Two Sections, 32 Pages of Community News
Brandon See O u Ad O n r Page 19
February 2017 C E L E B R A T I N G
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Volume 12, Issue 2 P U B L I S H I N G
Newborn Receives Life-Saving Surgery At Brandon Regional Hospital By Kathy L. Collins
Osprey Observer 918 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. Brandon, FL 33511-6121
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Recently, a eating problems. baby, Layton According to Pedrosa, born Akers, "The on September external arms 30, 2016, underwere taken off went life-saving before Layton surgery at was discharged Brandon from the NICU. Regional We went Hospital (BRH) through an 11in Brandon. week consolidaLayton was born tion phase in with Isolated which the bone Pierre Robin grew and hardSequence ened before the Layton Pedrosa, shown here with his mother, Ricki Ackers, suffered from a rare condition known internal hard(PRS), a rare set of abnormal- as Isolated Pierre Robin Sequence. Thanks to the ware was skills of Dr. Joshua Mitchell and the caring staff at ities that affect removed on BRH, Pedrosa underwent delicate surgery and therapy and is now able to breathe, eat and do the head and January 4." everything that any normal baby can do. face where Dr. Mitchell, there is a small lower jaw (micrognathia), who is with Tampa Children's ENT and is a tongue that is placed further back than affiliated with BRH said, "Children with normal (glossoptosis) and obstruction of severe PRS and failure to thrive are fortuthe airway. nately fairly rare. Additionally, not all chilAccording to Ricki Akers, Layton's dren have to undergo mandibular distracmother, "My pregnancy was perfect. It tion as Layton did." Dr. Mitchell added, was completely shocking when my son "Layton's degree of micrognathia was was born with PRS. When he was born, pretty impressive along with the width of he was not breathing well and was imme- his cleft palate. However, he has been a diately taken to the NICU (Neonatal great healer and has a good family supIntensive Care Unit). I was absolutely port system, along with the fantastic pedidevastated." atric anesthesia and NICU nurses and Layton was treated by Dr. Joshua R. physicians at BRH. This is why he is getMitchell, M.D. Layton had to undergo a ting such a great outcome." mandibular distraction. This is where a Akers said, "It was a hard month, but precise incision is made in both sides of I am thankful for all the great doctors, the jaw bone. Both an internal and externurses and of course Dr. Mitchell. They nal distractor hardware are placed. Over saved my baby's life. He went from strugthe course of a nine-day period, the exter- gling to breathe and eat, not being able to nal arms were turned a small amount be on his back at all, to being able to do each morning and night. This creates a everything a normal baby can do." gap in which new bone can form thus BRH is located at 119 Oakfield Dr. in expanding the jaw, bringing the tongue Brandon. For information, call 681-5551 forward. This fixes both breathing and or visit www.brandonhospital.com.
Photo By Tamas Mondovics
Starbucks’ Smoked Butterscotch Latte and a cup of Double Chocolate Chip Frappuccino was the order of the day for Brandon area residents, Jenny Langford and her daughter Maddie, 9, last month. The pair was among the very first customers to celebrate the opening of the brand new store located on Bloomingdale Ave. inside the Crest Pointe Towne Plaza adjacent to the new Chick-fil-A.
Ph: 657-2418 P O S I T I V E
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North Brandon YMCA Boosts SilverSneakers Program With New Leadership
By Tamas
members can also enjoy social events such as senior tea parties, pot lucks and senior birthday parties, health education seminars and other events that promote the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. “My goal is to keep our seniors healthy, physically and socially.” The Brandon Y Members of the Brandon Family YMCA Silver Sneakers fitness program work out during a recent class coordinated by long time currently hosts its YMCA Active Older Adult coordinator Kavita Marballi. hour-long, The SilverSneakers a premier fitness SilverSneaker classes on Tuesday, program for those ages 65 and up has Wednesday and Thursday at 11 a.m. A been a staple at area YMCA facilities that class is also held on Saturday starting at are especially proud of keeping seniors 12:15 p.m. physically active and mentally sharp. Marballi said that the class focuses While SilverSneakers need no introon upper body strength with non-impact duction its success at local YMCA faciliaerobic choreography. Chairs are availties including the Campo Family Y in able for seated and/or standing support Valrico, and Camp Cristina in Riverview is and for head to toe stretching and comlargely credited to its long time Active plete relaxation in a comfortable position. Older Adult Coordinator Kavita Marballi. The Y’s Silver Sneakers program can “The program has been a success be covered through insurance or at a and is appreciated by many in the comreduced cost. YMCA membership is not munity as each customized required to join the program. SilverSneakers class is designed excluVisit www.tampaymca.org. sively for older adults who want to improve their strength, flexibility, balance and endurance,” Marballi said adding that In This each Silver Sneaker class at the various Issue YMCA locations are well-supported by senior citizens, who desire a fitness proNATURE’S CLASSROOM......................PG 3 gram specifically designed for them. CASINO NIGHT .................................PG 11 To increase awareness and participation by senior residents living in Brandon CHALKLINES .....................................PG 12 and Seffner, Marballi, who has been in charge of coordinating the Active Senior STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL ...................PG 18 Adult programs at the Y for more than a EYE ON BUSINESS...........................PG 21 decade, was selected to oversee SilverSneakers at the North Brandon ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT...............PG 23 Family YMCA located at 3097 S. PARK RENOVATION ........................PG 25 Kingsway Rd., in Seffner. “The current program at the Brandon SPORTS CONNECTION .............PGS 26‐27 Y is going well, but I am working on adding additional classes and activities to READ MORE LOCAL NEWS ONLINE fit our seniors needs,” Marballi said, www.ospreyobserver.com adding that besides the physical activities,