12.05.19 Health Matters

Observer

Health Matters DECEMBER 2019

THE MISSING PEACE A recent assessment concluded access to mental health is one of the most critical health issues in Central Florida.

SEE PAGES 10-15

BABY BACKUP

KEEPING IN TOUCH

Post-partum doula Sarah Quiggle lends a hand.

Bridget Keefe lands community relations job at Orlando Health.

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AT YOUR SERVICE Orlando Health offers programs in Horizon West.

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HEALTH MATTERS

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OrangeObserver.com

DECEMBER 2019

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DECEMBER 2019

Observer “If we are to build a better world, we must remember that the guiding principle is this — a policy of freedom for the individual is the only truly progressive policy.”

Friedrich Hayek

“Road to Serfdom,” 1944 President and CEO / Matt Walsh, mwalsh@yourobserver.com Editor and Publisher / Michael Eng, meng@OrangeObserver.com

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Managing Editor / Tim Freed, tfreed@OrangeObserver.com Design Editor / Jessica Eng, jeng@OrangeObserver.com Community Editor / Amy Quesinberry, amyq@OrangeObserver.com Sports Editor /Troy Herring, therring@OrangeObserver.com Associate Editor / Danielle Hendrix, dhendrix@OrangeObserver.com Staff Writer / Eric Gutierrez, egutierrez@OrangeObserver.com Multimedia Advertising Executives / Ann Carpenter, acarpenter@OrangeObserver.com Cyndi Gustafson, advertising@OrangeObserver.com Terri Hope, thope@OrangeObserver.com Creative Services Lindsay Cannizzaro, lcanniazzaro@OrangeObserver.com Advertising Operations Manager / Allison Brunelle, abrunelle@OrangeObserver.com Office Coordinator / Accounting Ashley McWilliams, amcwilliams@OrangeObserver.com

CONTACT US

The Observer is published once weekly, on Thursdays. It provides subscription home delivery. The Observer also can be found in commercial locations and at our office, 661 Garden Commerce Parkway, Suite 180, Winter Garden, Florida 34787 If you wish to subscribe to, visit our website, OrangeObserver. com, call (407) 656-2121 or visit our office, 661 Garden Commerce Parkway, Suite 180, Winter Garden.

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Let us know about your events, celebrations and achievements. To contact us, send your information via email to Tim Freed, tfreed@Orange Observer.com.

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Courtesy photo

Health Central receives ‘A’ grade

OCA announces closure of two locations

The Leapfrog Group awarded Orlando Health — Health Central Hospital its ninth “A” grade since the rating service began its grading program in 2012.

Three other Orlando Health hospitals also received A grades this current rating period: Orlando Health Dr. P. Phillips Hospital, Orlando Health Orlando Regional Medical Center and Orlando Health South Lake Hospital.

“Our ability to earn repeated ‘A’ grades from the Leapfrog Group is a direct result of the hard work of doctors, nurses, clinicians and the entire staff at Orlando Health – Health Central,” President Mark Marsh said. “Each and every day, our teams of highly qualified specialists collaborate to focus on quality care — and it’s making a difference to everyone who needs medical attention at our hospital.”

Some of Health Central’s most successful quality initiatives include improving patient safety through computerized physician order entry for medications; the use of computerized bar code scanning during medication administration; and fully meeting consecutively the Leapfrog standards for maintaining a culture of safety leadership.

These and other initiatives have resulted in significant reductions in hospital acquired infections; a substantial reduction in the time it takes a patient who arrives at the emergency department to be admitted and placed in an inpatient bed; and an increasing number of hospital departments achieving the top 10th decile in the country for patient satisfaction. Most recently, the Florida Hospital Association awarded the hospital Sepsis Champion for achieving the highest reduction in mortality among patients with the life-threatening condition.

“Earning nine ‘A’ grades for patient safety is an amazing achievement,” Orlando Health President and CEO David Strong said. “I am extremely proud of everyone who had a hand in helping to reach this milestone.”

The Leapfrog Group assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D” or “F” grade to more than 2,600 hospitals across the country based on their performance in preventing medical errors, infections and other harm to patients.

After receiving notification that Medicaid will not reimburse OCA for services rendered, Silvia Haas, co-founder of the local organization that provides assistance to individuals with autism and other disabilities and their families, announced the closure of two locations.

Those closings include the West Adult Vocational campus, which closed Nov. 4, and The Clinic on Adanson, which will close Jan. 1, 2020.

With the reduction in the west campus and the therapy program, OCA also was able to sell two vehicles. The organization also made staffing changes and program realignments to reduce expenses.

For more information about OCA, visit gooca.org.

Healty West Orange laces up for 2020 Health West Orange will kick off the new year with Westly’s third annual Virtual 5K. From Jan. 1 to 31, the organization invites residents to bike, run, hike, swim, walk, or even paddle your way through 3.1 miles to complete the virtual 5K. For those who want to complete the challenge in a group setting, Health West Orange is hosing Westly’s WOW (West Orange Walk) at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, the Winter Garden Station of the West Orange Trail.

To register, visit runsignup. com/Race/FL/WinterGarden/ WestlysThirdAnnualVirtual5K.

Orlando Health welcomes Keefe Bridget Keefe joined Orlando Health as its director of community relations.

In this new leadership position, Keefe will be responsible for community relations efforts that effectively support Orlando Health and the organization’s growth strategy.

“We are pleased to welcome Bridget to Orlando Health,” said Lainie Fox Ackerman, assistant vice president for External Affairs and Community Benefit at Orlando Health. “She is an accomplished individual who will create a lifelong impact on the Central Florida community.”

Keefe brings seven years of experience in community relations across nonprofit sectors.

Prior to joining Orlando Health, Keefe worked as an executive director at the Downtown Orlando Partnership, where she worked to advance the DOP’s reputation and visibility in the community by building strong new civic and business partnerships while stewarding longtime supporters.

Keefe earned a bachelor’s degree in hospitality and event management from the University of Central Florida. She also received her master’s degree in public administration from UCF.

Department of Health stresses food safety This holiday season, the Florida Department of Health in Orange County encourages residents to keep food safe by practicing basic food safety measures while preparing meals.

Many of the reported cases of food-borne illness are caused by bacteria or by the toxins produced by bacteria. Bacteria multiply extremely fast when food is kept at an unsafe temperature (above 41 and below 140 degrees Fahrenheit).

The department recommends the following for reducing the chances of food contamination: n Clean. Wash hands, utensils and surfaces before and after food preparation, especially after preparing meat, poultry, eggs or seafood. Be sure to keep all countertops and work areas clean with hot, soapy water. n Cook to proper temperature. Read the cooking directions on packaging before preparing.

The safest thawing method is in the refrigerator at 40 degrees.

Make sure the food is cooked at the proper internal temperature and check for doneness with a food thermometer. n Chill. Refrigerate properly. Refrigerate or freeze perishables, prepared food and leftovers within two hours. Make sure the refrigerator is set at no higher than 40 degrees and the freezer is set at zero degrees. n Separate. Don’t crosscontaminate. Keep raw meats, poultry, eggs and seafood and their juices away from ready to eat food. It is recommended that leftovers be heated to 165 degrees.

