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DecemberOct. 2010 2005. •Issue Issue No. No. 76 24 News of Hamaspik Agencies and General Health The Joys of Summer Hamaspik wraps up sunny season with range of activities

Don’t you wish it could go on Briderheim coped with the signifi- swimming pool. What made the deftly accommodated. Using non- ramps into the special pool, where forever? After all, who doesn’t like cant summer heat one hot day by swim unique was the fact that electric equipment, the consumers they splashed in the cool water, endlessly balmy days, blue skies and enjoying a refreshing dip at a local wheelchair-bound consumers were were rolled down disabled-access Direct Care Workers standing by. that upbeat, hopeful atmosphere? Up north at Hamaspik of Orange Still, summer eventually winds County’s Day Hab program, con- down too, as seasons go. But as it sumers thrilled to a carnival-themed did, Hamaspik staffers ensured that afternoon at which they tried their their charges all across the agency’s hands at a number of amusing game group homes, Day Habs and other booths set up by ever-creative staff. programs maximized the season’s Other summer activities included waning days to their fullest. strolling among the shady trees of Wannamaker Briderheim resi- Warwick State Park, creating Jewish dents became “WannaBAKERS” New Year’s cards to be sent to par- one fine summer day, joked Home ents, and even visiting the famous Manager Moshe Tamber in an e-mail Sam Ash music superstore, where to the Gazette’s offices. Attached to more musically-inclined consumers the e-mail were several photos of took up various instruments for an “his boys” decked out in profession- impromptu jam session as helpful al kitchen get-ups, hats, aprons and store staff stood by. all, as they measured, mixed and The residents of the Seven baked the ingredients of what soon Springs Shvesterheim packed a became oven-fresh honey cake, then wealth of activity into their summer enjoying their personal culinary since the Gazette’s last summer- handiwork. activity report, Home Manager Mrs. The Wannamaker residents later Heilbrun tells the newsletter. These wrapped up their summer with a get- celebrations of summer included away to a Catskills bungalow several visits to regional malls, trips colony, where they spend a few days to Splashdown Water Park and Rye imbibing the fresh countryside air. Continued on Page E12 Residents at the 61st St. Signs of life: Picture-perfect Grandview IRA consumers at Six Flags Wild Safari

Backpacks and bugs INSIDE A parents’ guide to back-to-school ABCs * If you’re like most parents, Backpack safety In early August, the MCGHealth • Load the heaviest books and Home Care you’re getting your kids acclimated Children’s Medical Center in items first—they need the most body House Calls — E2 to the new school year nowadays— Is your son or daughter coming Augusta, Georgia sent out a press support. A loaded backpack mustn’t new backpacks, binders, buses and home carrying too heavy a load? release noting that about 6,000 weigh more than 15 percent of a all. Somehow we survived it all as No, I don’t mean the homework. As American kids get hurt by backpacks child’s body weight. * kids. Today, however, experts note strange as it may sound, packs actu- one way or another each year. • If Junior has to lean forward to Hamaspik on that there are ways to do even the ally can be too heavy for juvenile Children’s Medical Center occupa- carry his pack, it’s too heavy. back-to-school basics right. backs. tional therapist Linda Rhodes has the • Use both shoulder straps! the Blessed Isle — E3 following suggestions for keeping Slinging the pack over one shoulder your kid from becoming a backpack may be more convenient when dash- * statistic: ing out the door to make the bus— HAMASPIK GAZETTE Non Profit Org. • Get a backpack that doesn’t but it puts too much strain on one Public Health and Published and © Copyright Sep. 2010 by: US Postage weigh much in the first place. side of the back and upper body, PAID HAMASPIK 58 Rt. 59 Suite 1 Monsey NY 10952 • A backpack with a padded which can lead to more problems. Policy — E8, E9 PTEX GROUP Telephone: (845) 503-0212 / Fax (845) 503-1212 back will keep those sharp-tipped • Straps should be snug but not pencils or pokey-cornered rulers too tight. * from quite literally stabbing your kid • If a backpack has a waist What’s Happening In in the back. Shoulder straps should strap, use it to help better support the be padded too. load. Your Health — E12 • The right backpack should cover no more than three-quarters of Continued on Page E12 the length of your child’s back. Three Years of Life Hamaspik mourns passing of 61st St. Briderheim consumer Alter Wagschal, 21

Alter Wagschal packed at least their son and sibling. They did he had arrived, there was a side to two lifetimes into his 21 years. everything they could. Days turned Alter that would not surrender, that Born a healthy, precocious child, into weeks, then months and eventu- illness could never touch. His soul young Alter grew up in ally years. shone through on many an occasion Williamsburg in wide-eyed wonder At 18, Alter was joyously and and his mind would not infrequently of his illustrious ancestors, extolling lovingly embraced by the 61st St. burst into functional flame. their praises even as a young boy of Briderheim, where he became a resi- Staffers witnessed these precious seven. Then tragedy struck. dent shortly over three years ago. moments mostly through Alter’s A major surgical procedure to Home Manager David Mizrahi ever-witty spontaneity, displays of remove a brain tumor went wrong, points out that on the Hebrew calen- bracing cognition that defied stereo- leaving the little boy permanently dar, his day of arrival and day of types and kept his Direct Care brain-damaged, his pleasant person- departure were one and the same. Workers ever alert. “He had a sense ality and probing mind forever We don’t know G-d’s reckonings, he of humor,” recalls Mizrahi. No mat- scarred. Things would never be the says, but Alter clearly was sent to us ter how difficult it was, everyone felt same. for a reason. good working with him, he adds. His stalwart father, the respected For three years, Alter would live “We were able to connect with him.” Lantzhuter Ruv (Yiddish for rabbi of a better life, and arguably his third An employee at Hamaspik of Williamsburg’s Lantzhut Synagogue life. Though he had endured over 11 Kings County’s Day Hab program, community), as well as doting moth- years of agonizing, body-wracking which Alter had begun attending two er and loving family, rallied around results of his condition by the time months ago, once compared Alter to honey, saying how “sweet” he was. Despite his burdensome bodily A group home grieves: The 61st St. Briderheim restraints, Alter kept his soul aloft by regularly engaging in religious stud- father and mother arrived. There Day Hab staffers. “They did amaz- A Consumer’s Voice ies. He knew the name of every was little more they could do, they ing things for him,” he says. “A lot book in the Mishnah and could con- said. Surrounding Alter’s bed, the of credit goes to them too.” Hamaspik of Kings County staffer stantly be found bedecked with Wagschals, Hamaspik staff members Word of Alter’s passing quickly headphones, imbibing recorded and Hatzalah volunteers—all the rippled across the OPWDD commu- speaks up for consumer who cannot Torah study classes. family the young man had ever nity, generating genuine grief in * known—solemnly intoned Nishmas many quarters. “We were surprised Indefatigable Hamaspik of bols for such common phrases like In the wee post-midnight hours Kol Chai: “the soul of every life and saddened to learn of your loss,” Kings County MSC Julie “I want,” “juice” and “please.” of Sunday morning, August 15, shall bless Your name.” Then they wrote OPWDD leaders Dr. Ann Bergmann is a real trouper. She’s “It’s a way for her to get her Mizrahi got an ominous call from stepped back. Troy, Ph.D., Dr. Jill Pettinger, Ph.D., weathered more than her fair share wants and needs across,” Bergmann the IRA’s overnight staff. * and Kathy Keating in a letter to of personal adversity—which is explains. Something was happening, they After the funeral, sitting at home 61st’s staff. “You have all worked exactly what’s behind an ever- And indeed it was, facilitating said. Come quick. during the traditional Shivah mourn- so hard, and with such dedication, to cheerful countenance and an inde- enhanced communication from the Mizrahi showed up shortly. The ing period, a father repeatedly give Alter a good quality of life... structible drive to obliterate adver- get-go. “The communication board staff nurse was already on the scene, expressed gratitude for everything a Thank you for your devoted care, sity in the lives of others. was a success!!!” Bergmann as were members of Hatzalah, the group home, and its manager, did for and your welcoming spirit.” So when a young adult con- beamed in a follow-up e-mail to the community volunteer-ambulance a son who became one of their own. Alter Yitzchok Wagschal will be sumer, a severely autistic and non- Gazette. “The individual recog- corps. Alter had suffered a wither- For their part, Hamaspik’s staff most remembered for his smile and verbal student attending Boston’s nized it right away and asked for ing heart attack. is “trying to recover,” says Mizrahi. his sense of humor, laments Mizrahi. famed Higashi School, took up cookies.” It was 3:00 a.m. when the nurse “It’s very hard for us.” “We called him the Lantzhuter lodging at a Hamaspik Respite But that’s just the beginning of told Mizrahi to call Rabbi and Mrs. Mizrahi cites the devotion of Rebbe of Borough Park,” he remem- Provider home in Brooklyn during the unstoppable MSC’s plans for Wagschal. Alter’s two assigned Direct Care bers. “He was always asking to be.” a school break in early August, her beloved young charge. Hatzalah paramedics and EMTs Workers, David Preisler and May his memory be a blessing. Bergmann swung into action. “As the school year begins, I were still working on Alter when Avraham Horowitz, as well as the Bergmann knew that the foster will be in contact with the school to family, lovingly caring and atten- see what other adaptive devices she tively responsible though they uses there and whether they will be were, did not communicate with useful in a home setting,” their beloved charge—simply Bergmann reports. “I will also Home Improvement, because they couldn’t. And that begin the process of acquiring the was something she was determined communication board for her regu- to change. “I want[ed] it to be lar home use rather than getting a Life Improvement more of a relationship,” she loaner for the next school break.” asserts—something that every child In the meantime, thanks to her Hamaspik Home Care and Fidelis team up for minor deserves, and certainly a child with advocacy, Higashi will be sending special needs. Bergman the picture boards used home, and health, maintenance After a single, precisely-target- for all students, including the con- ed phone call, the fabulous folks at sumer—items whose familiarity Hamaspik’s comprehensive new sumers’ ongoing health. maintenance: replacing old doors, United Cerebral Palsy provided will improve communication Home Care division provides the After all, what good is a daily installing handrails, fixing broken or Bergmann a loaner communications between consumer and caregivers. broadest range of home-based short- nursing visit while one recovers drafty windows or otherwise coun- device specifically designed for Autistic individuals are sticklers for term and long-term care services to from serious respiratory illness when teracting common signs of wear and autistic individuals. unchanging environments—a fact qualifying consumers. a broken window admits the same tear—all to help maintain con- “It’s my second time dealing that can be used to their therapeutic But did you know that Home dangerous draft that can re-infect sumers’ level of mobility and com- with them for my kids,” the folksy advantage. The boards include one Care can care for your home too? vulnerable lungs? fort in their primary residences. Midwesterner (Bergmann is a filled with food-related symbols The Home Care program Besides offering standard health The program rounds out Kansas native) matter-of-factly and another for recreation-related includes such staples as occupational care, Fidelis also provides recipients Hamaspik Home Care’s plethora of states. “I call my clients my kids.” communication. therapy, physical therapy and all lev- with its wide-ranging Long-Term home-care accommodations, which The communications device, “Everyone needs to get their els of “in-house” professional nurs- Care program. This in turn includes include, besides all the abovemen- Bergmann explains to the Gazette, needs across,” notes Bergmann. ing care—things consumers need for the new Social and Environmental tioned services, case management, is basically an electronic touch sur- And everyone who must get ongoing health. Supports service. nutrition therapy, social work and face with interchangeable, clip- needs across but can’t, needs a But, through Hamaspik’s part- Through offering the Social and even feeding therapy. board-sized picture boards. The voice—which is exactly why Julie nership with Fidelis Care, the Environmental Supports service Hamaspik is authorized to pro- device allows non-verbal autistics Bergmann, and Hamaspik, do what regional managed-care insurance (and the entire Fidelis Long-Term vide the Fidelis program throughout to communicate by tapping sym- they do. giant, the agency can now also tend Care program), Hamaspik’s Home the Hudson Valley region. to things that homes need for con- Care can now perform minor home

