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SPEECH, LANGUAGE, AND READING THERAPY FOR ALL AGES
Is your child struggling with reading, writing, or spelling? Is your child missing developmental milestones when it comes to speech and language? Lexicon Speech, Language & Reading provides exceptional service through evaluation and treatment using evidence-based techniques for remediating speech, language, and reading issues. Formerly known as Gideon Math & Reading, we have combined our established family-run businesses and expertise which allows us the flexibility to create individualized lesson plans and set goals for each student that remain fluid as the student grows.
SERVICES: • SPEECH & LANGUAGE • READING, WRITING, SPELLING & MATH • DYSLEXIA SCREENING
• MULTI-SENSORY INSTRUCTION • COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATIONS • DYSLEXIA TUTORING & SUPPORT
DYSLEXIA WARNING SIGNS: IN PRE-SCHOOL • Delayed speech • Mixing up sounds and syllables in long words • Difficulty learning to tie shoes • Confusion of left vs right • A close relative with dyslexia • Chronic ear infections • Trouble memorizing their address, phone number or the alphabet
IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL • Letter and number reversals after first grade • Slow, choppy, inaccurate reading • Poor spelling • Difficulty finding the correct word or phrase when speaking • Slow, non-automatic handwriting that is difficult to read • Extremely poor written expression
for a complete list or more information about our services, please visit
www.lexiconNWA.com Fayetteville 521-6500
4 January 2017
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The
Family KIMBERLY ENDERLE Editor-in-Chief editor@peekaboonwa.com | 479-957-0532
JONATHON ENDERLE Creative Director jon@peekaboonwa.com | 479-586-3890
Kim and Jonathon with Ava, Grant and Holden Enderle. PHOTO BY MAIN STREET STUDIOS
CONTRIBUTING WRITER/EDITOR Frances Wilson
DISTRIBUTION/ CIRCULATION Joyce Whitaker Judy Evans Marcedalia Salinas
Jeremy Whitaker Michelle Dodson
Peekaboo Publications PO Box 1036 Bentonville, Arkansas 72712
BEN LACY Dad’s View
Columnist
VERONICA ZUCCA Story Design
Please send inquiries to: editor@peekaboonwa.com or call 479-957-0532 www.peekaboonwa.com Peekaboo may not be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher. Views expressed herein are those of the authors and advertisers, and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the magazine.
PEEKABOO Northwest Arkansas accepts writing contributions
6 January 2017
JENNIFER CRISTOFARO Events
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8 January 2017
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Inside
JANUARY 2017
Also 18
National Mentoring Month
26
School Choice Empowers Everyone
36
Dad’s View
WITH BEN LACY
42
22
Our World BY: ELLA SHELTON
Goals for Kids
28
BY: JULIE MARVIN, OT, OTR/L
BY: MISTY SHIELDS
The Road to Becoming a Helicopter Parent
A Different Perspective: Brayden's Story
56
BY DWAIN HEBDA
58
Dr. Lynn Davis: A Doctor You'll Never Outgrow
ON THE COVER
32
Coltrane: Our Make-aWish Foundation Story
50
Brooks Update BY: ANGIE MCGREW
BY: SONJA SMITH
Cover Sponsored by: Northwest Health www.northwesthealth.com Brooks McGrew, age 2, Son of Josh & Angie McGrew of Bentonville Photo by Main Street Studios www.mainstreetstudios.net 10 January 2017
4 WEEKS FOR $ 4 9 INCLUDES UNIFORM *Expires 1-30-17 *New students only
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Fayetteville
1271 Steamboat Dr 443.5425 Next To JJ’s
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12 January 2017
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From the Editor
A look ahead: If you have a story to share, or an idea for a story, email editor@peekaboonwa.com and be a part of the Peekaboo family! FEBRUARY is the Annual Birthday Issue! Happy 9th Birthday Peekaboo! MARCH is the non-profit issue. If you have an event or non-profit you would like to see featured email: editor@peekaboonwa.com
Photo by: Daniel Moody Photography
Welcome to 2017! The "17" part
of the year is unbelievable - such a futuristicsounding year. What is equally odd is that I am still not even used to the “20� part - especially sad, since it has been 17 years since the infamous Y2K! For some reason, the 90s just seem so very recent, even though so much life has happened since then.
in the pages of this magazine. I am always so thankful to be even a tiny part of their amazing life journeys. Through these stories, many connections have been made, and real bonds have been formed among parents and children that will span far beyond a single issue, a season, or even a year.
I love everything that the New Year represents, and all that it brings. Coming right out of the most magical time of the year and into the month that represents fresh starts - it is hard to have anything other than a hopeful and positive attitude for what the year will hold.
Even though these family’s stories only run in print for a single issue, readers never forget them, and are always curious to learn their updates and about new developments. That is why this issue is dedicated to sharing the updates of some of the memorable families we have met over the last few years.
It was just last year that I shared in my letter from the editor how busy a mom is, how superhuman a parent can truly be, and how Peekaboo is like a fourth child in line behind my three other children. Now though, in this letter, it is more like a fifth child, since we will welcome a 4th baby into our family this year! (How is that for sliding in a fun, exciting announcement?)
I wish everyone a wonderful and beautiful 2017. The start of each new year is like receiving a giant gift, but you only get to unwrap just a tiny piece each day. With each of the 365 days, you get a little glimpse at what the year has in store for you. Then, at the end, you get to reflect on all that has transpired, good and bad, and look forward to yet another year!
I am so honored that I have been a part of sharing stories from families across Northwest Arkansas for the past 9 years! I love that I get to cry with these families, rejoice with them, and celebrate with them as they open their hearts
I look forward with great anticipation to all that 2017 will bring with it.
14 January 2017
Thank you for making Peekaboo a part of your family!
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16 January 2017
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January is
NATIONAL MENTORING MONTH
Be a Big Family!
®
Happy January, National Mentoring Month, and the perfect time to learn about Big Brothers Big Sisters, the oldest and largest youth mentoring organization in the country! We have a significant need for Big Brothers and Big Sisters in Northwest Arkansas, as well as Big Couples and Big Families (where the entire family can enjoy being with the Little.) In fact, putting a child with a Big Family is a particularly great way for that child to experience healthy family dynamics and, in the case of a Little who is an only child, provide him or her with 'virtual siblings.' In addition to teaching your children about giving back, participating families have remarked that their family time together actually improves when a Little is around, as the family is more focused on doing an activity together, instead of scattering in different directions! There are 40 children on the waiting list right now, many of whom are boys. Match activities don’t need to be fancy or expensive; it is all about spending time with the child. Activities can include going to the park, visiting a museum, baking cookies, or tossing a football in the backyard! And yet, what a difference this caring and encouraging attention can make in the life of a child. Here is a current success story…
JAVIER AND THE FELLERS
Javier’s mother Bene learned about the Big Brothers Big Sisters’ (BBBS) mentoring program from staff at the elementary school in Bentonville that Javier attended. As a single mother raising two sons on her own, her goals for the program were for Javier to meet a male figure who could provide a different view of life than the men currently in their lives. Bene wanted 12-year-old Javier to have the opportunity to spend time with someone with compassion, education, a professional career, and goals in life, who would be a positive influence. Javier was in contact with his father through phone calls and letters, but hadn’t seen him in years. Bene
hoped that a Big Brother would be able to do “boy activities” with Javier, like fishing and guy talk. Meanwhile, Rick and Jill Fellers had moved to NWA in January 2015 and wanted to get involved in the community. According to Rick, “We took a few months to find the best fit for us and decided that becoming a ‘Big Couple’ with BBBS NWA was perfect. We believe in the power of mentorship and wanted to find something that we could do together--and, hopefully, make a positive impact on a child’s life. Volunteering through BBBS provided everything that we were looking for. We were very excited to meet our ‘Little,’ and start a friendship that would make a difference for everyone involved.” Due to the sizeable pool of waiting boys and the need for Big Brother volunteers, the BBBS program staff proposed Rick and Jill as a Big Couple for Javier. Javier and the Fellers were matched in November 2015, and according to Bene, Javier’s mentoring relationship with the Fellers has a “home run” from the beginning. As she explained, “The benefits are countless; Javier receives care, love, compassion, and friends to hang out with. Javier has seen and experienced a great deal of love from the Fellers. He is impressed by how much they care about him. There is just so much to say about the benefits of this program!” And the Fellers? Rick reports, “We were very lucky to be matched with Javier. Javier is one of the most respectful, caring and fun kids that we have been around. He is very appreciative of our time and is easy to get along with. We have fun no matter what we are doing, and we really enjoy each other’s company. Javier is blessed to have a great family that cares about him deeply."
We first met Javier in October 2015 and we clicked right away. His smile is contagious and he has a positive attitude about life. The three of us have enjoyed many activities together such as Razorback sporting events (football, basketball & soccer), laser tag, mini golf, volunteering via Habitat for Humanity, movies, attending his soccer games and grilling out at our place. Our time together always includes a lot of fun and conversations about how things are going. Jill and I recently had our first child, Charlotte, and it has been a lot of fun having Javier around as we start our new family.
"With that said," Rick continued, "we had some concerns before we started, and my assumption is that these concerns are shared amongst people/ families thinking about volunteering with BBBS. They were: do we have the time to do this, and is it going to cost a lot of money to do these activities? Even with our busy schedule and newborn daughter, we have found 2-3 times each month to hang out with Javier. We have also found that our activities are budget-friendly. BBBS does an excellent job posting various activities (many of them free of charge) that you can take advantage of." "Our relationship has grown tremendously since we first met. At first, we were in the stage of getting to know each other and figuring out how to best make this friendship work. The biggest change that we have seen in Javier is that, now, he seems more confident than when we first met him. He is more willing to speak up, and our hope is that this increased confidence will make him a better person in all aspects of his life (better soccer teammate, better student, etc.) Javier is a great young man and his future is very bright." "This mentoring experience has been extremely positive. We look forward to hanging out with Javier, and I believe it has helped Jill and I as much (or more) than Javier. Volunteering as a family has strengthened our relationship, and we have
Turn the page ‌
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had a lot of fun doing it. The NWA community is very fortunate that there are so many great nonprofit organizations that we can spend our time and resources on, but I believe BBBS NWA to be at the top of the list. Becoming a ‘Big’ is a lifechanging opportunity for everyone involved, and we highly recommend it. If you are looking to make a positive impact on a child’s life and have a lot of fun doing it – I recommend becoming a ‘Big’… you will not regret it!” Lastly, Bene said, “It takes time to develop those relationships, but every day we get closer with the Fellers. I pray and wish that more people can volunteer, because the need of “angels”, as I call the BBBS volunteers, is enormous.” As for Javier, when he grows up, he plans to be part of the BBBS organization himself, so he can also give back to a child who might need a friend.