HEALTH MATTERS

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DECEMBER 2019

CONNECT WITH HEALTHY WEST ORANGE

Foundation to promote healthy living The West Orange Healthcare District recently established the Foundation for a Healthier West Orange to amplify community health and wellness.

DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Tracy Swanson, West Orange Healthcare District CEO

Jaclyn Whiddon, Foundation for a Healthier West Orange chairwoman

With its vision for West Orange County to become the healthiest community in the nation in sharp focus, the West Orange Healthcare District is taking the movement a step further.

In mid-October, the District announced an endowment to ensure health and wellness for future generations in the community. This comes in the form of establishing the Foundation for a Healthier West Orange, a nonprofit that aims to champion local health and wellness, as well as to accelerate WOHD’s long-term vision for West Orange.

The foundation is the umbrella for Healthy West Orange, a grassroots movement launched in 2016 by the WOHD, Orlando Health and Observer Media Group.

Healthy West Orange has been championing the goal of making West Orange the healthiest community in the nation by providing tools and social connections to help residents eat well, stay active and enjoy life.

“The purpose of the foundation now is to ensure the longevity of that focus, and it’s ensuring an ongoing sustainable support to create the healthiest community in the nation,” said West Orange Healthcare District CEO Tracy Swanson. “The Healthy West Orange

movement is being moved underneath the foundation. The foundation is the parent, if you will, of Healthy West Orange. They’ll continue to facilitate the movement … with the support of other agencies and businesses in the community.”

Swanson said the Foundation for a Healthier West Orange was initially created a little more than a year ago as a nonprofit that would deliver Healthy User Bulletin Board — a resource to help residents find and access local health and wellness programs and services. The foundation also provides a way to ensure established funding that would enable the Healthy West Orange project to continue for years to come.

“Last year we began thinking about the security of Healthy West Orange into the future, because becoming the healthiest community in the nation is not a one-year project — it’s long term and probably will be at least 10 years before (we) really begin to see that,” Swanson said.

What’s more is that Healthy User Bulletin Board, Healthy West Orange and the foundation all will occupy space in a new multipurpose office and community building currently under construction at the corner of Plant Street and South West Crown Point Road in

Healthy West Orange, and in turn the Foundation for a Healthier West Orange, works by inspiring healthy behaviors, championing healthy programs, uniting health-minded organizations and advocating for healthy community decisions.

To learn more about HWO and the foundation or get involved, visit healthywestorange.org or facebook.com/ healthywestorange. You can also follow the organization on Twitter at @healthyworange or Instagram at @ healthywestorange.

Winter Garden. More than half the available space will be leased to local organizations and businesses, and that rental income will support the foundation’s ongoing operations.

According to the West Orange Healthcare District, initial funding for the foundation is coming from two district grants. The first is a three-year, $10 million start-up grant to establish and staff Healthy User Bulletin Board for its first three years, as well as to expand Healthy West Orange programs and outreach. This grant also includes funds to build out, furnish and maintain the new building.

A second, $40 million grant will establish an endowed fund with future earnings earmarked for programs and operations starting in the fourth year and into the future.

The foundation’s board consists of five members, including executives at both area hospitals: chairwoman Jaclyn Whiddon, of The Whiddon Group; Mark Marsh, president of Orlando Health’s Health Central Hospital; Carl Dupper, CEO of AdventHealth Winter Garden; Tim Keating, president and CEO, RC Stevens Construction; and Norma Sutton, vice president, World Trade Center Orlando.

“We’re thrilled — we are really fortunate that we have such highcaliber health care providers in the West Orange community,” Swanson said. “Mark (Marsh) and

Carl (Dupper) are amazing advocates for Healthy West Orange and their passion and expertise is what I think will really help us expand Healthy West Orange and the success of it in the community, which was our intention with the creation of the foundation.”

The West Orange Healthcare District was created by the Florida Legislature 70 years ago to ensure West Orange residents had better access to health care services. Over the year, the district has awarded more than $180 million in local community grants to enhance residents’ health and wellness.

“By establishing the foundation, it’s going to continue to deliver for years beyond the opportunity for the community to enjoy a healthy environment,” Swanson said. “This is for any resident of West Orange. It’s going to take everybody to become the healthiest community in the nation. …It’s an opportunity that I think is one that everybody should take advantage of.”

This building will house the foundation, Healthy West Orange and the Healthy User Bulletin Board. It also will lease space to other businesses and community organizations, the rental income of which will help support the foundation.

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HEALTH MATTERS

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HEALTH HELP

The Orlando Health’s Horizon West location is offering free health improvement programs.

ERIC GUTIERREZ STAFF WRITER

Making improvements to one’s health and overall quality of life can be a challenging task to undertake, but the Orlando Health Medical Pavilion in Horizon West offers a number of resources that can help.

The Orlando Health Center for Health Improvement is located within the medical pavilion in Horizon West, and it offers an array of services for individuals committed to making positive changes related to their health.

Services include identifying potentials for health risks, as well as custom health plans that use proven, evidence-based strategies. Much of the services offered are free of charge.

“The Center for Health Improvement is a personalized, health improvement center,” said Lee O’Donnell, corporate manager of prevention and wellness at the Orlando Health Medical Pavilion in Horizon West. “We offer personalized health services for individuals who are committed to

IF YOU GO CENTER FOR HEALTH IMPROVEMENT AT ORLANDO HEALTH MEDICAL PAVILION — HORIZON WEST 17000 Porter Rd., Suite 204, Winter Garden EMAIL: CenterforHealthImprovement@OrlandoHealth. com PHONE: (407) 407-3046 WEBSITE: bit.ly/2XZHifL

Body-fat analysis and exercise testing are among the services offered.

making positive lifestyle changes.”

A team of health experts led by physicians provide consultations, workshops, education and health coaching in areas such as heart health, diabetes prevention, cancer prevention, stress management, weight management, nutrition and plant-based diets. The services are available to anyone in the community that is driven to make positive, healthy changes to their lifestyle.

“You do not have to have an illness or a disease in order to have an interest in improving your health,” O’Donnell said. “This (center) is focused on any individual interested in doing that regardless of their current health status.”

The Center for Health Improvement offers three different levels of programming. The first is the premier package, which includes two visits for participants inter-

ested in personalized health recommendations but not in enrolling in an extended program. “(The visits) depends on their schedule,” O’Donnell said of the package. “(In) the first visit, they come in and go through a variety of assessments and surveys, and then the second visit they come back for the results and their plan. They receive an individualized nutrition plan, exercise plan and work with a health coach on that second visit.”

The second level is the premier plus package, a six-week lifestyle modification program designed to help someone meet their personalized health objectives. Additionally, this package includes everything offered in the premier package. The third level, called the prestige package, is a 12-week lifestyle modification program also designed to help participants meet their personalized health

goals, and this package includes everything offered in the previous two package levels.

“The longer they’re in the program, the more intense the program is,” O’Donnell said. “The personnel at the facility are a registered dietitian and an exercise physiologist/health coach. They (go) through their assessments, which are biomarker assessments (and) physical assessments like body-fat analysis. We (also) do food assessments. … The programs are designed to meet the individual where they are and to work with them on their personal goals. Meeting them where they are often relates to their own personal time management, so our programs can be offered in-person or virtually or digitally — meaning texts, email support (and) things of that nature.”