E2 Oct. ‘10 | Hamaspik Gazette Music as Medicine Hamaspik’s annual consumer concert set to motivate hearts, stimulate souls

The young man reeled and out for the afternoon. A large, bopped to the beat, microphone in roomy sukkah will also be erected hand, all while the crowd clapped, on the premises for Hamaspik com- stage lights flashed and drums thun- munity-member use. dered. Consumers and Direct Care Then the singer resumed his Workers will be brought to the excit- vocals. ing event in their familiar Hamaspik The former was, after all, not a transportation vehicles, while attend- featured performer but rather, one of ing family members will be bused in the participating, and patently on special charter runs from the thrilled, Hamaspik consumers. And Monroe and Monsey regions. the event in question was not just Under the diligent eye of long- another concert but last year’s annu- time Hamaspik Project Coordinator al live musical get-together for con- Brenda Katina, last-minute prepara- sumers and their families come tions were underway as the Gazette Sukkos, long a staple of Hamaspik went to print. As always, the roster community outreach programming. of performers remains a surprise— The yearly event marks the fall- making the event’s excitement quo- season festival of Sukkos, the tient, and therapeutic value, even Biblically-mandated “Feast of higher. Booths” themed with an upbeat Music’s unique qualities include atmosphere as much as it is with its ability to stir minds and trigger makeshift outdoor huts. memories. At the Hamaspik concert, Music is very much a part of the however, at least two more will join Hamaspik consumer’s daily life, The moment of the spirit: At last year’s concert, two consumers revel as Berry Weber sings the list: the opening of hearts and the with respectable sound systems in stimulation of souls—a free-flowing place, and in robust use, at most Werdyger. Ageless children’s enter- tributed as well. The concert is scheduled for river of emotion and spirit sure to Hamaspik consumer residences and tainer Uncle Moishy has lent his Additionally, universally loved Sunday, September 26, 2010 at the warm the hearts of consumers, fami- Day Hab centers. Studies have long educational, uplifting presence in Jewish-radio personality Nachum centrally located New Utrecht High ly members and caregivers alike demonstrated the numerous mental, years past, and the popular Miami Segal, an institution in Jewish music School in central Brooklyn, whose well into the winter. emotional and physical health bene- Boys Choir, Yeshiva Boys Choir and for over two decades, has emceed ample and disabled-accessible audi- Stay tuned! fits to individuals of all ages of the Temimim Boys Choirs have con- the concert in years past. torium is being exclusively rented organized audio stimulation known as music. Medical scrutiny notwithstand- ing, the annual concert—which has Making the Long Island Connection been held for the past few years—is anything but a dry exercise in listen- ing. Consumers and their families Hamaspik expertise, reputation tapped to serve Long Island DDSO consumers are encouraged to sing and clap along throughout, turning the sizable If you’ve made it to Long Island, exactingly-delivered Nursing Home five, Hamaspik of Kings County entity, the OPWDD, on a different audience into a veritable part of the then you’ve really made it. Transition/Diversion (NHTD) serv- Executive Director Joel Freund Long Island front: providing performance. Healthy, refreshed In the American imagination, ices to Long Island consumers in informs the Gazette. Medicaid Service Coordination serv- smiles break out everywhere. “the Blessed Isle” otherwise known numerous communities, including Hamaspik’s excellent working ices on Long Island. Most importantly, though, and as Long Island is broadly perceived Bay Shore, Jericho, Medford, relationship with the Long Island The application to provide serv- central to the event’s therapeutic as the pinnacle of success, the high- Melville and Oakdale. RRDC actually began through mutu- ices in the Long Island DDSO thrill, consumers are lovingly est rung in the social ladder, the The NHTD program is under the al public-sector peers: the capable region was begun in late 2009 and brought to the stage in ones and twos place to live. auspices of the state’s Dept. of leadership of New York City’s completed its lengthy process this by their Direct Care Workers For generations, the island has Health (DOH). Like the statewide RRDC. past July. throughout the concert, where they symbolized the apex of the Office for People with The minor saga unfolded like Working with the Long Island endlessly beam and exult in the cen- American Dream. Its southern-coast Developmental Disabilities this: A Long Island consumer need- DDSO was a pleasant experience, ter-stage limelight while lustily reaches, a collection of hamlets (OPWDD) and its regional ed E-Mods. At the time, Hamaspik according to Hamaspik of Kings cheered on by family members—and known as the Hamptons, are infor- Developmental Disabilities Services was the sole E-Mods-providing vol- County MSC Julie Bergmann. They perhaps even try a number or two mally dubbed “the playground of the Offices, or DDSOs, the DOH dele- untary agency in the entire New were “very accommodating to help along with the concert’s accommo- rich,” where sprawling estates span gates its jurisdiction to Regional York City. (Hamaspik currently everything happen,” she says. dating and sensitive singers. More endless acres. A multitude of afflu- Resource Development Centers, or remains the only E-Mods voluntary Bergmann particularly notes the than a few dance. ent suburbs speckle its lengthy RRDCs, covering the entire state. provider serving Staten Island.) efforts of Regional Coordinator Community-minded performers expanse. The goal of NHTD is to transi- Long Island RRDC staffers needed MSC Thelma Consenstein, the offi- in past years have included such But now, Long Island can also tion consumers back to their own an E-Mods-provider voluntary cial responsible for new-agency popular folk stars as Mordechai Ben be known for an agency that, like its homes upon leaving hospitals or agency for the consumer in question. authorizations, as well as adminis- David, Dovid Gabay, Michoel fabled achievers, doesn’t settle for nursing-homes, or divert them home They contacted the New York City trator Joanne Danner, who handles Pruzansky, Lipa Schmeltzer, second-best: Hamaspik. and away from nursing homes in the RRDC. And the New York City that DDSO’s Waiver programs. Michoel Schnitzler, Yosef Chaim For the past year, Hamaspik of first place. It does this by providing RRDC, familiar with Hamaspik and “She was very helpful,” says Shwekey, Berry Weber and Yeedle Kings County has been providing several basic but critical services, its standards of quality, referred the Bergmann of Danner. “She gave including Environmental agency. everyone else a heads-up that I Modification Services, or E-Mods; As a result, Long Island con- would be calling.” Bergmann like- Moving Assistance (MA); Assistive sumers have been getting the wheel- wise reports an effective exchange Technology (AT) like motorized chair ramps, lifts, and other handi- with now-retiring Long Island wheelchairs; and Community capped-accessible improvements DDSO Director Jill McGinn. Transitional Services (CTS), which that are part and parcel of E-Mods Like living on the Blessed Isle covers first-month apartment rent for 12 months now. Hamaspik’s E- itself, Long Islanders receiving and furnishing expenses for “gradu- mods program provides home con- Hamaspik MSC services live a bet- ating” nursing-home residents. tracting services to individuals with ter life. The same is true for Long The aforementioned four are physical challenges—and all with Island’s newest NHTD beneficiaries. those provided by Hamaspik to its the uncompromising Hamaspik Like the public programs that bene- Long Island consumers; the agency touch. fit them—and the voluntary agency is authorized to provide specific At the same time, Hamaspik that serves them—they’ve all finally Brooklyn consumers with another joined forces with a different state made the Long Island connection. Flying high: A concert-going consumer jumps for joy

