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The Paper | Thursday, July 9, 2015
Northeast Georgia Medical Center offers programs
Health Happening Join NGMC Braselton each month on the third Thursday in the Education Center for an informative lecture on a variety of health and wellness topics. Cafe 1400 will be open for guests wishing to dine before the event. Managing Multiple Medications Thursday, July 16; 6:30 p.m. Speaker: Alex Osowa, MD Leg Pain: Exploring Arterial Causes Tuesday, Aug. 4; 6:30 p.m. Speaker: James G. Reeves, MD
VETERAN
Continued from 1A ing, always feeling on edge.” On top of that, Dorsey said he’d fly off the handle for no reason at all, often directing anger at the people he loved. “I talked with my fiancee about it,” Dorsey said. “She’s been very good the past couple of years. She’s been understanding.” According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website, PTSD “can occur after someone goes through a traumatic event like combat, assault or disaster.” The site offers the following regarding treatment: “Instead of telling others how you feel, you may keep your feelings bottled up. But talking with a therapist can help you get better.” ‘Tired of all the talking’ Lee Marchetta said his son, Leighton Marchetta, 21, of Gainesville had also struggled with PTSD. In addition, Lee said his son had often found it difficult to schedule appointments for counseling through Veterans Affairs clinics. Leighton Marchetta was the accused shooter in the June 8 incident at the Georgia State Patrol Post in
Obesity, A Chronic Disease Thursday, Aug. 20; 6:30 p.m. Speaker: Jyoti Manekar, MD Finding Your Best Vision Thursday, September 17; 6:30 p.m. Speaker: Lori C. Lebow, MD Exercise Sampler For four weeks in August, we will be offering introductory courses in a variety of exercise classes. Classes will be held in the Education Center and are open to participants of all ages. No previous experience is necessary. Intro to Yoga Saturday, Aug. 8, 8:30 a.m. Instructor: Yoga in Daily Life Jazzercise Low Saturday, Aug. 15, 8:30 a.m. Instructor: Jazzercise Braselton Intro to Zumba Saturday, Aug. 22, 8:30 a.m. Instructor: Anytime Fitness Braselton Low Impact Strength & Conditioning Saturday, Aug. 29, 8:30 a.m. Instructor: Anytime Fitness Braselton
Gainesville. Leighton served as a private in the Army for more than two years in Germany before being “forced out early before his tour was complete, because ... he was having issues.” Dorsey said there are veterans all over the country with issues — PTSD and beyond — they’re trying to resolve. “I just want them to be able to get the help they need,” Dorsey said. “I’m really not trying to vilify the VA. They’ve got a lot of great facilities and they do some good, but veterans are not getting the treatment they need. “My hope and my goal is that this whole thing will actually change something about the way veterans are treated,” Dorsey said. “There’s been talk about change, but I’m tired of all the talking. We want to see actual change take place for veterans.” Charlie Jones, a Vietnam veteran, volunteers at the Oakwood VA location, handing out cookies and other treats to fellow veterans, their families and staff members. He said he has never had a negative experience at the
AARP Defensive Driving for Seniors Monday, Aug. 10 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Education Center This course promotes the independence of older adults and enhances quality of life. The new curriculum includes training on a variety of situations encountered when driving. Fee: $15 for AARP Members $20 for non-members Registration: 770-967-1188 Living Well Lectures Each month, join us on the first Friday in the Education Center for a fun and informative lecture on health and wellness topics. The Basics of Stroke Prevention Friday, July 10; 1 p.m. Speaker: Gary Jones, BSN, RN, CCRN Making Exercise Part of Your Daily Routine Friday, August 7; 1:00 p.m. Speaker: Karen Zinka, MPH, RD, LD All About Acid Reflux and GERD Friday, September 4; 1:00 p.m. Speaker: Aja McCutchen, MD
clinic since he started visiting a year ago. “I mostly just go to Oakwood for the volunteering. I wouldn’t hesitate to make an appointment if I needed to do so,” Jones said. “I just think it’s a bad rap, I think there’s a whole lot more to it. I wanted to let the world know it’s not all bad.”
Oakwood VA declines comment on matter After the story of a local veteran being turned away from the Oakwood VA made national news, workers there July 6 declined to comment, referring instead to an Atlanta phone number for Veterans Affairs. No one there answered calls from The Times. Since the incident, Dorsey was able to get an appointment. But he and other area veterans say they are experiencing similar trouble with the VA. Charlie Jones, a Vietnam veteran, volunteers at the Oakwood VA location, handing out cookies and other treats to fellow veterans, their families and staff members. He said he has never had
Wellness in the Kitchen Cooking tasty, healthy meals is a snap when you know the secrets of a chef. Join our chef in the Education Center for tips and tricks that will take your cooking to the next level and bring wellness to the table.
Mini-Lectures (Guests may choose to attend two of the following mini-lectures):
-Date Night South of the Border Tuesday, July 14; 6:30 p.m.