Want to apply or learn more? www.bbbsnwa.org or (479) 966-4366
®
20 January 2017
THE BBBS PROGRAM
Since 1993, BBBS has been in Northwest Arkansas, forming thousands of mentoring matches in Washington and Benton counties. These one-toone mentoring relationships between caring adults (“Bigs”) and children (“Littles”) have documented positive outcomes for the children. Survey results show that Littles have improved school attendance, healthier peer relationships, enhanced selfconfidence and outlook for their future, and are less likely to use drugs or alcohol, or get into fights. In 2016, BBBS NWA volunteers gave over 18,000 mentoring hours to help 260 children. In order to be a Little, the child typically either lives below the poverty level, has a parent in jail, or comes from a single parent home, and often a child qualifies on all three accounts. As child safety is a primary concern, there is structured protocol that all chapters follow regarding the recruitment and interviews of the Bigs, the Littles and their families; the matching process; and then the monthly monitoring by the program staff. It costs about $1,000 to set-up and monitor a match for the first year. All programs and services are provided free to the Little, their family and the Big. Littles joining the program are 6 to 14 years old, and then age out at 18 years old. Many Littles and Bigs are lifelong friends.
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our world changer BY ELLA SHELTON
A
OR
TON
EL
SH
ST
22 January 2017
THE
pril 10th, 2012 From the second Taylor was a day much was conceived, both Wes anticipated by both and I became singularly the Shelton and Bebow focused on what we could families. Wes and I were do to best provide for him. Y N Our lives took on new meaning opening another chapter in our OF E TAY L O R M C K E and we embraced those changes lives with the birth of our first son, Taylor McKeen Shelton. Finally, after with vigor like none other. Things many hours of labor, Taylor entered the world that once seemed so important no longer a healthy, beautiful baby. held the same importance. Our new life goal could be summed up in being the best parents we could From the very beginning, it was obvious to be to Taylor – and we worked every day to achieve everyone who saw him that Taylor had a special that goal. spark – a touch of magic only God could give. He was quick to smile and found humor in almost Whether it was researching and feeding him only everything. His laughter was infectious, and just the best organic foods, taking him to the Little being around him made anyone's day brighter. Gym or toddler music classes, or planning for his bright future, we did everything we could think of As he grew, not only did his body grow, but so did to provide him the very best we could – and we his personality. Taylor had style, and style he had did every day. in abundance. Unlike most toddlers, Taylor loved wearing his hats and getting dressed up. Whether As Taylor grew, Wes and I became more and it was a fedora, a beanie or a newsboy – he looked more secure in knowing that all of our plans were great, and he knew it. coming together to make our life as a family as close to perfect as we could possibly make it for Changes were witnessed from not only Taylor but all three of us. from both Wes and I. With the birth of Taylor, a part of our God-determined destiny was fulfilled. As Robert Burn’s wrote in 1785, however, “The best laid plans o’ mice and men often go awry.”
On Saturday, June 15th, 2013, all of our plans came to a sudden crossroads that no one could have ever predicted. Taylor had been struggling with what presented as another ear infection, of which he had had several in the previous months. I took him to his pediatrician’s office the day before, where he acted as if he felt fine, playing all the while in the waiting room. He was prescribed another round of antibiotics and we were told to monitor his temperature, appetite and behavior. We returned home and had a relaxing night as a family. He ate well, had a bath and went to bed. His fever had dropped to near normal. At 3:00 am, I awoke and watched Taylor through the video monitor playing in his crib, which he often did at that time of the morning. He had turned on his mobile and was just entertaining himself. The next morning, when Wes and I went to get Taylor up, we immediately knew something was terribly wrong. He was not breathing. The unimaginable was happening. I pleaded with him to wake up. I begged God to not let this happen. Wes and I frantically worked together to perform CPR and called the paramedics. We knew what to do in this situation, but no amount of training can ever prepare you. This was our worst nightmare coming true, and the feeling of helplessness was complete and all encompassing. The paramedics arrived, assessed the situation and determined there was nothing more they could do. Taylor had passed away earlier that morning. In the blink of an eye, our dreams seemed to transform into nightmares. The center of our world was taken, only to be replaced with an empty pit filled with sorrow. Our perfect life was no more, and we were beginning the hardest journey of our lives. The following days became a blur of activity. Friends and family came from near and far to be close to us and support us in any way possible. The memorial service was held on Friday, June 21st at Central United Methodist Church in Rogers, AR. The church was packed to celebrate our little boy. The next weeks brought incredible grief and pain, as the reality of Taylor being gone began to set in disbelief, confusion, anger. We each struggled to find anything that we could hold on to that might comfort, that would ease the overwhelming pain that had settled into our souls. During that process, we reflected on our good
Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood is defined as
“the sudden and unexpected death of a child over the age of 12 months, which remains unexplained after a thorough case investigation is conducted.” We knew that we needed to help spread awareness of SUDC after losing Taylor, and that has been the purpose of his foundation.
friends, Patrick and Meredith Woodruff, and how they had taken the tragedy of the death of their son, Miller, and made something wonderful in the “I’m With Miller Foundation.” Miller McNeil Woodruff, Patrick and Meredith’s son, was born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Miller lived for 87 days, but, through Patrick, Meredith and the “Miller McNeil Woodruff Foundation” his life continues to touch and help others in ways that he could never have imagined. Patrick and Meredith are wonderful friends and great examples of one way to turn the worst of tragedies into something positive. It was from that perspective, and that inspiration, that the Taylor McKeen Shelton Foundation was born. The Taylor McKeen Shelton Foundation was founded in loving memory of Taylor with a goal of increasing awareness of and research into the cause of Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood incidents by supporting the SUDC Foundation via financial contributions. In addition to supporting the SUDC Foundation, the goals of Taylor’s Foundation include supporting other families living through similar tragedies and giving back to the communities that have rallied around us. The most common response people have when learning of Taylor’s passing at 14 months old is: “He was too old for it to be SIDS.” What we learned is, after the age of 12 months, SIDS cases still occur, but are then classified as SUDC, or Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood. Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood is defined as “the sudden and unexpected death of a child over the age of 12 months, which remains unexplained after a thorough case investigation is conducted.” We knew that we needed to help spread awareness of SUDC after losing Taylor, and Turn the page … peekaboonwa.com
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Taylor’s Foundation donated $25,000 to the City of Batesville to fund the toddler swimming pool at the new Batesville Aquatic Center. The new aquatic center will provide children of Batesville and surrounding areas with a safe place to swim and participate in many other activities that the center will provide. We are so glad to be able to give back to this amazing community with something that we know Taylor would have loved.
THE TAYLOR MCKEEN SHELTON FOUNDATION that has been the purpose of his foundation. In the three and a half years since we lost Taylor and formed the Taylor McKeen Shelton Foundation, we have been able to raise over $400,000, and also raise awareness of SUDC across the state of Arkansas. We have been so fortunate to have the support of so many people, and in turn be able to help so many more. Taylor’s foundation holds two “Tee Off for Taylor” golf tournaments, which include both a reception and incredible auctions, each year which raise the majority of the money we collect. Each year, the first of these golf tournaments is held in my and Wes’s hometown of Batesville, Arkansas, while the second is held at Shadow Valley Country Club in Rogers. We are so humbled by the help we receive to preserve Taylor’s memory and to bring awareness to SUDC. We have committees in both Batesville and Rogers which help organize these important events for our foundation. Many people who give of their time and efforts never got to meet Taylor, yet give so freely. It is beyond heartwarming to know there are so many who really care about our sweet boy. This year’s “Tee Off for Taylor” golf tournament and evening reception will be held on June 24, 2017 at Shadow Valley Country Club. We are looking forward to another amazing event to celebrate and remember Taylor. The Taylor McKeen Shelton Foundation has donated $200,000 to the SUDC Foundation in an effort to help advance research that is beginning to uncover the mystery around SUDC. Through our support of the SUDC Foundation, families affected by the loss of a child due to SUDC have the support and resources they need to help them through these tragedies. 24 January 2017
The foundation was able to contribute over $11,000 to White River Health System in Batesville to fund their Cribs for Kids Program. This program provides new parents with safe sleep information and materials-including a Halo Sleep Sack with the Taylor McKeen Shelton Foundation logo-to ensure that their child is as safe as possible. With this gift in memory of Taylor, The White River Health System will receive Champion Gold Status certification through the Cribs for Kids Safe Sleep Hospital Initiative. The Taylor McKeen Shelton Foundation has also funded a bedroom with a gift of $25,000 at the Ronald McDonald House at Mercy Hospital in Rogers. Taylor’s bedroom provides rest and comfort to families who have children in the hospital. Taylor’s picture and plaque adorns the room and everyone that stays there gets to learn about our sweet boy. Wes and I also present the Taylor Award every year at The Red Shoe Soiree, Ronald McDonald House’s annual charity event. The Taylor Award is given to a company or individual who supports the efforts of the Ronald McDonald House Charities and their mission to find, create and support programs to improve the health and well-being of children. The 2015 Taylor award winners were Bill and Vickie Mathews and Walter and Bette Mathews, and the 2016 winners were Dr. James Ragland, Dr. John Lee and Dr. Randall Black. Most recently, The Taylor McKeen Shelton Foundation has pledged $100,000 to the new Arkansas Children’s Hospital Northwest to promote a healthier future for children in NWA. This commitment will guarantee that all children in NWA have access to child-centered care that combines pediatric expertise with a balance of passion and compassion. If you are traveling in NW Arkansas, you may see an APAC concrete truck with Taylor’s logo. We were so honored to be asked to have his logo on one of their charity trucks. Taylor’s concrete truck
TAYLOR’S LITTLE BROTHER will also be featured at The NWA Junior League’s event, “Touch A Truck” in Spring of 2017 at the Pinnacle Promenade.