Hamaspik Gazette | Oct. ‘10 E3 6

In the Know All about… Epilepsy

Reminiscent of the old word- begin as partial and then become or longer, or experiencing consecu- with association games we’d play as kids generalized. tive seizures without regaining con- cerebral palsy (“What word do you think when you sciousness between. Status epilepti- or other neurological abnormalities. hear the word “vacation?”), when Partial seizures cus creates the heightened risk of Epilepsy can also be associated with someone says “seizures!” most peo- When seizures seem to occur permanent brain damage or death. developmental disorders like Down ple think “convulsions!” due to abnormal activity in just one syndrome or autism. But while convulsions are part of the brain, they’re called par- Causes Age. The onset of epilepsy is tech always caused by seizures, seizures tial (or focal) seizures. These most common during early child- imag- don’t always cause convulsions. seizures fall into two subcategories. In about half of people with hood and after age 65, but the condi- ing Seizures, or episodes of abnor- Simple partial seizures. These epilepsy, the condition has no identi- tion can occur at any age. proce- mal electrical activity in the brain, seizures don’t result in loss of con- fiable cause. In the other half, the Gender. Men are slightly more dures like are the primary symptom of epilep- sciousness. They may change the condition may be traced to various at risk of developing epilepsy than MRI and sy, a common brain disorder—and way things look, smell, feel, taste or factors. are women. PET scans. they can take several forms, includ- sound, or alter emotions. They may Genetic influence. It’s likely Family history. If there is a his- ing some you probably never heard also cause involuntary jerking of that there’s a genetic influence tory of epilepsy in one’s family, a of: staring spells, confusion, or sim- various body parts, like an arm or because some types of epilepsy, person may be at an increased risk of ply passing out. Convulsions are leg, and spontaneous sensory symp- which are categorized by their type developing a seizure disorder. merely the most widely known (not toms like tingling, vertigo and flash- of seizure, run in families. Some to mention dramatic and dangerous) ing lights. types of epilepsy have been linked to Diagnoses of them all. Complex partial seizures. These specific genes. However, genes are About one in every 100 seizures alter consciousness, causing only part of the cause, because they If you or a loved one suffers a Electroencephalogram Americans will have an unexplained epileptics to lose awareness for short may make a person more susceptible seizure for the first time, go to the (EEG). This is the most com- seizure in their lifetime, as this time spans. Complex partial to environmental conditions that emergency room immediately, mon test to diagnose epilepsy. writer did in 1991. That doesn’t seizures often result in staring and trigger seizures. where hospital staff will determine An EEG records the brain’s electri- make you epileptic, though—it takes purposeless and/or repetitive move- Head trauma inflicted by a car, the most appropriate course of cal activity via electrodes attached to at least two seizures for an official ments like twitching, chewing, hand bicycle, motorcycle or skiing acci- immediate action, including several the scalp. Epilepsy commonly medical diagnosis of epilepsy. rubbing, swallowing or walking in dent, or other traumatic head injury, tests, depending on the patient’s changes the normal pattern of brain However, with proper medica- circles. including the aftereffects of brain symptoms and state at the time. The waves, even when one is not having tion-and, more importantly, proper surgery, can cause epilepsy. emergency room is especially criti- a seizure. A doctor may simultane- information-convulsions, and all Generalized seizures Medical disorders like strokes or cal for patients in whom conscious- ously monitor the patient on video symptoms of epilepsy, can be gener- Seizures that seem to occur heart attacks that result in brain ness or breathing does not resume while conducting an EEG to see ally be brought under control or because of abnormal activity across damage can also cause epilepsy. after the seizure ends, patients who what kind of seizures the patient is even eliminated altogether, allowing the entire brain are called general- Risk of such diseases can be reduced suffer a second immediate seizure, having in case one occurs during the sufferers to live as healthily, func- ized seizures. There are four types by eating healthily, exercising regu- diabetics, or patients who injured test. Because of that, the doctor may tionally and richly as possible. In of generalized seizures: larly, not smoking and reducing themselves during the seizure. want to do something to trigger a the meantime, here are the basics. Petit mal (or absence) seizures. alcohol intake. Up to one half of After discharge, the patient will seizure during the test, like having These seizures are characterized by epilepsy cases in people 65 and need to consult with a neurologist, the patient sleep very little the night Symptoms staring and subtle body movements, older are caused by strokes. and ideally, an epileptologist (a neu- before or look at flashing lights or and can cause brief losses of con- Dementia is also a cause of rologist specializing in epilepsy), for breathe rapidly while being tested. Epilepsy is caused by abnormal sciousness. epilepsy among older adults. a formal diagnosis and customized Behavioral and neurological electrical activity in brain cells. Myoclonic seizures. These Diseases like meningitis and plan of action. exams. A doctor may want to test Therefore, seizures can affect any seizures usually appear as sudden viral encephalitis, which inflame the The epileptologist or neurologist the patient’s motor abilities, behav- body function controlled by your jerks or twitches of arms and legs. brain or spinal cord, or brain tumors will need to eliminate a large num- ior and intellectual capacity to see brain. Common symptoms include Atonic seizures. Also known as can cause epilepsy. Diabetes, as ber of variables in the patient’s life how seizures may be affecting him temporary confusion, staring spells, drop attacks, these seizures cause well as various infections, may also so as to pinpoint the cause of the or her. uncontrollable jerking movements of loss of normal muscle tone and sud- be associated with epilepsy. seizures and treat them best. The Blood tests. Blood samples may the arms and legs, or complete loss den collapses or falls. Extended childhood seizures. patient or his/her guardians should be taken to check for signs of lead of consciousness. Grand mal (or tonic-clonic) High fevers in childhood can some- therefore come to the appointment poisoning, anemia, diabetes or infec- Symptoms depend on the type of seizures. These are most intense of times be associated with extended with as much background informa- tions, which can cause seizures. seizure. In most cases, a person with all seizures, characterized by body seizures and subsequent epilepsy tion as possible, including: a detailed Neuropsychological tests. This epilepsy will tend to have the same stiffening, shaking and jerking, loss later in life, especially for individu- seizure calendar (dates/times, type, group of tests, usually done as a sec- type of seizure each time, so the of consciousness, tongue biting, and als with epilepsy family histories. length and stress factors); list of ond round of more pinpoint testing symptoms will be similar from loss of bladder control. Developmental disorders or dis- medications, vitamins or supple- for seizures’ origin in the brain, episode to episode. abilities. The underlying cause of ments; and, of course, a list of ques- includes memory and speech assess- Doctors classify seizures as par- Status epilepticus cerebral palsy in newborn children, tions. ments and IQ tests. These tests are tial or generalized, depending on Status epilepticus refers to the brain damage, can also cause A number of tests are used to usually done before any epilepsy how the abnormal brain activity patient undergoing an unbroken seizures. About 20 percent of diagnose epilepsy, ranging from surgery, if and when called for. begins. In some cases, seizures can epilepsy episode lasting five minutes seizures in children are associated standard neurological exams to high-

E4 Oct. ‘10 | Hamaspik Gazette Computerized tomography (CT). become seizure-free with their first coordination, speech problems, Another form of neurosurgery, Patients experiencing their first medication. If regular medication depression, suicidal thoughts and vagus nerve stimulation, is not per- Health and sleep seizure may be given a CT scan at doesn’t work, other solutions, behaviors, changes in blood count or formed on the physical brain. Good overall health is always the emergency room. These high- including surgery, may be proposed. liver function, and inflammation of Instead, a small device is surgically critical, especially for individuals tech but widely used machines can the pancreas or other organs. implanted under the skin of the with epilepsy. As mentioned, smok- reveal brain abnormalities that might Medication For ideal seizure control: Take chest, and thin wires are wrapped ing, alcohol consumption and other be causing seizures, including bleed- Most epileptics can become medications exactly as prescribed around a nerve in the neck called the unhealthy vices are indirectly related ing, cysts and tumors. seizure-free with regular usage of (this writer didn’t, and had another vagus nerve. These wires connect to to epilepsy, so reduce or eliminate Magnetic resonance imaging just one anti-epileptic drug. Other grand mal seizure); never stop tak- the batter-powered device, which them altogether. Skipping meals (MRI). Like the CT scan but in far medications will not eliminate ing medications without telling doc- sends small amounts of electrical may make a seizure more likely to greater detail, the MRI machine can seizure but greatly decrease their tors; and always consult doctors signals to the vagus nerve and occur. Inadequate sleep is a major reveal brain abnormalities that could intensity and frequency. Over half before switching to generic versions beyond to the brain. The device trigger of seizures, so be sure you be causing seizures. of children with medication-con- of medications, taking other pre- counteracts the uncontrolled electri- get enough sleep regularly. Also, Functional MRI (fMRI). This trolled epilepsy can stop taking pills scription drugs, or taking over-the- cal brain activity of seizures, cutting patients should wear medical alert specialized use of the MRI machine and live seizure-free lives eventual- counter drugs or herbal remedies. them down by up to 40 percent. bracelets to inform emergency med- is typically called for before preci- ly. Many adults also can stop med- Also, notify the doctor immediately Still, vagus nerve stimulation is ical personnel how to best treat them sion brain surgery. It measures ication after two or more seizure- if you notice new or increased feel- generally only done for severe cases, in case of seizure. changes in brain blood flow that free years. ings of depression, suicidal thoughts and most patients with these occur when specific parts of the However, finding the medication or unusual mood or behavior. implants still need to remain on pre- Summary—living brain are working. This identifies and dosage that works best can be scription drugs. Vagus nerve stimu- with epilepsy exact locations of critical functions, complex and time-consuming, span- Surgery lation can also produce such side like speech, so that surgeons don’t ning months. (This writer recalls Surgery is most commonly done effects like shortness of breath, Because epileptics can have injure those places while operating. starting on Dilantin, switching to when tests show that the seizures throat pain, coughing, hoarseness, seizures at any time, especially if the Positron emission tomography Phenobarbitol for a short time originate in a small, well-defined tingling, and muscle pain. condition is not being treated with (PET). PET scans use small because of Dilantin’s sensitive-gums area of the brain that doesn’t inter- medications or other treatments, amounts of low-dose radioactive side effect, and then switching back fere with vital functions like speech, Ketogenic diet patients are at heightened risk of materials injected into veins to help to Dilantin because of language or hearing. In such cases, By rigorously adhering to the injury or even death due to seizures visualize active areas of the brain Phenobarbitol’s fatigue side effects.) surgeons will simply remove the part high-fat, low-carb ketogenic diet, while swimming or driving. Falling and detect abnormalities. Over 50 different drugs have been of the brain causing the seizures. some epileptic kids have seen reduc- as a result of a seizure is also a com- Single-photon emission comput- used to treat epilepsy over the past If the seizures originate in a part tions in their seizures. This diet mon danger. erized tomography (SPECT). When 100 years—including ten new ones of the brain that can’t be removed, induces the breakdown of fats, not Many states will temporarily EEGs, MRIs, and other tests do not introduced in the past 20 years. surgeons may recommend making a carbohydrates, as the body’s source revoke epileptics’ driver’s licenses pinpoint the precise brain location Phenobarbitol has been in use since series of cuts in the brain designed to of energy. Some children can quit until they have been seizure-free for where seizures are originating, the 1912 and Dilantin since 1938. prevent seizures from spreading to the ketogenic diet after a few years various time periods ranging from ultra-high-tech SPECT test will be Doctor will likely first prescribe other parts of the brain. and remain seizure-free. However, several months to two years. used to create a detailed, 3-D map of a single drug at a relatively low Although many people continue due to its strictures, this diet is said Bottom line? Get a good epilep- the blood flow activity in the brain dosage and gradually increase its to need some medication to help pre- to be quite difficult to maintain. tologist and rigorously observe the during seizures, using a small dosage until seizures are well con- vent seizures after successful sur- When considering the ketogenic prescribed medication and health amount of low-dose radioactive trolled. Patients who try two or gery, one may be able to take fewer diet for a child, make sure he or she regimen, and you stand a good material injected into a vein. more medications without success drugs and reduce dosages after sur- won’t become malnourished- chance of eliminating or at least sig- may be recommended to use a com- gery. However, surgery for epilepsy because of its nutritional make-up, nificantly reducing the number and Treatments bination of two drugs or even more. can also cause serious and/or perma- this diet may cause dehydration, intensity of seizures. All anti-seizure medications nent brain damage. Talk to surgeons constipation, slowed growth and Hamaspik thanks Dr. Susan Epilepsy treatment is generally have some side effects, including about their experiences, success kidney stones. However, these side Perlman, MD, Clinical Professor of begun with medication. Half of all dizziness, fatigue, weight gain, loss rates and complication rates with the effects can be largely prevented with Neurology at UCLA, for critically newly-diagnosed epileptics will of bone density, skin rashes, loss of procedures being suggested. painstaking supervision. reviewing this article. NHTD, Ably Moving Mountains Program professionalism, paperwork proficiency praised at inspection

