The <strong>Seminole</strong> Tribune 30 <strong>June</strong> 8, 2007Women’s Wellness Seminar in ImmokaleeBy Judy WeeksIMMOKALEE — The leaders <strong>of</strong> the<strong>Seminole</strong> <strong>Tribe</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Florida</strong> are very conscious <strong>of</strong> theneed to promote good health and well-being withregard to Tribal community members and employees.With this thought in mind, they encourage the variousdepartments <strong>of</strong> their government to use their facilitiesto deliver this message.The AnnualImmokalee Women’sWellness Seminar, underthe direction <strong>of</strong> nutritionistCharlotte Porcaro, tookplace May 17 at theImmokalee Gym.Encircling the room werenumerous booths staffedwith knowledgeable peopleprepared to assist thecommunity members inestablishing a healthylifestyle.Representing theImmokalee Clinic,Charlotte Porcaro andBeth Morlang handled thesign-in, distribution<strong>of</strong> raffle ticketsand tote bagsfor the materialsthat were beingpassed around theroom. In additionto nutritional information,they werealerting the participantsabout thebenefits <strong>of</strong> diabeticprevention and thedangers <strong>of</strong> faddiets.Real eyecatcherswere therecipe books beinghanded out byNancy Holland <strong>of</strong>the American HeartAssociation.Catering to womenand children, the mouth-wateringrecipes looked very appealing andencouraged healthful eating habits. Thetable was covered with valuable informationconcerning the relationship <strong>of</strong>diet and exercise to a healthy heart. TheBody and Soul prevention planner wasnot just a calender for exercise, butincluded diabetic, cholesterol, bloodpressure and cancer tips that could benefiteveryone.Kerri Descheene and JenniferForbes approached dental health with aninteresting topic that affects people <strong>of</strong>all ages — bad breath. They gave an indepthexplanation <strong>of</strong> the possible causes<strong>of</strong> this universal problem, along withtips on treatment and prevention. Theydistributed special mouthwash, toothbrushesand tongue scrapers in additionto discussing diet, internal complicationsand gum conditions that mightrequire attention. Taking time to talkwith everyone, they had one <strong>of</strong> thebusiest booths at the seminar.Diabetes is a very serious concernamong Native Americans, andSusan Monteith andCindy Henson wereavailable to give educatedadvice concerningthe control and prevention<strong>of</strong> this debilitatingdisease. Theyaddressed issues likepregnancy, insulin production,treatment <strong>of</strong>neuropathy and the diabeticconnection withobesity.RhondaGoodman and AngieArreguin handed outgift bags <strong>of</strong> memo pads,body washes and scrubberswith lotion as theyintroduced their newcommunity servicesdesigned to assist the elderly and handicapped.Judy WeeksKerri Descheene discusses the various means <strong>of</strong> combatingbad breath.Judy Weeks(L to R) Elsa Zamora and Cecilia Pequeno distributedraffle tickets and made the communitymembers aware <strong>of</strong> the recreation programs availablein their area.Judy WeeksMassage therapist Tracy DeLaRosagives fitness trainer Joey Garcia ahot wax treatment.Judy WeeksThe Diane Yzaguirre Memorial Library has awealth <strong>of</strong> literature available to enhance physicaland mental well-being.Cecilia Pequeno and Elsa Zamora <strong>of</strong>fered acomprehensive look at the services available to thecommunity through the Recreation Department, whoseemployees are interested in working with all agegroups at various levels. They were joined by members<strong>of</strong> the Fitness Department. Personal trainer JoeyGarcia explained the benefits <strong>of</strong> a regular controlledexercise routine and its relationship to calorie burn-<strong>of</strong>fand physical fitness.Massage therapist Tracy DeLaRosa <strong>of</strong>feredthermal wax treatments and encouraged the participantsto make use <strong>of</strong> the massage facilities, which canhelp with musculardiscomfort and promotea more rewardinglifestyle.The DianeYzaguirre MemorialLibrary displayed awealth <strong>of</strong> books andperiodicals to informthe community concerninghealth issuesand the library’sresearch facilities.Many communitymembers wereunaware <strong>of</strong> the extensivematerials availablein their newlibrary.FamilyServices had by far themost attractive booth at theSeminar. Linda Freeman andBeverley Rose had dispersed theirliterature