Travis EFMP Newsletter - Airman & Family Readiness Center, Travis ...

2Super Hero Training CampThis is the second year TSgt Michael Offenbackerled a group of kids through Super Hero TrainingCamp with a team of community volunteers.Camp took place June 24 – 28. Children enjoyeda weeklong camp with fun activities aroundsuper hero themes. Special thanks to all thevolunteers and community agencies thatvolunteered and supported the camp this year!Thank you Super Hero Volunteers & Supporters!TSgt. Michael OffenbackerMrs. Trisha OffenbackerSSgt. Brian WelchTSgt. Jason MacAllisterMrs. Lisa MacAllisterA1C Jeremy HalcombA1C Cody Tilley LafitteMrs. Jaye HurtMs. Amber BradleyMs. Catherine HurtOfficer and Enlisted Spouses ClubOutdoor Recreation, Mr. Sean PodreccaTravis Fire DepartmentTravis K-9 TeamZumba – TrudyKung Fu – Master Wes YanceySWAT Gymnastic TeamWhat is Fragile X Syndrome?Fragile X is a genetic disorder caused by a mutation (change in the DNA structure) in the Xchromosome.! Approximately 1 in 250 women and 1 in 800 men are carriers of Fragile X and they may sufferfrom FXTAS or FXPOI.! Fragile X is the leading inherited cause of intellectual disability worldwide and second only toDown Syndrome as a cause of intellectual disability.! Fragile X Syndrome is the most common known cause of Autism and autistic type behaviors.It is estimated about 1 in 4,000 males and between 1 in 6,000-8,000 females are affected by thedisorder (rather than just being carriers).Why awareness is so important?! So that carriers and those affected receive the most appropriate treatment and therapy.! Children are mis-diagnosed with Autism, Asperger’s or other conditions rather than Fragile X.! Men are mis-diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease rather than as a Fragile X carrier suffering fromFXTAS.Women struggle to conceive, or cannot conceive at all. They may be carriers of Fragile X sufferingfrom FXPOI but have not been tested or given the correct genetic counseling and treatment.

Meet Darius Wise: Air Force and Navy EFMPRespite Care ProviderDarius Wise has achieved near celebrity status among certain circles. He’sgot that magic that kids just can’t get enough of. Just recently, one of hisclients said to him, “I’ve been waiting all week for you to come,” andanother one told him, “You’re my best friend.” That’s pretty typical of thethings kids say to Darius. So what makes him so special? It’s all in theattitude. “If you’re not having fun, they’re not having fun,” Dariusoffers. During a typical respite booking, you might see Darius playingcatch with water balloons, building with Legos, playing at the park, orreading a story with a child perched on his shoulders.It’s not just the kids that think Darius is wonderful. Heather Turner,Kenneth Turner’s mother, has nothing but praise for Darius, “He’sfantastic. He’s one of the few people we can leave Ken with. Heunderstands him and is like a big brother. We don’t have to worry at allwhen he’s with Ken.” Fonda Smith, mother of twins Jamie and Lukas,praises him profusely, “He’s fantastic. He’s awesome. The boys alwayswant to know when he’s coming next. He encourages them to use their excess energy in positive ways. Hetires them out with physical activities. “Darius knows that providing respite care involves more than fun,“You have to find the middle ground. You’re not the parent.” He seems to have figured out the perfectblend of consistency, firmness, and fun. What does Darius find most rewarding about providing respitecare? He loves watching his clients grow and change. In fact, working with his clients and getting to knowthem has inspired him to pursue a career in pediatric medicine. Currently, he’s working on his AA,fulfilling his last few requirements. When he’s not spending time with his clients, he’s likely to be studying.Next semester: Organic Chemistry.To apply or to receive more information about the EFMP Respite Care Program, contact Mrs. RosemaryYoung at 707-644-4491 or rosemary@bayrespitecare.org .As our PCS date approaches, we do our best to prepare for the "big move.” We start sayinggood-bye and thank you to all the support systems in place for our EFMP family members. Thebutterflies start to kick as we think about whether there is going to be the same type ofsupport at the new location. This is a common feeling for many EFMP parents and familymembers. The goal is to reduce the gap in services for family members.If you are slated to PCS, get in touch with the EFMP Coordinator to find out whom the EFMPcoordinator at your next base will be. Then you can start exploring programs in the area of thereceiving base. Did you know your Nurse Case Manager's at David Grant Medical Center is ableto provide the same service and more? The case managers will contact the medical facility atyour new home and share important medical information to ensure, if services are available, thesame services are in place. For more information, contact Elaine Daly-Rath at the Airman andFamily Readiness Center at 424-2486 or contact your Nurse Case Manager’s at the DGMCPediatric and Family Medicine Clinic.Pediatric Case Manager: Mr. Willie Berringer, RN, MA 707-816-5610Family Medicine Case Manager: Ms. Elizabeth Reeves, RN, BSN, MPA 707-423-73103

School Liaison CornerHello, I'm Sylvia Crowder, the TravisAFB school liaison. I'm your resourcefor school information and schoolrelated issues. I also work with Elaineand am a member of the Special NeedsTask Force. Even though your childrenare enjoying the summer vacation, theupcoming school year is right aroundthe corner. Here are the school startdates for the three local school districts:Vacaville School district: Thursday, August 15thFairfield/Suisun school district: Wednesday, August 14thTravis school district: Thursday, August 22ndSpecial NeedsSummer Campis coming soon.Stay tuned forregistrationinformationand up-dates.Now is a great time to get school physicals done, especially ifyour child is starting kindergarten or plans to play organizedschool sports. Don’t forget to have shot records checked toensure immunizations are up-to-date.Most military installations have a school liaison, so when it'stime to PCS, come see me and I can put you in touch with theschool liaison at your gaining base. I'm located in the Airmanand Family Readiness Center in room115. Stop by and say hello!Sylvia M. CrowderSylvia.crowder.2@us.af.milSchool Liaison, Travis AFB 707-424-4352EFMP Community GardenDuring our Sensory Play Group in May/ June, EFMP families prepared our garden plotat the Travis Community Garden. Seeds were taken home for more TLC and whenready, the children transferred the seedlings to the plot. We started with chives,zucchini and yellow squash. Our tomatoes, basil, radish and a few more seedlings areabout ready to be planted in the garden. The plan is to plant the seedlings duringSensory Play/ Parent Support Group. Garden dates and times will be posted on theEFMP Travis Facebook Page and through e-mail notification. We need help wateringthe garden daily. If you are interested in designating a few days during the month towater our garden, please contact Elaine at elaine.daly-rath.1@us.af.mil or privatemessage at EFMP Travis Facebook page.4