An industry insider in the know chief-executive stint, serves qualify- Hamaspik provides the NHTD two summers ago. were impressed by their visit to the tells the Gazette that the New York ing members of the public with a program in all three of its county- Though the inspectors have yet consumer’s residence. “They know State Department of Health’s NHTD suite of services designed to shep- based branches. to release their findings as of this that Hamaspik has community program is a study in tedium, though herd them through the homecoming Because of NHTD’s rigorous writing, Hamaspik staffers tell the resources,” says Brief, making its one proportionately parallel to its process after nursing-home stays— exactitude, Hamaspik, like most Gazette that the results were notably execution of the program “like a resulting benefits. or to keep them out of nursing other provider agencies, only serves positive. family versus a community provid- Qualifying criteria are rigid and homes in the first place. a handful of qualifying NHTD con- “They were very impressed with ing services.” narrow, and a long line of applicants Transitional services, or diver- sumers; the program is designed for the way we did it,” comments At- “It wasn’t really an audit. They bog down overworked Department sionary services as the case may be, quality of services provided, not Home Services Director Joel call it a survey,” explains Hamaspik of Health NHTD clerks and admin- include Community Integration quantity of consumers served. Brecher. “They liked the way we of Kings County MSC Supervisor istrators, though the same insider Counseling (CIC), Moving Still, despite that relatively low keep our books.” Shloime Reichman, noting the dif- reports that much of said bureaucra- Assistance (MA), Assistive number of beneficiaries, or perhaps Brecher also said that the two ference between state OMIG (Office cy is simply due to the program’s Technology (AT), Independent because of it, the Department of found Hamaspik to be the first of Medicaid Inspector General) daunting newness and complexity. Living Skills Training (I-LIST) and Health keeps a keen watch on NHTD-administering voluntary inspections, which check for fraud “They’re getting much better at HCSS, or Home Community Support NHTD operations, dispatching pri- agency they encountered that and abuse, and DOH visits, which it,” says the insider in sympathetic Services. The program also supplies vate-sector contractors to conduct demonstrated complete compliance essentially serve as quality assur- defense of his public-sector col- environmental modifications (E- on-site inspections, both announced in specific program areas. “They ance reviews. leagues. He did not want to be Mods) like wheelchair ramps and and unannounced, to ensure regula- want to make sure providers have “They basically went through named. grab bars. tory compliance. the qualifications to provide servic- the entire program from beginning But upon breaking the paper- The DOH program is purveyed One such two-person team es, and we did,” elaborates to end, checking records: patient work barrier, recipient consumers through nine RRDCs, or Regional popped in on Hamaspik of Kings Hamaspik NHTD Coordinator Joel records, agency records, seeing if and provider agencies alike report Resource Development Centers, County’s Williamsburg offices on Brief. “That’s what makes everything is in place, [like] policies high levels of effectiveness and sat- throughout the state. Hudson Valley Monday, August 16. Binders were Hamaspik stand out.” and procedures,” he says. “They isfaction—which is exactly what is consumers are served by the soon retrieved, pages were turned According to Brief, where were very, very impressed.” deserved by destitute seniors or Westchester Independent Living and documents inspected. Hamaspik scored, Hamaspik scored Considering how difficult the severely disabled youths over 18. Center, or WILC, while Kings The following day, the inspec- big. “They were happy to see a NHTD program is to administer and The NHTD program, conceived, County counterparts may obtain tors paid a visit to an actual [compliant] grievance policy,” he executive, that achievement is all the debated and tweaked during the NHTD services through the Staten Brooklyn NHTD consumer, an 18- proudly recounts. “They were more impressive—and all the more Pataki administration and rolled out Island-based Visiting Nurse year-old paralyzed from the neck happy to see a good privacy policy.” reflective of Hamaspik’s complete into reality under Eliot Spitzer’s Association. down since a catastrophic car crash Additionally, DOH inspectors devotion to its mission.

Hamaspik Gazette | Oct. ‘10 E5 ring at 78 S. Main St., both centers have room to grow. Hamaspik of Rockland County Day Hab Previously, consumers using wheelchairs or walkers were only able to access the Rt. 59 facility’s Facility Completing Expansion ground floor via a front-entrance ramp; the second floor, accessible New elevator, staircase to enhance access, programming flexibility only by staircase, remained out of bounds. But now, the generous new A new elevator shaft and stair- extension puts put a broad, low- case may not seem like much of an angled second staircase and a spa- expansion. But for walking-chal- cious elevator under its roof, allow- lenged consumers, and organizations ing mobility-disabled consumers providing their daily programming free range throughout the center. like Hamaspik, it makes all the dif- Actual construction began in ference in the world, according to April 2010, preceded by the required Zishe Lowy, Hamaspik of Rockland paperwork and planning. According County’s Director of Day Services. to Lowy, the elevator, which is cur- Now, “the entire building can be rently undergoing completion, will easily accessible to people in wheel- be ready for use in September. chairs,” he says, an access that elim- At the same time, contractors inates the tedious juggling of have completed interior work to upstairs and downstairs consumer deliver a ready-to-use expansion. scheduling. With universal access to soon be The building in question is a fact as concrete as the fresh stair- Hamaspik’s Day Hab facility at 221 case cement, the Day Hab program Rt. 59 in Spring Valley, which until will be poised to accommodate more recently housed Hamaspik of individuals with special needs than Rockland County’s entire Day Hab ever—and for Hamaspik’s special- program. With much of Hamaspik’s needs consumers, that means things Extending its services: The enlargement housing the Day Hab’s new elevator and staircase Day Hab programming now occur- are looking up. A Gift that Keeps Giving Year ‘Round Hamaspik distributes Jewish New Year calendars

Keeping up with Hamaspik, and Selection of each year’s offering everything else going on throughout is overseen by Hamaspik Project the year, will now be easy and con- Coordinator Mrs. Brenda Katina, venient, thanks to a special gift the who also sees to consumer families’ agency just sent to each consumer morale maintenance with additional family: a calendar. little gifts throughout the year at The agency that’s with so many such junctures as Chanukah and families throughout the four seasons other festive occasions. will now be with them in yet another Harmonizing with the way, as the handy fridge-mountable OPWDD’s “putting people first” magnetic calendar also prominently mission, Hamaspik likewise sends features a large erasable “scratch gifts to individual consumers at pad” complete with marker—perfect birthdays, program graduations and for jotting down numbers and other other major personal milestones. tidbits of daily life on the go. Hamaspik wishes a happy, Hamaspik regularly mails New healthy and sweet New Year to all Year’s best wishes, and small gifts, its consumers and their families, our to each consumer family come Rosh hardworking employees, and our Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. public- and private-sector allies and Planning each year’s mailing begins friends. L’shanah tovah! during the summer.

Graphically appealing: The calendar’s user-friendly design

E6 Oct. ‘10 | Hamaspik Gazette Hamaspik Gazette | Oct. ‘10 E7 of top flu experts advised her that the pan- demic had “largely run its course” and the world is no longer in Phase Six, the highest influenza alert level. The virus has now PPuubblliicc entered the “post-pandemic” phase, meaning disease activity around the world has returned to levels usually seen for seasonal influenza, she said. HHeeaalltthh At least 18,449 people have died world- wide since the outbreak began in April 2009. WHO, which received at least $170 million from member states to deal with the pandem- ic, said last week that the true death toll is aanndd likely to be higher. Governments in Europe and North America started dumping vaccines earlier this year after finding their stocks were full of Policy unused and expiring supplies. Policy The United States stopped classifying H1N1 flu as a public health emergency in June, while health authorities in Britain shut down their pandemic flu hot line in February and later canceled vaccine a third of vaccine orders as it became clear the pandemic strain would be less dangerous than feared. Worst- case scenarios had predicted up to 65,000 deaths in Britain. In the end there were 457 confirmed deaths. AT&T to settle disability lawsuit

