hypertension. There also appears to be an association between the severity of obstructive sleep apnea and the likelihood of developing subsequent hypertension.

The Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure has recommended that obstructive sleep apnea should be considered as a contributing cause of medically unresponsive hypertension. With the new tighter controls recommended for high blood pressure, screening for these contributing causes becomes increasingly important, especially in patients who have already had a heart attack or stroke.

Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in hypertensive patients with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea leads to a significant reduction in the blood pressure.

The effect of CPAP on hypertension is more pronounced in patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea. Since patients who only had moderate control of their obstructive sleep apnea did not show a significant reduction in blood pressure, good control of obstructive sleep apnea followed by excellent patient compliance with CPAP is vital.

Congestive heart failure (CHF) occurs when cardiac dysfunction requires the body to make compensatory changes to maintain adequate cardiac output. The failure of the heart to pump effectively results in many of the symptoms of CHF. Symptoms of CHF include shortness of breath with exercise, shortness of breath when lying down and sudden episodes of shortness of breath during sleep. Patients with congestive heart failure have a significantly increased risk of sleep disordered breathing, with obstructive sleep apnea occurring in 11-37% of patients.

The Sleep Heart Health Study identified an increased relative risk for the development of CHF in patients with obstructive sleep apnea that was 2.38 times that for the general population and was independent of all other recognized risk factors for heart failure. Symptoms classically associated with congestive heart failure may in fact be related, in part, to obstructive sleep apnea.

In patients with congestive heart failure, aggressive treatment of obstructive sleep apnea results in a reduction in both systolic blood pressure and an improvement in heart function.

Obstructive sleep apnea and coronary artery disease frequently co-exist with at least 50% of patients with heart disease having significant obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is an independent risk factor for myocardial infarction (heart attack) similar to hypertension and smoking. The decreases in the blood oxygen level that can accompany obstructive sleep apnea further contribute to night-time chest pain.

Treatment of obstructive sleep apnea with CPAP has been shown to improve EKG changes. There is also evidence of fewer incidences or lesser degree of night-time chest pain but large clinical trials are lacking. Outcome following heart attack is worse in patients with obstructive sleep apnea, and studies have shown a higher mortality in patients with untreated obstructive sleep apnea and coronary artery disease (38%) than in patients with heart disease but without obstructive sleep apnea (9%).

Annually, more than 750,000 strokes occur in the United States with approximately 150,000 fatalities. Tremendous resources are required to care for the over 3 million stroke survivors currently living in the United States. Numerous studies have demonstrated 31-54% of strokes occur during sleep, and the most common time of onset during wakefulness is in the first several hours following awakening. The Sleep Heart Health Study identified an increase in the occurrence of stroke in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Other studies have shown the presence of co-existing sleep apnea in 62.580% of stroke patients.

The sleepiness and snoring associated with obstructive sleep apnea are frequently the presenting symptoms and those with which the patients are most concerned; however, untreated sleep apnea has been shown to have a major impact on a variety of serious vascular disorders. Identification and aggressive treatment of sleep-related breathing disorders not only decreases vascular risk but improves the quality of life of both the patient and their spouse.

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Depression Hurts!

Article By:

Theresa A. Huggins M.S., L.P.C., N.B.C.C –A Nationally Certified Licensed Professional Counselor

D

epression hurts the community by causing otherwise productive and innovative people to lack concern for important social issues. It hurts companies by limiting an employee’s ability to perform work related duties in an effective an efficient manner, and in fact causes an increase absentee rate. Co-workers feel the brunt of taking on the extra work, causing negative effects on morale. When undiagnosed and left untreated, it costs the healthcare system excess dollars in unnecessary diagnostic tests, hospital stays, and office visits to chase physical symptoms that are ultimately attributed to depression. Depression hurts a person’s relationships in community organizations, church, family, school, or work, because it renders the person emotionally unavailable. It is as though the person is physically present, but has emotionally or spiritually “checked out”. Family or friends comment that he/she is not the same person.

Most importantly depression hurts you, the person trapped in its vicious cycle, the cycle of being unable to meet your usual expectations, or those of the people who know you well. Also that person is hurt because of an inability to contribute love and support to those close to them, or to receive the love and support from family and love ones.

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Healthy Horizons Magazine

Common Misconceptions: Many people will tell you that everybody gets depressed from time to time, after all, it’s normal.

Your car breaks down, your boss is unappreciative, and dumps another pile of work on you, you misplace your keys…… you get depressed right?—No. Sadness, frustration, the blues and other descriptives are normal human emotions and are typical reactions to day to day life; however, clinical depression is entirely abnormal.

Sadness or the blues is temporary, usually lasting less than two weeks. Furthermore the person is able to maintain most all daily functions soon, and with the same intensity as before the episode. On the contrary, true depression is a pervasive and debilitating condition that usually does not relent without treatment via medication and /or psychotherapy. Depression is a serious but treatable illness that negatively affects the life of the sufferer and those that they love.

Different Forms of Depression: There are several forms of depressive e disorders. The most common are major depressive disorder and dysthymic disorder. Major depressive disorder, also called major depression is characterized by a combination of symptoms that interfere with a person’s ability to work, sleep, study, eat and enjoy activities which was once enjoyable. Major depression is disabling and prevents a person from functioning normally. An episode of major depression may occur only once in a person’s life, but more often, it reoccurs throughout a person’s life. Psychotic Depression which occurs when a severe depressive illness is accompanied by some form of psychosis such as a break with reality, hallucinations and delusions. Postpartum Depression, which is diagnosed if a new mother develops a major depressive episode within one month after delivery. It is estimated that 10 to 15 percent of women experience postpartum

depression after giving birth. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) which is characterized by the onset of a depressive illness during the winter months when there is less natural sunlight. The depression generally lifts during spring and summer. SAD may be effectively treated with light therapy, but nearly half of those with SAD do not respond to light therapy a lone. Antidepressant medication and psychotherapy can reduce SAD symptoms, either alone or in combination with light therapy. Bipolar disorder also called manic depressive illness is not as common as major depression or dysthymic. Bipolar disorder is characterized by cycling mood changes from extreme highs (mania) to extreme lows.

