What is the Lesson Here?

1st Grade Egg Drop - 2010

A schools requirement for good personal hygiene and child safety... Is cutting into their child's edjumacation!  
Our schools work hard to protect our children from strangers, contamination, health risks and discrimination. It would seem that if parents in Edgewater Florida have their way about it, some would be protected against the unreasonable requirement of washing their hands in school.

Schools are required to make accommodations for children with special needs, or disabilities, and in some cases this affects other children.  In Edgewater Florida, children in one class are required to wash their hands before entering the classroom and to keep their lunches in the hall outside the classroom. All of this because one of the students has a severe peanut allergy. 


These special life saving precautions have parents angry and protesting with signs in front of the school... With their children carrying signs right along with them! They are calling for the "disabled" students removal from the school because of the special accommodations that have infringed on the rights of their children. These poor SIX YEAR OLDS! Their children can't have treats in class like the other classrooms, they can't keep their lunches in the classroom like the other classes and as I said, they are required to wash their hands before entering the classroom, which amounts to twice daily. 


As a parent of a special needs child myself, I can imagine the stress this has put on the parents of the little girl who is the focus of all this. They have, as a result, pulled their little girl from school and gone into hiding. Last year my son experienced the same accommodations at school for a student in his class. So far he has not exhibited any signs of trauma from the experience. Perhaps he is immune because he has a sister with special needs. His little sister is also in first grade, just as the class affected in Florida, but she has Prader-Willi Syndrome. Or... Maybe parents in our city have a little more compassion for those struggling with disabilities and have taught their children to be compassionate as well. 


I read an interesting and timely quote today, shared by one of my friends on Facebook. "The difference between school and life? In school, you're taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you're given a test that teaches you a lesson.” - Tom Bodett

I can't help but wonder what the children are learning from their parents over this, in this Florida town, and what lesson will be learned by these protesting parents in the end. 

With my daughters syndrome, we have tried to avoid as many restrictions as possible at school, but food is a risk for her as well. Not from allergies, but a risk of stomach rupture. With Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) there is a constant hunger, among many other issues, and no amount of food will satisfy that hunger.  As a result, those with PWS are at risk of literally eating themselves to death. Those with PWS have been known to steal food, talk others into giving them food and even raiding the garbage cans for discarded food. Locks on refrigerators and food pantries are a requirement at home, as are locks on the doors to prevent exiting in some extreme cases.   

The world is seeing a rise in children affected by many issues, diseases, syndromes, ect., and it won't be long before protection in the schools will mean all classrooms are subject to special precautions.  With obesity on the rise, it is a wonder that food, treats and snacks in the classroom haven't already been prohibited, to add more time and focus on learning.  It has already begun in one of the schools here where I have two children.  

With the growing risk of so many potential health issues, one way to protect our children when their not in school, is through healthier choices and a healthier "greener" lifestyle. Shaklee products really are a great way to start. When it comes to nature, natural, my family, and especially my little girl who has Prader-Willi Syndrome, I trust Shaklee products to give me added hope for the future.

Terry Guinn, A Healthier You Too

Treat your family to the quality products they deserve. Shaklee products are always safe, always work, and are always green. If you would like more information about Shaklee products, please contact me, Terry Guinn, Shaklee Independent Distributor, through my website at  www.ahealthieryoutoo.com or if you would like to checkout the products for yourself, go to my Shaklee page at  www.ahealthieryoutoo.myshaklee.com 

Shakleebaby & Shakleekids

Prader-Willi Village

www.celebratedifferences.org

In the Prader-Willi village (or community), we share because we care... And "it takes a village to raise a child".  

How is it that the perfect parent (as if such a thing exists) could raise a child that will struggle physically and mentally?  You know those parents... They are the same ones writing books, creating videos, lecturing and telling you just how you should raise your child!

The truth is, there is no "one size fits all" to parenting. Yet many parents struggle to find answers, unsure of their own abilities and concerned about the future of their children.  This can hit especially hard in the special needs community where parents are searching for answers where fewer answers, or opinions, exist.

More and more, parents are turning to the internet to find answers. More and more, forums are popping up with many parents ready to share their tips and strategies for raising a special needs child. And, more and more, parents are questioning their own parenting techniques in the face of so many other parenting success stories, at least in what they perceive as success.  I see this often as I search and interact with other parents on-line who, as I do, have a child with Prader-Willi Syndrome. 