In February 2015, Wes and I welcomed Taylor’s little brother, our rainbow baby, Thayer William Shelton. He is now 23 months old, and has provided some muchneeded joy and hope to our lives. Thayer looks very similar to Taylor, and even has the ice blue eyes that his big brother had, but is definitely his own person. While he keeps me very busy and has helped heal my heart, there will always be a longing for my firstborn son. We tell Thayer all about Taylor and he knows his “bubba” in pictures. As he continues to get older, he will know more about Taylor and how he is making a difference. Wes and I are so thankful for Thayer, as he has truly been the light we needed to navigate through the darkness. He has saved our lives, without a doubt. In my quite times during the day, I always talk to Taylor. I tell him how much I love him and how much he is missed. I always end with telling him that he is changing the world... And he really is.
-Ella Shelton
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS
SP EC TACU LA R SC IE N CE AN D LE AR N IN G School Assemblies & Workshops • Special Events & Camps Corporate/Non-Profit Presentations • Awesome Party Concept
www.super-sci.com • 479-444-0303
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SCHOOL CHOICE EMPOWERS EVERYONE Raising expectations and creating an environment for success for all Northwest Arkansas students
N
orthwest Arkansas is home to some of the finest schools in this great state and nation. Numerous traditional public schools, public charter schools, private schools, and home school groups offer our children excellent foundations to build their futures. Northwest Arkansas School Choice, an organization created to empower families and educators, is working to provide the resources and information that parents need when choosing the school that best fits their child. “Our goal is to increase student retention by placing students in educational environments that cater to their individual needs,” said Dr. Martin W. Schoppmeyer, founder of Northwest Arkansas School Choice. “Our end goal is to increase Arkansas high school graduation rates, ensure preparation for higher education or technical educational pursuits, and to provide each Arkansan the necessary information to make an informed decision on the educational future of their child.”
Our first event, the Northwest Arkansas School Choice Festival, will highlight each private, public and home school’s educational programs and services. We have invited representatives from schools in Benton and Washington counties to come together under one roof to showcase their achievements and share with families what they have to offer. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, January 14 at The Jones Center in Springdale, 922 E. Emma Ave. Family admission to the festival is free. The first 500 families will receive a swag bag filled with Northwest Arkansas School Choice promotional materials and information about the schools in attendance. College planning and financial aid presentations will take place in the chapel, and a scholarship fair will connect applicants with scholarship providers. The festival will include giveaways, arts and crafts, live music, and refreshments. Swimming is free at The Jones Center during the event.
For more information visit our website NWAschoolchoice.org or contact Heather Holaway at (479) 966-4930 or info@NWAschoolchoice.org. 26 January 2017
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A Different Perspective
Brayden’s Story BY MISTY SHIELDS
My son, Brayden Shields, 7, was born with a rare eye cancer called retinoblastoma. I noticed a problem the very first time I held him at the hospital. I told my husband that something was wrong with Brayden’s eyes, as they seemed to jitter and drift away from each other. A feeling of fear and unease immediately consumed me, and I cried, knowing that something--I wasn't sure what--was wrong. My husband told me to address my concerns with the pediatrician. When I did, however, he dismissed them. Though I persisted, bringing it up over and over again at every check up, he just kept saying that I was “worried about nothing,” “obsessing over Brayden’s eyes,” and “at most, it was nothing more than a developmental delay."
“People are curious and sometimes they dont have the words. Weird doesn’t mean bad it just means different. My eyes are different and I like that.”
- Brayden Shields, 7
28 January 2017
Now, of course, I know that I should have listened to my instincts, and gotten a second opinion. I wish that I had done some of my own research instead of trusting his doctor. At the time, though, I just continued to worry about our son’s eyes. Finally, when Brayden was 7 months old, out of frustration with my persistence, the pediatrician referred him to an ophthalmologist, who immediately discovered large tumors. This physician warned that both eyes might have to be removed. At the time I was so overwhelmed. Our child had cancer! I cried harder than I had ever cried. I was so angry with Brayden’s pediatrician. He was the professional, and not only did he miss the signs, but he made me feel ridiculous for continuing to question the symptoms. Within an hour of that appointment, we had obtained a referral and were packing for Memphis, TN, leaving our supportive friends and family behind. The next day, we were walking through the doors of St. Jude. With three large tumors in his left eye and two in his right, Brayden had already lost much of his vision. Treatment would require an intensive collaboration among several different specialists,
including oncologists, surgeons, radiation oncologists, ophthalmologists, occupational therapists, and the hospital’s genetic counselor. The first few weeks were filled with appointments from sunup to sundown. They wanted to check him over completely before we began anything, and, during those scans, the doctors came across a large mass behind Brayden’s right ear. This was not good news. It appeared to be another tumor, blocking his hearing, which would require us to go to another hospital for an emergency biopsy. After a long wait, the ENT physician came in and told us that the scans of the mass appeared to be a tumor. After testing it twice, however, it came back as a solid ear infection instead of a tumor. Finally, we could start looking at treatment for the retinoblastoma.
When treating retinoblastoma, there are three main objectives. The first objective, of course, is saving the child’s life; the second objective is to avoid removing the eye or eyes; and the third objective is saving as much vision as possible. In addition to the large tumors in his eyes, Brayden developed numerous small masses called vitreous seeds, which form when portions of larger tumors break away and float within the eye’s vitreous fluid. Brayden received 11 cycles of chemotherapy, plus frequent evaluations under anesthesia. In conjunction with chemotherapy, St. Jude ocular oncologist Dr. Matthew Wilson treated Brayden’s eyes with a combination of laser therapy and cryotherapy, which uses a probe to freeze the tumor.
Brayden underwent 26 laser therapy treatments and 24 cryotherapy treatments during a two-year period. Chemotherapy was hard on Brayden. He contracted multiple infections, causing his central line to have to be removed and replaced with a port. At one point, while in inpatient isolation, he stopped breathing during a platelet transfusion. Thank God for his brother Peyton, who was only 3 at the time. Peyton was able to press the emergency red button and alert the nurses while I hysterically attended to Brayden. Toward the end of his chemotherapy, he developed an allergy to his chemo. Making things more difficult, he was allergic to Benadryl, so treating the symptoms of the allergic reaction was impossible. He also received a type of highly-focused radiation treatment called brachytherapy twice, in which Dr. Wilson implanted radioactive plaques into Brayden’s eyes. For approximately 80 hours, the small disks delivered a prescribed dose of radiation only where it was needed, preventing radiation exposure to Brayden’s brain and surrounding tissues. Retinoblastoma is caused by a genetic defect. There are two forms of the disease: familial/ genetic, which typically affects both eyes; and sporadic, which usually involves a single tumor affecting only one eye. Since Brayden has the familial/genetic form of the disease, every cell in his body lacks one of its pair of retinoblastoma genes. Although some children inherit this condition, others, like Brayden, develop a new mutation before birth. His big brother, Peyton, 9, and big sister Anna, 12, do not carry the mutation. Most people assume that if you have the familial/ genetic type of retinoblastoma, then one of your family members had to have had the disease, but that’s not true. Nine times out of 10, it’s a brand new mutation in the child. Brayden’s chance of passing retinoblastoma on to his children, though, is 50 percent with each pregnancy. Because he has the hereditary form of the disease, Brayden also is at increased risk of developing second cancers, such as brain, bone, skin or soft-tissue tumors. Brayden will learn about how to minimize his risks by adopting good health practices and obtaining regular medical evaluations. Today, it’s hard to believe the competitive young man that we watch play soccer and teenage video games, run around the playground, and surpass almost any limit set for him has less than 10 percent of only his peripheral vision remaining in his left eye and and almost no usable vision in his right eye. Turn the page … peekaboonwa.com
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We have been fortunate enough to keep him in Everyone has bad a regular class. The other children love Brayden. They don’t see a half-blind kid--they just see experiences in life, it’s Brayden. Because of his treatment and some of the how you choose to handle long term side effects, he also has additional classes them after the clouds start for speech, writing, and Braille. Brayden’s teachers are amazed by him daily. Brayden has quickly to clear, whether or not taken to learning Braille. He calls it his secret code you will stay in the storm language! After only 3 one-hour classes in 3 weeks, or walk in the sunshine. he quickly learned 4 Braille letters. He had the next two weeks off for Thanksgiving, so he set a goal to learn the entire alphabet so he could surprise his words “People are curious, and sometimes they Braille instructor when he returned... and he did it! don't have the words. Weird doesn’t mean bad... it just means different. My eyes are different, and I To him and us, he is a normal child. We have the like that.” Talking keeps him in control, and takes same expectations for him as we do our other away the ability for people to hurt him. When he two children, because he is amazing and the says things like that, it gives us confidence that he only people that can hold him back are us and will be fine. himself. To quote him, “I want to be the best!” and he can be. He has had questions about his Everyone has bad experiences in life--it’s how you eyes from adults and children, and he loves to choose to handle them after the clouds start to talk about the what’s, why’s, and how’s. Children clear that decides if you will stay in the storm or have asked “What’s wrong with your eyes?” “Why walk in the sunshine. We chose the sunshine, and are your eyes weird?” and “How did it happen?” if the storm comes back tomorrow, we’ll choose to No question is hurtful to him or us. In Brayden's see the sunshine again!