What are Signs and Symptoms of Depression?

People with depressive illnesses do not all experience the same symptoms. The severity, frequency and duration of symptoms will vary depending on the individual and his/her particular illness. Symptoms include: Persistent sad, anxious, angry or “empty” feelings. Feelings of hopelessness and /or pessimison, feelings of guilt, worthlessness and /or helplessness, irritability restlessness, loss of interest in activities or hobbies which were once pleasurable including sex, fatigue and decreased energy, difficulty concentrating, remembering details and making decisions, insomnia, early-morning wake fullness, or excessive sleeping, overeating or appetite loss, thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts persistent aches or pain, headaches, cramps or digestive problems that do not ease even with treatment. There is no single known cause of depression. It likely results from a combination of genetic biochemical, environmental, and psychological factors. Research indicates that depressive illnesses are disorders of the brain. Brain imaging technologies, such as magnetic resonance imaging MRI have shown that the brains of people who have depression look different than those of people without depression. The parts of the brain responsible for regulating mood, thinking, sleep, appetite and behavior appear to function abnormally. Also, important neuro transmitter chemicals that brain cells use to communicate appear to be out of balance. Some types of depression tend to run in families, suggesting a genetic link. However, depression can occur in people without family histories of depression as well. Genetic research indicates that risk of depression results from the influence of multiple genes acting together with environmental or other factors.

In addition, trauma loss of a love one, a difficult relationship or any stressful situation may trigger a depressive episode. Subsequent depressive episodes may occur with or without obvious triggers.

College’s Health Sciences Library Offers Latest Resources for the Community

See our ad on the back cover.

Submitted by University Medical Center Have you or a family member been diagnosed with an illness that you do not know much about? Perhaps your doctor told you about the condition, but you may not remember what was said or you may want more detailed information.

If so, the Health Sciences Library at The University of Alabama College of Community Health Sciences/School of Medicine, Tuscaloosa Campus can help.

Housed within the library is the Searcy Consumer Health Resource Center, which is open to the public. The center is named in memory of Harvey Brown Searcy, MD, a practicing physician in Tuscaloosa during the early 1900s and the fifth Dr. Searcy to practice medicine in the city.

The Searcy Health Resource Center provides important health information written for the general public on a wide variety of topics, including heart conditions, cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease and pediatric health.

Books, magazines and newsletters are available for public use. Patrons may also use the Internet-accessible computer to find additional health information. Experienced librarians and staff are available for assistance.

The Searcy Health Resource Center also includes a children’s section with medical literature and books designed to provide information to children in regard to what is happening in their own medical situation, or to help them understand and cope with a parent who might have cancer or another disease.

Examples of books already in the children’s collection include What’s in a Doctor’s Bag and My Mommy Has Cancer. The books may be checked out or viewed in the library.

The library’s consumer health collection first came into existence in 2001 when the Health Sciences Library was located in the Educational Tower adjacent to DCH Regional Medical Center. Both DCH and the library provided funding to start the collection and to purchase computer and video equipment. Materials were also donated by various hospital departments. Funds for the Searcy Consumer Health Research Center, which is housed in the library’s current location in The University of Alabama School of Medicine building at the corner of University Boulevard and 5th Avenue East, were donated

by Searcy’s daughters, Mrs. Clayton Rogers and Mrs. Robert Yoder. (University Medical

Center is located above the library and provides high-quality, compassionate care in many specialty areas. For additional information, please see our ad on the back cover.)

The Health Sciences Library, which first opened in 1978, assists the College with efforts in health-related education and research and also serves as the primary resource for health information for The University of Alabama, the city of Tuscaloosa and other West Alabama communities. The library’s mission is to foster the use of high-quality health information by health care professionals, University of Alabama faculty, medical students and residents, as well as consumers seeking health-related information.

The general public uses the Health Sciences Library for a variety of reasons. A patient may have injured his shoulder and now needs surgery. He might like to watch a video showing a Rotator Cuff Repair. Or a patient recently diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes might want more information about the condition. A high school student may need to write a report on Epilepsy but needs help finding the best information resources. A family new to the Tuscaloosa area might want to know the names and contact information for board-certified pediatricians. Library faculty and staff can help with all these needs. Whether it is material available in the library or on the web, the library’s staff can assist patrons with finding good resources and can help with evaluations of health information found on the Internet. “The library aims to provide good, quality health care information to all of our patrons,” says Library Director Nelle Williams.

Williams says the library recently acquired licensing rights to several top-line point-of-care resources that will expand its collection of the most up-to-date biomedical literature available to the College of Community Health Sciences faculty, medical students and residents, as well as physicians and other health care professionals in Tuscaloosa and surrounding communities. These resources include DynaMed,

FirstConsult and Up-to-Date, as well as textbook resources like AccessMedicine, Stat!Ref and drug information from Lexi-Comp. Many of these resources also include patient health information that can be given to patients and family members.

“We have also worked very hard to make our resources more accessible to our users by aggregating our various cooperative electronic resources into one plan for searching by using the A-to-Z tool,” Williams says. “And we have worked with the National Library of Medicine’s PubMed to link our resources from PubMed citations.”

In addition to these latest resources, the Health Sciences Library is home to a specialized collection that includes books, more than 230 current journal subscriptions, audio-visual resources and access to specialized databases, library catalogs and Internet resources. The collection covers topics in clinical medicine, family practice, primary care, medical education, consumer health and related health care topics.

The reference collection provides core titles in the major medical specialties, medical dictionaries and directories of physicians, hospitals, health care associations, medical schools and residency programs. Alabama and U.S. vital statistics are available. In addition, drug guides, clinical treatment guidelines and standards are included in the collection.