AT&T will pay a former employee $60,000 to settle a disability discrimination ObamaCare comes to “mental retardation,” “mentally retarded” and it through their employer. lawsuit brought by the U.S. Equal New York State “feeble-minded,” replacing the terms with So far, 54 lawsuits and other civil enforce- Employment Opportunity Commission “intellectual disability” or "developmental dis- ment actions have been taken by the FTC and (EEOC). The EEOC’s suit in the U.S. District Are you a New York State resident and a ability.” All future legislation will encompass the states, officials said. Court for the Western District of Texas in legal U.S. citizen with a preexisting condi- these changes. Austin charged that AT&T violated the tion—and have not had health insurance for Man sentenced for Americans with Disabilities Act by failing to six months or more? You may qualify for the FTC slams ObamaCare scams faking seizures hire a cable splicer technician only because of NY Bridge Plan. his insulin use for Type 2 diabetes. Gov. David Paterson officially announced Do any of these entities sound familiar? A Baltimore man has been sentenced to a the Empire State’s version of “ObamaCare’s” “Health Care One,” “American Eagle year-and-a-half in jail for faking seizures to get September: National Infant pre-existing condition coverage plans this past Healthcare,” “Easy Life Healthcare,” “Elite out of paying restaurant bills. City prosecutors Mortality Awareness Month Monday, August 30. Premiums are $362 a Healthcare,” “Global Healthcare,” “'Republic said 43-year-old Andrew Palmer pleaded month for upstate-county residents and $421 a Healthcare,” “Americans4Healthcare” and guilty to one count of theft scheme, and a National Infant Mortality Awareness month for residents of downstate counties. “Citizens4Healthcare” have one thing in com- judge agreed to impose an 18-month sentence. month, created by a 2006 Congressional reso- Applications are available now; enrollment mon: They’re scams. Prosecutors said Palmer ate and drank at lution, sees several organizations, government is on a first-come, first-served basis and will The Federal Trade Commission has just several restaurants between April and July, and agencies and communities raising awareness provide coverage from October 1, 2010 until filed suit in federal court against Health Care when he couldn’t pay, he would feign a seizure on infant mortality, promoting effective pro- January 2014, when more health insurance One, the parent company of the scam opera- that required medical personnel to respond. grams and efforts that reduce infant deaths, coverage options become available through the tion, for marketing phony, non-existent health- The maximum penalty for each individual low-birth weight, pre-term births and dispari- new national Health Insurance Exchange, also care plans nationwide, mostly via misleading offense was 90 days in jail because the value ties in perinatal outcomes. This year’s theme part of the Affordable Care and Patient radio and TV commercials and most of which of each meal was less than $100. is “Healthy Families=Healthy Babies.” Protection Act. prominently featured imagery and/or quotes of In related news, as the Gazette went to In related news, New York State brought President Obama to convey legitimacy where Caregiver conceals past print, President Obam asigned a presidential the federal “Get Covered. Get in the Game” there was none. crimes, reconvicted proclamation designating September 2010 as children’s recruitment drive to the state in The FTC is also working with 24 states to “National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.” early August. The program uses school and crack down on sellers of “medical discount Hamden, Connecticut resident and regis- community sports programs to sign up unin- plans” that market themselves as health insur- tered Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Stacey Disabled advocate sured kids with Medicaid or Child Health Plus. ance that covers doctors, hospitals and other Lee Williams was sentenced to six months of Longmore dies services. Such scams have increased in the house arrest followed by two-and-a-half years Polls: health reform wake of the healthcare reform law passed in of probation and 100 hours of community Paul Longmore, one of America’s top confusion abounds March, said David Vladeck, director of the service after a court found her guilty of con- scholars on disability history, passed away on FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. cealing past felonies in applying for work. Monday, August 8. He was 64. Longmore, USA Today cited three recent polls in “The uncertainty about the benefits that Williams, who had been convicted in 2007 of unable to use his hands after contracting polio which large percentages of Americans said the will be available under the new federal insur- fraud while living in Arizona, concealed her at age seven, wrote his first book, The health law would cut Medicare benefits, slash ance program and the fact that the budget felonious past in successfully securing skilled Invention of George Washington, by holding a doctors pay and ration health care to patients, doesn’t kick in until 2014 is going to give nursing jobs in 2008. The facilities where she pen in his mouth and using it to punch his key- beliefs as pervasive as they are untrue. “For scammers very fertile ground for this,” gained employment provide Medicare- and board. He went on to a distinguished career, example: The debunked idea raised by oppo- Vladeck told reporters. “They’re going to try Medicaid-funded services; Williams’ misrepre- writing books on disability history and joining nents during congressional debate that ‘death to capitalize on uncertainty.” sentations violated Medicare and Medicaid the faculty of San Francisco State University panels’ could make end-of-life decisions is The FTC, along with several state attor- provider guidelines. in 1992. seen as real by nearly half of those surveyed,” neys general, have filed lawsuits against com- the newspaper reported. panies that they say mislead consumers by WHO declares H1N1 Study: medical errors selling medical discount plans that offer some flu pandemic over cost $19.5 billion Christie signs “R-word” ban savings but marketing them as insurance accepted by doctors, hospitals and others. The World Health Organization declared Medical errors and the problems they can New Jersey Governor Chris Christie “Health discount plans are not insurance. the H1N1 flu pandemic officially over, months cause—including bed sores, post-op infections signed legislation on August 16 that removes They don’t pay your medical bills,” said after many nations’ authorities began canceling and implant or device complications—cost the outdated, disrespectful terminology that refers Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson, vaccine orders and shutting down hotlines as U.S. economy $19.5 billion in 2008, according to persons with developmental disabilities who has filed three lawsuits. She added that the disease ebbed from the headlines. to a study commissioned by the Society of from all state statutes and regulations. The continued job losses are fueling the scams WHO Director-General Margaret Chan Actuaries and carried out by the actuarial and bill, S-1982, eliminates references such as since most Americans who have insurance get said the organization’s emergency committee consulting firm Milliman. The cost estimate

E8 Oct. ‘10 | Hamaspik Gazette includes medical costs, costs associated with Disabled vet wins 27509 through 01210. They were distributed Second federal fraud increased mortality rate and lost productivity, bureaucracy war in California, Texas, Oregon, Arizona, and summit in LA and covers what the authors describe as a con- internationally. servative estimate of 1.5 million measurable Because a data-entry error recorded him as E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly The second in a series of daylong summits errors. The report estimates the errors caused deceased, U.S. Army veteran John Paul Scott bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea, designed to highlight the government’s crack- more than 2,500 avoidable deaths and over 10 was accidentally stripped of his military health dehydration, and in the most severe cases, kid- down on Medicare and Medicaid fraud, one of million lost days of work. benefits, denying him his disability claim. ney failure. The very young, seniors and per- the hottest and most lucrative forms of organ- Bed sores—which in 95 percent of cases Facing crippling debt and possible eviction, sons with weak immune systems are the most ized white-collar crime, was held August 26, are considered to be the results of errors—pro- Scott finally had his benefits restored after two susceptible to foodborne illness. 2010 in Los Angeles, with U.S. Attorney duced the largest annual cost, at almost $3.9 months of battling various VA bureaucracies. In related news, Purdue University food General Eric Holder and HHS Secretary billion, followed by post-op infections ($3.7 scientist Lisa Mauer, using infrared spec- Kathleen Sebelius in attendance. The first of billion), device complications ($1.1 billion), Russia burns, Moscow chokes troscopy, took only an hour to find harmful E. the seven summits was held July 16, 2010, in complications from failed spinal surgery ($1.1 coli bacteria in ground beef. The discovery Miami, widely considered the “Ground Zero” billion) and hemorrhages ($960 million). To On Friday, August 6, close to 560 wildfires could cut days off investigations of outbreaks, of Medicare fraud due to Florida’s high popu- come up with those figures, researchers found were burning across central Russia as the the university said in a statement on Monday, lation of beneficiary seniors. the total cost of a given type of injury and esti- worst heat wave in 130 years, and its resulting August 30. Current detection systems take mated how often it was caused by an error. cloud of smoke, gripped the country with no about 48 hours to identify the bacteria. Early Retiree Reinsurance signs of abating. The BBC reported that street The spectroscopy method can also differ- Program launched VA declares final visibility in Moscow, itself surrounded by entiate the harder-to-detect E. coli 0157:H7 Agent Orange policy close to 40 forest fires, was less than one city strain, meaning outbreaks could be tracked In another one of the Affordable Care block, and that the public was being warned to more effectively and quickly. Current tests for Act’s ongoing roll-outs, the HHS announced Under a final rule published Tuesday, remain indoors. City mortality rates were up E. coli 0157:H7 use multiple steps and take the first round of applicants accepted into the September 1, 2010 in the Federal Register, to 700 a day the following Monday, with poi- almost a week to get results. Early Retiree Reinsurance Program at U.S. military veterans exposed to Agent sonous pollution levels exceeding safety limit August’s end. Orange and other herbicides while serving in by nearly seven times. And seven forest areas Taking the wrong The close to 2,000 employers and unions Vietnam and other areas will find it easier to known to be contaminated by 1986 Chernobyl (lemonade) stand approved for the new program will receive access quality health care and qualify for dis- fallout were reported burning on Tuesday, rais- funding from the $5 billion allocated by the ability compensation. The new rule adds ing fears of radioactive smog. County health inspectors in northeast reform bill to help pay health benefit claims Parkinson’s disease, ischemic heart disease Portland shut down a girl’s makeshift lemon- for retirees too young to qualify for Medicare, and all chronic B cell leukemias to the list of Obama signs Adjustment Act ade stand at a monthly county fair because the which kicks in only at 65. health problems the VA presumes to be related seven-year-old didn’t have a $120 stand The government subsidy amounts to 80 to exposures to the herbicides. The Independent Living Centers Technical license. Multnomah County Chairman Jeff percent of medical claims between $15,000 Adjustment Act, recently signed by President Cogen later apologized to Julie Murphy’s mom and $90,000—significant assistance to help AirTran fined for Obama, makes a technical adjustment to fund- for the overzealousness. cover high-cost retirees and eligible family disabilities violations ing for independent living centers under the members. Interestingly enough, of the 16 Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to ensure stability Show Me State “Shows” Obama states already approved for ERRP funding, On August 30, the U.S. Department of and funding for independent living centers. seven are participating in the national lawsuit Transportation (DOT) assessed a civil penalty The new law ensures that independent living Voters in Missouri passed Proposition C by against the Affordable Care Act’s “Individual of $500,000 against AirTran Airways for vio- centers have enough funding to continue serv- 71.1 percent in the Show Me State’s August 3 Mandate.” lating rules protecting air travelers with dis- ing people with disabilities. primary election. The Proposition, which has The ERRP is designed to serve as a bridge abilities. “People with disabilities have the little if any legal power, would block the to 2014, when another one of the plan’s main- right to expect fair treatment when they fly, Paterson votes Affordable Care Act’s federal Individual stays, the “Health Insurance Exchanges,” will and we will continue to take enforcement against disability laws Mandate, which requires everyone to buy be launched. action when their rights are violated,” said health insurance, from applying to the state’s U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. New York State disabled-advocacy groups citizens. Poor country, poor expressed disappointment at Gov. David malaria protection Blazing danger: burn pits Paterson’s recent vetoing of three bills that You get what you pay for would have ostensibly improved the lives of An August 9 report in U.S. military news- Several studies, reports and even class- individuals with special needs. Two would A review of 546 drug studies by Children’s paper Stars and Stripes mentions a 25-percent action lawsuits point to a cause-and-effect link have made it illegal for landlords to discrimi- Hospital Boston researchers, including trials rise over last year in malaria hitting South between the military’s continued use of open- nate against tenants paying rents with the on such popular pharmaceuticals like choles- Korean citizens and U.S. troops adjacent to the air, jet-fuel-soaked burn pits for waste disposal NHTD or TBI Medicaid waiver program. terol-lowering medicines, antidepressants, Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating North and hundreds of unexplained illnesses, virtual- “The Medicaid waiver programs, which antipsychotics, proton-pump inhibitors, and and South Korea. ly all among service members and civilian provide housing subsidies, continue to be vasodilators, found that 85 percent of drug- But while the spike’s cause—North Korea employees of the military. After years of stymied in their effort to place people in stable industry-funded studies contained positive not participating in yearly joint pesticide denial, and recent Congressional action, the and safe housing in the community while land- results. In contrast, only 50 percent of govern- sprayings—is mentioned, the regime’s reason Pentagon has now officially ruled that expo- lords have the ability to refuse to accept the ment-funded trials, and 72 percent of non- for reticence, near-economic collapse, is not. sure to burn pits causes medical problems. housing subsidies provided under the Nursing profit or non-government-funded trials, The Red Cross, the international humani- Home Transition and Diversion (NHTD) and returned positive reports. tarian organization, did not have any data on Visually-impaired material traumatic brain injury (TBI) waivers,” said malaria levels in North Korea, a senior staffer at Library of Congress Melanie Shaw, executive director of the New Calorie menu displays: told the Gazette. York Association on Independent Living. health boon or Big Brother? Whether Communist North Korea, among The Library of Congress, in an attempt to the world’s poorest countries, finds the cash remain on accessibility’s cutting edge, September 25: EKS Day The Gazette mentioned it a few times—but now to spend on relatively inexpensive spray- renewed its exemption ruling of the Digital now it’s actually moving forward, for better or ing against the mosquitoes that carry the dis- Millenium Copyright Act, which would have Sept. 25 is an annual celebration of Eunice for worse: under “ObamaCare,” certain restau- ease—or has to spend billions later on counter- barred its electronic readers from offering Kennedy Shriver’s life and a global call to rant menus, and vending machines, will need acting a full-blown malaria outbreak among its print-copyrighted materials to the visually-dis- commit actions of inclusion, acceptance and to display calories for each item respectively already-suffering, suppressed population— abled general public. unity for and with individuals with intellectual offered or sold. remains to be seen. disabilities. Section 4205 of the Affordable Care Act In at-risk soldiers’ boots requires restaurants and similar retail food NIH Director decries Big, beefy E. coli recall establishments with 20 or more locations to list stem-cell injunction In a national first, substance abuse profes- calorie content information for standard menu sionals from 19 states and five tribal organiza- About one million pounds (around 454 items on restaurant menus and menu boards, After a court-issued injunction barred gov- tions spent three days living on a Tennessee tons if you do the math) of ground beef patties including drive-through menu boards. ernment funding of further human embryonic military base August 30-September 1, engag- and bulk ground beef were recalled in August The Act also requires vending machine stem-cell research, National Institutes of ing in minimal basic training exercises and by the Modesto, California-based Valley Meat operators who own or operate 20 or more Health Director Francis S. Collins, M.D., otherwise getting steeped in military culture. Company. The beefy recall was ordered vending machines to disclose calorie content Ph.D., said, “The recent court ruling … could The concept of the Operation Immersion pro- because the meat was linked to seven illnesses for certain items. cause irreparable damage and delay potential gram, jointly hosted by four state and federal from the E. coli 0157:H7 bacteria, the U.S. While the FDA has until March 23, 2011 breakthroughs to improve care for people liv- entities, is to give mental-health caregivers Dept. of Agriculture said. to say exactly how it will implement the law, ing with serious diseases and conditions such first-hand knowledge of military life, the better The products, produced between Oct. 2, the federal agency began accepting the pub- as spinal cord injury, diabetes, or Parkinson’s to treat soldiers’ PTSD and substance-abuse 2009 and Jan. 12, 2010, bear the establishment lic’s ideas on the calorie-display law on August disease.” problems. number “EST. 8268” and production codes 25, 2010.