next group 10% your or birthday party off Coupon Code: Peek10
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3484 E. Joyce Blvd Fayetteville, AR 30 January 2017
479.595.0055 ModernMission.com
exp. 3/31/2018
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COLTRANE I ran my fingers through Coltrane’s brown, fuzzy hair. The permanent bed-headed hairs sprang right back up. I watched him as he slept peacefully on my lap from 10,000 feet up in the air. Across the aisle, my husband, Justin, and 5-year-old son, Jack, played happily together on the iPad. I took a deep breath in as I silently prayed for the plane to crash. STORY BY: SONJA SMITH
Yes, I wanted to arrive in Florida and see the ocean with my family. Yes, I wanted to see my boys enjoy Christmas, teach them to ride a bike, go to kindergarten, grow up, make friends, go to a school dance, and get married, have children, and stay committed to God. I wanted all of those things, but that future was fading away for one of my sons. There I was on our Make-A-Wish trip with my son, and it was not like I had anticipated it to be, a year earlier. I imagined that after my son finished the long 18-month treatment for Neuroblastoma Stage 4, we would be taking our Make-A-Wish trip as a celebration for Coltrane being in remission and finished with treatment. Due to Coltrane’s declining condition, our MakeA-Wish trip was expedited. Only one week before, we were told that there was nothing else we could do to prevent the terrible monster of cancer from overtaking Coltrane’s precious body. A whirlwind of horrific words were flooding and swirling in our ears like, “hospice,” “DNR,” “pain management," “seizure" and “coma”. All I could think about was that if the plane went down, we wouldn’t have to endure the pain and suffering of losing a son and brother for my oldest 32 January 2017
PHOTO CREDIT: THUNDERCLAP PHOTOGRAPHY
son, Jackson. We could all meet Jesus together, never encountering the pain of watching our lively, goofy, and playful three-year-old get weaker and suffer in physical pain. Not to mention how unthinkable it would be to have to watch him die and be expected to somehow live without him. It was there on the edge of Cocoa Beach that I yelled, cried, wrestled, and prayed to God the most brave prayer I have ever prayed. I prayed that if Coltrane was going to continue in suffering and battling this terrible disease, that God would take him home to Heaven and be saved from a life like that. Deep down, that life is not what I wanted for my son, even though I selfishly wanted him to stay with me so desperately. My life has two distinct sections, before Coltrane’s death, and after. Before Coltrane’s death, my perspective on life was always, “What’s next on my agenda?” My smile was brighter, my tears were less salty, and God was more understandable. Up until Coltrane’s last breath, we hoped for God to heal his earthly body. We never gave up on our boy, even when he went into a coma on Thanksgiving Day of last year, not knowing he would meet his
heavenly Father the next day at 3 p.m., on the blackest of rainy days, on that cold Black Friday. God had brought us through so much. From being diagnosed at 18 months old after finding a mysterious lump on his head, through chemo, an 8-hour surgery, removal of a kidney, part of his liver, diaphragm, and his appendix, 14 days in the PICU, a stem-cell transplant, radiation, more radiation, immunotherapy, and then relapse, more chemo, and finally hospice. Coltrane was 3 when he died. He lived a normal life for 18 months and then fought like a warrior for 18 months. He lived for 8 weeks after we discovered his relapse. We managed to have a lot of laughter and many good times with him even when he was in the hospital. We learned that kids will be kids in any way possible. From wearing a diaper on his head and running down the hospital hallway with his brother, making the nurses laugh when it was “nose-pickin” time, to watching countless hours of Paw Patrol, using his hospital crib as a tiger cage, and filling his bed with his favorite toys from home, like his stuffed animals and airplanes. We worked hard to keep out negative thoughts or the possible realization that he would not make it. We always knew that God had the ability to heal him, but we didn’t know how He would bring about that healing. We held on to God by the skin of our teeth throughout treatment.
I am very honest and raw with God, sharing my bitterness and inability to understand His ways and plans. One specific time that I was in church singing some very difficult words of a worship song, I started questioning, “God, if you loved me, you would have let me have my son here.” My revelation from God was that it was because of his love for me. He thought I was so special that he allowed me to be Coltrane’s mommy. I was instantly humbled by the truth and power of that statement. Seriously? I am the most blessed woman to have had the kind of mother-son bond with a boy that precious and special... the kind of boy who was born to have a world-changing three year ministry (like Jesus). Even though he's no longer on this earth, Coltrane and his story is still helping bring Glory to God. God used him in gigantic ways and I get to be a part of it!
Life after losing a child is a daily struggle, minute by minute. Grief is not a predictable step-by-step process. It is a messy, spiral of emotions. There is no rhyme or reason to when grief will overcome us. It may come in my bed in the silence of the night or in Wal-Mart in the Paw Patrol section of the toy aisle. The daily routines of life are no longer easy. The chit-chat questions of, “How are you?” or, “How many children do you have?” all became complicated. We are learning who we are, because we are not who we were. Our oldest son, Jackson (6) is getting to know us again, as we are a different mom and dad than he once knew. My husband and I are learning what it feels like to be a man and woman of many sorrows, as Jesus is. We share deep and true empathy with one another’s grief, and try to extend grace to each other. There is hardly a flame so hot as the violent flames of child loss, to refine and try a marriage. But there is also no one else who understands me like my husband and knows the depths and personality of Coltrane in the same way. That commonality bonds us closer as husband and wife.
PHOTO CREDIT: BARTOSCHEVITZ
Coltrane’s name is spoken daily in our home. We desire to keep his memory alive and encourage Jackson to talk about his brother often and share his own memories that he has of him. As the name Coltrane is unique, we gave meaning to his name ourselves. We decided before Coltrane was born, that his name means “freedom of the people.” He expressed this in his short life. We are more free to speak and listen to God, proclaiming our anger, sadness, lack of hope, and lack of trust in God. His death has freed us of the fear that comes with death. We look forward now, to Turn the page … peekaboonwa.com
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reunite with him in the presence of our Lord. His middle name is given in remembrance of his great grandfather, Roy. Roy means “King” in the CelticGaelic language. As humans are created in the image of God, the Imago Dei, we are created to be Kings and Queens, who will eventually reign with Christ in the new Heaven and on the new Earth. In the English language, Roy means “Red," and Coltrane looked best in the color red. His olive skin, and sharp, deep eyes were best seen when he was wearing red. In September of 2016, God blessed us with a beautiful baby girl. We named her Magnolia James. We will raise her to know all about her courageous brother. This is a sad story, but it won’t end sadly. We haven’t reached the good part yet. This is actually a story of healing and restoration. God is in the business of redeeming and restoring all of Creation. Coltrane did receive his healing; his health is restored, just not on Earth. He was taken out of this world full of suffering and is living in the presence of our Savior; he is surrounded by perfect love. The full restoration is yet to come.
PHOTO CREDIT: KARI KIDD PHOTOGRAPHY
Someday, my family will be whole again. Whatever was lost will be restored. I am not exactly sure what that will look in Heaven, but I know it is true. Our God is a God of restoration and it makes me long for heaven like never before. Now is the time for patience and endurance until we reach our home and I wrap my arms around my son. We, like Paul, are waiting with anticipation.
“I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.” (Philippians 1:23-26, ESV)
100 West Center, Ste 101 Fayetteville 479-444-7778 34 January 2017
JANUARY YOUTH & FAMILY PROGRAMS
Preschool Playdate » Playful Patterns
Thursday, Jan 12, 11:30 am to 2 pm Join us for art projects, story time, and creative play inspired by patterns in our permanent collection. FREE, no registration required
Preschool Art Class » Art In Action
Saturday, Jan 14, 21, 28, 10:30 am to noon You’ll have messy fun in this class that is all about art and movement. $30/3 sessions ($24/Members) Register online or with Guest Services.
Homeschool Friday Fun » All About Me!
Friday, Jan 13, 20, 27, 2 to 3:30 pm Discover how artists depict themselves in our permanent collection. Create a life-size self-portrait, and make art projects that are all about you! $45/3 sessions ($36/Members) Register online or with Guest Services.
Tween Night
Saturday, Jan 21, 7 to 9 pm Join us for the Museum’s first Tween Night! Crystal Bridges’ Teen Council has planned a great evening featuring a DJ, dancing, artmaking, and gallery experiences. Open to all area middle and junior high school students. FREE, no registration required Sponsored by Rui J.P. de Figueiredo, Jr. and Natalia Ferretti and Nickelodeon.
CRYSTALBRIDGES.ORG BENTONVILLE, ARKANSAS
479.418.5700
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DAD’S VIEW BY BEN LACY
World War E Congrats and mazel tov, you made it to the other side of December!
Hopefully jolly old Saint Nick was kind and gave you lots of new toys for this New Year. In fact, I’m quite certain that most of you got some sort of i-Thingy or other very modern (and very annoying) means of electronic communication. Yep, I’m not a fan of that stuff, which brings me to today’s topic: World War E, my ongoing battle against all things “E”-lectric.
If you’ve ever met me or ever read these pages, you will know that I hate cell phones with the white-hot passion of a thousand suns. Call it old man syndrome--it’s cool, I can take it. Recently, however, I surrendered, threw in the towel and gave up on my plan of worldwide reduction or destruction of the glossy little metal social media monsters. The reason? My nearly-sixteen-yearold daughter, the exact demographic target market for all things “E”, taught me a lesson. I was trying to fix the wrong problem. You see, my World War E battle strategy was all wrong. Thank goodness I never had a job involving strategic military initiatives, or we would all likely be speaking a different language or driving on the wrong side of the road. To date, my plan has been to spend an inordinate amount of energy and effort to limit the amount of time, data, and apps, and to keep a sharp eye on all social media madness. I used passcodes and timers and age restrictions and 36 January 2017
made sure I was always their “friend” out there in the cyber world should they ever do, say, record or broadcast anything atrocious. What did all of this accomplish? Nothing, except for an extreme drain on my time and an extreme strain on my brain. Well, that, and likely more than a few chuckles and giggles from the kids as they watched me try to wrestle the internet all by myself. Curse you, Al Gore and Ben Franklin! So, anyway, back to fixing the wrong problem and my daughter’s teachings. After one particularly bloody battle over proper Instagram posting protocol, she looked me dead in the eye and said “You know, you can’t track everything. I could have other accounts you don’t know about." She then listed a string of a half-dozen social apps that I’ve never heard of and added “Do you have accounts on all of those to monitor us, too?”
There are far too Being the outstanding parent It’s not like back in the day and stunning tactician that I where there was one phone many ways and methods to am, naturally I handled this line and one phone in the communicate these days, and, try situation in the worst way house, or when the worst as you might, you will never be possible. I started yelling, “social media” you could screaming and declared that able to plug all the holes. What potentially get into was all phones would be executed an embarrassing Polaroid you CAN do is teach right at sundown by way of using them or a misplaced note in class. and wrong. as sporting clays. Smooth, I am not. There are far too many ways and methods to communicate these days, and, This is the point where the student became try as you might, you will never be able to plug the master. After I ended a tirade that would all the holes. What you CAN do is teach right make Clark Griswald’s epic speech at the end of and wrong; and apparently my kids, while not Christmas Vacation look like a Charlie Brown perfect and normally selectively deaf, had at special, my daughter hit me with the shot that least grasped the message. ended World War E: “Dad, remember, you’ve taught us the right and wrong way to act." So, as World War E concluded, I learned that I was Try as I might to control all communication, in fact “wrong” in strategy, but hopefully I’ve given I was trying to fix or worry about the wrong enough time, energy and instruction into teaching problem. I can’t control it all; there’s no way. some “right” things, too.