Electronic access is available at nine public work stations. Numerous electronic resources are available, including PubMed (Medline), CINAHL, Exam Master, MDConsult and many more.

All of the Health Sciences Library’s e-resources can be found at http://cchs.ua.edu/ library/electronic-resources.

The Health Sciences Library and Searcy Consumer Health Resource Center are open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Library hours change during the summer and between semesters. For information or assistance, please call the library at (205) 348-1360.

Community Wellness Guide

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Healthy

Fun & Games

A Look at Nutrition Across

1 Can dissolve in water and help to lower blood fats and maintain blood sugar (2 words)

Down

2 Reduces a woman’s risk of having a child with a brain or spinal cord defect 4 Processed in a way to making cooking fast and easy and have been stripped of all bran, fiber & nutrients (2 words) 5 Dark leafy vegetables packed with calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, zinc and Vitamins A, C, E and K 7 Keeps eyes and skin healthy and helps to protect against infections. (2 words) 10 Provide beneficial properties such as natural sugars

3 Helps keep blood sugar and insulin levels from rising and falling too quickly (2 words) 6 Shown to have a number of beneficial effects including decreased risk of coronary heart disease 8 Heals cuts and wounds and also keeps teeth and gums healthy (2 words) 9 Raises low-density lipoprotein (2 words) 11 May help maintain a healthy blood pressure 12 Found in animal sources including red meat and whole dairy products (2 words)

Memorable Moments A Child’s Perspective on Retirement A teacher asked her young pupils how they spent their vacation. One child wrote the following:

They play games and do exercises there, but they don’t do them very well. There is a swimming pool, too, but they all jump up and down in it with their hats on. I guess they don’t know how to swim.

At their gate, there is a dollhouse with a little old man sitting in it. He watches all day so nobody can escape. Sometimes they sneak out. Then they go cruising in their golf carts.

“We always used to spend the holidays with Grandma and Grandpa. They used to live here in a big brick house, but Grandpa got retarded and they moved to Florida and now they live in a place with a lot of other retarded people.

My Grandma used to bake cookies and stuff, but I guess she forgot how. Nobody there cooks, they just eat out. And they eat the same thing every night: Early Birds. Some of the people can’t get past the man in the dollhouse to go out. So the ones who do get out bring food back to the wrecked center and call it potluck.

“They live in a tin box and have rocks painted green to look like grass. They ride around on big tricycles and wear nametags because they don’t know who they are anymore. They go to a building called a wrecked center, but they must have got it fixed, because it is all right now.

My Grandma says Grandpa worked all his life to earn his retardment and says I should work hard so I can be retarded some day, too. When I earn my retardment I want to be the man in the doll house.

Then I will let people out so they can visit their grandchildren.”

Email your Memorable Moments to mhelms@cableone.net.

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Healthy Horizons Magazine

How Do You Feel?

• Two elderly men in a retirement village were sitting in the reading room and one said to the other, “How do you really feel? I mean, you’re 75 years old, how do you honestly feel?’’

• “Honestly, I feel like a new born baby. I’ve got no hair, no teeth, and I just peed myself.’’

Local Church Bulletin Announcements The sermon this morning: “Jesus walks on the Water.” The sermon tonight: “Searching for Jesus.”

Ladies, don’t forget the rummage sale. It’s a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.

The peacemaking meeting scheduled for today has been cancelled due to a conflict.

For those of you who have children and don’t know it, we have a nursery downstairs.

A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening, in the church hall. Music will follow.

At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be “What Is Hell?” Come early and listen to our choir practice.

Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM. Please use the back door.

(All were submitted via email December 12, 2009 by unknown author.)

Community Wellness Guide

21

Name

Date

A Look at Nutrition

TRANS FATS

Word Search

Find eachMONOUNSATURATED of the following words.

FATS SATURATED FATS

L O F E S B R A C D O O G O R O I V P F P T S T A F D E T A R U T A S D

S W E E T V E G E T A B L E S N I O O C T R A N S F A T S N E E R G B U

S G S F L F O L A T E V F G C T L L O N T A V I T A M I N C B F M L R I

S O N I B O D R R P I O R O A Y A M D B O N T B U N O T E T S S O R A R

T O E B N A F A O T L E M M U T P T R A N S F A T S N L E P M B N L C O

A D E E I R N T A A E P I N E L R E B I F F N I T V O O R O U R O S A G

INCOMPLETE PROTEIN

POTASSIUM VITAMIN C VITAMIN C BAD CARBS BAD CARBS POLYUNSATURATED FATS POLYUNSATURATED FATS FRUIT FRUIT FOLATE SWEET VEGETABLES

F C R R U S A M T N L N S R E B I F E L B A U L O S U S G L I A U T B E

S A G I F S I R N E A A E T F N F T T C G T R C D C N B R Y S C N A C S

N R T A S N A S T I T R E B I F O U A N O S F N F N S R E U S D S F N U

A B T I A N F E V U E P O F D T L R L I O P O I A I A A B N A A A D I T

R S U T S G P G R I R T O C F A B F O M D O L M G M T C I S T B T E M P

(Crossword puzzle and word search courtesy of www.edHelper.com)

T M T F F R V A O O T L O I O O N C F A C T A A R A U D F A O E U T A U

U S A P O O T I T O B A B R H M A N F T A A T T E T R O E T P S R A T V

U T T T S E L E T P D E M Y P R P R I I R S E I E I A O L U R A A R I Y

S I E A D N I A O A R C D I B E U L B V B S L V N V T G B R V T T U V P

FOLATE SWEET VEGETABLES

POTASSIUM

TRANS FATS GOOD CARBS MONOUNSATURATED FATS GREENS SATURATED FATS GOOD CARBS SOLUABLE FIBER GREENS VITAMIN A SOLUABLE FIBER VITAMIN A