In addition to the three programs, the Center for Health Improvement also offers a selection of classes and workshops that are open to the public. Those programs include cooking classes for children, yoga classes and workshops on plant-based eating.

“We offer a variety of classes that are open and offered complimentary to the community,” O’Donnell said. “We offer hearthealth education series. Some of the other topics we’ve offered have been kids cook — that’s wildly popular. … We conduct grocery store tours with small groups (and we offer) early heart attack care and hands-only CPR (classes).”

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OrangeObserver.com

DECEMBER 2019

Empowering

SQUIGGLE BABIES PROFESSIONAL DOULA SERVICES

PARENTS Post-partum doula Sarah Quiggle’s motto is ‘I’m going to help you do you.’

AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

Most people think of a labor or birthing coach when they hear the term “doula,” but there is such a thing as a post-partum doula.

Sarah Quiggle is based in Windermere and is the owner of Squiggle Babies Professional Doula Services, a company that provides support to the mother after she has given birth to her baby or support to the family once it brings the baby home and needs an extra hand.

Some parents get overwhelmed after they get their newborn home and get stressed out struggling to find time to do it all, including taking a shower, eating a bite, doing the laundry or getting some rest.

“I think that sleep matters,” Quiggle said. “I think mental health matters. I think knowing you don’t have to go through this season alone — I think that’s huge, and I think that knowing that you feel supported can really help give the confidence. That’s what I want to do: Empower women, give them confidence that they’re great parents.”

Quiggle, a Windermere resi-

dent, became a certified breastfeeding specialist and had plans to become a lactation consultant but discovered post-partum doulas along the way. Their business was booming, and soon she went to work for them as an independent contractor.

Eventually, she branched out and started her own business, Squiggle Babies.

Because her husband was serving in the U.S. Army, they moved around quite a bit, and when she had children, she didn’t have family and friends close by for support.

“It’s hard just doing it by yourself, or with your husband or with your parents,” Quiggle said.

“We kind of focus on supporting the family. That’s how that differs from a night nanny. I’m there with the parents and the baby, and I do anything the parents need to keep things moving in their house. ... I’ve helped with laundry, meal prep, help with siblings; I’ve taken care of baby while Mom is with the other.”

She offers daytime and nighttime sessions, working anywhere from 8 to 10 hours. Her night services are more popular, she said.

She cares for the baby while the parents get their sleep. If the baby is breastfeeding, she can take the baby to the mother.

“What I like is that I meet the parents where they’re at,” Quiggle said. “I come to them and offer

PHONE: (407) 349-7435 WEBSITE: squiggle-babies.com FACEBOOK: Squigglebabies

Courtesy photo

At Squiggle Babies Professional Doula Services, Sarah Quiggle provides support to new mothers.

unbiased, nonjudgmental support. That’s my big thing. If you want to breastfeed, that’s great; if you want to bottle feed, I will help with that.”

Questions are encouraged, but if the parents don’t ask any, she won’t impose.

Quiggle stressed that many parents question whether or not what they’re doing or experiencing is normal, and most times they are.

“It’s a sounding board for parents trying to make decisions on different things,” she said. “I’m there to listen … and they have someone to talk to. It’s just support in any way that they need it, and that’s what I love.”

One client said she thought she

“It’s hard just doing it by yourself, or with your husband or with your parents. We kind of focus on supporting the family. That’s how that differs from a night nanny. …”

— Sarah Quiggle

was losing her mind and felt like she was in the middle of a breakdown. Quiggle started staying with her three nights a week, and the mother now is getting a good night’s sleep and feels more in control of her life and her emotions.

Quiggle has a website to introduce herself to new mothers. In order to meet others, she is reaching out to various local providers, including pediatricians, obstetricians and chiropractors. She is in Winter Park frequently for work but is looking to expand her service into West Orange County.

She wants people to know that while her sessions have a daily minimum number of hours, she will stay with a family for as long as the support is needed.

Her length of stay with clients varies. Several families used her services for five months; another she has been with since September.

She still is in contact with one of her first clients, whose daughter is 1-and-a-half. Quiggle occasionally watches the little girl while the parents go out for a date night.

She has worked with first babies, and she has worked with third babies. Many are seeking assistance rather than educational support.

“No one is going to judge you for realizing you want help,” Quiggle said. “I’m going to help you do you.”

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OrangeObserver.com

DECEMBER 2019

SPECIAL FOCUS: MENTAL HEALTH

NEEDS ANALYSIS A recent study conducted by AdventHealth, Orlando Health and other Central Florida health organizations identified access to mental health as a key issue in the region.

ERIC GUTIERREZ STAFF WRITER

C

entral Florida reportedly has a lot of work to do in the area of treating mental health.

The 2019 Community Health Needs Assessment named access to mental health care services, food insecurity and access to overall health care as the three biggest issues Central Floridians face today. The CHNA was conducted by AdventHealth’s Central Florida Division, Orlando Health, Aspire Health Partners and local health departments from the four-county region, as well as other local, federally qualified health centers.

“Many of us in Central Florida were aware that mental health is an issue,” said Lainie Fox Ackerman, assistant vice president of external affairs and community benefit at Orlando Health. “It’s an issue across our nation, but really what the CHNA does is it sheds light on what’s happening right here in our community.

I think what our community and our residents shared is very telling of things that they’re living with on a daily basis.”

“We know mental health is a growing issue in all of our communities,” AdventHealth Apopka CEO Tim Clark said. “We know

BY THE NUMBERS

3,200

The number of respondents to the 2019 Community Health Needs Assessment

58

The percentage of CHNA respondents who felt hopeless of depressed

1

The number of mental health care providers over every 809 residents in the four-county Central Florida region

we’ve got to put some focus on it to really make a difference. … It’s a real prevalent issue that we’ve got to get creative on, and we’ve got to work with our community partners throughout to really help alleviate and resolve some of the challenges around mental health.”

The CHNA, conducted every three years, examines takes the health of citizens in Orange, Osceola, Lake and Seminole counties. The purpose of the CHNA is to identify major community issues and gaps in services that contribute to the overall health of the region. The data for the CHNA is collected from more than 3,200 citizens through more

than 2,700 surveys and 15 focus groups. Additional data from the Florida Department of Health, the U.S. Census Bureau, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other health organizations also were collected for the assessment.

A key discovery of the CHNA related mental health found that 58% of respondents felt hopeless or depressed. One staggering statistic from the assessment: There is one mental health care provider per every 809 residents in the four-county region, including West Orange. That statistic is a disparity that is greater than state and national averages.

“Mental health doesn’t necessarily depend on your economic status,” Clark said. “Beyond the four-county region of this study, you can boil that down and say that West Orange is a representative subset of that (assessment).”

“A majority of the community respondents indicated challenges (accessing) mental health services, knowing where to go for the services or even being able to afford them,” Ackerman said.

