October is National Spina Bifida Awareness Month. Spina bifida is the most common permanently disabling birth defect in the U.S. The condition affects 1,500 children each year. What do you know about the condition? Learn more about spina bifida types, what causes spina bifida and much more. What is spina bifida? Spina bifida is a…
Four-year-old Allen Norton is a ball of energy. He loves dancing, singing, eating ice cream and being active outside. Most of all, he loves the University of Louisville Cardinals. Just ask him and he’ll throw an “L” up and say, “Go Cards!” Allen has an extra chromosome that caused Down syndrome. He also has a…
Remember that little girl who bounded through the day wearing a bathing suit, a glitter-frosted tutu, a superhero cape, a fire chief helmet and rain boots— all at the same time? Has your brave young girl been replaced by a moody preteen or teen who isn’t so self-assured? What can parents do to help their…
Taunting and teasing between siblings may seem like a rite of passage many adults experienced as children. Parents may have chalked it up to normal sibling rivalry. While siblings may fight like cats and dogs, the hurtful words and arm punches can have lasting effects. Studies indicate that bullying by siblings can have a greater…
A day of tragedy in Charles City, Iowa, has led to lasting friendship and love for two families connected through one heartbeat. After Lenny and Wendy Luft’s 15-year-old son was injured in an all-terrain vehicle accident, his condition worsened. As it became clear he wouldn’t survive, they decided to donate his organs. “It was a…
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 1 out of 10 people may have a seizure in their lifetime. Having a seizure is much more common than many people realize –– and one day, you may need to help someone. Do you know what to do when someone has a seizure?…
Fire safety and fire prevention are the responsibility of the whole family. October 6 to 12 marks Fire Prevention Week. Fire Prevention Week was established to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire, the tragic 1871 blaze that killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures and burned more than 2,000 acres. During this…
Autumn anxiety is just as much a part of fall for some as pumpkin spice, apple cider and (hopefully) cooler weather. Autumn anxiety is the tendency for people to suffer from anxiety and low mood during the autumn months. It’s similar to seasonal affective disorder (SAD), or the “winter blues.” Unlike SAD, there often isn’t an…
Social media and technology can increase communication and access to a world of possibilities, but they also can contribute to bullying and dangerous activities. Do you know what apps your teen is using? We’ve created a list of four of the most popular apps parents should understand. Instagram Rated 8 out of 10 on safety…
There is an amount of uncertainty with any type of neurosurgery. Neurosurgeons study a patient’s medical history, current condition, and computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to plan for surgery. However, those images can show only so much. Once surgery begins, surgeons may face issues that they couldn’t have anticipated. Now, however,…
Andrea and Barry Smith will never forget April 25, 2018. That’s the day their 18-month-old daughter, Emaleigh, had a computed tomography (CT) scan that threw the family into a tailspin. The Smiths had barely gotten home from the test when the doctor called. Emaleigh had a solid tumor in her chest, near vertebrae — hugging…
Every year, more than 3.2 million children are injured in their homes seriously enough to need emergency medical care. More children in the United States die from unintentional, preventable injuries than from all diseases combined. Creating a safe environment for your baby is the best thing you can do to help prevent injuries at home….