S B R A C D O O G E S T A F D E T A R U T A S N U O N O M B S N E E R G

(Key # 1 - 162651)

INCOMPLETE PROTEIN FIBER FIBER COMPLETE PROTEIN COMPLETE PROTEIN INSOLUABLE FIBER INSOLUABLE FIBER CARBOHYDRATES CARBOHYDRATES

E I T F F N E T T G M R A O N I T A E S S I A U S L E N A A I U E T C I

N T A I F S A R O E A I H R T C V E I T S U R N R R D F U T T R D A N A

T T A I U S N O G T L Y N C B T F O L G E M G G C F F O L E A A F S I E

S I B L S R D A E F D A E A A S S P O P R P T R I O A L O D M T A N M B

G I U I O C F S R R G O O D C A R B S C M E R B E L T A S F I E T U A O

R R U R A F T U A T S G L T E T I U R F S O E O O E S T N A N D S O T A

E M E R F E I T I S O L U A B L E F I B E R C N T T N E I T C F O N I A

E S B E B T E O R E B I F E L B A U L O S N I N S E D S M S D A L O V R

N S I S N S T I S R E B I F E L B A U L O S N I I R I R A C N T O M E P

Community Wellness Guide

S E P T B S I O E N O A R A B N E R W I A D S O S E G N U A N S F R E B 55

e EMERGENCY DIAL 911 Police Department Tuscaloosa (205) 349-2121 Northport (205) 339-6600 Fire Department Tuscaloosa (205) 349-1100 Northport (205) 339-7100 Homeland Security (800) BE-READY (800) 237-3239

e

emergency information

Alabama Public Service Commission (800) 392-8050

Bryce Hospital (205) 759-0799

Alabama Protective Services (205) 553-4776

Children’s Hospital (205) 939-9100

Alabama Power (800) 888-2726 Residential (800) 245-2244 Business (800) 430-5787

Phelps Outpatient Center (205) 759-7334

Alabama Gas Corporation (205) 759-2501

Alabama Bureau of Investigation (205) 553-5531

Alagasco (205) 349-1050

Alabama Forestry Commission (800) 452-5923 (800) 436-8568 (TTY)

Bellsouth Residential 1-888-757-6500 Business 1-866-620-6000

Alabama One Call (800) 292-8525 Alabama State Troopers EMERGENCIES ONLY (205) 553-5531 Alabama Wildlife & Freshwater

Fisheries District 3 (205) 339-5716 (Enforcement Office) (800) 272-4263 (Operation Game Watch)

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) (800) 283-4867 CSX Transportation Police Department Railroad Emergencies (800) 232-0144 Drug Helpline (800) 662-HELP (800) 662-4357

Helplines Alcohol & Substance Abuse (800) SOBER90 (800) 762-3790 National Hopeline Network (800) SUICIDE (800) 784-2433

Veterans Affairs Medical Center (205) 554-2000

City of Northport (205) 339-7000

POLICE AND FIRE Emergency: 911

Alabama Gulf Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross Disaster

Commission Office (205) 349-3870 ext. 212

Preparedness Information (866) 438-4636

County Agent’s Office (205) 349-3870 ext. 288

Alabama Emergency Management Agency 5898 County Road 41 Clanton, AL 35046 (205) 280-2200

Emergency Management (205) 349-0150

Tax Assessor (205) 349-3870 ext. 240 Tax Collector (205) 349-3870 ext. 230 Town of Brookwood (205) 556-1300 Town of Vance (205) 553-8278 Tuscaloosa County (205) 349-3870 Governor’s Office (334) 242- 7100

National Response Center

HR Child Abuse (205) 554-1100 Weekdays (205) 556-2181 Weekends & Evenings

Toxic Chemical and Oil Spills (800) 424-8802 (Voice/TTY)

Public Assistance (205) 554-1100

Northfolk Southern Railroad Police

HOSPITALS

Emergencies

University Medical Center (205) 348-1288

EMERGENCY PREPARDNESS

City of Tuscaloosa (205) 349-2010

Sheriff (205) 752-0616

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) (205) 758-4277

UAB Medical West (205) 481-7111

Tuscaloosa County Courthouse (205) 349-3870 Extension 233 or 234

(Civil Defense) (205) 349-0150 or (205) 349-2121

Collect calls will be accepted

Taylor Hardin Secure Medical Facility (205) 556-7060

Northport Water & Sewer (205) 339-7024

Health Department (205) 345-4131

This Number does not have caller ID and

North Harbor Pavilion (205) 330-3000

Tuscaloosa Water & Sewer (205) 349-0230

Emergency Management Agency

Family Violence Shelter (205) 758-0808

Hill Crest Behavioral Health Services (800) 292-8553 (205) 833-9000

(800) 453-2530

DCH Regional Medical Center (205) 759-7111

Poison Control (205) 345-0600 (800) 292-6678

Northport Medical Center (205) 333-4500

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TRANSPORTATION

American Medical Response (205) 759-4443 Tuscaloosa Transit Authority (205) 556-3876 Northstar Ambulance 205-345-0911

SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTER Centersville/Brent 205.926.3968 Lawley 334.366.2414 Woodstock 205.938.7004

MEDICAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT Advanced respiratory Care LLC (205) 330-0396 Allcare Home Medical (205) 652-9595

American Homepatient (205) 349-1204 Jim Myers Home Care (205) 556-9760 Med-South Inc. (205) 339-8013

Quality Plus Medical Services (205) 758-1289 (205) 758-1581

NURSING HOMES

Forest Manor Nursing Home (205) 339-5400 Glen Haven Health & Rehabilitation LLC (205) 339-5700 Heritage Health Care Center Inc. (205) 758-9961-Activity Director (205) 759-5179-Office (205) 758-0467-Nurses Station La Rocca Nursing Home (205) 553-1341

Northport Health and Rehabilitation LLC (205) 339-5900 Northport Health Services (205) 391-3600