“Another thing that bubbled up around mental health was over half of the respondents indicated that they lack companionship (and) that they feel left out or isoSEE ISSUE PAGE 14

HOW TO BEA

The holidays are a joyful time for m they can also be a difficult time fo with grief, added stress and feelin DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR

It might be the most wonderful time of the year, but it doesn’t always feel that way for those coping with loss, anxiety and depression.

Seasonal depression and the

holiday b many. W striving expectati to celebr a loved o and tens holiday s Julie W

HEALTH MATTERS

OrangeObserver.com

blues are a real battle for Whether it’s extra stress, to live up to unrealistic ions or even learning how rate the holidays without one, feelings of loneliness sion can accompany the season.

Wolf, a licensed mental-

DECEMBER 2019

RTM therapy proving successful in PTSD patients The American Legion in Winter Garden is starting a fund to get veterans the help they need.

AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

Post-traumatic stress disorder commonly is associated with war veterans; it was known as “shell shock” after World War I and “combat fatigue” following World War II. But anyone who has experienced or witnessed a traumatic event can be diagnosed with PTSD. Therapists have tried different neurological intervention techniques, with varied degrees of success — and now a new therapy is proving to be even more successful.

Mental health professionals trained to treat PTSD with the Reconsolidation of Traumatic Memories protocol are recording positive results in a majority of their patients, said Kurt Gies, commander of American Legion

AT THE HOLIDAY BLUES

many people, but or those dealing ngs of loneliness.

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health counselor at Hope Counseling Clinic in Winter Garden, said that she often sees people this time of year who are struggling with the loss of a loved one.

“From October to December … it’s just really hard,” Wolf said. “For whatever reason, too, I think with the added pressure and stress on families and marriages — there’s a lot of relationship strife, as well, this time of year. A lot of loss and trauma is stored in the part of the brain where our five senses experience. Any time we

have a strong sensory experience … those tap right into those emotional memories.

“For a lot of people that have experienced something traumatic around the holidays, it’s like that one little segment of the year that’s very unique, and there’s so many sensory experiences,” Wolf said. “It can be sensory overload, which is 100% triggering.”

Add into the mix the societal norm of being busy and constantly connected. Just because the holidays come around, Wolf said, it

Post 63, and it has been used to treat survivors of mass shootings and childhood sexual abuse victims, among others.

The number of veterans from recent wars alone with PTSD has conservatively been estimated at 400,000.

Many of those veterans may turn to alcohol, drugs or suicide.

The American Legion post, in downtown Winter Garden, has created a fund to help local veterans go through the treatment in an effort to reduce the number of daily veteran suicides from 22 to zero.

HOW RTM WORKS

The Research and Recognition Project has designed this alternative therapy, a neurolinguistics program that disassociates the trauma from the patient.

doesn’t mean any of the day-today responsibilities many Americans carry with them lessens.

Preparing for the holidays can add stress to our already busy lives.

“In addition, you’re buying gifts for every person that’s important in your life, plus there’s parties and different responsibilities,” she said. “It just multiplies the number of responsibilities, and so there’s just the mere limiting factor of time. We have the same amount of time during the holidays that we have the rest of the year.”

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 64% of people said in a survey they are

SEE PTSD PAGE 13

affected by the holiday blues, and 24% said the holidays affect them a lot. Symptoms associated with the holiday blues include fatigue, tension, frustration, loneliness, sadness and a sense of loss.

Part of taking steps to beat the added stress of the holidays, Wolf said, is to be aware of what messages you’re telling yourself.

There are many expectations, but it’s important to realize that it’s OK to not be perfect — and to recognize that you can’t do it all.

“Are you consciously telling yourself you have to do it all?”

Wolf said. “I think on a practical SEE HOLIDAY PAGE 12

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Get more out of life!

Holiday cheer?

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level, you really have to focus on your needs as a person and not to neglect that just because there’s so many other things going on. …

Be able to say no. You can’t do it all so you may have to say no to an event or to somebody that’s invited you to do something.

“Recognizing having healthy boundaries and people in your life that can be toxic is also important, as well as not pushing yourself beyond healthy limits to try to make other people happy, but also being aware of your own personal limitations,” she said. “You just have to realize that you have to do what you think is right, and people will like it or they won’t.

I think the sooner that you can learn that, the more peace you’ll have in your life.”

In a culture that prizes being connected and on the go all the time, it’s easy to neglect your own needs. Wolf said that one of the things that makes people the most ill equipped to deal with both stress and emotional pain is being exhausted. She recommends ensuring that you’re getting enough rest, eating healthy foods and getting exercise.

In terms of grief, Wolf said, there is no right way to grieve.

Some people want to lean into it and talk about and remember the person they lost. Others need space and distance and prefer to distract themselves from the feelings of loss. Wolf said that either way is OK, and it’s important to understand the person who grieves differently than another.

“A lot of people get really frustrated with themselves

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THE HOLIDAY BLUES According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, there also are many seasonal factors that can contribute to a sense of melancholy this time of year.

These include: n Alcohol at parties n Changes in diet or routine n Inability to be with friends or family n Less sunlight in the day n Over-commercialization n Sentimental memories Here are some ways to cope with these feelings in a healthy manner: n Do things you enjoy doing n Don’t drink alcohol if you’re feeling down n Exercise n Get enough sleep n Set a budget for holiday shopping n Set reasonable expectations for yourself n Stick to normal routines as much as possible n Take time for yourself

because they don’t know how long it should take (to grieve),” she said.

“If you’re dealing with the loss of a very significant person in your life, you’re not going to be over it in a few months. It takes at least a year to be able to process each new event. It’s not just time that heals all wounds — that’s false. …

Grieving properly the losses that you need to grieve over time is what will heal your heart.”

And for those who might feel guilty about allowing themselves to enjoy an event or the holiday season despite a loss, Wolf said, it’s important to give yourself permission to have a good time even though the person is no longer around.

“Sometimes you kind of feel guilty to really have fun and enjoy yourself — you feel like you’re betraying their memory or something,” she said. “Give yourself permission to feel whatever you feel, positive or negative. … I think it’s OK to really focus on self-care and make that a priority, just embracing the fact that the holidays are going to be (a) difficult time and there’s really no way around that but to focus on the things like … being around people that love you.”

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TREATING PTSD These are some of the offices that use the RTM protocol to treat PTSD: n First Orlando Counseling, 3125 Bruton Blvd., Suite A, Orlando n Gilstrap & Associates, 7601 Conroy-Windermere Road, Suite 202, Orlando n Providence Counseling Center, 430 N. Mills Ave., Suite 4, Orlando

PTSD treatment CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

According to researchandrecognition.org, this is how it works: RTM begins by questioning clients until they respond physiologically, typically with changes in breathing, heart rate and vocal pitch. The response is stopped before re-traumatization can occur.

The dissociation begins by asking clients to imagine themselves in a movie theater. On the screen is a still image of clients performing some neutral activity in a safe context prior to the trauma. Then, they are asked to imagine floating away from their bodies in the theater to a projection booth.

From this vantage point, they are instructed to watch themselves in the theater, watching themselves on the screen.