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Calendar JANUARY 2017 Library Story Times:
Bentonville Public Library: bentonvillelibrary.org Fayetteville Public Library: faylib.org Springdale Public Library: springdalelibrary.org Rogers Public Library: rogerspubliclibrary.org Siloam Springs Library: siloamsprings.com
January 1
First Day Hikes at Arkansas State Parks Guided hikes on New Year’s Day are part of an annual First Day Hikes initiative in the state parks in all 50 states. Begin the New Year rejuvenating and connecting with the outdoors at an Arkansas State Park. There are over 50 hiking events going on in state parks throughout Arkansas. There is one close to you. Start off the year on the right foot. For a list of all the hikes available, go to the Arkansas State Parks website. Drop-In Artmaking: Winter Break Wonders at Crystal Bridges, 1:00PM-4:00PM Drop in our studios anytime between 1 and 4PM for creative play and art-making the whole family will enjoy. The Black-Eyed Pea New Years Day Run, 10AM-12PM 3509 N. Buckingham Dr., Fayetteville, AR 72703 FREE 5K and 10K run with local friends and fellow runners! Start the New Year off on the right foot, your RUNNIN' foot or feet! Starts at Pauline and Doug’s house, 1/2 mile from Mud Creek trailhead parking lot. Runs out and back on Mud Creek Trail. Course will be marked with cones and happy volunteers. Coffee and Hot chocolate provided PLUS black-eyed peas and cornbread for afterwards.
January 4
Special Needs Night at Jump Zone, 5:00pm to 7:00pm. Children with special needs and their families are invited to go to Jump!Zone on the 1st Wednesday of every month from Jump!Zone805 SE 22nd, Bentonville AR. www.jumpzoneparty.com Priceless Nights at the Amazeum, 4-7:30PM Thanks to a gift from Tyson Foods, Inc., we are happy to announce most Wednesday evenings will be Priceless Nights at the Scott Family Amazeum! These pay-as-you-wish evenings allow guests to make a donation to the Amazeum in lieu of admission.
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January 5
Thaden School - Bentonville Open House 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM CST Join us at the Record Building in Bentonville on Thursday, Jan. 5 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.to learn more about the Thaden School. The school’s leadership team will be on hand to answer any questions you may have about the advantages of a Thaden education. Please RSVP at www.signupgenius.com/ go/4090b44aead2fa7fb6-bentonville
January 6, 13, 20, 27
Dancers with Heart at Kaleidoscope Dance Academy 5:45-6:45 Free classes every Friday for dancers with special needs. KDA’s goal is to create an environment where dance teachers, dancers, therapists, and volunteers teach movement and dance. Welcome dancers of all ages. Infants to adults. Wheelchairs are welcome. 900 SE Village Loop Bentonville AR. Studio: 479.464.5977
January 9
Teen Writers Club at the Fayetteville Public Library, 4:30PM-5:30PM The Teen Writers Club is designed to give aspiring authors in grades 7-12 the chance to get together with their peers and exchange feedback on short stories, novels, poetry, etc., they are working on independently. The gatherings will also include writing activities focusing on particular story elements and will occasionally feature guest speakers who will talk about their writing process and publishing experience. Registration is not required. The meetings are set for the second Monday of the month in the Walmart Story Time Room.
January 11
Edible Mushroom Cultivation at the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks 6:00PM-7:00PM Free. Explore the cultivation and production of log-grown mushrooms! BGO Gardener Alex Bergdahl will share his experience with producing shiitake mushrooms and his production methods. Reserve your free spot by calling 479.750.2620.
January 12
Preschool Playdate » Playful Patterns at Crystal Bridges, 11:30AM-2:00PM Clap a pattern, make a pattern, and wear your favorite pattern at this Playdate! Join us for art projects, story time, and creative play inspired by patterns in our permanent collection. FREE, no registration required.
January 14
Storytime with Ms Sarah @ Museum of Native American History, 202 SW O St, Bentonville 10am Each Storytime will feature Native American folktales, animal books, seasonal stories and much more! Free and open to the public. monah202@gmail.com.
On Fields Far Away Exhibit at Rogers Historical Museum Opening day of new exhibit! April 8, 1917 saw the United States enter into the First World War. Men and women from across the country were sent overseas. Their lives and their families were forever changed by the time the war ended. Some like Vera Key, seen here, returned but others did not. Learn about the sacrifices the families of Benton County made through the stories of a few of our local men and women who served. Cabin Fever Reliever at Shiloh Museum of Ozark History, 10AM-2PM Shiloh Museum of Ozark History’s annual open house. Preschool Art Class » Art in Action 10:30AM-12:00PM (Ages 3 to 5 with an adult) at Crystal Bridges $30/3 sessions ($24/Members) January 14, 21, and 28, register online or with Guest Services. Ready, set, action! You’ll have messy fun in this class that is all about art and movement! Explore action art in our permanent collection and make your own back in the studio. Experiment with paper marbling, spin art, and straw-blow painting.
January 16
Mini Camp at the Amazeum, 9:00AM-3:00PM Mini Camps are the place to be when school is out for a holiday! The Amazeum packs lots of fun and adventures into one day of camp. This theme is I.C.E.: Investigate, Create, and Explore All Things Frozen. Everybody freeze! After this special one-day Mini Camp, you’ll never look at ice the same way again! Chill out and discover the extraordinary science that happens when things gets cold. Advanced registration and payment required.
January 21
Science & Engineering Institute The Science and Engineering Institute University of Arkansas at Fayettville (STEM Center for Math and Science Education), 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m FREE! All Arkansas students currently enrolled in 6th - 10th grade. Students will attend the following session: Do You Have Wavy Air?We are surrounded by waves all the time. Some of the waves are light, some are sound. In this activity we will explore sound waves. Beginning with a thunderous introduction we will measure the speed of sound, make a cheap amplifier, move objects with sound, and create some beautiful music using science as our guide. Register online. Chinese New Year Celebration at the Fayetteville Public Library, 10:30AM at the Children’s Library Join FPL to celebrate the year of the rooster! There will be a brief presentation on the history of Chinese New Year by the Chinese Students and Scholars Association along with traditional dances from the Chinese Association of NWA (CANWA), a performance by FHS Color Guard, and a lion dance from members of 5 Way Dragon's Martial Arts. The presentation will be followed by food and a craft. This event is geared for families!
Lace-Making at Shiloh Museum of Ozark History, 10AM-11AM Watch demonstrators make lace, and make your lacy valentine to take home!
January 24
SWE’s Expedition Engineering: Civil Engineering (Grades 5-8) at the Fayetteville Public Library, 4:00PM in the Walmart Story Time Room Come join the Society of Women Engineers from the University of Arkansas for fun engineering activities! This will be a semester long program where each meeting will feature activities from one of the eight engineering disciplines offered at the University of Arkansas. Each meeting’s activity will be different, so please sign up for as many activities as you like! Meetings will take place on Tuesdays from 4:00pm-5:00pm. Registration Date: Tuesday, January 3, 2017 - 9:00am.
January 26
Homeschool Day at the Amazeum 9:00AM-5:00PM Homeschool Days are a great opportunity to network and mingle with other homeschoolers, while you are learning and making discoveries. On these special days, homeschoolers are the only group who can schedule an Unfield Trip, allowing easier access to the exhibits.
January 28
1:00 – 3:00 p.m. 3nd Annual Afternoon of Fairy Tales by Restoration Village, Avondale Chapel and Gardens in Bentonville. Restoration Village invites children and children at heart to join us for an Afternoon of Fairytales. The program will feature an interactive storytelling experience presented by Trike Theater, music, fairytale themed crafts and food. Come dressed as your favorite prince, princess or fairytale character. 2005 East Central Ave. Bentonville, AR 72712. Children of all ages welcome, activities for 2 – 8 year olds. Tickets can be purchased at the door. Children $12 & Adults $5. Buy three children's tickets and receive the fourth one free. cie@restorationvillage.net
January 28
10:30AM-12:00PM Super Saturday at the Fayetteville Public Library: Winter Artsy Craftsy, Children's Library Get creative at FPL! Families can drop in anytime between 10:30 and noon on January 28th in the Children's Library to enjoy a wide array of fun, self-guided craft projects. Volunteers will be available for assistance. This event is free and no registration is required. Art projects are geared toward preschool-age children and older.
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A FEW OF OUR
Favorite Things
Shape Mags
www.shapemags.com
Potsafe
www.potsafe.com Any parent will tell you that, as your child grows, they start getting into anything and everything. You could be the most vigilant helicopter parent and still not be able to keep eyes on your little one 24/7 – it’s just not possible. So, give yourself a peace of mind in the kitchen with PotSafe. PotSafe secures your cookware onto the stove so that your little one can’t reach up and pull it off, spilling the contents and causing multiple potential injuries. Using easy-to-assemble suction-cup technology, your pots and pans will be kept safe inside thrir designated area . The PotSafe is great for any aged child, and even the elderly, as we are all clumsy from time to time, and it’s always better to be safe than sorry!
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Shape Mags are fun, magnetic, multi-colored shapes that create a whole world of buildings, spaceships, bridges and tunnels by simply touching two magnetic edges together and assembling whatever your imagination can create. These are great for the whole family, because the structures can be as simple or complex as you make them. In that vein, there is always a new way to play, so your kids will play for hours! The magnets are strong enough to hold up other shapes but not too strong that they pose a danger to kids. Because the plastic is so durable, they are also crash resistant, so encourage your little one to build a tower high into the clouds without fear. They’re light, easy to clean up, and encourage STEM skills as well as creativity and imagination. These are the blocks of our children’s generation--without the heavy wood, sharp edges and splinters! Grant started off making simple structures, and as he learns more about assembling them I am always impressed to see what he comes up with next. Shape Mags come in all different colors, shapes and sizes, so that your child will always have new pieces to collect and use.