Hamaspik Gazette | Oct. ‘10 E9 So, What’s Happening in Your Health Today...?

Scam alert: Acai berries recall. Defibtech will be sending the sides of their cartons. Religious doctors nary bacteria lethally infectious. corrective software to users who Recalled egg cartons are hasten death less The superbug gene has so far At the FTC’s request, a U.S. dis- have affected battery packs. stamped with plant numbers 1026, been identified in 37 people who trict court has ordered the marketers However, Defibtech says the 1413, 1720, 1942 or 1946 and Julian Doctors who are atheist or returned to the U.K. after undergo- of acai (pronounced “ah-sah-EE”) AED can still be used until you get dates 136 to 229. Thus, for example, agnostic are twice as likely to make ing surgery in India or Pakistan. berry weight-loss supplements, your software update card—as long “P-1413-177” would be recalled. decisions that could end the lives of The resistant gene has also been “colon cleansers,” and other prod- as you have a backup battery pack or “Consumers who believe they their terminally ill patients, com- detected in Australia, Canada, the ucts to temporarily halt a blatantly a backup AED available. have purchased these shell eggs pared to doctors who are very reli- U.S., the Netherlands and Sweden. deceptive sales scheme that alleged- If your Lifeline or ReviveR AED should not eat them but should either gious, according to a new study in The researchers say since many ly scammed consumers out of $30 cancels a shock during a rescue and destroy or return them to the store Britain. Americans and Europeans travel to million or more in 2009 alone shuts down with Service Code 1003, where they were purchased for a full A random mail survey of over India and Pakistan for elective pro- through false advertising and unfair replace the battery pack and contin- refund,” said Trafficanda in a press 3,700 British doctors found that doc- cedures like cosmetic surgery, it was and aggressive billing practices. ue with the rescue. release. tors who described themselves as likely the superbug gene would Since 2007, over 2,800 com- “extremely” or “very nonreligious” spread worldwide. plaints against AcaiPure and Moving to Japan? Leave National whooping were nearly twice as likely to report ColoPure, both sold by Central Baby (monitor) home cough update having made decisions like provid- More brain “spindles,” Coast Nutraceuticals and affiliates ing continuous deep sedation, which more sleep iLife Health and Wellness, Simply American baby monitors—the Pertussis, commonly called could accelerate a patient’s death. Naturals, Health and Beauty devices that essentially put a mike in whooping cough for its violent, Doctors who were religious were People who can sleep through Solutions and Fit for Life, were Baby’s crib and a speaker elsewhere noisy coughs, continues to spread, much less likely to have talked about thunderous, bothersome loud noises reported by law enforcement agen- so you can hear him cry—use 900 primarily in California, where the end of life treatment decisions with have brains that produce more cies and the Better Business Bureau. mhz radio signals from the mike unit current wave began and where over their patients. sound-negating “spindles,” a new The companies made dramatic, and to the speaker unit. 3,000 cases have been confirmed. study of 12 volunteers has found. false, claims that the products Trouble is, cell phones, emer- Infants and children are at the Virtual colonoscopy finds The brain’s thalamus, which regu- would, respectively, trigger rapid gency, taxi and trucking communica- most risk for pertussis, even those non-colon problems lates auditory and visual input, weight loss and purge cancerous tox- tions also use the 900-mhz frequen- already vaccinated. More than half remains alert during sleep, generat- ins from the digestive system. cy—in Japan, at least. of babies younger than 1 year old Medicine’s least-invasive colon- ing bursts of brain activity called Acai berry supplements, derived U.S. military families living on who contract the virus require hospi- problem-screening test, the virtual “spindles” that shield the rest of the from acai palm trees that are native massive American bases in Japan are talization. colonoscopy, has another major ben- brain from loud external noises. to Central and South America, have now being advised to turn off baby With 595 cases and one death, efit outside its intended purpose, The more spindles their brains regu- become popular in recent years. monitors they brought with them or an infant, reported statewide since according to a new study: finding larly produced, the better volunteers Last year, the Better Business ordered via mail from the States January, Michigan health officials cancers, growths and other problems slept through noises, the study Bureau named fake “free” trial because they use frequencies that urged child care workers mid- elsewhere besides the colon. found. offers—including those for acai sup- can disrupt radio and cell phone traf- August to get the Tdap pertussis The American College of plements offered by the defendants fic. The problem surges each sum- booster vaccine. Radiology/American Roentgen Ray Never inhale a pea in this case—as one of the “Top 10 mer when about a third of military Why is pertussis returning after Society study of 2,277 virtual Scams and Rip Offs of 2009.” families are replaced by newcomers its near-eradication by the 1970s? colonoscopy patients found that can- Brewster, Massachusetts resi- unfamiliar with the country. Probably due to weakening immuni- cers and lesions outside the colon, dent Ron Sveden had some peas a Youngest students’ ty in adults decades after vaccina- including 240 significant findings in few months ago. Trouble was, one ADHD misdiagnosed Poor Mommy’s tion. Infected and mildly affected the pelvis, abdomen and other of them got into a lung, where it depression hurts Baby adults then pass the virus on to vul- regions, were identified in 1,037 of actually started sprouting roots. His Nearly one million children may nerable, unimmunized children. them. coughing for several months left have been misdiagnosed with atten- According to a new study, over Also, because it begins as a regular doctors stymied until the pea was tion deficit hyperactivity disorder half of low-income mothers of cough and only worsens later, Health highest in detected and surgically removed in (ADHD) because they’re the babies suffer from some level of patients may have spread the virus to mountains early August. youngest kids in their kindergarten depression. others by the time they get treat- class, Michigan State University Researcher Olivia Golden of the ment. Altitudes aren’t the only thing Long-term contact lenses, researchers said in a new study, and Urban Institute found that even The virus goes largely undetect- way up there in America’s mountain- long-term dangers not because they have real behavior severe depression goes largely ed in adults because its symptoms ous regions—so are health rates. problems. According to the study, untreated among low-income moth- are similar to those of the common According to a new government Based on more than a million students who are the youngest in ers of infants, with just 30 percent cold. report, the Mountain states region of people in northern California, their grades are 60% more likely to speaking to a professional about Outbreaks were also reported in the United States had the lowest researchers found that contact lens be diagnosed with ADHD. their mental health. With at least 70 Pennsylvania, upstate New York and average rate of potentially avoidable wearers were about nine times more percent needing help, the problem is South Carolina. hospitalization for heart failure in likely to develop corneal ulcers com- AED battery significant and “we should focus on 2006. pared to non-wearers. “As new con- packs recalled closing that gap,” Golden said. “A Where there’s (cigarette) Conversely, the highest rates tact lens innovations become avail- mom who is too sad to get up in the smoke, there’s… were in the East South Central able, and people hear that they can If you’re an EMT, you might morning won’t be able to take care cell damage region, comprised of Alabama, wear these contact lenses for weeks want to check your AED gear. of all of her child’s practical needs. Mississippi (which is also the most or a month without taking them off, The Lifeline and ReviveR If she is not able to take joy in her Looking into lung airway cells obese state), Tennessee and they do just that,” said Dr. David brands of automatic external defib- child, talk baby talk, play with the of 121 nonsmokers, active smokers Kentucky. Gritz of New York’s Montefiore rillators (AEDs), manufactured by child—those are features of parent- or low-exposure smokers based on Medical Center. “They don’t realize Defibtech, are recalling certain bat- ing that brain development research system nicotine levels, Dr. Ronald “Superbug” traced to the dramatic increase in risk it caus- tery packs because they may cause has told us contribute to babies’ and Crystal of NewYork-Presbyterian India, Dehli rejects report es them. Our eyes do need breaks the AED to inappropriately cancel toddlers’ successful development.” Hospital/Weill Cornell and his team from contact lens wear.” the charge and be unable to deliver found that even low levels of smoke In the aftermath of an August 11 therapy. The company has received Largest-ever exposure can cause irreparable dam- report in the Lancet Infectious Fructose failings: four malfunction reports from AED national egg recall age to cells essential to breathing. Diseases Journal, the respected a mini-report users. The initial damage, while not usual- British medical publication, India’s The recall only affects DBP- Major U.S. egg producer and ly severe, can be cumulative, with medical establishment and govern- As the Gazette reported in last 2800 battery packs shipped before distributor Trafficanda Egg Ranch is prolonged exposure to tobacco ment health bodies roundly defended month’s Health News, higher fruc- June 4, 2007. The affected packs voluntarily recalling thousands of smoke possibly leading to chronic their country’s booming medical tose levels were recently associated have serial numbers between specific egg cartons due to possible obstructive pulmonary disease tourism industry, with some saying it with higher blood pressure levels. 202001005 and 202005916 or Salmonella contamination. (COPD) and even lung cancer. smacks of a conspiracy to scare off Now, scientists at the University of between 206001001 and 206009871. How to tell if your eggs have “There is no level of cigarette smok- foreigners. According to the report, California at Los Angeles (UCLA) If you have a Lifeline or been recalled? Check if they have ing or exposure to cigarette smoke poor infection control in Indian hos- have found that fructose, a natural ReviveR AED, check the battery the letter P, followed by certain four- that does not make the cells in your pitals has fostered the development sugar mainly found in high fructose pack’s serial number and contact the digit plant numbers and certain lungs sick,” concluded Dr. Crystal. of the so-called NDM-1 antibiotic- corn syrup, powers pancreatic can- company if it is affected by the three-digit Julian dates, stamped on resistant gene that can make ordi- cer cells to divide and proliferate.