among bouquets <strong>of</strong>flowers, colorful table linens andphotos <strong>of</strong> community projects.Their valuable communityinvolvement speaks for itself.Janet Perez <strong>of</strong>Prescription for Better Hearingwas administering hearing teststhroughout the afternoon and<strong>of</strong>fering recommendations tothose who proved to be hearingimpaired. She and her colleagues<strong>of</strong>fered some valuable adviceconcerning the use <strong>of</strong> radios,CDs, iPods and many <strong>of</strong> the hightechspeakers on the market.Misuse <strong>of</strong> thesedevices today can createserious hearing complicationsin the years to come,they pointed out.Collier CountyHealth Department representativeMaggie Cisneroswas available to discussHIV, STDs, immunizations,child birthing classesand environmentalhealth concerns. All <strong>of</strong>these services are availableon a confidentialbasis through the localhealth department.The <strong>Seminole</strong>Police Department hadthree tables availablehighlighting home securitymeasures, handling <strong>of</strong>childhood emergencies,home and pool safety tips,childpro<strong>of</strong> constraints, carseats and self-defense.EnvironmentHealth made the communitymembers aware <strong>of</strong> thesentinel chicken program,helicopter mosquito sprayingand radon testing forhealthy homes and diseasecontrol.Animal ControlOfficer Donna Williamsonfor the Immokalee and BigCypress reservations wasvery popular. She discussedways to protect your pets,control <strong>of</strong> nuisance animalsin the neighborhood and themany methods <strong>of</strong> combatingthe flea epidemic brought onby the severe drought thatSouth <strong>Florida</strong> is currentlyexperiencing. She kept a captiveaudience as she discussedpossible home remediesas well as treatmentsavailable through veterinarians and the commercialmarket.Nutritionist Charlotte Porcaro arranged for anappetizing and healthful luncheon that included fruitand vegetable trays, gourmet sandwiches and wraps.Brighton Hosts Women’s Health FairBy Emma BrownBRIGHTON — Thisyear’s Brighton Women’sHealth Fair theme was “It’sYour Time – Pamper YourMind, Body and Spirit.” Thefair took place at the BrightonField <strong>of</strong>fice on May 10 from10 a.m. to 2 p.m.Upon entering thehealth fair, participants weregiven a sheet with a completelisting <strong>of</strong> more than 20 departmentsand organizations represented,with a question that hadto be answered at each booth.By answering all questions —essentially by visiting eachbooth — attendees were automaticallyentered into a grandprize drawing. There were representativesfrom many<strong>Seminole</strong> <strong>Tribe</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Florida</strong>departments, including Dental,Nursing and Family Services.Outside agencies suchas Indian River CommunityCollege, Martha’s House, theAmerican Cancer Society, theOkeechobee Substance AbuseCoalition and many more wereset up to provide some valuableinformation to theBrighton women.Women feelingfatigued could stop by the massagetherapist’s booth for ademonstration. Those feelingout <strong>of</strong> shape could chat withBrighton Fitness Trainer KaiFrankum and learn a fewhealthful eating and exercisehabits and even sign up for herindividualized training.Women could alsovisit the beauty booth providedby Sharon Cannon to learn theproper technique and importance<strong>of</strong> caring for your skin.There were also healthfulsnacks provided in case anyonegot hungry during visits frombooth to booth.As they left the healthfair, attendees could make onelast stop at the Alzheimer’sAssociation bus parked outsidewhere they could have theirmemory tested. They couldalso learn how to properly performthe Heimlich maneuver.A great deal <strong>of</strong> excellentinformation was providedat this year’s Health Fair.Health educator BarbaraBoling and dietician BethMorlang did an outstanding jobassembling a wide variety <strong>of</strong>organizations that coverednearly every aspect <strong>of</strong>women’s wellness.Emma BrownRinella Bailey checking her cholesterol and blood glucosewith Central <strong>Florida</strong> Health Care.Emma BrownAgnes Jumper speaking with a representative from the OkeechobeeSubstance Abuse Coalition.Emma BrownMassage therapist Pat Johnston giving a stress relieving massage.Nancy Shore being seated for her relaxing massage.Emma BrownEmma BrownLouise Gopher learning how to save a chokinginfant from a <strong>Seminole</strong> Health Departmentemployee.Emma BrownAlice Snow picking up information about menopausefrom a <strong>Florida</strong> Hospital representative.Emma BrownMandy Huff and <strong>Seminole</strong> Health Department staff discussing‘Fads and Myths <strong>of</strong> Dieting.’Emma BrownMichelle Thomas learning about cancer preventionfrom a Raulerson Hospital representative.