After establishing these three levels of dissociation, clients are instructed to watch a black and white picture of themselves on the movie screen at a time before the traumatic event. As they focus on the imagined picture, they are directed to watch themselves in the theater as they watch a black and white movie of the traumatic event. They watch themselves in the theater watching the event until a safe time after the trauma has fully passed. This process is repeated until watching the entire movie can be done without any observable discomfort.

When they can watch the movie comfortably, they are asked to step into it and experience the entire sequence, fully associated, in color, in reverse and at very high speed.

When the trauma can be talked

about with no discomfort, the intervention is presumed to have worked.

After they have gone through this several times, they will be asked to write an alternate and better ending. While it’s not real, it allows their minds to accept something that’s less scary.

THE RESULT

Several Central Florida therapy groups have been trained in the protocol. Gies said he has worked with First Orlando Counseling for about a year and was invited to a training session to see it in person.

He has seen clients go — on a scale of 1 through 10 — from a 10 down to a 1 or 2.

“One man hadn’t slept more than two hours a night,” Gies said.

“He had nightmares of the things he had gone through. They did two 90-minute sessions, and he didn’t need the third.

“One veteran was going to kill himself but there were two children living above him and he wor-

ried where the bullet would go after it left him,” Gies said. “So he went to RTM therapy. … (He) swears that he is completely cured from any symptoms of post-traumatic stress.”

Gies said the veteran now is trained to carry out the protocol for other victims suffering from PTSD. “The more people who can get trained in the protocol, the more people can get treated,” Gies said.

Post 63 currently is paying for two people to go through the relatively easy training process, he said.

“They’re finding that no matter who issues the protocol, they’re getting the positive results,” Gies said. “It’s pretty phenomenal stuff.”

Kari Russo, of Windermere, is a therapist with First Orlando Counseling who specializes in RTM protocol. She also hosts a weekly podcast called “Life After PTSD.” “I’m on a mission to get as many people trained as I can,” Gies said.

“She has a passion for getting as many people treated.”

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lated. A slightly higher percentage of these respondents indicated that they feel depressed or lonely and/or have little interest or pleasure in activities.”

Although the findings of the CHNA may seem grim, there are steps being taken to help address those needs. Both Orlando Health and AdventHealth are working toward addressing the mental health-related needs identified by the CHNA. “The assessment helps us to identify potential partnerships and opportunities, how we can expand services or programs or how we can help other existing organizations that are providing services,” Ackerman said. ”We do a really good job with the inpatient piece and stabilization, but now, we’re looking at working with partners that focus on the outpatient piece. One way that we’re doing that is we have an Orlando Health Community Grant Program. This is a program that we started a few years ago where (not only) community partners but also our team members can apply for grants or funding for the work they’re doing.” “(One of) the other things that’s starting to become more prevalent with mental health is telehealth,” Clark said. “This is something we’re trying to understand internally is … how do you start leveraging applications and resources that are on your phone or on the internet to get access to resources for mental health? That’s (another) level out there that we’re

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trying to understand and work through ourselves right now from an AdventHealth standpoint, but there are resources, today, that are out there that are electronic.”

Cost is always a factor and is often the biggest hurdle for lowincome individuals. In addition to traditional mental health service providers, mental health services also are offered through nontraditional providers such as support groups, nonprofits and religious organizations. Physical activity and social interaction can also give a boost to one’s mental health.

“There are (other) resources in the community whether it’s going to church or going to support groups,” Ackerman said. “Exercise, physical activity (and) just getting out there to engage your social network is so important to your mental health. It doesn’t have to be something big and grandiose.”

“We know access (to mental health services) is limited, and there’s a few things we are working on to try and help with that,” Clark said. “Over the last year, specifically, we have helped to fund, with Matthew’s Hope, their new mental health counselor. They just started that program. Having enough mental health counselors is part of (the challenge), but also being able to access the mental health counselor is another part of it. And through Matthew’s Hope, I think we’re helping to accomplish both of those (challenges) and through that partnership we’ve deployed with them.”

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The greatest teacher Failure can be dealt with in a healthy way — and can even lead to personal growth.

TIM FREED MANAGING EDITOR

An opportunity missed. A job lost. Falling just short of a goal or a dream.

Failure happens to everyone, but what about the moments when the failure is too much to deal with?

According to Jesse Radloff, a licensed mental health counselor and care coordinator at Orlando Health South Seminole Hospital, there are several ways to pull yourself back up by your bootstraps and cope with failure.

Radloff said it all starts with someone’s emotional capacity for dealing with frustration, which underlies how they’ll react to failure. It’ll be more difficult for someone to deal with failure if they already struggle with smaller frustrations or things not going their way, he said.

As far as strategies for coping with failure, it’s helpful to first deal with the immediate emotional and physical reactions. “(It’s) using something to center yourself, whether it’s deep breathing or walking away for a second and going where it’s quiet,” Radloff said. “For some people it’s go exercise or hit a

“It starts with your breath. If your breath is erratic and uncontrolled, then there’s a good chance that the rest of you may be as well.”

— Jesse Radloff, licensed mental-health counselor

nity can bring healing and help that person come back from it, Radloff said.

“Taking an after-action assessment — OK, what went wrong?” he said. “What are the things and what might have been warning signs that this was going to go wrong, if it was something that was predictable. Getting the advice of people that you trust.

How could this have been avoided or what can I learn from this?

Turning a failure into a learning opportunity can be huge.”

Radloff emphasized that when dealing with stress, depression or anything involving mental health, there is no shame in reaching out for help.

“There is a stigma about reaching out when you’re having difficulty — in the context of failure, that can be amplified, because you’re already feeling down on yourself,” Radloff said. “Someone or something in some way has rejected you and so that’s painful in and of itself as well, further amplifying the potential stigma.

It is OK to reach out when you have a problem, whether it’s to friends, family, a mentor, a mental-health professional, because if you can’t get past that feeling of failure and not being able to pick yourself up, that can lead to depression or anxiety or substance abuse. Avoid the downward spiral.”

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punching bag or something like that just to manage your initial physical reaction. (When) you get told bad news, you might get a sinking stomach or your adrenaline might shoot up and you start worrying about ‘Oh my God, how am I going to pay bills?’ … That can kind of spiral going forward, so getting yourself centered as close to the time of something going wrong as possible can be very helpful.”

Whatever method you use, breathing is a key aspect of centering yourself, Radloff said.

“That’s taught in domains as different as meditation retreats and Army ranger school,” he said.

“It starts with your breath. If your breath is erratic and uncontrolled, then there’s a good chance that the rest of you may be as well. There’s nothing else that someone can do when they’re faced with an overwhelming, difficult situation.

Notice that you’re still breathing — you are still alive — take a deep breath, hold it for a moment and slow exhale. Be mindful of your breath and the rest will follow.”

With some failures, there is almost a grieving process, Radloff said. Someone might start off being angry or in denial, soon questioning their own sense of self-worth. Being aware that those feelings might come up is also important, Radloff said.

Once someone has centered themselves and they’re past that initial shock, thinking about what led to the failure or lost opportu-

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DECEMBER 2019

Student-athletes feel the pressure to perform — both in their sport and in the classroom.

UNDER PRESSURE Life as a studentathlete is full of stressors, especially for those looking to make it to the next level of their sport.

TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

Every great athlete has an origin story.

Often, it begins at a young age playing their sport on recreation or Little League/Pop Warner levels.

As a kid, there’s no real stress, but that changes as an athlete progresses to high school. That’s where everything changes, said Tyler Jones, a senior dual-sport athlete (football, track) at West Orange High School.

“It was just different from Pop Warner to high school — it’s not that it didn’t matter back then, but (because) high school stuff is more crucial now,” Jones said. “It was somewhat scarier freshman year. But after that, once summer and spring passed, it was go time

— you knew what to do.”

Jones, who committed recently to play football at the University of Missouri, has been around his sport for years and always knew he wanted to play at the highest level of football.

When he arrived on the West Orange High campus as a freshman, there were expectations and promises he sought to keep. His goal was clear, and all he had to do was execute — both as a student and an athlete.

“I wouldn’t say it was pressure, because I just have fun playing the game — I’ve loved playing the game since I was a kid,” Jones said.

“It was honestly just more pressure just having the grades right, so I could play football,” he said. “I’ve always had good grades, but just so if football didn’t work out, you could still go to school for academics.”

Jones kept his grades up and exploded onto the radars of colleges as a defensive back who played with speed and intensity — especially in a stellar junior season.

That junior year was also the start of what would prove to be the biggest stress Jones had to face in his years at West Orange,

because it’s the third year when the recruiting process really increases.

“It is scary at first, because you’re grinding all day and all night — all four years — to get

that scholarship,” Jones said.

“Money is on the line, and college is on the line.”

College offers from schools such as Missouri, Duke University and NC State rolled in, but Jones felt most comfortable at Mizzou. His commitment fulfilled a promise he made to his late mother, Sara.

“I was real relieved once I committed,” Jones said. “It’s like, this is what you’ve been waiting for all four years of high school.”

Although Jones still has a semester left of high school before he gets to take part in college athletics, Windermere Prep alum and University of Tennessee freshman Lyndsey Huizenga is taking in her first year on the university’s swim team.

Before arriving to Tennessee, Huizenga dealt with the same process of recruiting Jones endured.

“You’re still trying to challenge yourself academically and athletically — you have to keep both of those up in order to be recruited — but you also have (to) figure out where you can see yourself spending the next four years,” Huizenga said. “It’s always a process you’re thinking about, because you can’t wait until the last minute to do it or your time is gone.”

Going to Windermere Prep helped her through the process and prepared her well for college, but she knew things would be challenging — both academically and athletically — at Tennessee, Huizenga said.

School-wise, the workload is heavier, and as an athlete, there

“It really takes a lot of self grit to wake up every morning at 5:30 and jump in the pool. You have to really invest yourself and not only buy into it, but really just love what you’re doing.”

— Lyndsey Huizenga

are mandatory study halls that have to be taken to keep students on track.

Luckily for athletes in the school, there are tons of resources — which for a freshman is always welcome, Huizenga said.

“One of the biggest stressors is just figuring out how the team works — the dynamics of the team,” Huizenga said. “‘How can I make an impact on the team, and how can I make the team the best it can be?’

“Being a freshman is nervewracking wherever you go, and I think being a student-athlete is even more so, because you have this team that you’re representing,” she said. “And you’re representing the college not at only a conference level, but at a national and international level.”

Being a student-athlete isn’t an easy job by any means, and that’s something Huizenga acknowledges, but she doesn’t secondguess her decision.

And if she could give a few words of advice to young, aspiring athletes looking to make it to the next level, she would send a simple — yet profound — message often repeated through both sports and life.

“Don’t give up,” Huizenga said.

“If you want something, you’re able to achieve it. If you want it that bad, you’ll achieve it. Don’t go south when it gets tough, because it will get tough.

“It really takes a lot of self grit to wake up every morning at 5:30 and jump in the pool,” she said.

“You have to really invest yourself and not only buy into it, but really just love what you’re doing.”

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Social workers offer help to OCPS students From mental health to the daily stresses of life, high school social workers provide support to students in need.

The daily grind of being a high school student can take its toll physically, mentally and emotionally.

The stress of keeping up one’s grades or dealing with peer pressure is there at all times, not to mention all the non-school related stressors that can arise.

With all those possible factors into place, it’s no surprise some students see their grades — and personal well-being — take a hit, and that’s why the leaders at Orange County Public Schools set out to helps students by placing a full-time social worker in every high school in the county.

Before the move by OCPS, a single social worker served multiple school. Now, each school has its own.

“The presence of a social worker at schools is critical,” Olympia High school social worker Megan Peralta said. “Students need to know there is someone on campus who they can express their deepest thoughts with and not be judged for it. Students need to know that someone genuinely cares about their well-being.

“Once a relationship is formed between a social worker and student, the results of the student that the social worker is able to notice is extraordinary,” she said.

Peralta has worked as a child protective investigator — inves-

tigating allegations of abuse, neglect and maltreatment — and victim advocate. She also served as a social worker at a hospice facility.

The varied nature of her background is perfect for her role at Olympia. Each student who walks through her door is unique and brings his or her own specific situation.

“Within the time that I have been working in the field of social work, I have learned that there is never going to be a daily routine,” Peralta said. “And if there is, it is hard to commit to. No day is the same — this continues to hold true with my position as a high school social worker. Each day holds something new.”

The same holds true for Valerie

Homidas — Ocoee High School’s social worker.

“Our ‘routines’ vary based on the needs of our students,” Homidas said. “We can come in and plan certain tasks, but if and when a crisis occurs, we stop and prioritize that student’s needs as No. 1 due to it requiring immediate attention.”

Avoiding crises is ultimately one of the most important jobs for social workers at high schools around the county — and around the country — and the best way of avoiding them is early prevention. By understanding the underlying cause, social workers can work with students in different ways.

When students are sent to social workers such as Peralta

and Homidas it’s usually because they are struggling behaviorally, emotionally or posing a threat to themselves or others. Once they’re in the social worker’s office, that’s when the talking begins — which can be difficult for many students, Peralta said.

“In general, I find that common problems that many students have are being able to explain what they are actually feeling and their behaviors,” Peralta said. “Initially, students feel that if they disclose the wrong thing, they’ll get into trouble and their parent/guardian will be told. Once I explain my role and the confidentiality piece, they often find themselves feeling more relaxed to speak with me. However, I am sure to inform them that I am required to break confidentiality if they are to disclose harming themselves or others.”

During the sessions, social workers have the chance to sit down and get to know the students — and better understand what is causing issues.

Often, there is not one single cause that prevails, Homidas said.

“The common problems that I

come across are students that do not have a healthy and positive support system,” Homidas said.

“Many students do their best in school, but also have to face personal difficulties, undiagnosed mental illnesses and trauma that they should not have to cope with alone.”

From there, social workers can work with not only the students but also with parents and others to address the problem and work toward solutions.

Sometimes Peralta asks students to practice breathing exercises they can use during a stressful time as a way of collecting themselves. She does her best to educate parents on her role and responsibilities.

Although there is no panacea when it comes to mental health, social workers such as Peralta and Homidas are focused on offering students a place where they can get the help that they need.