My twins (not so much)

It really does take a village to raise a child, but what some don't realize or forget because raising a special needs child can sometimes be overwhelming, is that just because our children have a syndrome or disability, the syndrome or disability is not the result of an identical corrupted set of DNA. Just as everyone has a unique set of fingerprints, everyone has a unique DNA.  Including every individual with Prader-Willi Syndrome. To dig a little deeper into DNA and better understand genetics, or even deeper into epigenetics (way over my head) is to come to the realization that even identical twins are probably not 100% identical at birth... And they grow less and less identical through life. 

Bottom line, and a line I love... Prader-Willi Syndrome is what they have and not who they are.  

In the Prader-Willi village, or community, we share because we care and it really does take a village to raise a child... Even if that community is only there for much needed moral support!  And every child with Prader-Willi Syndrome is unique, with different needs, abilities and potential. But, while the village can help, mom still knows best because she has a special bond and connection, a mothers intuition, that will help guide her child to reach their potential. 


Just as no one knows better than mom when it comes to her own child, no one knows better than you what is best for your family and how best to provide for your family. When it comes to my family, and especially my little girl who has Prader-Willi Syndrome, I trust Shaklee products to give me hope for the future.

Terry Guinn, A Healthier You Too

Treat your family to the quality products they deserve. Shaklee products are always safe, always work, and are always green. If you would like more information about Shaklee products, please contact me, Terry Guinn, Shaklee Independent Distributor, through my website at  www.ahealthieryoutoo.com or if you would like to checkout the products for yourself, go to my Shaklee page at  www.ahealthieryoutoo.myshaklee.com 

Shakleebaby & Shakleekids

A Wonderful Life...

Cameron Newton just won the Heisman Trophy!  Was there ever any doubt?  

Of course you might not have heard the news yet because you were too busy with your children, helping with homework, transporting then back & forth from an athletic event, introducing them to classics such as "It's a Wonderful Life" or working overtime to keep up with the ever growing expenses of raising a family. 

I may miss the games and awards, but watching “It’s a Wonderful Life” tonight, for the 100th time in my life, reminds me of just how lucky I am. 

My wife and I reminisce often about the days we had the time to do anything we wanted, like play Nintendo Golf at all hours of the night, eat ice cream anytime or sleep in...  Those were the days.

I'm not complaining!  Our children have added structure to our lives and with the addition of the twins seven years ago, we received the missing piece of the puzzle that made our life complete.  One of the twins was diagnosed with Prader-Willi Syndrome and has become our health coach, sort of.  Ok, perhaps more of an inspiration.  Many of us have guilt when it comes to overeating.  My guilt comes for different reasons. Because of my daughters disabilities and her restrictive diet, I have lost ten pounds over the last year.

As I look back and realize how my life could have been, without children, I have to wonder... Would I have even survived to the half century mark???  As I pop my vitamins, slurp my Vivix and sip my hot tea, the children are all fast asleep and I am enjoying my quiet time catching up on the days news &  events. 

Come Sunday I may not get to follow the day in sports, as I take time for my children, but I  wouldn't be living this wonderful life without them.  I still get my time and I can catch up on the sports excitement, but nothing compares to my children's excitement and their smiles that make life worth living.

Exercise and proper nutrition are the keys to a parents full life of children’s activities, excitement and smiles. What are you doing to stay healthy?  Did you know that our food supply is not as nutrient rich as it used to be? Did you know that more than 65% of Americans regularly take supplements? What do you know about the supplements that you use or see advertised everyday?  

This is cool!  Shaklee has a Digital Edition (click here) of their catalog (I love catalogs) that includes the “Clinical Research” section starting on page 118.  Also, clicking on the product picture takes you right to the product page in a new window. 

December is a great month to treat your family to the quality products they deserve.  Shaklee products are always safe, always work, and are always green.   Several promotions available, including the "Free Membership" offer below. If you would like more information about Shaklee products, please contact me through my website at  www.ahealthieryoutoo.com or if you would like to checkout the products for yourself, go to my Shaklee page at www.ahealthieryoutoo.myshaklee.com 

SPECIAL OFFER:

December 1-31, 2010, "Free Membership" 

(a $19.95 value) with an order for $70 worth of products at member prices.