The <strong>Seminole</strong> Tribune 31 <strong>June</strong> 8, 2007Shy’s Team Walks for Cystic FibrosisBy Judy WeeksShyanna “Shy” Marie Escobar isjust one <strong>of</strong> the tens <strong>of</strong> thousands <strong>of</strong> childrenand young adults that suffer from thelife-threatening disease <strong>of</strong> cystic fibrosis.This 5-year-old descendent <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Seminole</strong><strong>Tribe</strong> is the daughter <strong>of</strong> Ralph and NoemiEscobar and granddaughter <strong>of</strong> BeckyYzaguirre Martinez.Sufferingfrom chronic respiratoryproblemssince birth, this littlegirl was diagnosedin December 2003after a nearly fatalepisode, whichbegan one <strong>of</strong> manylengthy stays in thehospital. Appearingto be a sinus problem,cystic fibrosisis <strong>of</strong>ten misdiagnosedas asthma;however, it is farmore serious. Shy’sbody does not producesufficient waterin the lungs tocleanse the airabsorption surfaces,resulting in severelung infections and suffocation.In the more advanced cases suchas Shyanna’s, patients have difficultydigesting their food because they lack theability to produce digestive enzymes. Theyare unable to absorb the vitamins andnutrients required for a healthy life, anduntil recent years, the survival rate wasvery low. As the disease progresses, diabetesusually develops and the liver iseventually destroyed.Because her body is beingattacked from so many different directions,Shyanna’s immune system is in a state <strong>of</strong>alert at all times and she must be continuallyfortified with antibiotics. She has apermanent port in the middle <strong>of</strong> her stomachfor a feeding tube allowing her to befed at regular intervals the necessaryenzymes, nutrients and calories required tosustain life. Due to her condition, she takes12 different medications daily.According to her physician, Dr.Oscar A. Alea, until the last few years thelife expectancy for cystic fibrosis patientswas zero to eight years. Medical researchhas made great strides thanks to the generousdonations <strong>of</strong> the many communityfundraisers hosted by the Cystic FibrosisFoundation and concerned citizens.Today, more than 40 percent <strong>of</strong>the cystic fibrosis population are over 18years <strong>of</strong> age and able to live reasonablynormal lives. Life expectancy has beenpushed back to nearly a 30 year average.In 2006, family and communitymembers formed Shy’s Team in support <strong>of</strong>Shyanna. Joined by Team <strong>Seminole</strong>, theyhave become very actively involved in theannual fund raising efforts <strong>of</strong> the CysticFibrosis Foundation.Judy WeeksMembers <strong>of</strong> Shy’s Team participating in the warm up.Judy Weeks(Left) Shyanna Escobar’s mother, Noemi, thanks everyone forcoming out in support <strong>of</strong> her daughter.Shy’s Team assembled at theImmokalee Middle School track on May12 and then joined more than 250 people atLakes Park in Fort Myers on May 19 tobecome part <strong>of</strong> the fundraiser to help supportcystic fibrosis victims. The 16 members<strong>of</strong> Team <strong>Seminole</strong> and Shy’s Teamparticipated in the early morning warm-upand then walked the two-mile course.It was a beautiful, windy springmorning at Lakes Park that proved to beideal for a pleasant walk around the lake,over the boardwalk bridge and through thecarefully maintained wooded areas <strong>of</strong> thepark. Birds were singing and butterfliesfluttered about in the lush vegetation as ifin support <strong>of</strong> this worthwhile cause.Thanks to the support <strong>of</strong> her manyfriends and devoted care <strong>of</strong> her family,Shyanna is healthy enough to have walkedall but approximately 300 feet <strong>of</strong> the twomilejourney. This is not a small feat for ahealthy 5-year-old, but she has the determinationto fight for the life she deserves.The <strong>Florida</strong> Chapter <strong>of</strong> the CysticFibrosis Foundation has its headquarters inTampa. Executive Director Scott Talcottwas present at the Fort Myers walk to presentinformation