E10 Oct. ‘10 | Hamaspik Gazette So, What’s Happening in Your Health Today...?

The discovery defies the con- or control-oriented, stress coping were given either real or fake dition. The seven-year study of over ventional wisdom that all sugars skills healed at significantly slower Salmonella gone acupuncture treatments, with both 1,433 people also noted the value of benefit all tumor cells equally; previ- rates. to the dogs groups reporting similar reductions eliminating depression and diabetes, ous studies had linked fructose in osteoarthritis knee pain. and consuming more fruit and veg- intake with pancreatic cancer but Are kids getting more A new government report on the etables, as dementia-reduction tools. had not isolated why. kidney stones? 2006-2008 Salmonella outbreak in Brains self-dope for Americans take in large amounts 21 mostly eastern states has now sub-absolute loot Gov’t develops, testing of high fructose corn syrup in soft Numbers of children treated for traced the bacteria to dry pet food dengue vaccine drinks, bread and a range of other kidney stones at some U.S. hospitals from a Pennsylvania plant, making it The ancients taught that as long foods. According to the American have been rising over the past ten the first time an outbreak was linked as you’ve got it (whatever “it” is), After over a decade of develop- Heart Association, too much sugar years. The reasons, however, are not not to animals but to what they eat. you devalue it—but the more you’ve ment, a first-ever vaccine against the of any kind not only adds pounds, clear. Children’s Hospital Boston Interestingly, no pets fell ill. almost got it, the more you crave it. mosquito-borne dengue virus began but is also a key culprit in diabetes, researcher Dr. Jonathan C. Routh Now a Canadian study proves it: human clinical testing in early heart disease and stroke. In 2004, notes that more kids may simply be Snail venom base for Researchers found heightened brain August. The vaccine was developed researchers reported in the American getting treatment for stones at hospi- powerful new pain pill dopamine levels in patients given a at the National Institute of Allergy Journal of Clinical Nutrition that tals than in past generations. On the 75% chance of getting pills—but not and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) U.S. consumption of high fructose other hand, rising obesity rates could “Feeling sluggish” might have a 100%. and is now undergoing clinical corn syrup rose 1,000 percent be to blame. positive new meaning now. study. About 2.5 billion people in between 1970 and 1990. University of Queensland Common meds may over 100 countries worldwide are at The UCLA scientists are now Quality life? Quality kids chemist David Craik created an skew cancer tests risk of dengue infection—including, hoping to develop a drug that might unstable painkiller from proteins in most recently, south Florida, which stop tumor cells from making use of A University of Colorado study the cone snail’s venom, then stabi- A drug-effects study of 1,864 is currently weathering a rare out- fructose. in the August issue of the Archives of lized it with amino acids, creating a men showed that those taking both break. Dengue fever accounts for Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine synthetic new drug 100 times more cholesterol-lowering statins and 25,000 global deaths annually, most Arthritis pain? suggests that mentoring and relation- powerful than morphine in lab tests. water-reducing diuterics for five of them in children. Exercise away! ship skills programs can improve the The drug also worked in doses 100 consecutive years had 36-percent mental health of foster children. times smaller than typical doses of lower PSA levels. Prostate-specific Stresslessness: The World Health Organization “Children who have been maltreated gabapentin, a common nervous-sys- antigen (PSA) screening is the most key to life, happiness (WHO) counts osteoarthritis (OA) and placed in foster care are at risk tem painkiller. common prostate cancer test. among the developed world’s ten for significant mental health prob- Significantly, the venom-based Stanford University biologist most disabling conditions, estimat- lems,” said researchers Heather N. drug is stable enough for pill form; Autism signs may Robert Sapolsky’s lifetime of stress ing that 80 percent of OA patients Taussig and Sara E. Culhane. The previous venom-based pain drugs show in early infancy research, and a number of related have movement limitations and 25 months-long study of 156 maltreated had to be injected directly into the studies, was scrutinized in a lengthy percent cannot engage in normal children found that the group of 79 spine so as not to be broken down by A small study of 28 prematurely- article in the August 2010 issue of daily living routines, for which they receiving regular skills development the body first. Craik is seeking born babies who later developed Wired magazine. The key points? are typically prescribed physical and one-on-one mentoring by gradu- funding for further research and autism found that over half had Stress directly causes or worsens all therapy. ate students had fewer mental health development. abnormal arm muscle tone at 1 major health problems, shortens life Now, a Dutch five-year study of problems, fewer symptoms of disso- month. Published in the Sept. issue by years, and depends not on life’s 150 knee or hip OA patients found ciation, better quality of life, and Unsafe safe smokes? of Pediatrics, the study may lead to circumstances but on how much that the more moderate or intense appeared less likely to report symp- including muscle tone checks in frustration one feels over them. Key physical activity the patient did, the toms of post-traumatic stress than A study of tobacco-free ciga- future autism evaluations. suggestions include richly socializ- more his or her pain decreased—and the other 77. rettes in the journal Cell Cycle found ing and modeling positive, healthy the more physical activity, the more evidence their smoke damaged DNA Knee? Be careful! attitudes for your kids. physical function and performance Eat broccoli, thwart in ways that could be expected to improved. Also, the more the OA Crohn’s Disease lead to cancer. Though such ciga- In an August 2 news release, Don’t feed bad patients adhered to their self-direct- rettes do not contain tobacco and orthopedic surgeon Dr. William J. food habits ed therapy, the more positive they Fibers from broccoli and plan- nicotine, their DNA damage in cells Bryan of Houston’s Methodist themselves felt about their condition tain plants may block a key stage in was found to be even greater than Center for Sports Medicine advises An August 3 report in the and its prognosis. the development of Crohn’s disease, that caused by standard cigarettes. that maintaining proper weight, Journal of Adolescent Health noted However, just over 44 percent of a new study finds. Researchers in keeping strong “core” (abs, back and that college students living in din- patients were doing the strength- Europe found that broccoli and plan- Guts for obesity, allergies pelvis) muscles and wearing ing-hall-equipped dormitories were building exercises 15 months out, tain fibers reduced movement of the orthotics decrease knee strain and more likely to eat more than those and only 30 percent of the patients E. coli bacteria across bowel cells by A small Italian study of Italian hence may prevent arthritis and knee without. The year-long study were keeping up their home exercise between 45% and 82%. Crohn’s is and African children in the replacement later in life. recorded mild weight gain and exer- routines at the end of the half-decade an inflammatory bowel disorder that Proceedings of the National cise lack in the former group. study. affects about seven of every 100,000 Academy of Sciences found the two Podiatric consultations people in North America. groups had different diets, and dif- reduce amputations Kids’ cleaning-product Diabetes goes ferent healthy stomach microbes— poisonings down to your head? Most Down parents indicating that common Western A Rosalind Franklin University bounce back up conditions not present in Africa may study of nearly 29,000 diabetics has A study in the September issue A small study of 36 obese teens, be due to the bacteria. found that patients seeing podiatrists of Pediatrics found that of the 18 with Type 2 diabetes and 18 with- A nine-month joint survey of at least once before getting foot 267,000 children 5 and under treated out, found that the teen diabetics did over 500 national Down syndrome Psychosomatic sneakers? ulcer diagnoses had almost 17 per- for household cleaning product acci- worse on attention, memory and parents by Kansas State University cent less hospitalization risk and 15 dents between 1990 and 2006, 72 planning, and IQ tests. Type 2 dia- and Texas Tech University found Why do recent studies dispute percent less amputation risk. percent were between 1 and 3, betes is often caused by excess that negative feelings upon chil- the benefits of unstable-heeled ton- Diabetes-related complications are bleach was the most common associ- weight and primarily affects the dren’s initial diagnoses turned to joy ing shoes, a new national fad? America’s leading cause of non-trau- ated product, and spray bottles were eyes, kidneys and feet. However, and resilience in most cases. Psychosomas, probably. Mind- matic lower limb amputation. the most common container type. according to study co-author Dr. caused body symptoms—think The good news is that accidental Antonio Convit at New York CT scan safety big news stress backaches—seem to have Desire dementia poisonings have dropped by almost University Langone Medical Center, made many feel the fancy sneakers diminishment? half since 1990. Parents who sus- the good news is that it appears these Computerized tomography (CT) help when studies show they’re no Maximize mental muscle pect their child has come in contact effects fade once Type 2 diabetes scans’ safety is big news nowa- better than regular ones. with a poison should immediately disappears. The study appears in the days—the radiation-producing In related mind-power news, Want to lower your chances of contact the Poison Center at 1-800- journal Diabetologia. machines used commonly in hospi- “pho-knee” Chinese acupuncture for developing dementia later in life? 222-1222, which will direct callers In related news, a study of 93 tals are not adequately regulated to knee osteoarthritis was just as good Start reading! A French study points to their local Poison Center. If a diabetics with disease-caused foot prevent excess radiation. Though the as the real thing, researchers at the to education and literacy as signifi- child is unconscious, not breathing, ulcers found that patients with FDA recently released new guide- M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in cant factors in reducing the likeli- or having seizures, call 911. depression and/or “confrontational,” lines, improvement is needed. Houston found. Study participants hood of developing the mental con-