The Scrigit Scraper
www.scrigit-scraper.com If you have ever broken a nail while scraping a price tag off of a present you just bought before a birthday party, you will want to try the Scrigit Scraper. This pocket-sized scraper looks like a blue pen, but instead comes to a t h i n , flat plastic head that will scrape off anything and everything. On one end is a flat surface to scrape off large sticky items like dried gum, putty or dried food. The other end is rounded like a fingernail and will scrape off any price tags, stickers, candlewax or more! The Scrigit Scraper is the perfect size to keep in small spaces and, because it comes in a pack of five or two, we’re keeping one in our glove compartment and another in our purse, with a few spares to have on hand around the house.
The Baby Shusher
www.babyshusher.com The Baby Shusher is called the “soothing sleep miracle for babies” for a reason. This small handheld machine creates a soothing “shush” noise to calm and lull baby to sleep. It features a 15-minute and 30-minute timer, and even comes with a built-in sound sensor and user-controlled volume. Because the shusher is small and light, it is easily portable for you to take on car trips or to sleepovers at the grandparents’ house. The shushing noise is rhythmic so that it mimics the sounds inside the mother’s womb, and provides comfort to a crying baby. Anything that gives us a little extra peace of mind and soothes a fussy baby by lulling them to sleep gets five stars from us!
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Goals for Kids by Julie Marvin, OT, OTR/L Children’s Therapy TEAM Occupational Therapist
I
t’s a new year, and we all know what that means... Time to set goals! For adults, that often means starting a new workout routine, diet, having more quiet time, less electronic time, maybe reading our Bibles more. Time to start fresh. Setting and achieving goals is also an important learning experience for children. As a pediatric occupational therapist, setting goals is a BIG part of my work with children throughout the calendar year. In OT school we learn that goals need to be measurable, specific, achievable, relevant and functional. As a practicing therapist, I learned quickly that goals need to also be meaningful to both the child and the family. Here are three keys I incorporate in my goal setting: 1. Make it Fun. When developing a treatment plan for a child, I have to have a clear plan of where we need to go and how we are going to get there. Most importantly, when working with kiddos, we have to find a way to make meeting their goals fun. I try to never lose sight of the joy of focusing on each child’s journey that is personal and specific to them. 2. Collaborate. As a therapist, I get to work cooperatively with parents to solve problems that children are having at home, at school, and with their peers. Children themselves also serve as excellent collaborators when it comes to troubleshooting problems. With each new child and family I work with, I learn things that help me better serve future children and families. I, too, benefit from collaboration! 3. Celebrate. I LOVE it when parents excitedly share about their child’s newest accomplishment. Recently a mother shared with me about how her daughter made the first letter of her name for the first time while at home. Another mother, whose son just had a major surgery, shared how he began walking again using his walker. Here at the clinic, it is a very normal thing to see and hear clapping and cheering. We celebrate as a child takes a step, says a word, or draws a shape for the first time. Some people may even think we are a bit overly enthusiastic. But, we as therapists have seen how far these precious ones have come, and we are some of their biggest fans. Many children with special needs have many obstacles to overcome on a daily basis and still have such sweet spirits and positive outlooks. I see them serve as heroes in their own lives as they work so hard to meet goals. They serve as an inspiration to us all. With over 15 years of pediatric experience, Julie Marvin has provided therapy in a vast array of settings such as schools, preschools and clinics in NWA. She has also provided care in international settings such as Guatemala and China as a TEAMworks Therapist. Julie initially received her B.S. in Occupational Therapy from the University of Central Arkansas in 2000 and has since continued to expand her repertoire of skills. She enjoys caring for children with a wide variety of diagnoses, with a keen interest in serving children with neurological impairments. She is a dedicated wife and mother of three children, Anna Claire, Trey and Gracie. 42 January 2017
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HOT PRODUCTS TECHNOLOGY DOMINATES LIST OF HOT PRODUCTS FOR THE NEW YEAR BY DWAIN HEBDA
W
hether you found them under the tree or buy them in the new year, there is no shortage of products being dubbed as “what to watch” in 2017. And most of them have some sort of techno-twist to them, be it intended for the home, for the kids, or to make everyday life easier and more productive. Here’s a few that are expected to make a splash, and perhaps even become a normal part of life in the new year.
TECHNOLOGY Got a ton of photos? Love your digital music? Want to unclutter? Check out Seagate Innov8, a compact desktop storage device that can handle just about any amount of data you can throw at it. With simple plugand-play operation and eight terabytes of capacity, Innov8 can store two million songs, four million photos AND 800 high definition movies in remarkably compact device. Smart speakers are suddenly a big deal, now that generations of iPhone users have grown used to asking Siri for everything from ordering pizza to playing a love song. Google Home and Amazon are two of the more visible specimens, each operating via voice command and delivering just about any information, mood music or valet-type service one can think of. 44 January 2017
If you’re the type who spends a good portion of your day looking for stuff, consider the Tile line of tracker devices. Attach one slim chip to something important (let’s say a phone) and, when you can’t find it, double-click a key fob and it will make your phone ring until you find it, even if the phone is on silent. Lose your key fob? Check the app for the item’s last location.
HOME Speaking of smart plugs--parents with small children will want to look into the Brio Safe Outlet, which acts as a gatekeeper between the electrical current in your home and the outside world. Brio’s product only delivers the juice if it detects a plug, and blocks the current if anything else is inserted into the socket (such as a toddler’s finger). It also doubles as a smoke and Co2 detector. The march toward the automatic home that has been the stuff of science fiction for years is already upon us, with a number of automations that enable you to run your home without flipping a switch. Consider the line of iDevices smart plugs, which work from an ordinary outlet and take their marching orders from your smartphone. Download the app, and whatever appliance, lamp or other device is plugged into iDevice can be controlled remotely.
For peace of mind at home or when you're away, check out the Kuna home security system. The integrated Wi-Fi camera is built into a hardwired external light fixture, eliminating the need for batteries. When someone approaches the front door, the homeowner receives a notice on their phone for interaction via a live video stream and built-in intercom system. Or, you can trigger a siren to chase off unwanted intruders. Log on anytime just to see what’s going on with your pets or vacation property, too. Turn the page …
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BABY Hot-car deaths have received close scrutiny in 2016 due to highprofile court cases, but it’s not a new problem. On average, nearly 40 children per year die from being left inside a hot car, strapped into their car seat. The 2017 GMC Acadia comes standard with a feature that will sound a tone and put a message on the dashboard to “Look in the Rear Seat.” Using the same sensors that detect an open door while driving, the vehicle knows if the back door was opened and closed before the driver entered the car. All right, admittedly toilet locks don’t carry the same wow factor as some of the other things on our list, but these easy-toinstall and very inexpensive attachments might just outrank the importance of any other thing mentioned. The bathroom is the most dangerous room in the house for children, and curiosity about the toilet is both natural and potentially disastrous. A small investment in locks, such as those made by Safety 1st or Mommy’s Helper, available everywhere, can head off a tragedy.
46 January 2017
As pervasive as digital toys are -- all major video game system manufacturers turned out radically redesigned units for the holidays or have announced they will do so in 2017 -- it’s nice to find toys that provide simple (and quiet) discovery and development. One winner is the Infantino Grow-with-Me Activity Gym and Ball Pit that offers a play mat with hang-down toys for infants that graduates into a ball pit for toddlers. Or, for children a little older, opt for the classic Fisher Price See n’ Say, that teaches fun sounds and songs with a spin of the middle dial. There’s a reason this one’s still around.
Safety, monitoring products just part of the equation
Another fairly low-tech but equally critical safety measure comes at bathtime. A parent should always monitor the water temperature carefully, to no more than 100.1 degrees Fahrenheit, using a simple bath thermometer. For additional safety against scalds, adjust the water heater to 120 degrees or below. “Babies have thinner skin than us adults, so they burn easier,” he said. “Just testing the water on our skin isn’t a good test.”
J
oe Schaffner, outreach coordinator with the Injury Prevention Center at Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock has one important reminder for parents when it comes to high tech (and often high dollar) devices to keep their kids safe: It’s not about the gadget. “Technology should never take the place of human interaction and intervention,” he said. “Any type of technology is meant to assist a parent and should be viewed as, 'Hey, this is supposed to help me.' It should never be viewed as 'this will be the 100 percent way to go.'” Schaffner pointed out that even with the most sophisticated baby monitors or nursery cameras, parents still need to check on a sleeping infant at regular intervals, particularly as it relates to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. “There’s lots of factors that happen with SIDS,” he said. “For instance, we now know keeping a pacifier in a kid’s mouth essentially helps them remember to breathe. Babies’ lungs are brand new, so they’re learning how to use those things, and if you have a pacifier in their mouth. it helps them remember to breathe.”
Additionally, no safety mechanism or equipment will provide adequate protection without three important considerations. First, make sure it is certified by the appropriate body. Some examples include Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) for strollers and cribs; Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) for bike helmets; US Coast Guard for life jackets; National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for car seats, and so on. Finally, make sure the child meets the recommended height and weight as specified on the product, and make sure protective equipment is worn and used as specified and replaced after being involved in an incident. “You can’t take out stitches and cuts and scrapes from childhood, but you can provide your child with the safest products and atmosphere that they can learn in, because it is a learning environment,” Schaffner said. “They’re testing their boundaries, they’re honing their motor skills, their emotions, and their brain. “What we can do is promote safety, promote the correct products and the correct use of those products as much as possible to prevent lifelong injuries.”
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Mom in the know BY SILVY KEHRLI
1. Jennie Allen Coming to Fayetteville! Save the Date—Jennie Allen is coming to Fellowship Fayetteville on February 24th. Jennie is a popular author and passionate speaker who loves to inspire women to encounter God in their everyday lives. Jennie will be sharing more about new newest book, ‘Nothing to Prove’ and each ticket holder will receive a copy of the book (tickets are $25). Musical guest Ellie Holcomb is performing and International Justice Mission will share more about their impactful work around the globe. Gather your friends for this fun, meaningful Girls Night Out!
2. Fresh Market Little Big Meals For years I was scared to shop at Fresh Market because I didn’t know how to navigate the store and get deals. They must have read my mind by introducing Little Big Meals! Each week, Fresh Market publishes a new meal for $20 ($10-$15 savings) with enough food to easily feed a family of 4. Fresh Market puts all of the items together in one area near the meat counter and have a shopping list and cooking instructions all ready to go. I often pick up the meal on Tuesdays because the ground chuck and chicken breasts are on sale for $2.99/lb!