“I aim for progress — not perfection,” Homidas said. “I focus on the positive behaviors that a student displays — figure out what motivates them as an individual.”

“Our ‘routines’ vary based on the needs of our students. We can come in and plan certain tasks, but if and when a crisis occurs we stop and prioritize that student’s needs as number one due to it requiring immediate attention.”

— Valerie Homidas, Ocoee High School social worker

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TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

HEALTH MATTERS

HEALTH CALENDAR

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OrangeObserver.com

DECEMBER 2019

FRIDAY, DEC. 6

CAR SEAT CLASSES 9 a.m. to noon Friday, Dec. 6, at Health Start Coalition of Orange County’s Ocoee Service Center, 475 W. Story Road, Suite 1, Ocoee.

Three out of four car seats are installed incorrectly. In the Safe Ride 4 Babies car seat class, attendees will learn how to properly install a car seat in an instructional class setting. The second portion of the class is spent outside actually installing the car seat into your car. The class costs $30, and you will receive a convertible car seat valued at $90. For more, visit healthystartorange.org.

STORIES AND STRETCHES 10:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 6, at the Southwest Branch Library, 7255 Della Drive, Orlando. Calling all little yogis and wiggleworms! Join the library for a special movement storytime focusing on motor development that is filled with stories, songs and fun. Recommended for toddlers and preschoolers.

(407) 835-7323.

MONDAY, DEC. 9

FAMILY YOGA 10:30 a.m. Mondays, Dec. 9, 16 and 23, and Feb. 10, 17 and 24, at the Winter Garden Branch Library, 805 E. Plant St., Winter Garden.

Join us for family yoga, geared toward preschoolers, school-age children and their caregivers. Mats will be available. (407) 835-7323.

TUESDAY, DEC. 10

MALL WALKERS BREAKFAST 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10, at the West Oaks Mall, 9401 W. Colonial Drive, Ocoee. Join friends and make new ones at the monthly Mall Walkers Breakfast. It’s always free with group activities and updates to celebrate your walking success with team members from Healthy West Orange, Orlando Health — Health Central Hospital and the YMCA. For more, visit healthywestorange.org.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 11

NATURE WALK BOOK CLUB 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11, at the Southwest Branch Library, 7255 Della Drive, Orlando. Do you enjoy taking a walk and love to discuss books? Join the Southwest Library for a casual walk followed by a lively discussion of the book “The Orchid Thief” by Susan Orlean.

Attendees are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing and shoes.

Light refreshments provided. Meet at the Southwest Library for carpool to a local park walking trail.

Registration required. For ages 18 and older. In case of inclement weather, contact southwest@ocls. info or call (407) 835-7323.

MONDAY, DEC. 16

RESEARCHING YOUR HEALTH ONLINE 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 16, at the Center for Health Improvement, 17000 Porter Road, Suite 204, Winter Garden. Discover how to safely research your health online. Learn how to find safe and accurate health information written with the patient and/or caregiver in mind. Reserve your seat at (407) 407-3046.

SATURDAY, DEC. 21

AGELESS GRACE: TIMELESS FITNESS FOR THE BODY AND BRAIN 2:30 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, at the Southwest Branch Library, 7255 Della Drive, Orlando. Experience simple, playful exercise based on the science of neuroplasticity. Learn tools that work your brain and body. Led by certified Ageless Grace educators.

Registration required. For ages 18 and older. For more information, call (407) 835-7323.

HOLISTIC EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE LIVE: 12 HOURS OF PURE ENERGY 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, at the Sheraton Vistana Villages, 12401 International Drive, Orlando.

Learn holistic emotional intelligence and experience energy modalities. (407) 760-1699.

FRIDAY, JAN. 3, 2020

STORIES AND STRETCHES 10:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 3, 2020, at the Southwest Branch Library, 7255 Della Drive, Orlando. Calling all little yogis and wiggleworms!

Join the library for a special movement storytime focusing on motor development that is filled with stories, songs and fun. Recommended for toddlers and preschoolers.

(407) 835-7323.

MONDAY, JAN. 6

DIY 365 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 6, at the Winter Garden Branch Library, 805 E. Plant St., Winter Garden. Create your own personal calendar with 365 ideas to keep you happy, healthy and active the entire year.

Recommended for tweens and teens. (407) 835-7323.

TUESDAY, JAN. 7

MINDFULNESS MEDITATION 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7, at the Southwest Branch Library, 7255 Della Drive, Orlando. Promote well-being through mindfulness meditation. Develop abilities to cope with stress and anxiety, and promote well-being through mindfulness meditation. Meditation coach Lucia Beninati has practiced mediation for several years. For beginners to advanced; ages 13 and up. Registration preferred; walk-ins welcome. Chairs provided. (407) 835-7323.

MONDAY, JAN. 13

SEEING 20/20 IN 2020 3:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 13, at the Southwest Branch Library, 7255 Della Drive, Orlando. Don’t be blindsided in the new year! Create a clear picture for where you want to go with a vision board. Recommended for tweens and teens.

(407) 835-7323.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 15

NATURE WALK BOOK CLUB 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15, at the Southwest Branch Library, 7255 Della Drive, Orlando. Do you enjoy taking a walk and love to discuss books? Join the Southwest Library for a casual walk followed by a lively discussion of the book “The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek” by Kim Michele Richardson. Attendees are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing and shoes. Light refreshments provided. Meet at the Southwest Library for carpool to a local park walking trail. Registration required. For ages 18 and older. In case of inclement weather, contact southwest@ocls.info or call (407) 835-7323.

THURSDAY, JAN. 16

FANTASTIC FAMILY FITNESS FIASCO 4 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, at the Windermere Branch Library, 530 Main St., Windermere. Get moving and work together with your family to complete challenges and have fun. Recommended for families. (407) 835-7323.

MOVE LIKE THE ANIMALS 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, at the Winter Garden Branch Library, 805 E. Plant St., Winter Garden.

Can you hop like a frog? Waddle like a penguin? Run like a cheetah? See if you can move like the animals do! Recommended for toddlers and preschoolers. (407) 835-7323.

THURSDAY, JAN. 30

GERMS, GERMS GO AWAY! 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 30, at the Windermere Branch Library, 530 Main St., Windermere. Wash, wash, wash your hands, soap will make them clean.

Scrub the germs until they come off to make them nice and clean. Recommended for toddlers and preschoolers. (407) 835-7323.

TUESDAY, JAN. 21

ZOO ZEN 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21, at the Winter Garden Branch Library, 805 E. Plant St., Winter Garden.

It’s time for an introduction to yoga with zoo animals and friends!

Learn fun movements as you go on a wild and magical journey full of movement and stories. Recommended for preschoolers. (407) 835-7323.

FRIDAY, JAN. 24

ZOO ZEN 10:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 24, at the Southwest Branch Library, 7255 Della Drive, Orlando. It’s time for an introduction to yoga with zoo animals and friends! Learn fun movements as you go on a wild and magical journey full of movement and stories. Recommended for preschoolers. (407) 835-7323.

SATURDAY, JAN. 25

FEELING GOOD 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, at the Winter Garden Branch Library, 805 E. Plant St., Winter Garden.