Hamaspik Gazette | Oct. ‘10 E11 “harvested” from the IRA’s field of summertime activities in recent The Joys of Summer weeks. These activities included consumers having a “splash” at the In other Hamaspik of Rockland New York Aquarium, where they Continued from Page 1 County summer news, that organiza- were fascinated by their encounter Playland, a pleasant lunch at a tion’s new Day Hab facility on with live sea life. Monsey restaurant and a cama- Spring Valley’s South Main Street Arcadian residents also had fun raderie-building backyard barbeque put up its finishing touches by maneuvering go-carts around an dinner. mounting both catchy, bold lettering indoor track at Sport Time USA, an Consumers at the Hamaspik of on the center’s upper façade and the indoor amusement park, where they also had fun with the center’s addi- tional rides, games and activities. Later in the summer, a fabulous and quite literally in-house birthday Rolling along: Staff watch as consumer enjoys thew carnival party was thrown for an Arcadian consumer, with immediate family bison, elephants, giraffes, lions, in the course of three action-packed members appearing in the home’s tigers, zebras and other exotic ani- days, comprised horseback riding, festively-decorated dining room to mals from all over the world as con- evening barbeques, private after- share songs, games and, of course, sumers oohed and aahed to each. hours swimming, a pizza lunch in an irresistible birthday cake with the Speaking (well, writing) of zoos, adjacent Lakewood, and exhilarating ecstatic birthday boy and his friends. the highlight of the summer’s second visits to the nearby Six Flags Great Making their group-home lives half for Forshay Briderheim con- Adventure and Wild Safari. as family-like as possible, Arcadian sumers was their daylong trip to the Grandview consumers also visit- consumers were taken by staff to a exciting Discovery Zoo, where they ed the legendary West Point Military local convalescent home for new came face-to-face with a colorful Academy, where they snapped fabu- Getting into it: A “WannaBAKER” consumer’s face says it all mothers and their newborns, where Rockland County After-School traditional mezuzos, or sacred tradi- they said hello to the newest mem- Respite Program enjoyed shape- tional scrolls, on every door post. ber of their family: a weekend staff themed mini-sessions throughout the Consumers of the Day Hab pro- member’s brand-new baby son. summer’s remainder, with the spe- gram also spent a rollicking day in Capping it all off, Arcadian cial-needs children engaging in early August at The Castle, a popular “Briderheimers” joined consumers activities variously associated with area “fun center” frequented by from the Grandview Briderheim, circles, squares or triangles each Hamaspik in the warm months. The 61st St. Briderheim, South 9th week. During “circle week,” for “Day Habbers” also traveled all the Shvesterheim and 38th St. example, consumers baked pizza- way to Manhattan, where they Shvesterheim, as well as Hamaspik styles round cakes on Monday, savored a round trip on the Staten of Kings County Day Hab con- played outdoor games around a Island Ferry. sumers, for a grand trip to the Six round “parachute” canvas on Arcadian Briderheim Home Flags Great Adventure Wild Safari Tuesday, made circular doughnuts Manager Shlomo Lebowitz swung in Jackson, New Jersey. Under on Wednesday and blew spherical by the Gazette’s offices in person to beautiful blue skies, the Hamaspik bubbles on Thursday. upload a collection of digital photos vans wended their way among live Serving others: The carnival’s wpopcorn stand in action

variety of G-d’s amazing creatures. lous photos of the historic military sick could lead to his or her own ill- A daily theme was the order of installation and its elite cadets. ness. the day almost every day at Camp In healthy contrast, Concord Backpacks and bugs Finally, the Mayo Clinic reminds Neshomah, Hamaspik of Orange IRA residents took the “less is more” parents of back-to-school kids that County’s summertime After-School approach this summer, soaking in “it’s also important for your child to Respite program, headed up by the the rustic natural surroundings while Continued from Page 1 daughter to sing “Happy Birthday to eat a healthy diet, get plenty of sleep capable, hard-working Mrs. Rivky staying for a few days at a secluded, You” while lathering up. If they fin- and stay current on his or her immu- Freund. A real-life public safety cozy cabin retreat center in the rural Tell bacteria to bug off ish the song (and remind them not to nizations—including a yearly flu patrol car—manned by a real-life New Hampshire woods. cheat by singing fast!) before they’re vaccine.” And don’t forget to lead officer—was the central feature of Hamaspik of Kings County Day For generations, kids having done, they didn’t soap up enough, by example—make sure you and all Camp Neshomah’s “Police Day,” on Hab consumers, for their part, took been coming home sick because they the Clinic suggests. other family members also wash which the children fashioned and in a range of fun-filled outings over caught the flu or a cold from a class- Of course, it goes without saying their hands like you tell your kids to, donned their own hand-made offi- the second half of summer. These mate. But with a few basic tips, pur- that kids have to be reminded to the article concludes. cer’s caps. Other such themes, and included a “Water Carnival” day in veyed to your precious offspring cover mouths and noses—with their It’ll be October before you know associated activities, featured equal- July during which consumers frol- around the dinner table or as a brief sleeved elbows, not bare hands!— it—the leaves will be blowing in the ly real-life bus drivers, bakers and icked under garden-hose spray and addition to your bedtime routine, when coughing or sneezing and no wind and your kids, like mine, will photographers. enjoyed water games, as well as a that’s one family tradition you can tissues are around. be well settled into their school rou- The Grandview Briderheim’s foray into the fascinating under- gladly break. Also, avoid anyone who’s sick: tines. But with this information, consumers took in a summer get- ground world of Howe Caverns in “Consider this common sce- Remind your child that sitting next sore backs and sniffly noses won’t away at a Hilton Homewood Suites upstate New York. nario—a child who has a cold to or playing with someone who’s be part of it. resort center in New Jersey, which, And in other Kings County sum- coughs or sneezes in the classroom,” mer happenings, residents of the write Mayo Clinic staffers in a South 9th Shvesterheim took in an recent newsletter. “The children sit- entire week at the relaxing Pinewood ting nearby inhale the infected respi- Hamaspik Gazette Estates bungalow colony in upstate ratory droplets and the cold spreads. © ‘03-‘10 All Rights Reserved South Fallsburg, from which they Or perhaps a child who has diarrhea Published Monthly by “Hamaspik” made daily jaunts to such area ven- uses the toilet and returns to the Distributed free ues as petting farms, roller rinks, classroom without washing his or USPS Presorted Non-profit Mail bowling alleys, rowing, horseback her hands. Illness-causing germs riding, bumper-boating and go-cart- Postmaster: Return service requested might spread from anything the sick ing. child touches to other children who As August turned into touch the same object and then put President Executive Director Editor Writers and Editors September and children and young their fingers in their mouths.” Hershel Weiss Meyer Wertheimer Mendy Hecht Isaac Schnitzler adults began their annual return to To eliminate any such scenario, school, Hamaspik consumers stress washing hands with soap and Joseph Landau engaged in a ritual of a different water frequently, including before Letters or Address Change? cut—gearing up for the New Year eating and after using the facilities, filled with the optimism and energy blowing the nose, or playing outside. Tel: (845) 356-8400 ex. 212 Fax: (845) 503-1212 that can only come from a summer How to make hand washing and Mail: Hamaspik Gazette, 58 Rt. 59, Suite 1, Monsey, NY 10952 done right. soaping fun? Tell your son or

E12 Oct. ‘10 | Hamaspik Gazette