3. Save Money on Groceries at ALDI If you have not been to the newly remodeled Aldi’s in Rogers, it’s time to check it out! Eggs as low as $0.25/dozen and milk for $0.95/ gallon are just some of the rotating sales! If you are into discount prices for high quality food, Aldi’s is the place to shop. They recently launched an awesome new baby line and my kids love the organic Little Journeys baby pouches. Bring a quarter for the shopping cart, bags from home, and a wallet ready to save money!
48 January 2017
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Brooks update BY ANGIE MCGREW
Photos by Purple Heart Photography
O
n the afternoon of February 19, 2014, Brooks Foster McGrew came into the world, 2.5 weeks earlier than expected and not breathing. Almost instantly, 15 doctors and nurses rushed in and surrounded him. After five full minutes of CPR, Brooks finally took his very first breath. He was rushed to the NICU before I had the opportunity to hold him, but I quickly turned to my husband Josh and said “It’s going to be okay, no matter what.” Then we prayed. That was just the beginning of our journey as new parents. After 26 long minutes, my incredible OBGYN Dr. Dittmeyer came back into the delivery room. He was my doctor throughout my entire pregnancy, and it was a relief seeing him on call when I went into labor. He explained that Brooks looked strong and that he was breathing on his own, despite a large hematoma on his head. He relayed to us that he had a very low APGAR score (1-4-7) and that there was a chance of some brain damage due to not breathing at birth, but we wouldn’t know that for a few months (thankfully he didn’t). He then went on to say something that would change our lives forever. In the kindest, most heartfelt way, he broke the news to us that Brooks appeared to have many “markers” for Down syndrome, also known as Trisomy 21. He took the time to explain it to us and how Brooks would be impacted by it. Through the shock, I don’t remember a lot from the conversations that day, but I do remember him saying that he knew several people with Down syndrome that had gone on to lead very fulfilling lives, and that the more “normal” we treated him, the more “normal” he would be. We have never forgotten that statement, and in many ways that has become our motto for Brooks. We treat him like we would any other child; although we probably even push him a little harder. We don’t know any better…we are first time parents and we have high expectations for him.
Down syndrome, also known as Trisomy 21, is a chromosomal disorder resulting in three copies, rather than two of the 21st chromosome that causes a lifelong intellectual disability, developmental delays, and in some people, health problems. One in every 691 babies in the United States is born with Down syndrome, making Down syndrome the most common genetic condition. Down syndrome is usually caused by an error in cell division at conception and is not a result of something the mother did or didn’t do. A few of the common physical traits of Down syndrome are low muscle tone, small stature, an upward slant to the eyes, and those are usually accompanied by some medical complications. Every person with Down syndrome is unique and may possess these characteristics to different degrees, or not at all. We considered ourselves one of the lucky few because Brooks wasn’t born with a heart defect requiring surgery like so many.
Aside from his immediate struggles at birth, the last 12 months have been the hardest for Brooks from a medical standpoint. He has been in and out of the hospital with both pneumonia and bronchiolitis and was recently diagnosed with chronic pneumonia because he’s had it three times in the last year. He has a terrible immune system that sends us to the doctor’s office more times than we’d like. I joke that we are frequent flyers there, Turn the page …
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e put the Art in Party!
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Brooks was in the NICU for 17 days. Through the early days, he struggled to keep his heart rate stable, battled a rare form of jaundice, and fought hard to learn how to do the most basic things, like how to eat and swallow properly. When he graduated from the NICU, he came home on a heart rate monitor which he had for another two months. Within the first 8 months, Brooks was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) and Dysphasia (a swallowing dysfunction). As overwhelming as that was, we all adapted quickly and became a stronger unit together.
We put the Art in Party!
Becoming special needs parents wasn’t what we planned, but we suddenly found ourselves in that category. We were scared and nervous because this wasn’t what we had dreamt for our child. Our world was completely turning on end--we just didn’t know then how great it could be. Through referrals and mutual friends, we quickly connected with our local Down syndrome organization (Down Syndrome Connection of NWA) for support and guidance, which we received immediately. We have since been able to connect with other parents who are well into their journey, and learn from them and others in the special needs community. DSCNWA was instrumental in our ability to quickly adapt to the heartbreaking news at birth and then shift our
focus to getting to know and falling in love with our tiny new guy, and we continue to stay heavily involved in the great organization.
Paint Your Own: Pottery Wood Canvas Parties Art Lessons & MOre
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Over the next several days in the NICU, the pediatricians on call walked us through the dozens of markers he had for Down syndrome. We talked about risks around Down syndrome, the additional diagnoses Brooks may experience in his lifetime, things to watch for, and blood tests he would need on a regular basis. We talked about therapy and how early intervention was one of the most important things needed to get a child off in the right direction. Brooks actually had his first speech therapy session for feeding right there in the NICU at only 14 hours old. It took a week for the blood work to come back to confirm he had Down syndrome. That was one of the longest weeks, but we were consumed by Brooks’ other medical needs and just surviving hour to hour, day to day.
agine Studios
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Nearly three years into this journey, we can happily say without a doubt that Brooks is the best thing that has ever happened to us and that we honestly wouldn’t change one thing about him…not even that extra chromosome.
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3017 N. College, Fayetteville
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Brooks update genuinely interested. A few weeks later, a random package from Stitch Fix arrived on our doorstep and inside was a custom-made Superman blanket with a B for Brooks. I was immediately moved to tears. A stranger, who happened to hear our story through another co-worker, thought about us enough to have the blanket custom made and sent it to Brooks to cheer him up. Brooks is our superhero for sure, but so is our Stitch Fix family. Their nice gesture came just at the right time, when we were feeling pretty defeated.
and should get some sort of discount or fast track upgrade! This summer, he had a sleep study at Arkansas Children’s Hospital after suspected sleep apnea, and if you’ve had one as an adult you can guess just how much fun that was for a toddler (yeah, right). He also had a dental consultation to talk about potentially filing his teeth, because he nearly cut his tongue in half after a fall at school. His teeth are not the typical tooth shape--they're round and very pointy on the edges instead of square. And now, after his third swallow study since birth, he is back on thickener to prevent aspiration and hopefully future bouts of pneumonia. We are so thankful for the incredible medical team we have at both Mercy and ACH, as well as the phenomenal team of therapists from Children’s Therapy TEAM who continue to push Brooks past his comfort zone to meet new milestones. Despite all the challenges and obstacles, Brooks has come a long way from his first appearance in Mercy Hospital Room #530 on February 19, 2014. He is so strong and brave, and faces each new challenge head on, most often with a smile on his face. He is an inspiration to all of us. He even inspires people he has never met. After one of his longer hospital visits this year, I got behind in other parts of life and forgot to pay my Stitch Fix bill. When I emailed customer service to apologize for the delay in payment and to make arrangements, I was greeted by the most pleasant and understanding person. I shared the story of Brooks and our recent hospital visit because she was 52 January 2017
Thankfully, the last year has brought more triumphs than heartbreak. Brooks took his first steps in February at his birthday party, and was fully walking on his own by July. Of course, now, he’s moved onto running and is learning to pump his arms when he wants to run. I must say, it’s pretty much the cutest thing ever. He loves going up and down stairs because he does this in therapy a lot and we don’t have any steps at home for him to practice on. Brooks’ speech has really taken off this year, although we’ve had a few setbacks like when his ear tubes were working their way out and caused him temporary hearing loss. He usually says a few new words each week and is starting to say more phrases all the time. The best phrase came just last month, when Brooks told me “I love you” for the first time. As a mom who was very unsure of her son’s future at birth, hearing those three little words has been the best “mom moment” to date. Every worry and heartache, every sleepless night and every tear fallen was all washed away the moment he said those words. I am so incredibly thankful for Brooks. Nearly three years into this journey, we can happily say without a doubt that Brooks is the best thing that has ever happened to us and that we honestly wouldn’t change one thing about him… not even that extra chromosome. He has shown us how to have a new perspective on life and not take anything for granted. We celebrate every accomplishment big and small. And how many people get to have their hero as their son? It’s pretty neat. Because the best superheroes always have a great sidekick, Brooks will be getting his own little sidekick any day now, when his baby sister Harper arrives. We know that Brooks is going to be an amazing big brother and we can’t wait to see this superhero in action!
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54 January 2017
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The road to becoming a
HELICOPTER PARENT paved with good intentions
BY DWAIN HEBDA
We’ve all seen some species of overbearing parents, be it the obsessive stage mom or the hyper-committed sports dad. Perhaps you yourself have memories of your parents taking your Little League baseball game a bit too seriously, or analyzing your dance recital performance all the way home. Such parents, often dubbed “helicopter parents” for their habit of hovering over everything their child says or does, are more than mere annoyance. For some people, the desire to guide their children to success in life often results in exactly the opposite in kids. “If the parent is too focused on the child looking good on paper, that can lead to a whole lot of emotional, mental and psychological issues where the child has a lot of anxiety,” said Karen Harris, a licensed professional counselor based in Rogers. “They don’t necessarily know how to fight their own battles if their parents have been really involved. In that way, it can definitely be unhealthy.”
Harris defines the helicopter parent as one that’s living vicariously through their child, be it in the classroom, in the arts, or on the sports field or court. It goes beyond taking an active role in a child’s life -- which Harris said is definitely a good thing -- to becoming consumed with a child’s level of success in these areas. As Dr. Carolyn Daitch, author of Anxiety Disorders: The Go-To Guide, said, in a 2013 Parents.com article by Kate Bayless, helicopter parenting is “a style of parents who are overly focused on their children. They typically take too much responsibility for their children’s experiences and, specifically, their successes or failures.” Unlike the healthy sort of parental involvement -- for instance, a parent stressing that good grades are important and reinforcing that message by taking an active, ongoing interest in grades -- the helicopter parent has trouble separating the grade on a paper with the grade they assign their child. What’s more, they often view their child as their own societal homework assignment of sorts, and when the child stumbles they rightly or wrongly perceive being judged negatively by peers. “You see (helicoptering) in parents who are very well-educated. They’re very high-functioning. These are very, very good parents, but they look at their child’s success as their own success,” Harris said. “When your child is seen as doing well, you as the parent are doing well. And if you have a child that is not doing well in any area, there is judgment that comes down on the parent. “On the extreme side, if the parent is looking at the children as an extension of themselves, that’s incredibly unhealthy. Then the child will not ever develop into who they are supposed to be on their own. That’s the worst-case scenario.” The negative effects on children can include increased anxiety, developing a sense of self-entitlement, and a lack of coping skills. Over time, an acute lack of self-confidence or self-esteem can develop, bringing with them the usual negative behaviors of acting out, rebelliousness, or alcohol and drug abuse. Harris said these behaviors often say what the child lacks the skill or capacity to verbalize.