Red Mountain Imaging Inc. 800-447-4383

Park Manor Health & Rehabilitation LLC (205) 339-5300

Specialized Medical Devices (205) 345-6880 (205) 345-8493 (205) 349-2550

SENIOR SERVICES

APM Providers Inc. 800-949-5329

ARC of Tuscaloosa County (205) 556-4900

SENIOR MEAL PROGRAMS

Evenpressure (205) 758-2740

Area Agency on Aging (205) 333-2990

Meals- On- Wheels (205) 758-4756

Huntleigh Healthcare Inc. (205) 248-6300

Caring Days- Day Care for Adults (205) 752-6840

Greensboro Nutrition (334) 624-0209

Secure Health Systems Inc. (334) 270-1342

Dementia Education & Training Program 800-457-5679

HOME HEALTH CARE

Surgical Innovations & Services (205) 344-9201

First Responders In-Home (205) 556-9648

Always There In-Home Care (205) 248-9822

Advanced Respiratory Care LLC (205) 330-0396

Friendship House (205) 345-1534

Alacare Home Health & Hospice (205) 333-7243 888-252-2273

Allcare Home Medical (205) 652-9595

FOCUS On Senior Citizens (205) 758-3393

American Homepatient (205) 349-1204

Foster Grandparent Program of FOCUS (205) 758-3393

Jim Myers Home Care (205) 556-9760

Legal Counsel for the Elderly (205) 348-4960 1-800-452-9036

Clara Verner 205.349.1202

Downtown Tuscaloosa 205.758.3393 Robertson Tower 205.750.0025

Southside (McKenzie Ct) 205.248.9994

Allcare Home Medical (205) 652-9595

American Homepatient (205) 349-1204 Caring Hands Hospice (205) 349-3065

Med-South Inc. (205) 339-8013

DCH Home Health (205) 759-7010

Quality Plus Medical Services (205) 758-1298 (205) 758-1581

Druid City Nurses Registry (205) 349-2700

Red Mountain Imaging Inc. 800-447-4383

Home Care Solutions of West Alabama (205) 349-3024 (205) 758-9040

Specialized Medical Devices (205) 345-6880 (205) 345-8493 (205) 349-2550

Hospice of West Alabama (205) 345-0067 Jim Myers Home Care (205) 556-9760 Whatley Health Services (205) 349-3250

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Healthy Horizons Magazine

West Alabama Limb Company (205) 349-5388

ADULT DAY CARE Caring Days (205) 752-6840

Adult Education/Project Literacy (205) 758-0411

North Harbor Pavilion- Adult & Geriatric Mental Health Services (205) 330-3000

Retired & Senior Volunteer Program of Tuscaloosa & Hale Counties (205) 758-3393 SCORE – Counselors to America’s Small Business (205) 758-7588 Widow Person Services (205) 758-3393 U.S. Social Security Administration (205) 349-4863

wellness resource guide

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ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES Capstone Village (205) 248-0028

Heritage Residential Care Village (205) 349-1011 Martinview Assisted Living (205) 333-0085

Merrill Gardens at Nothport (205) 330-1700

Morning Pointe of Tuscaloosa (205) 345-1112

Alcohol & Drug Recovery First 1-800-734-5192

Alcohol Drug Treatment Referral 1-800-454-8966

Alcoholics Anonymous Tuscaloosa Group (205) 759-2497 Alconon Club Inc. (205) 345-5353

Hill Crest Behavioral Health Services 1-800-292-8553 (205) 833-9000

Skyland Oaks Retirement Center (205) 752-5500

Phoenix Houses Inc. (205) 758-3867

Pine Valley Retirement Community (205) 349-8700

Stallings Substance Abuse Center (205) 562-3700

Clara Verner Tower (205) 349-1202

Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services (OASIS) (205) 554-1300

Hosea’s Care Group Home Seniors (205) 758-1068

INDEPENDENT LIVING SAIL- State of Alabama Independent Living (205) 554-1300

Fuller Rehabilitation Independent Living Aids (205) 248-0284

HOSPICE

Alacare Home Health & Hospice (205) 333-7243 888-252-2273 Caring Hands Hospice (205) 349-3065

Hospice of West Alabama (205) 523-0101 - Loop Road

Hospice of West Alabama (205) 345-0067 - McFarland Blvd. North

EAR NOSE AND THROAT

Alabama Eye and Tissue Bank (205) 942-2120 Alabama Institute for Deaf & Blind (205) 761-3200 Alabama Regional Library for Blind and Physically Handicapped 1-800-392-5671

Tuscaloosa Ear Nose and Throat 205.758.9041 205.758.5730

Visions (205) 759-9008

Vision Correction Center (205) 248-0095

Tuscaloosa Sinus Center 205.759.9930

DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT A 1 Call Answer 1-800-511-9225

SELF HELP/SUPPORT GROUPS Area on Aging of West Alabama (205) 333-2990 American Red Cross (205) 758-3608

Addictions Care Options 1-888-243-3869

Alabama Tuscaloosa Treatment Center (205) 752-5857 Alcohol and Addiction Helpline 1-800-511-9225

Alcohol and Addictions Helpline 1-851-3291

Alcohol Abuse Treatment Center 1-800-41-SOBER 1-800-417-6237

Alcohol and Addiction Helpline 1-800-511-9225

The Medicine Shoppe (205) 339-3993

Alabama Sight Conservation Association Inc. (205) 325-8516

A 1 Call Answer 1-800-511-9225

Alcohol Abuse Treatment Center 1-800-41-SOBER 1-800-417-6237

Pearle Vision (205) 556-2490

North River Ear Nose and Throat 205.759.9930

Alcohol Abuse and Addiction Helpline 1-800-851-3291

Alcohol Abuse and Addiction Helpline 1-800-851-3291

Curves (205) 339-4451 (205) 462-1040

BLIND AND VISUAL DISORDERS

ALCOHOLISM PREVENTION AND TREATMENT

Addiction Care Options 1-888-24-DETOX 1-888-243-3869

NUTRITIONISTS

Innova Health Systems (205) 330-4448

Bradford Health Services (205) 750-0227 1-800-333-1865

North River Village (205) 759-9875

Golden Years of Dch (205) 759-7931

Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services (OASIS) (205) 554-1300