about the foundation andits focused research program.Although they work all year long,the <strong>Florida</strong> chapter <strong>of</strong> the Cystic FibrosisFoundation devoted more than six months<strong>of</strong> concentrated effort to the annualfundraiser. This year they collected morethan $125,000 in donations and pledges inSouthwest <strong>Florida</strong>, including their LakesPark Walk.Eighteen teams participated in thewalk on May 19 and were supported byseveral very generousbusinesses,such as the localCracker Barrelrestaurant, whichdonated 25 homemadepies to sell.The Immokalee<strong>Seminole</strong> Casinoalso donated a largegift basket for theraffle and a multitude<strong>of</strong> drinks andrefreshments fromlocal vendors.At theconclusion <strong>of</strong> thewalk, Ralph’sAngels, a motorcycleclub from CapeCoral, Fla., made agrand entrance tothe park and deliveredan impressivedonation. With the very generous support<strong>of</strong> the Chairman’s Office and Big CypressCouncil Representative David Cypress,Team <strong>Seminole</strong> and Shy’s Team were ableto make a substantial contribution. In addition,the Immokalee <strong>Seminole</strong> Casino providedthe refreshments for the May 12activities in Immokalee.Judy WeeksMembers <strong>of</strong> Team <strong>Seminole</strong> and Shy’s Team traveled from all over South <strong>Florida</strong> tosupport Shyanna and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.Judy WeeksEdna McDuffie and Shyanna Escobar are all smiles as they wait at the starting linefor the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Walk.By Fred Cicetti[Editor’s Note: Fred Cietti is a syndicatedcolumnist who writes about issues concerning seniorcitizens’ health. The opinions he expresses arehis own. If you would like to ask a question, pleasewrite fredcicetti@gmail.com. All Rights Reserved ©2007 by Fred Cicetti.]Q. Do men get osteoporosis?A: Yes, men do get osteoporosis, butwomen are at greater risk.Osteoporosis, or porous bone, is a diseasecharacterized by low bone mass and structural deterioration<strong>of</strong> bone tissue. This condition creates anincreased risk <strong>of</strong> fractures.Osteoporosis is a major public healththreat for 44 million Americans; about 68 percentNormal bone on the left and osteoporadic bone on the right<strong>of</strong> them are women. One out <strong>of</strong> every two womenand one in four men over 50 will have an osteoporosis-relatedfracture in their lifetime.Our bodies remove old bone and replace itwith new bone. During our growth stage, new boneis added faster than old bone is removed. We hitpeak bone mass around age 30. After that age, welose more bone than we form.Who is at risk <strong>of</strong> getting osteoporosis?The chances are greater if you are awoman. Women have less bone tissue and losebone faster than men because <strong>of</strong> changes frommenopause. Small, thin-boned women are at greaterrisk. Caucasian and Asian women are at highestrisk. Age is amajor risk factorbecause bones becomethinner and weaker as you age.Heredity can also increase fracture risk.Low calcium intake appears to be associatedwith bone loss. Good sources <strong>of</strong> calcium includelow-fat dairy products, dark green leafy vegetables,almonds and foods fortified with calcium, such asorange juice.Some people may need to take a calciumsupplement.Vitamin D plays an important role in calciumabsorption and bone health. It is made in theskin through exposure to sunlight. Vitamin D productiondecreases in the elderly, in people who arehousebound, and for people ingeneral during the winter.Depending on your situation,you may need to take vitamin Dsupplements.Bone responds to exerciseby becoming stronger.Weight-bearing exercise is thebest for your bones. Get <strong>of</strong>f thes<strong>of</strong>a.Women who smokehave lower levels <strong>of</strong> estrogencompared to nonsmokers, andthey <strong>of</strong>ten go throughmenopause earlier. Smokersalso may absorb less calciumfrom their diets. Quit.Regular consumption<strong>of</strong> two to three ounces a day <strong>of</strong>alcohol may be damaging to theskeleton. Heavy drinkers aremore prone to bone loss andfractures, because <strong>of</strong> poor nutritionand increased risk <strong>of</strong>falling. Quit or at least cutdown.People may not knowthey have osteoporosis untiltheir bones become so weak thata bump or fall causes a hip t<strong>of</strong>racture or a vertebra to collapse.See your doctor for