56 January 2017
“I work with adults that don’t have the language to say, ‘Hey, back off,’” she said. “So yes, it usually does come out in behavior either in acting out or in harming yourself. I mean, that’s what happens when people, especially children, don’t have the words to say, ‘You’re hurting me; you’re bothering me.’” Because these overbearing tendencies initially come from a good place, it’s very difficult to catch oneself engaging in helicopter parenting and equally difficult to hear it from others. Harris said that’s why many parents don’t get the message until a pretty substantial event occurs, generally after years of engaging in this negative behavior. “I don’t think that the parent would think for a minute that there was anything wrong with what they were doing,” she said. “And it probably would not come from another parent, or from a teacher or from a school. I think that the parent would only be able to get that feedback if it was from their own child--if their own child started to show problems, act out, or begin suffering from anxiety or having depression issues.” Helicopter parenting tendencies don’t usually emerge overnight, so parents have opportunities daily to put the brakes on any overbearing habits that put undue pressure on their kids. Harris
suggests paying particular attention to the direction and tone of your conversations. “Parenting 101: At the end of the day when you’re talking to your child, ask them, ‘How do you feel today?’” she said. “Focusing on what they’re feeling, what they’re thinking, asking very open-ended questions where they won’t feel like they are being attacked or judged--that communication starts very, very young.” Secondly, prioritize character traits over mastery of a certain skill. Being a fine pianist or the top mathematician in their grade pales in comparison to being kind, well-adjusted and developing an ability to get along with others. Finally, and most importantly, don’t fail to appreciate the enormously valuable lessons failure holds. “Failure is incredibly important, as it teaches you so many things... Mostly to be resilient, to not give up and to not quit.” she said. “It teaches you if you really want something you just have to keep going and understand that failure is part of life and rejection is part of life. “That’s something that is incredibly important for people, for children--actually for anyone of any age--to understand that rejection is also part of life. It does not have anything to do with your selfworth and your value."
We offer small classes where students discover joy in learning and cultivate their potential under the guidance of masterful educators. Learn more at one of our upcoming events: Thaden School Open House
Record Building, Bentonville Thursday, January 5th — 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Northwest Arkansas School Choice Festival The Jones Center, Springdale Saturday, January 14th — 9 am to noon
Visit ThadenSchool.org to learn more or apply for fall 2017 enrollment.
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Dr. Lynn Davis,
A Doctor You’ll Never Outgrow
P
atients who see Dr. Lynn Davis as children don’t have to find a different doctor once they become adults. Lynn Davis, M.D., is double board certified in internal medicine and pediatrics and practices at Northwest Medical Plaza - Springdale at 4077 Elm Springs Road in Springdale.
“I liked the idea of becoming board certified in both internal medicine and pediatrics, because I was really drawn to the idea of in-depth focus on this broad patient population, to better serve the patients that I see,” she says. “Plus, with the two focuses together, I am able to see the entire family and able to keep my pediatric patients as they grow and their medical needs change.” Dr. Davis says the most interesting part of her specialty is the variety of patients she treats. “Because I see all age ranges, my days include pediatric wellchild exams, geriatric patients, and patients with both chronic and acute illnesses,” she says. “It keeps me on my toes.” Dr. Davis grew up in a small town and wanted to be a doctor from a young age. The general practitioners Dr. Davis saw while growing up were important to her family and community. “I felt this profession was a great way to combine my desire to care for and be involved in the community and to make use of my academic side,” she says.
58 January 2017
The most important thing Dr. Davis tries to offer her patients is her time. “We often get very busy in our lives, and I want all my patients to feel that the time they spent with me was time that I listened to them fully and addressed their concerns,” she says. Dr. Davis enjoys interacting with her patients as they get older. She likes hearing what subjects they like and making sure they stay healthy. Dr. Davis earned her medical degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock. She then completed an internal medicine and pediatric residency at The University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, Tenn. Dr. Davis will see a patient as early as after birth. She commonly treats children for preventative visits, immunizations, colds, gastroenteritis and to check that they are meeting guidelines as they grow up. She commonly treats obesity, high blood pressure, depression, anxiety and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in teenagers. Dr. Davis is accepting new patients, including children insured through ARKids First. To request an appointment, call 479-927-2100 or visit NWPhysicians.com.
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At a
Glance ARTS and MUSIC
Crystal Bridges (Pg. 35) (479) 418-5700 crystalbridges.org Imagine Studios (Pg. 51) (479) 619-6085 Trike Theatre (Pg. 59) (479) 464-5084 triketheatre.org
BANKS First Security (Pg. 13) www.fsbank.com; www.onlyinark.com
CHILDCARE/NANNY SERVICES Better Beginnings (Pg. 16) (800) 445-3316 arbetterbeginnings.com Mary’s Little Lambs Preschool (Pg. 59) (479) 273-1011
CLOTHING Oh Baby Boutique (Pg. 39) (479) 254-2911 www.ohbabynwa.com
DENTIST Pediatric Dental Associates (Pg. 49) (479) 582-0600 Smile Shoppe Pediatric Dentistry (Pg. 21) (479) 631-6377 Rogers
DERMATOLOGY / SKIN CARE Advanced Dermatology / Skin Care Center (479) 268-3555 (Pg. 49) Lips and Lines (Pg. 20) (479) 330-1201 NWA Center for Plastic Surgery (Pg. 2) (479) 571-3100 nwacenterforplasticsurgery.com
DESIGNER
Keep Collective (Pg. 61) www.keepcollective.com/with/jennicombs
EDUCATION/TRAINING Larson's Language (Pg. 38) (479) 633-9900 NWA Classical Academy (Pg. 64) (479) 715-6676 Super Science (Pg. 25) (479) 444-0303 www.super-sci.com Thaden School (Pg. 57) ThadenSchool.org Trike Theatre (Pg. 59) (479) 464-5084 www.triketheatre.org
FAMILY FUN / ENTERTAINMENT Crystal Bridges (Pg. 35) (479) 418-5700 Fast Lane Entertainment (Pg. 54) (479) 659-0999 www.fastlanebowl.com Modern Mission (Pg. 30) (479) 595-0055 Painting With a Twist (Pg. 60) paintingwithatwist.com Princess Party Palace NWA (Pg. 55) princesspartypalacenwa.com Starlight Skatium (Pg. 45) (479) 444-STAR Super Science (Pg. 25) (479) 444-0303 www.super-sci.com
FOOD / DRINK Girl Scouts Cookies (Pg. 40) girlscoutsdiamonds.com/cookies TCBY (Pg. 3) (479) 636-8229 (TCBY) Young Chefs' Academy (Pg. 63) (479) 401-2006
HEALTH AND WELLNESS Northwest Primary Care (Pg. 8-9) nw-physicians.com Renew Aesthetic (Pg. 47) (479) 802-6229 SoapWare DC (Pg. 53) (800) 455-7627 Tate HealthCare (Pg. 48, 61) (479) 271-6511 www.tatehealthcare.com
To advertise and become a part of the Peekaboo Family email: editor@peekaboonwa.com
JEWELRY AND GIFTS David Adams (Pg. 34) davidadams.com (479) 444-7778 Oh Baby Boutique (Pg. 39) (479) 254-2911 www.ohbabynwa.com
LEARNING CENTER Mary’s Little Lamb Preschool (Pg. 59) (479) 273-1011
MARTIAL ARTS ATA (Pg. 11) Bentonville: (479) 273-1212 Fayetteville: (479) 443-5425
OPTOMETRIST Pediatric Vision Development Center (Pg. 41) nwavisiontherapy.com (479) 795-1411
PEDIATRICIAN Bentonville Pediatric Clinic (Pg. 5) (479) 273-5437 Best Start Pediatric Clinic (Pg. 19) (479) 575-9359 Friendship Pediatric Services (Pg. 12) Lowell: (479) 770-0744 Siloam Springs: (479) 524-2465 West Fork: (479) 839-3359 Living Tree Pediatrics (Pg. 31) (479) 282-2966 Northwest Pediatric Convenient Care (Pg. 7) (479) 751-2522 NWA Pediatrics (Pg. 15) (479) 443-3471 Ozark Pediatrics (Pg. 37) (479) 544-9432
PHOTOGRAPHY BabyFace & More (pg. 41) (479) 270-7391
PLASTIC SURGEON NWA Center for Plastic Surgery (Pg. 2) (479) 571-3100 www.nwacenterforplasticsurgery.com
PRESCHOOL/ PRE-K ABC Happy Kids Learning Academy (Pg. 53) (479) 621-6126 www.abchappykids.com Mary’s Little Lambs Preschool (Pg. 59) (479) 273-1011
THERAPY ABC Happy Kids Learning Academy (Pg. 53) (479) 621-6126 www.abchappykids.com Children’s Therapy T.E.A.M (Pg. 43) www.childrenstherapyteam.com Friendship Pediatric Services (Pg. 12) Lowell: (479) 770-0744 Siloam Springs: (479) 524-2465 West Fork: (479) 839-3359 Lexicon (Pg. 4) (479) 521-6500 lexiconNWA.com Play Strong Therapy (Pg. 56) (479) 246-0101
WOMEN’S HEALTH Lifespring (Pg. 20) (479) 271-0005 Parkhill Clinic for Women (Pg. 46) (479) 521-4433 parkhillclinic.com Siloam Springs Women’s Center (Pg. 17) (479) 524-9312 siloamwomenscenter.com Women’s Health Associates (Pg. 62) (479) 876-8111
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NWA Classical Academy TUITION-FREE, OPEN ENROLLMENT PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL
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Northwest Arkansas Classical Academy provides the most time-tested methods of educating students. We are committed to providing our future leaders with a college-preparatory education focused on the Classical Liberal Arts. NWA Classical Academy will promote a rigorous academic program, including Honors and AP Courses, that fosters intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, virtuous character building, and a lifelong passion for learning.
COLLEGE-PREP WITH CHARACTER 479-715-6676 NWAClassical.com 64 January 2017