Catholic Family Services (205) 759-1268

East Tuscaloosa Family Resource Center (205) 462-1000 Family Counseling Service (205) 752-2504 Habitat for Humanity (205) 349-4620

Legal Services Corp of Alabama (205) 758-7503 Salvation Army (205) 758-2804

Alcohol & Drug Recovery First 1-800734-5192

Think Machine Support Services (205) 553-0000

Bradford Health Services (205) 750-0227 1-800-333-1865

Turning Point (205) 758-0808

Hill Crest Behavioral Health Services 1-800-292-8553 (205) 833-9000

United Way of West Alabama (205) 345-6640 United Way Information & Referral (205) 345-7775

Stallings Substance Abuse Center (205) 562-3700

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SOCIAL SERVICES ORGANIZATIONS

Alzheimer’s disease Hot Line 1-800-621-0379 American Cancer Society 1-800-227-2345

American Diabetes Association 1-800-342-2383 American Heart Association (205) 752-5521

American Kidney Foundation 1-800-638-8299 American Red Cross (205) 758-3608 Grace House (205) 333-5464

Wheels to Work (205) 759-1649

Gorham & Associates LLC 1-877-529-1529

YMCA of Tuscaloosa (205) 345-9622

Wilson & Guthrie, LLC (205) 349-2330

PEDIATRICIANS

Christopher H. Jones (205) 345-0090

Dr. Ashley EvansMD 205.348.1770

Glenn Baxter & Jim Gentury (205) 349-1770

Noelle Gates Oden 205.391.9300

Jones & Taylor LLC (205) 462-2167

Richard Simpson DMD 205.758.3341

Thomas, Means,Gillis, & Seay P.C. (205) 652-6106

Burgess J Barry DMD 205.758.3341

Kristen l. Love (205) 345-8995 1-888-345-8995

Bama Pediatrics 205.343.1544 205.333.5900

Stuart Albea 205.548.9556

Easter Seals West Alabama (205) 759-1211

Heather Taylor MD 205.348.1220

MASSAGE THERAPIST

Good Samaritan Services of Tuscaloosa (205) 343-2212

Dr. Denise Brown Physicians 205.333.8222

Aptor Rehab Services LLC (205) 345-4441

Habitat for Humanity (205) 349-4620

Tuscaloosa Pediatrics 205.333.8222

Bella Beauty and Wellness Day Spa Salon (205) 752-1909

Legal Service Corp of Alabama (205) 758-7503

Dr. Elizabeth Cockrum MD 205.348.1220

Nancy Taylor Skin Therapy & Day Spa (205) 391-4585

Multiple Sclerosis Society 1-800-FIGHTMS 1-800-344-4867

West Alabama Pediatrics 205.752.7337

Ted Tretter Massage Therapeutic Massage (205) 310-3330

Dr. Scott-Conley Verquita 205.391.9300

Vibrant Touch Therapeutic Massage (205) 752-7474

Children’s Medical Center 205.345.2677

Wellness Solutions (205) 758-3373

Sickle Cell Disease Association

Wes Howell DMD 205.556.6100

CHIROPRACTORS

West Alabama Chapter (205) 758-1761

Dr. Raghda Yahya MD 205.758.6471

Ace Chiropractic (205) 562-9590

Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center (205) 554-2000

Karen Burgess MD 205.348.1220

Agee Chiropractic Center (205) 339-3333

Salvation Army (205) 758-2804

Barry Burgess DMD 205.758.3341

Back to Fitness (205) 345-2225

Temporary Emergency Services (205) 758-5535

Richard Simpson DMD 205.758.3341

Dr. Daryl P. Brown (205) 333-7227

Turning Point (205) 758-0808

Julie Vaughn MD 205.333.8222

Family Chiropractic & Health Center (205) 758-2225

Tuscaloosa Housing Authority (205) 758-6619

Dr. Sudha S. Bennuri MD 205.343.1544

United Way Information & Referral (205) 345-7775

Dr. Steven Helm MD 205.553.2252

Tidwell Chiropractic, PC (205) 752-7503 (205) 333-1113

Victims of Crime and Leniency (205) 556-4

University of Alabama Dept of Pediatrics 205.348.1304

West Alabama AIDS Outreach (205) 759-8470

Primary Care Center of Tuscaloosa 205.366.9181

Whatley Health Services (205) 349-3250

ELDER LAW

626 1-800-239-3219

Frank M. Cauthen Jr. (205) 556-3810

West Alabama Food Bank (205) 759-5519

The Southern Law Group, P.C. (205) 758-7807

National Downs Syndrome Society 1-800-221-4602

National Mental Health Association 1-800-969-6642

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Healthy Horizons Magazine

Skelton Chiropractic Center, Inc. (205) 758-7158 Richardson Chiropractic Clinic (205) 345-2009 Dr. Karen Brown (205) 758-1600 Northport Chiropractic Center (205) 339-4522 Hodges Chiropractic Center (205) 759-1669

wellness resource guide

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Moore Chiropractic Clinic (205) 938-2309

Handicapped Driver Services (205) 426-8261

Dr. Eric Ott (205) 758-1600

High Tech Mobility 877-791-2333

Dr. Pernia Genellel (205) 758-6778

Wayne Rhodes DC PHD (205) 345-3452

ACUPUNCTURISTS Acupuncture Clinic (205) 979-4079

Chinese Herbs Acupuncture Center (205) 822-5552 Northport Chiropractic Center (205) 339-4522

DAY SPAS

Bella Beauty and Wellness Day Spa Salon (205) 752-1909 Nancy Taylor Skin Therapy (205) 366-1979