acheck-up.Following a comprehensivemedical assessment,your doctor may recommend that you have yourbone mass measured. A bone mineral density(BMD) test is the best way to determine your bonehealth. BMD tests can identify osteoporosis, determineyour risk for fractures, and measure yourresponse to osteoporosis treatment. The most widelyrecognized bone mineral density test is called adual-energy x-ray absorptiometry or DXA test.A comprehensive osteoporosis treatmentprogram includes a focus on proper nutrition, exercise,and safety issues to prevent falls that mayresult in fractures. In addition, your physician mayprescribe a medication to slow or stop bone loss,increase bone density, and reduce fracture risk.Cleaning up U.S. Rivers: Progress ButMuch Room for ImprovementQ: Are we making progress in cleaning upAmerica’s rivers?— Maria B., via e-mailA: When the Cuyahoga River caught firein downtown Cleveland in <strong>June</strong> <strong>of</strong> 1969, a nationalready becoming more aware <strong>of</strong> environmentalproblems took note. Across the country, people werefed up with bans on swimming and fishing due togrowing pollution levels. And rampant logging wasclogging many a remote river system with soil anddebris, making themuninhabitable by the fishthat had evolved therefor eons.In 1972, inresponse to such concerns,Congress passedthe landmark CleanWater Act, which regulatesthe discharge <strong>of</strong>pollution into America’swaterways. This importantlaw has worked wellto curtail pollution andkeep development incheck, but it does little torestore already damagedriver ecosystems.Luckily, a largearray <strong>of</strong> local governments,nonpr<strong>of</strong>it organizationsand ad hoc citizengroups has risen tothe challenge, makingthe United States theworld’s nexus for riverrestoration work. TheNational RiverRestoration ScienceSynthesis Project, a 2005survey conducted byleading river scientists,identified 37,000 differentriver restoration projects either completed orunderway across the U.S.According to the survey, American taxpayersand foundations have invested nearly $15 billionin U.S. river restoration projects — or about $1 billionyearly — since 1990. Projects include reforestingriverbanks to curb erosion, recreating naturalriver channels to reduce downstream flooding,removing dams to allow fish to migrate more freely,and restoring wetlands so they can do a better job <strong>of</strong>filtering pollution naturally.Some specific high-pr<strong>of</strong>ile examplesinclude Native Americans and farmers workingtogether to bring wild salmon back to Oregon’sUmatilla River, and the creation <strong>of</strong> natural habitatand buffer zones along Texas’ San Antonio River.And General Electric finally complied with stateand federal mandates to begin removal <strong>of</strong> the PCBsthey had dumped in New York’s Hudson River foryears.“It’s no mystery why river restoration isbooming,” says Andrew Fahlund <strong>of</strong> AmericanRivers, a leading nonpr<strong>of</strong>it rivers advocacy group.“Rivers in good condition more readily meet theneeds <strong>of</strong> the surroundingcommunity than pollutedand degraded rivers.”A new Housebudget resolution callsfor increased spendingon programs to reducethe amount <strong>of</strong> rawsewage going intoAmerican streams and tobetter manage thenation’s 168 designated“wild and scenic” rivers.The resolution also callsfor allocating funds forremoving obsolete damsthat could rupture andthreaten nearby communitieswith potentiallycatastrophic flash floods.Despite thepositive trends, not allrivers are doing well.American Rivers’ annuallist <strong>of</strong> “America’s MostEndangered Rivers”highlights river ecosystemsacross the UnitedStates that are still indisrepair or under threat.Those on the 2007 listinclude New Mexico’sSanta Fe, New York’sGetty ImagesUpper Delaware, Washington’s White Salmon,Texas’s Neches, Wisconsin’s Kinnickinnic, NorthCarolina’s Neuse, Alaska’s Chuitna, Iowa’s namesakeIowa River, Arkansas’ and Oklahoma’s LeeCreek and California’s San Mateo Creek.Contacts: The National River RestorationScience Synthesis Project, nrrss.nbii.gov; AmericanRivers, www.americanrivers.org.Got an environmental question? Send it to:EarthTalk, c/o E/The Environmental Magazine, P.O.Box 5098, Westport, CT 06881; submit it at:www.emagazine.com/earthtalk/thisweek/, or e-mail:earthtalk@emagazine.com. Read past columns at:www.emagazine.com/earthtalk/archives.php.
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