Friday, March 1, 2013

Hot dogs increase risk for Leukemia

I recently read an article that was published on a govenment website acknowledging the consumption of hot dogs could increase the risk of leukemia in typical children by 9 times.  Since children with Down Syndrome are already at an increased risk for childhood leukemia, this is very important for us to stay away from this product and other processed meats.  The actual article can be found at:  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8167267

Processed meats and risk of childhood leukemia (California, USA).

Source

University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles 90033.

Abstract

The relation between the intake of certain food items thought to be precursors or inhibitors of N-nitroso compounds (NOC) and risk of leukemia was investigated in a case-control study among children from birth to age 10 years in Los Angeles County, California (United States). Cases were ascertained through a population-based tumor registry from 1980 to 1987. Controls were drawn from friends and by random-digit dialing. Interviews were obtained from 232 cases and 232 controls. Food items of principal interest were: breakfast meats (bacon, sausage, ham); luncheon meats (salami, pastrami, lunch meat, corned beef, bologna); hot dogs; oranges and orange juice; and grapefruit and grapefruit juice. We also asked about intake of apples and apple juice, regular and charcoal broiled meats, milk, coffee, and coke or cola drinks. Usual consumption frequencies were determined for both parents and the child. When the risks were adjusted for each other and other risk factors, the only persistent significant associations were for children's intake of hot dogs (odds ratio [OR] = 9.5, 95 percent confidence interval [CI] = 1.6-57.6 for 12 or more hot dogs per month, trend P = 0.01), and fathers' intake of hot dogs (OR = 11.0, CI = 1.2-98.7 for highest intake category, trend P = 0.01). There was no evidence that fruit intake provided protection. While these results are compatible with the experimental animal literature and the hypothesis that human NOC intake is associated with leukemia risk, given potential biases in the data, further study of this hypothesis with more focused and comprehensive epidemiologic studies is warranted.

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

The Mission Project



About The Mission Project

Purpose

The Mission Project enables capable adults with developmental or cognitive disabilities to live independently and safely in community with minimal support.

Goals

The project strives to create a community and support systems for participants to enable them to live as fully and independently as possible while providing them with opportunities for:
  • Finding and maintaining meaningful employment
  • Socializing with peers
  • Learning in a variety of continuing education classes and cultural activities
  • Participating in recreational activities
  • Getting and staying fit
Check out more info:

http://www.themissionproject.org/about/index.php

Where Exceptional People Live Extraordinary Lives



Can you imagine a place in Hampton Roads where adults with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities realize their full potential and goals through experiencing personal independence, purposeful employment and fulfilling social interaction? Now imagine that this community, situated on beautiful acreage with walking trails, gardens and orchards, is also home to companion animals, horses, shops and classrooms, and filled with innovative educational, vocational and recreational opportunities in a least restrictive yet secure environment. A place like this may only be a dream for most communities, but in Virginia Beach, that dream is about to become a reality. It's called Vanguard Landing, where exceptional people will live extraordinary lives.



http://www.vanguardlanding.org/

Friday, February 22, 2013

Special Needs Parenting and Working

As a working mother, one question that I get a lot is..."How do you get it all in?".  The answer to that questions is simple.  I have amazing support.  My family and job are amazing.  Emmalin is able to come to work with me which is such a blessing.  I am married to such an amazing man and our other children are incredible.  We have great medical support and even better support from therapist. 

Early on we were on the go a lot because of doctor appointments.  So immediately I knew that Emma's therapy items would have to be mobile.  In 20 months I have perfected what works for us.  Now I can do therapy any time of the day.  Even while waiting for my gas tank to fill up.  Below is a check list of what we try to get in each day.  The program is a combination of what I want to do plus her ND program with NACD.  Now some days we get it all in, some days only half and some days none.  I use to put a lot of pressure on myself to get it all in but quickly realized that if it is a lot for me, imagine how hard it is for Emma.  Also, when you have 7 therapy sessions a week and a 2-3 hour nap each day, work plus travel time, dinner to cook, clothes and dishes to wash and other children that need help with homework and baths, time tends to be a problem.  Our theory...some is better than none.

Now I have blacked out Emma's specific program items.  Her program is designed for her specifically from NACD and us.  I check off the items as I do them.  Some things we do 2-4 times a day.  Some as many as possible and some only once, again all specific to Emma.




Computer for BrillKids programs and IPad for apps.



Oral Motor Therapy



Receptive language



Animals and sounds



Flashcards



Sensory, books and more receptive/expressive language


Everything in one nice neat place.  This bag is the tote from
Thirty-One.
Amazing how much this bag can hold.


Emma at work!  My desk is somewhere in here I promise.