Nancy Taylor Skin Therapy & Day Spa (205) 391-4585 Smart Skin Day Spa (205) 454-2325 (205) 556-6144

PODIATRISTS

AAA The New Foot Center of Alabama (205) 330-9898 Alabama Foot Center (205) 759-2851

Foot Center of Northport (205) 333-8880 Barry Gould, DPM (205) 330-9009 Robert C. Hope (205) 633-3606

Riverside Podiatry (205) 633-3606

David V. Robinson, DPM (205) 366-0032 Dr. Jeff Brown, DPM (205) 752-7503

Tuscaloosa Foot Care PC (205) 366-0032 Tuscany Podiatry (205) 758-8809

WHEELCHAIRS-LIFTS & RAMPS Central Alabama Mobility, Inc. 334-514-6590 Atlas Elevator 866-513-5438 Gulf States Mobility Central Alabama Mobility (205) 556-7733 877-556-7733

MEDICAL EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES APM Providers Inc. 1-800-949-5329 Evenpressure (205) 758-2740

Huntleigh Healthcare Inc. (205) 248-6300 MED-SOUTH Inc. (205) 339-8013

Secure Health Systems Inc. (334) 270-1342

Surgical Innovations & Services (205) 344-9201

References: Retrieved May 30, 2008 from: Area Agency on Aging. http://www.adap.net/resource/agencies.htm.

Retrieved May 30, 2008 from: http://www.mealcall.org/meals-on-wheels/al/ tuscaloosa.htm Retrieved May 30, 2008 from: The Real Yellow Pages, Tuscaloosa 20042005.

Disclaimer: Healthy Horizons provides this elder resource directory free of charge.

Healthy Horizons strives to assure that the information contained in this directory is accurate and up to date. However, the user is advised that Healthy Horizons does not endorse the organizations listed in this directory, nor does exclusion in this directory signify disapproval. The consumer is strongly encouraged to seek information from the organization and assess if this organization meets your particular needs.

Reference:Retrieved from:http://www. calhounema.org/plansteps.doc, Jan. 10, 2009

DENTIST

Smile Design Center (205) 750-8008 Robert M. Amason (205) 556-2600

David Anderson DMD PC (205) 758-4721 Scott E. Atkinson (205) 553-1523

Bobby J Babb DMD PC (205) 758-4721 Capstone Dental Care (205) 248-9077

Center for Cosmetic & Restorative Dentistry (205)339-6762 Renaissance Dental (205) 758-4809

Rodney L Goins, D.M.D. (205) 752-5400

Riverview Dental Designs (205) 345-3400 Capstone Dental Care (205) 248-9077

Tuscaloosa Dental Care (205) 556-2980

West Alabama Dental Center (205) 345-8859

PHYSICIANS & SURGEONS OTORHINOLARYNGOLOGY EAR, NOSE, & THROAT David & Benoit Ear, Nose, & Throat Center (205) 759-9930 Tuscaloosa Ear Nose & Throat Center PC (205) 758-9041

Community Wellness Guide

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h Aging

h

American Health Assistance Foundation (800) 437-2423 Eldercare Locator (800) 677-1116 National Institute on Aging Information Center (800) 222-2225 (800) 222-4225

Allergy/Asthma

Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (800) 929-4040

Alzheimer’s Alzheimer’s Association (800) 272-3900

Alzheimer ’s Disease Education and Referral Center (800) 438-4380

Arthritis

American Juvenile Arthritis Organization (800) 283-7800 Arthritis Foundation (800) 283-7800 Lyme Disease Foundation, Inc. (800) 886-5963 National Institute of Arthritis (877) 226-4267

Brain Tumors

American Brain Tumor Association (800) 886-2282 Brain Tumor Society (800) 770-8287

Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation (800) 228-4673 National Brain Tumor Foundation (800) 934-2873

Cancer

American Cancer Society, National Cancer Information Center (800) 227-2345 American Institute for Cancer Research (800) 843-8114 Cancer Hope Network (877) 467-3638 Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation (800) 366-2223 Kidney Cancer Association (800) 850-9132 National Bone Marrow Transplant Link (800) 546-5268 National Cancer Information Center (800) 422-6237

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Healthy Horizons Magazine

National Marrow Donor Program (800) 627-7692 Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation (800) 462-9273 Us Too! International (800) 808-7866

Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization (800) 221-2141 English (800) 986-9505 Spanish

Diabetes/Digestive Disorders American Association of Diabetes Educators (800) 338-3633 American Diabetes Association (800) 342-2383 Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, Inc. (800) 932-2423

Headache/Head Injury American Council for Headache Education (800) 255-2243 Brain Injury Association, Inc. (800) 444-6443 National Headache Foundation (888) 643-5552

Hearing/Speech American Society for Deaf Children (800) 942-2732 American Speech-LanguageHearing Association (800) 638-8255 DB-Link (800) 438-9376 Dial A Hearing Screening Test (800) 222-3277

Division of Diabetes Translation (877) 232-3422

The Ear Foundation at Baptist Hospital (800) 545-4327

Juvenile Diabetes Foundation International Hotline (800) 223-1138

Hear Now (800) 648-4327

Drug Abuse

Drug Free Workplace Helpline (800) 967-5752 Drug Help (800) 488-3784

Drug Policy Information Clearinghouse (800) 666-3332 Housing and Urban Development Drug Clearinghouse (800) 955-2232 Parents Resource Institute for Drug Education (PRIDE) (800) 279-6361

Fire Prevention

National Fire Protection Association (800) 344-3555

Fitness

Aerobics and Fitness Foundation of America (800) 446-2322 For Professionals (800) 968-7263 Consumer Hotline American Council on Exercise (800) 825-3636

American Running Association (800) 776-2732

TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly) Club (800) 932-8677 Weight Control Information Network (877) 946-4627 YMCA of the USA (800) 872-9622