Knee Replacement Speakers: Darrell K. Scales, MD; Gregory S. Woods, MD
-Satisfying Summer Salads Tuesday, Aug. 11; 6:30 p.m. -Healthy Italian from Scratch Tuesday, Sept. 8; 6:30 p.m. It’s Your Move: An Evening of Education on Joint Pain Thursday, July 23 5:30 p.m. Registration Begins 6:15 p.m. Events Begin Education Center Join us for an informative evening of discussion about the prevention and treatment, both surgical and nonsurgical, of joint pain. The evening’s events will include heavy hors d’oeuvres and dessert in addition to the following: Living Well With Joint Pain A round table discussion about prevention, recognition and treatment Speakers: Gregory D. Jackson, MD; Jerome Nichols, MD ; Joseph M. Powers, MD; Jimmy Sease, PT
a negative experience at the clinic since he started visiting a year ago. “I mostly just go to Oakwood for the volunteering. I wouldn’t hesitate to make an
Anterior Approach Hip Replacement Speaker: Charles A. DeCook, MD
Non-surgical Joint Pain Management Speakers: Steve Crider, Jr., MD; Cullen Scott, MD Lunch Bunch Grief Support Group July 22, Aug. 26, Sept. 23 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. El Monterey’s on Old Winder Highway An informal support/social group for grieving persons. Registration: 770-219-0271 Joints In Motion Classes Mondays and Wednesdays 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 2 p.m. Education Center Joint replacement patients are encouraged to attend these classes designed to provide information and care before and after joint replacement. Registration not required.
appointment if I needed to do so,” Jones said. “I just think it’s a bad rap, I think there’s a whole lot more to it. I wanted to let the world know it’s not all bad.”
Regional staffer Hailey Van Parys and LeAnne Akin contributed to this report.
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Northeast Georgia Medical Center Braselton is now offering a series of regular educational programs as well as special session such as a July 23 It’s Your Move spotlight on treatment options for joint pain. On Friday is a 1 p.m. session featuring Gary Jones, BSN, RN, CCRN as speaker for a focus on stroke prevention. Chefs get involved in the education game by offering Welllness in the Kitchen, a monthly program that offers cooking tips that can help bring taste as well as wellness to your family’s dining table. On the calendar of events of July, August, and September are:
P U B L I X M Y S T E RY C O U P O N
See What 1¢ Gets! Bring this coupon to Publix on July 9, 2015, and find out what one penny gets you! Good with your purchase of $10 or more. Limit one coupon per customer per day. Excluding all alcohol, tobacco, lottery items, money services, postage stamps, gift cards, and prescriptions. Customer is responsible for all applicable taxes. Reproduction or transfer of this coupon is strictly prohibited. Effective July 9, 2015 at participating stores in Ga., Ala., and Tenn. LU# 11548
Great Careers Begin Here
Dorsey has a nonprofit to helps kids, other vets By ZAC TAYLOR
Regional staff
Winder resident Chris Dorsey wants to help veterans like himself, and kids not all that different from his own son. So Dorsey has put together a non-profit organization called Vets 4 Kids that accomplishes both of those goals. His plan is to gather together veterans like him – he served in Iraq in the early years of the recent war – with children of soldiers who are deployed or who have fallen, and go on outdoor adventures, like fishing, camping or hiking. In other words, do things that they are not able to do with their parents for one reason or another. “I believe this will help the kids as well as the veterans,” he said. And he knows firsthand just how effective it can be to all involved. To know how it can affect the children, he reflects on a recent camping trip he took with his son and his son’s friend, whose parents weren’t around often for various reasons. He realized once they got into the mountains that the kid had never been on a trip like it before, and it was his first time sitting beside a campfire, roasting marshmallows and all of those other standard camping experiences. “He said, ‘this is the best day of my life,’” Dorsey remembered, and it really touched my heart. I thought, this could really change a kid’s life.” So, he’s set out to replicate that feeling with many more
kids who need the same type of support. “It’s taking care of your brothers’ family,” he said, “taking their kids and teaching them skills.” He’s bringing military veterans like himself to help create more great days for the kids, and help themselves in the process. Since Dorsey left the military and moved to Barrow in 2006, he said he quickly realized he was suffering from PTSD. He said woodworking helped change that, and so has trying to focus on helping others – part of the reason he’s started the organization. “You have to realize its more serious than you want to admit,” he said, noting that three soldiers he served with committed suicide after returning from deployment. “We’re not crazy, we’ve just seen a lot of stressful things.” There are many ways to cope, he said, and helping others is certainly a part of that. In fact, he started the organization in memory of those three soldiers he served with, and as a way to help others avoid a similar fate. He said he already has a
It’s taking care of your brothers’ family, taking their kids and teaching them skills. Chris Dorsey Founder of Vets4Kids
lot of vets to choose from, many of whom he’s met at festivals and events while trying to promote and raise money for his new organization. This summer, he has plans for some short trips, some day trips and later possibly overnight trips. It’s a chance to help kids learn more about the outdoors, and a chance for veterans to give back while gaining something from the experience as well. To support the organization, visit vets4kids.com, facebook.com/vets4kids or email Dorsey at chris@ vets4kids.com. He also has a Go Fund Me site: gofund. me/vets4kids.
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