Learn some chill skills with selfcalming techniques, tips and tricks. Recommended for lower and upper elementary. (407) 8357323.

MONDAY, JAN. 27

HEALTHY LIVING FOR YOUR BRAIN AND BODY 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 27, at the Winter Garden Branch Library, 805 E. Plant St., Winter Garden. Join the Alzheimer’s Association to learn about research in the areas of diet, cognitive activity and more, with hands-on tools to incorporate these recommendations into a plan for healthy aging. (407) 8357323.

THURSDAY, JAN. 30

FUEL, FUN, FITNESS 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan., 30, at the Windermere Branch Library, 530 Main St., Windermere. What are the best foods to eat to fuel your body before a fun workout?

Get ready, eat a snack and get active. Recommended for lower and upper elementary. (407) 8357323.

TUESDAY, FEB. 4

CAR SEAT SAFETY 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4, at the Windermere Branch Library, 530 Main St., Windermere. Certified technicians from Safe Kids Orange County will be available to check car seats on a first-come, first-served basis. (407) 835-7323.

TUESDAY, FEB. 18

QIGONG MOVEMENT AND BREATHING 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18, at the Southwest Branch Library, 7255 Della Drive, Orlando. (407) 835-7323.

CLASSES & GROUPS

AUTISM GYM PROGRAM 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. Tuesdays at the Jim Beech Recreation Center, 1820 A D Mims Road, Ocoee. It is open to all ages and disabilities.

Any family member is welcome. It is an open gym night so kids of all ages can run, jump and play while the parents talk and relax. For more, visit ocoee.org/155/YouthPrograms.

50+ EXERCISE CLASS 10 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 4851 S. Apopka-Vineland Road, Orlando. For more, visit st.lukes.org/sports, email sports@ st.lukes.org.

ALZHEIMER’S & DEMENTIA SUPPORT 6 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month at Health Central Hospital, 10000 W. Colonial Drive, Ocoee.

For more, call (407) 843-1910.

CHAIR EXERCISE 8:45 a.m. Tuesdays at the Tom Ison Seniors and Veterans Center, 1701 Adair St., Ocoee. This program is through the West Orange Seniors organization. Teresa or Mike Varela, (407) 592-4498.

CHAIR/STRETCH EXERCISE 8:45 a.m. Fridays at the Tom Ison Seniors and Veterans Center, 1701 Adair St., Ocoee. This program is through the West Orange Seniors organization. Teresa or Mike Varela, (407) 592-4498.

FLOW YOGA Noon to 1 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays and 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Center for Health Improvement, 17000 Porter Road, Suite 204, Winter Garden. This free program focusing on breath, body and movement. Open to the community. (407) 407-3046.

GENTLE YOGA 7:15 p.m. Tuesdays at the Jessie Brock Community Center, 310 N. Dillard St., Winter Garden. The next session begins June 5. This class is great for beginners or anyone that wants to learn the basics of yoga. Cost is $9 for residents or $10 for non-residents per class; or $32 for residents and $36 for nonresidents per four-week session.

For more, call (407) 656-4155.

LINE DANCING 10 a.m. Tuesdays at the Tom Ison Seniors and Veterans Center, 1701 Adair St., Ocoee. This program is through the West Orange Seniors organization. Teresa or Mike Varela, (407) 592-4498.

HEALTH MATTERS

OrangeObserver.com

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DECEMBER 2019

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Advertorial

WHY CONSIDER BARIATRIC SURGERY?

Your doctor can help you determine if you are obese. If you are, what then?

Following a strict diet and exercise regimen is an uphill battle for most people. Up to 95 percent of all people more than 100 pounds overweight will be unsuccessful at losing weight and maintaining that weight loss for the next five years.

Weight loss surgery — also known as bariatric surgery — has a much higher success rate. Studies show that patients lose more than 70 percent of their excess weight 12 months following bariatric surgery and maintain an average of 50 percent of their weight loss five years post-surgery.

Furthermore, bariatric patients benefit by a 30–40 percent decreased risk of death from all obesity-related conditions, with significant less risk of dying from breast and colon cancer, heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Bariatric surgery also helps improve a number of other obesity-related conditions, including high blood pressure, sleep apnea, joint problems and acid reflux.

Choosing a Bariatric Surgery Center If you’re interested in pursuing bariatric surgery, it’s important to choose a facility with extensive experience performing weight loss procedures.

The bariatric program at Orlando Health – Health Central Hospital recently received accreditation as a Comprehensive Center under the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP®), a joint program of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS).

“The accreditation recognizes the quality care our team delivers,” says Dr. Wiljon Beltre, bariatric surgeon and medical director of the bariatric program at Orlando Health – Health Central.

The bariatric team at Orlando Health – Health Central includes surgeons, nurses, registered dietitians and other medical professionals with specialized training to support patients through every step of their weight loss trans-

Are You a Candidate for Weight Loss Surgery?

formation. For example, each patient works with a nutritionist to learn what their body needs before, during and after weight loss surgery. Support includes meal planning and guidance on vitamin and mineral supplementation. Ongoing care following surgery includes physician checkups and monthly support groups to encourage healthy eating habits, exercise and other lifestyle changes.

Bariatric surgery is suitable for individuals who meet the following criteria: You are 18 years of age or older.

You are more than 100 pounds overweight (or have a body mass index of 35–65) and suffer two serious health problems (such as diabetes, high blood pressure or sleep apnea) as a result.

You have been at this level of obesity for at least two years.

You have been unsuccessful trying to lose weight and maintain weight loss from diet programs.

Bariatric surgeons at Orlando Health – Health Central are skilled in performing minimally invasive, laparoscopic and robotic weight loss surgery, including several different types of gastric bypass surgery. They can even help patients who have had previous bariatric surgery with revision or conversion procedures.

“Not only are we focused on excellent clinical results in the surgical procedures we currently perform, we review outcomes, and explore opportunities through clinical research and other continuous improvement efforts, for even better outcomes and potential new surgical options for patients,” says Dr. Beltre.

“Weight loss surgery isn’t only about the numbers on the scale,” says Dr. Beltre.

“Weight loss surgery can end diabetes in as little as two days. In addition, high blood pressure and high cholesterol can also go away for patients. Weight loss surgery is about becoming a healthier person as a whole – being aware of health, living better and doing things once unable to do.”

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If you struggle with being overweight, you’re not alone. Approximately 40 percent of adults in the United States are affected by obesity, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A person is considered obese if they are more than 20 percent over their ideal weight or have a body mass index of 30 and above.

For more information about bariatric surgery at Orlando Health – Health Central, visit OrlandoHealth.com/HealthCentralWeightLoss.

AN ACCREDITED BARIATRIC PROGRAM FOR

WEIGHT LOSS SUCCESS. Looking to lose weight and keep it off? The bariatric program at Orlando Health – Health Central Hospital offers comprehensive weight-loss solutions, including minimally invasive surgical options, to ensure you achieve and maintain the results you want.

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OrlandoHealth.com/HealthCentralHospital

Proud to be an MBSAQIP Accredited Center

HEALTH MATTERS

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OrangeObserver.com

DECEMBER 2019

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Every story and every photo we publish in print and online is truly local.

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