John Tracy Clinic (800) 522-4582 International Hearing Society (800) 521-5247 National Family Association for Deaf-Blind (800) 255-0411 x 275 National Institute on Deafness and Other Disorders (800) 241-1044 Vestibular Disordered Association (800) 837-8428

Heart Disease American Heart Association (800) 242-8721 Heart Information Service (800) 292-2221 National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Health Center (800) 575-9355

Homelessness National Resource Center on Homelessness and Mental Illness (800) 444-7415 Hospital/Hospice Care Children’s Hospice International (800) 242-4453 Hill-Burton Free Medical Care Program (800) 638-0742 National Association of Hospital Hospitality Houses, Inc. (800) 542-9730 National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (800) 658-8898

national helpful numbers Shriners Hospital for Children Referral Line (800) 237-5055

Immunizations National Immunization Information Hotline (800) 232-2522

Impotence Impotence Information Center (800) 328-3881

Liver Disease American Liver Foundation (800) 223-0179

h

Hepatitis Foundation International (800) 891-0707 Lung Disease/Asthma/Allergy American Lung Association (800) 586-4872 Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (800) 727-8462 Asthma Information Line (800) 822-2762 National Jewish Medical and Research Center (800) 222-5864 (Lung Line) (800) 552-5864 (Lung Facts)

National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (800) 537-2238

American Nurses Association (800) 274-4262 American Occupational Therapy Association (800) 729-2682

National Technical Information Service (800) 553-6847

Arthritis National Research Foundation (800) 588-2873

Prevent Child Abuse America (800) 556-2722

Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback (800) 477-8892 Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (800) 635-1196

Association of Operating Room Nurses (800) 755-2676

Rehabilitation

CDC National Prevention Information Network (800) 458-5231

Abledata (800) 227-0216

College of American Pathologists (800) 323-4040

Dystonia Medical Research Foundation (800) 377-3978

Federal Emergency Management Agency (800) 879-6076 Federal Information Center, GSA (800) 688-9889 Glaucoma Research Foundation (800) 826-6693 Immune Deficiency Foundation (800) 296-4433

American Parkinson’s Disease Association (800) 223-2732

International Childbirth Education Association (800) 624-4934

International Chiropractors Association (800) 423-4690

Parkinson’s Disease Foundation (800) 457-6676

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (800) 955-4572

Professionals

Lighthouse International (800) 829-0500

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (800) 822-2762

American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance (800) 213-7193 American Association of Critical Care Nurses (800) 899-2226

National Institute for Rehabilitation Engineering (800) 736-2216 Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors (800) 888-2876 United Ostomy Association (800) 826-0826

Safety

Danny Foundation (800) 833-2669 National Highway Traffic Safety Hotline (800) 424-9393 National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Service (800) 356-4674

National Parkinson Foundation, Inc. (800) 327-4545

Alliance for Aging Research (800) 639-2421

Radiation National Association of Radiation Survivors (800) 798-5102

Parkinson’s Disease

Americans with Disabilities Act Information Center (800) 949-4232

Research to Prevent Blindness (800) 621-0026

Medical Institute for Sexual Health (800) 892-9484 National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention (888) 232-3228

National Child Care Information Center, ACF (800) 616-2242 National Clearinghouse of Rehabilitation Training Materials (800) 223-5219

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Service (800) 356-4674

American Council for the Blind (800) 424-8666

National Jewish Medical and Research Center (800) 222-5864

American Counseling Association (800) 347-6647

National Pediculosis Association (800) 446-4672

National Program for Playground Safety (800) 554-7529 National Safety Council (800) 621-7615 Office of Boating Safety, U.S. Coast Guard InfoLine (800) 368-5647 Safe Sitter (800) 255-4089 U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission Hotline (800) 638-2772

Smoking Smoking Quit Line of the National Cancer Institute (877) 448-7848 Smoking, Tobacco and Health Information Line (800) 232-1311

Stroke

American Heart Association Stroke Connection (800) 478-7653

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American Trauma Society (800) 556-7890

National Stroke Association (800) 787-6537

Vision

Substance Abuse

American Council of the Blind (800) 424-8666

National Inhalant Prevention Coalition (800) 269-4237 SAMHSA’s National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (800) 729-6686

Better Vision Institute/Vision Council of America (800) 424-8422 Blind Children’s Center (800) 222-3566

Surgery/Plastic Surgery

Braille Institute (800) 272-4553

American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (800) 332-3223

Foundation Fighting Blindness (800) 683-5555 Glaucoma Research Foundation (800) 826-6693

American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Inc. (800) 441-2737 American Society of Plastic Surgeons, inc.

(800) 475-2784

Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, Inc. (800) 548-4337

Suicide Prevention

Guide Dogs for the Blind (800) 295-4050

National Hopeline Network (800) 784-2433

Lighthouse International (800) 829-0500

The Trevor Helpline (800) 850-8078

Louisiana Center for the Blind (800) 234-4166

✃

National Family Association for Deaf-Blind (800) 255-0411 x275 Prevent Blindness Center for Sight (800) 331-2020 Seniors Eye Care Program (800) 222-3937

Violence National Domestic Violence Hotline (800) 799-7233

Women Endometriosis Association (800) 992-3636 National Osteoporosis Foundation (800) 223-9994 National Women’s Health Information Center (800) 994-9662 PMS Access (800) 222-4767 Women’s Health America Group (800) 558-7046 Women’s Sports Foundation (800) 227-3988

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Please write your comments and suggestions below. It’s our way of finding out from you, the reader, what we can do to make the next issue of Healthy Horizons even better. You may also use this form to nominate someone in your community to feature in our “Feature Faces” special section. Tell us why this person should be chosen and how to get in touch with them. Please mail to the address below. Thank you!

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Healthy Horizons Magazine

Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C.

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (800) 352-9424

Reference: Print Source: 2009 Toll-Free Numbers for Health information, National Health Information Center, Office of

national helpful numbers

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